Wakeham
This afternoon I came across a 2 Spot Ladybird (Adalia bipunctata, form - quadrimaculata). My first on Portland
Thumb Lane, Suckthumb Quarry and Combefield Quarry
The plan this morning was to get rid of some rubbish at the Recycling Centre and then drive on to Tout Quarry, in the hope of finding a Grayling or two. Well the first part of journey went well, but when I arrived at the quarry, the car park was jam packed.
Having failed to see any Grayling on my last visit there, when it was packed with visitors, I decided it would probably be a loss cause and drove off.
So Plan B was a visit to Thumb Lane and the two quarries close-by. And what a great walk it was with just one jogger seen for the hour and a bit that Ted and I spent there.
Despite the windy conditions, it was quite warm and with a fair bit of sunshine there were a good 16 butterfly species seen, including 2 Wall Browns, with the main highlight being at least one maybe two Large Tortoiseshells just south of Thumb Lane copse Here. Sadly the latter never alighted, so no photos, which was a shame.
Other highlights were a few warblers, with Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap all seen and heard. A nice surprise was watching a pair of Greenfinches heading east overhead.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
Here are a few images and videos from today:
A Willow Warbler takes off just as I was about to photograph it feeding on the Buddleia.
My first photo of a Wall Brown this year. Shame about the piece of grass in front of it.
I said it was windy and the Wall Brown is really clinging on to stay put.
As I have mentioned many times this Summer it has been an excellent year for Gatekeepers here on Portland.
And unsurprisingly quite a few are looking a bit battered now.
Even the Speckled Woods are showing signs of wear and tear.
This one appears to be in better nick but.......
.........not so for this male Common Blue with a chunk out of its wing.
This female Common Blue seems to be in good condition.
Six-Spot Burnet Moths on a Knapweed.
A female (Worker) Red-tailed Bumblebee
And a male Red-tailed Bumblebee
There were dozens of these Dead Head Hoverflies along the hedgerow leading into the copse.
A Long-winged Cone-head nymph. I don't know about the long winged, but look at the length of those antennae.
This Wild Parsnip (Pastinaca sativa)........
........Its roots are edible but the shoots and leaves should be handled with caution. More on this plant Here.
This is Combefield Quarry, which I believe has recently reopened.
The original entrance was on the right, but a new one has been created.
If you go down in the woods today
You're sure of a big surprise
If you go down in the woods today
There will be a Ted in disguise.
Butter wouldn't melt!!
What are doing dog!!!
You're supposed to drink it, not wash your feet in it.
Birds Recorded: Pheasant, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, House Martin, Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch.
Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorded: Emperor Dragonfly
Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorded: Emperor Dragonfly
Butterflies Recorded: Dingy Skipper, Large Skipper, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Wall Brown, Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Red Admiral, Peacock, Large Tortoiseshell, Comma, Small Blue and Common Blue
Moths Recorded: Six-Spot Burnet moth (Zygaena filipendulae)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Long Hoverfly (Sphaerophoria scripta), Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea) and a Mimic Bee Hoverfly (Volucella plumata)
Grasshoppers and Crickets Recorded: Long-winged Cone-head nymph (Conocephalus fuscus)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata), Swollen-thighed Beetle (Oedemera nobilis) and Common Red Soldier Beetles (Rhagonycha fulva)
Ships Today
This is the British Sailing Vessel "Pioneer" on its way from Torquay to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Patrol Ship "HMS Ranger", on its way from Torquay to Weymouth Harbour. More on this vessel Here.