Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church Grounds, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle and Mermaid Track
A quick walk today as it was the first time, since late last year, that we have been able to go out on Star after lockdown and engine problems, which thank goodness have now been sorted. The engine that is, but sadly not the pandemic.
Highlights were the number of butterflies seen today, but sadly not any Large Tortoiseshells that have emerged recently.
Here are a few images from today:
The steps, all 151 of them, from Rufus Castle down to Church Ope Cove
And a well groomed Ted.
Weymouth Bay and Portland Harbour
For the first time this year we were able to take Star out for a spin. Back in November 2019, we were experiencing some real issues with the engine cutting out and then with lock down it has taken until now to fix the boat and finally get out for a days fishing.
The fishing was pretty good with lots of Mackerel caught, with quite a few small ones returned. In amongst the Mackerel we caught singles of Scad and Pollack.
On the bird front a Common Tern flew over us and headed towards Newton Cove. Also about were 2 Oystercatchers, 2 Rock Pipits and dozens of adult and juvenile Cormorants on the middle breakwater.
Here are a few images:
The Hood a great place to fish, though the wreck there is pretty snaggy.
We did at least catch plenty of Mackerel and this small Scad. The latter returned to fight another day.
Birds Recorded today: 2 Gannet, Cormorant, 2 Oystercatcher, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Swift, House Martin, Swallow, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Lulworth Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Marbled White, Red Admiral and Small Blue
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)
Ships Today
This is the British Tug "MTS Victory" anchored in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Passenger Ship "Marella Discovery" on its way from Southampton to Weymouth Bay . More on this vessel Here.
This is the Belgium Ro-ro Cargo Ship "Melusine" on its way from Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Cork (Ireland). More on this vessel Here.
This is the Taiwan Container Ship "YM Evolution" on its way from London to Norfolk (USA). More on this vessel Here.
This is the Maltese Ro-ro Cargo Ship "Celine"on on its way from Zeebrugge (Belgium) to Dublin. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Liberian LPG Tanker "Gaschem Bremen" on its way from Melkoya (Norway) to Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here