30 Jan 20

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove and Church Ope Cove Wood

Poor visibility today as a Portland was shrouded in fog, but it wasn't all gloom and doom as I came across a Firecrest and Goldcrest in Penns Wood, and another Firecrest behind the huts at Church Ope Cove. Where there "partners" were from yesterday, I have no idea.

Not much else about unfortunately and the only other birds of interest were a Buzzard over the cove and on the beach just the 1 Wren.

On the Alexanders at the cove were a few Leafhoppers, a Marmalade Hoverfly and a strange "aphid" looking critter. More below

Here are a few images from today:

There were quite a few Robins about today with many singing.

I'm sure this is Stinking Iris (Iris foetidissima). A plant that seems to be in every corner of Portland. The snail attached to looks like a Strawberry Snail. More on this plant Here.

A Marmalade Hoverfly on an Alexanders. To the left of it this.........

..........strange looking "aphid" type bug, which I have been told is most likely a Collembola. A large family consisting of Springtails. I wish I had seen this at the time and got a better close-up shot.

As the Snowdrops at the top of Penns Wood "go over" and so.......

.........the first Primroses begin to flower along my walk.

And finally that weird looking lichen I came across earlier this month on the stone wall as you head up the steps to St Andrew's Church. This is a lichen called Botryolepraria lesdainii. More on this Here.

Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Hoverflies Recorded: 1 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Leafhopper (Empoasca vitis) and a Springtail (Collembola sp)

Slugs and Snails RecordedStrawberry Snail (Trochulus striolatus)

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On this day..........
2019

Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.