Still that bitter cold wind coming off the sea and a lot cloudier today, though when the sun did come out, it was pleasantly warm especially in sheltered spots.
Highlights today were 2 Chiffchaffs at the cove, where there were also pairs of Peregrine, Kestrel and Common Buzzard all hunting along the slopes.
Also about were a few Meadow Pipits passing through and I found a pair of Stock Doves in Bumpers Lane Quarry, the first I have seen in this quarry.
There were a few Peacock butterflies about and a Large Tortoiseshell put in an appearance, all at the cove.
There seemed to be fewer bees about and I only found one hoverfly a Syrphus sp. There was definitely a lack of flying insects, which wasn't surprising considering the maximum temperature today only reached 9.0°C. Add in the wind-chill factor and it was freezing. There were just a handful of Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Honey Bees and a single male Hairy-footed Flower Bee. The latter in Penns Wood on the Comfrey.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
There were quite a few raptors over Church Ope Cove today...............
...................including a pair of Peregrine Falcons.
This is the much smaller male heading up the island.
In the Blackthorn at the cove, this Chiffchaff and another close-by were searching for insects.
This Robin was in good voice...........
...............and kept looking back at another Robin singing a few yards away.
The other Robin stopped singing, but now there are a pair of Buzzards passing overhead.
A pair of Stock Doves in Bumpers Lane Quarry.
Or maybe not. Must have been something he said!!
Just one Wall Lizard in the grounds of St Andrew's Church.
Forgot to post some Ted photos yesterday.
So making up for it here with a couple and a..............
.......video of Ted checking out Penn's Weare from the top of the cliff. He's a right Mountain Dog.
Birds Recorded: 2 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 2 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Butterflies Recorded: 1 Large Tortoiseshell and 3 Peacock
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and 1 Hairy-footed Flower Bee (Anthophora plumipes)
Hoverflies Recorded: 1 Syrphus sp.
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)
Today's Sightings Here.
2018
Today's Sightings Here.
Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)
Ships Today
This is the British Tug "MTS Taktow" towing what looks like.......
..........a crane on a barge. Whatever it is it is on its way from Brixham to Blyth. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Tug "MTS Taktow" towing what looks like.......
..........a crane on a barge. Whatever it is it is on its way from Brixham to Blyth. More on this vessel Here.
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On this day..........
2019Today's Sightings Here.
2018
Today's Sightings Here.