Yuk, that sums up today, though it was sunny when I left home, but on the way back the heavens opened and it was wet. Needless to say I missed out the railway cuttings as it was absolutely pouring. So if the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat was there, we will never know!!
The walk down to the cove was sunny, but very quiet bird-wise other than a Grey Wagtail and 2 Ravens flying over Penns Wood.
At the cove there were 2 Rock Pipits which for the first time this Winter were outnumbered by 3 Wrens. Out to sea were many Gannets heading south.
Over Penns Weare a Kestrel was desperately trying to hover, but gave up in the strong gusts.
On the way back up to Penns Wood, I came across a Firecrest singing at the back of the cove. There was no sign of the 2 Chiffchaffs from yesterday and the only other birds here were a small flock of 5 Long-tailed Tits passing through.
As I returned through Penns Wood, the rain started to fall and a large flock of 23 Long-tailed Tits stopped briefly. In amongst them a single Goldfinch.
Also seen today when the sun was out was a Common Dronefly, a Marmalade Hoverfly and several Bluebottles, all in Penns Wood.
Here are a few images from today:
A couple of Gannets making their way down the coast. There were many more further out to sea.
Before the rain fell the sun was warm enough for this Common Dronefly and several........
..........Bluebottles to emerge in Penns Wood where........
...........the Japonica is well laden in berries.
Also in Penns Wood was this "jelly" mushroom, which, if I've got it right is Exidia nucleata and..........
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and a Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Fungi Recorded: Crystal Brain Fungus (Exidia nucleata)