Well I really wasn't expecting that today. Whereas all the action yesterday was in the grounds of St Andrew's Church. Today it was at the back of the cove with not one but two Large Tortoiseshell Butterflies plus my first Brimstone of the year.
The first Large Tortoiseshell was right at the back of the cove behind the huts, whilst the second one was between two huts on the south facing embankment. I have seen a couple on Portland in the last couple of years, but it's the first time I have managed to photograph one. Well chuffed.
The Brimstone was a good find as well and was in the same area as the second Large Tortoiseshell. Unfortunately it didn't hang around for a photo.
The butterflies overshadowed the fact that there were also 2 Chiffchaffs at the cove, in the hedgerow close to the toilets.
There was one possibly 2 Firecrests in Penns Wood, with one individual calling many times.
And another good count of 9 Wall Lizards plus one Common Lizard. The latter on Penns Weare.
The sun certainly brought out the Buff-tailed Bumblebees today with 8 counted along my walk, plus 3 Early Bumblebees
Here are a few images and a video from today:
Here are a few images and a video from today:
Well this area was where all the action was today. Between the 2 huts in the foreground was a...........
...........Large Tortoiseshell.
Not the first one I have seen on Portland, but certainly the first I have been able to photograph.
I even managed a short video before it flew off.
Also on the cove this Chiffchaff and another close by.
Here it is calling
Another good day for Wall Lizards. I even saw my first Common Lizard of the year.
A close up of a Wall Lizard
One of the local and vocal Long-tailed Tits.
A Tapered Dronefly
One of many Buff-tailed Bumblebees out today.
Birds Recorded: Gannet, Cormorant, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, 1/2 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded: 9 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) and 1 Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Large Tortoiseshell and 1 Brimstone
Bees Recorded: 3 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and 8 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Hoverflies Recorded: Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa) and Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
This is the British Offshore Supply Ship "Ocean Osprey" way out in the English Channel. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Portuguese Vehicles Carrier, with apt name of "Autopride". It is on its way from Avonmouth to Southampton. More on this vessel Here.
Reptiles Recorded: 9 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis) and 1 Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)
Butterflies Recorded: 2 Large Tortoiseshell and 1 Brimstone
Bees Recorded: 3 Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and 8 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Hoverflies Recorded: Tapered Drone Fly (Eristalis pertinax) and Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa) and Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
Ships Today
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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.