Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood and Church Ope Cove
Another day of sunshine and showers, plus a good breeze coming up the island. At least there was a bit of shelter around Penns Wood and the grounds of St Andrew's Church, where today there was a Chiffchaff and a Firecrest. The Chiffchaff actually "arrived" yesterday and was spotted by a birder I met at The Bill on the same day.
I took a few photos and a video of it, but I'm unsure whether this is an early migrant or not. Looking at the images, it does appear to have a pollen around its face, which would normally indicate that is a migratory bird and has been feeding on the Continent prior to arriving on our shores. More on migratory Chiffchaffs Here.
While the sun was out, the Wall Lizards put in an appearance, but as soon as the rain came down they were gone.
There were a few insects about with a couple of Common Droneflies, a few Muscid Flies, a couple of Yellow Dung Flies and an Early Bumblebee
Here are a few images and a couple of videos from today:
And here is the Chiffchaff.
I'm pretty sure this is an early migrant.
My feeling is that there is enough pollen encrusted around its bill, to suggest it was on the Continent before it flew over.
Here it is sat in the hedgerow in the church grounds.
And here it is calling as it makes its way though the trees and bushes.
In between the showers the Wall Lizards put in an appearance.
The east facing wall in the church grounds really does soak up the sun, despite......
..........the temperature in the shade only reaching 9.0°C.
Not a pleasant name for a lovely coloured fly, a Yellow Dung Fly.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded: 5 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Bees Recorded: 1 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum)
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa) and Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
Slugs and Snails Recorded: 4 Kentish Snail (Monacha cantiana)