Another chilly day here on Portland especially with that biting easterly wind. At least the sun was out all day. Despite the route I took, my exercise walk was quite a pace, so stopping every so often was a blessing.
Some good highlights this morning with 3 Wheatears in the field adjacent to the Lower Horse Paddock, a male Blackcap in Broadcroft Quarry Lane and a pair of Blackcaps in Penn's Wood.
A lone Swallow passed over the new Bumpers Lane Housing Estate, and for a change the local pair of Stock Doves were feeding on the ground in the Butterfly Reserve. In the past I have managed to accidentally spook them into flying. Today they let me get to within 20 metres. I suspect they have youngsters and the "drive" to collect food took over the fear factor of me being in close proximity.
No butterflies or moths seen today. Quite a few bees though and so many hoverflies of different species. One day I shall just dedicate my walk to finding as many hoverflies as I can. However identifying them will probably take months.
Only a few Wall Lizards and my first one ever at the top of Penns Wood. Also seen was a Brown Rat, which ran across the path at Rufus Castle. With fewer humans about there are definitely signs that the wildlife is beginning to show itself a bit more.
Here are a few images and a few videos from today:
These two Stock Doves were completely oblivious to me walking along the path next to them.
Here they are busy feeding along the tracks.
Unlike the Woodpigeon which has a white collar, the Stock Dove has this iridescent green sheen on its neck.
Two of the three male Wheatears in the horse field.
Wheatears
I still cant believe I managed to photograph this female Blackcap. She kept looking one way.......
..........and then other.
And then having moved a bit further up the brambles proceeded.......
..........to do the same. Shamble about sapling in the foreground.
A Grey-patched Mining Bee
And another.
This one is a Yellow-legged Mining Bee
The last few days has seen a distinct rise in the number of these Epistrophe eligans hoverflies.
Rufus Castle from the cove
And the Cove from the south facing slope
Come on Ted.
Mammals Recorded: 1 Rat
Birds Recorded: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 1 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 3 Wheatear, Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Butterflies Recorded: None
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius), Tree Bumblebee (Bombus hypnorum), Early Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa), Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria), Yellow-legged Mining Bees (Andrena flavipe) and Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax), Epistrophe eligans and many unidentified hoverflies.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Muscid Flies sp.
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
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On this day..........
2019Today's Sightings Here.
2018
Today's Sightings Here.