A far better day than yesterday, with a good amount of sunshine. However that stiff breeze wasn't helpful in spotting many invertebrates today.
The warblers are still setting up their territories and the Lesser Whitethroat, at Church Ope Cove, is on its third day here. Further along Penn's Weare there was a Common Whitethroat and there is still a Garden Warbler in Penn's Copse. Blackcaps were at the cove, Penns Wood and two along the Mermaid Track, where there was also a Chiffchaff, with another at Rufus Castle.
A Sparrowhawk was over Penns Wood and having circled for a good minute or so, did a dive from a good height into the grounds of Pennsylvania Castle.
A very worn and tatty Large Tortoiseshell was on the south facing slopes at the cove, and there were many Orange-tips and Large Whites on the wing. Other butterflies seen were singles of Peacock and Red Admiral.
Two moths today a Silver Y and a single Green-longhorn Moth, both behind the huts at the cove.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
This Lesser Whitethroat seems to be enjoying the south facing slopes at the cove.
This is its 3rd day here now. Unfortunately I couldn't record it singing this time.
Along the Mermaid Track was a Blackcap and Chiffchaff singing.
A bit further up the track and the same Chiffchaff singing but a different Blackcap calling.
A Wall Lizard in the church grounds
Silver Y
Green-longhorn Moth
A Epistrophe eligans hoverfly
A Great Green Bush Cricket nymph at the back of the cove.
At the back of the cove and up the steps to Rufus Castle were several of these Dark Bush-cricket nymphs
Lambs Lettuce, Valerianella locusta. Also known as Corn Salad. More on this flower here.
Pale Flax (Linum bienne) close to Penn's Copse, with more Lambs Lettuce growing next to it.
Rufus Castle
And a very quiet Church Ope Cove apart from that is................
..........the waves crashing onto the beach.
And Ted, who was very intent on finding a Bumblebee in the grass.
Birds Recorded: Sparrowhawk, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Garden Warbler, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Reptiles Recorded:
Wall Lizard
Butterflies Recorded:
Large White
Orange-tip
Red Admiral
Peacock
Large Tortoiseshell
Holly Blue
Moths Recorded:
1 Silver Y (Autographa gamma)
1 Green-longhorn Moth (Adela reaumurella)
Bees Recorded:
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum)
Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Andrena sp.
nomad sp.
Wasps Recorded:
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
Hoverflies Recorded:
Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea)
Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)
Epistrophe eligans
Syrphus sp.
Crickets and Grasshoppers Recorded:
Great Green Bush Cricket nymph (Tettigonia viridissima)
Dark Bush-cricket nymphs (Pholidoptera griseoaptera)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
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Wakeham
This afternoon it was back in the garden and good to see that the local Magpies haven't found the Blackbirds nest in my neighbours garden. Lets hope they don't especially as both parents are bringing in lots of worms and grubs for their chicks
Also heard again was the Common Whitethroat behind the garden.
The female Blackbird is seem removing............
..........a fecal sac from the nest.
Obviously not a job for...........
..........Dad.
This male House Sparrow was............
............in good voice.
As was this Dunnock.
This Narcissus Bulb Fly (Merodon equestris) is becoming a regular visitor to the garden.
Ted and his pet Flamingo having a snooze.
I think it was a bit to warm for them both, so it was back to the house.
My Lockdown Garden List is Here.
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On this day..........