Well it was back to my local patch today and what a great start when I found the long-staying "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat in its new winter quarters along the old Railway Cuttings in Wakeham. A week or so back it was at the top end of Penns Wood, but recently moved to the Cuttings. I had some great views of it as it moved from tree to tree before it disappeared into the ivy.
Also along the track were 2 Firecrests with 2 more in Penns Wood and a single bird at the back of the cove. There were also a few Chiffchaffs about with singles along the Railway Cuttings & St Andrew's Church and 2's at Church Ope Cove Wood and Penns Wood.
The Great Spotted Woodpecker was pretty mobile today, flitting between the railway Cuttings and Penns Wood.
On the beach there was a bit of surprise and for the first time that I can remember there were 2 Grey Wagtails here alongside the 5 Rock Pipits and the 1st winter Pied Wagtail. The past two winters has only ever seen single birds here.
Here are a few selected sightings from today:
Wakeham Railway Cuttings: 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Overhead 1 Sparrowhawk
Penns Wood: 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest and 15+ Long-tailed Tit
St Andrew's Church: 1 Chiffchaff
Church Ope Cove: 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtails and 1 Pied Wagtail. Overhead 2 Raven and a Kestrel
Church Ope Cove Wood: 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest
Here are a few images from today:
Here are a few selected sightings from today:
Wakeham Railway Cuttings: 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, 8 Long-tailed Tit and a Great Spotted Woodpecker. Overhead 1 Sparrowhawk
Penns Wood: 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest and 15+ Long-tailed Tit
St Andrew's Church: 1 Chiffchaff
Church Ope Cove: 5 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtails and 1 Pied Wagtail. Overhead 2 Raven and a Kestrel
Church Ope Cove Wood: 2 Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest
Here are a few images from today:
I had heard that this "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat had relocated to the old railway cuttings in Wakeham..........
.........and an attempt to find it a few days ago proved fruitless.
Today however it put in a great appearance feeding in the............
............Sycamores above the old track close to the road bridge.
I just managed to catch this Goldcrest as it flew off. Busy birds.
In Penns Wood were these two.........
On the beach a Rock Pipit poses for the camera.
As does this Grey Wagtail. Another was close by.
And we are a week into December and the.........
............German Wasps are still active in the church grounds.
And not for the first time in Penns Wood we have Blackberry flowers and berries in December.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 5 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 6 Chiffchaff, 4 Goldcrest, 5 Firecrest, 23+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Wasps Recorded: German Wasp (Vespula germanica)
Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Ships Today
This is the Tanker "Inyala" flying the flag of Singapore. It is on its way from Rotterdam (Holland) to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
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On this day..........
2018Today's Sightings Here.
2017
Today's Sightings Here.