Having dropped the car off at the garage, Ted and I set off for home via Kings Barrow and East Weares. It was pretty cloudy, quite windy and not that warm when we set off, but once beyond Kings Barrow and out of the wind, it actually felt quite muggy.
Quite a few highlights with Blackcaps singing in Kings Barrow and along East Weare, where there were also 2 Lesser Whitethroats. There were also dozens of House Martins, Swallows and a few Swifts under the Grove Cliffs.
Quite a few butterflies seen, especially along the old railway track above East Weares, with many Ringlets, Meadow Browns, Marbled Whites and Large Whites. And in a few isolated spots I came across quite a few Skippers.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
So our journey began with Ted leading the way into King Barrow Quarry.
Despite the cool conditions I did manage to find a few Ringlets and...........
............Meadow Browns.
I also came across this rather exotic looking flower next to Vaycroft Quarry. I believe it is an Oenothera biennis and goes by the common names of Evening Primrose, Evening Star and Sundrop
As I started my descent from the Grove to East Weare I had good views of Little Beach
Half way down the track Ted spots something in the undergrowth. There are Roe Deer around here, maybe he sensed one was close by.
The old railway track along the East Weare. I think Ted is somewhere up the track leading the way again.
Along here were isolated pockets of Skippers
And another one.
One more and........
..........another.
And it wasn't just Skippers along here but I also came across this.....
...............Straw-barred Pearl, Pyrausta despicata
Bloody-nosed Beetles are never to far away.
A Common Carder Bee
I reckon Ted could walk this blind-folded as he leads the way up through the Cuttings.
And sat above us was the adult Herring Gull with one eye on us and the other on its juvenile close-by.
And just to show the difference this is a 3rd instar nymph
Another Bloody-nosed Beetle, this time foraging in amongst the plants.
This was the only hoverfly species I came across today and there were dozens of these Marmalade Hoverflies along the hedgerows.
Biting Stonecrop, Sedum acre.
Close to the Mermaid Track a Marbled White. Of all the Marbles I found this was the only one I was able to photograph, just a shame there was an ivy leaf covering up part of its wing.
Another another Skipper.
It is quite extraordinary, but I have seen very few ladybirds this year and the few I have come across have all been 7-spot Ladybirds. Apart from very early in the year I haven't seen a single Harlequin ladybird, which is good news for our native ladybirds.
Birds Recorded: Fulmar, Cormorant, Buzzard, Kestrel, 2 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, Skylark, House Martin, Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Small Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral
Moths Recorded: Straw-barred Pearl (Pyrausta despicata)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina), Bloody-nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa), Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva)
Butterflies Recorded: Small Skipper, Lulworth Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Speckled Wood, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Marbled White, 1 Red Admiral
Moths Recorded: Straw-barred Pearl (Pyrausta despicata)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina), Bloody-nosed Beetle (Timarcha tenebricosa), Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva)
Ships Today
This is the Passenger Ship "Azura" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Passenger Ship "Britannia". It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Passenger Ship "Queen Victoria" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Passenger Ship "Ventura" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is currently anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Passenger Ship "Carnival Valor" flying the flag of Panama. It is currently anchored in Portlnad Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Passenger Ship "Carnival Breeze" flying the flag of Panama. It is currently anchored in Portlnad Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
And here they are. Carnival Valor and Carnival Breeze side by side in Portland Harbour
This is the Belgium Dredger "Albatross" anchored in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.