6 Feb 20

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood, Church Ope Cove, Rufus Castle and Mermaid Track

A bright sunny day and feeling warmer than the 9.0°C on the outdoor thermometer.

Main highlights today were singles of Firecrests in Penns Wood and another at the back of the cove.

Surprisingly very few birds about, with Chaffinches being the most abundant bird with 10+ in Penns Wood and the same along the Mermaid track.

Also seen today were 2 Wall Lizards at the back of the cove close to the Hebe bush. A spot that I have never seen them before. In fact I nearly stood on one as it sat on a stone inches from the footpath.

The sun brought out the bees and there were dozens of Early Bumblebees and several Honey Bees on the Mahonia at the top of Penns Wood and also on sunlit Hebes around the cove.

Joining the bees I came across at least 8 Common Droneflies, 4 Marmalade Hoverflies, 2 Migrant Hoverflies, plus several flies. The ones I recognised were Phaonia subventa and Phaonia tuguriorum, both members of the Muscidae family.

Here are a few images from today:

One of the 2 Wall Lizards out at the back of the cove.

A Marmalade Hoverfly

This is a Migrant Hoverfly Meliscaeva auricollis. I first recorded this species on 27 Dec 17, so obviously a hoverfly like the Marmalade and Common Dronefly that doesn't mind the Winter sun.

Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)

This is another Muscidae Fly (Phaonia tuguriorum) and is one of the first flies to appear in the year. More on this fly Here.

This is the handiwork of the Golden Pygmy Moth caterpillar (Stigmella aurella) "mining" on a bramble leaf.

Ted enjoying the sun.

Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 2 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 20+ Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded: 2 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Bees Recorded: 7+ Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and 10+ Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum)

Hoverflies Recorded: 4 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), 2 Migrant Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis) and 8 Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa), Muscid Fly (Phaonia tuguriorum)

Wakeham

5:20am this morning and a Barn Owl flew over the Cottage.

Ships Today

This is the Dutch Cargo Ship "Alizee". It is on its way from Klaipeda (Lithuania) to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here. In the background St Aldhelm's Head.

This is the British yacht "Mintaka" on its way from Hamble Point into Weymouth Bay. Here it is just off St Aldhelm's Head. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British yacht "Cest Si Bon" on its way from Weymouth to an unknown destination. Here it is just off St Aldhelm's Head. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Law Enforcement Ship "Solent Guardian" heading up Portland towards Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

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

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.