At long last no north-easterly wind blowing across the island. And with wall to wall blue skies it felt a lot warmer.
Main highlights today were 2 Wheatear in the Lower Horse Paddock, where very briefly a Rook joined them. The latter is often only seen on Portland in Autumn and Winter. At the southern end of the paddock were 3 Chiffchaff and a Blackcap, with 2 more Chiffchaff in the lane.
Overhead a scattering of Meadow Pipits, House Martin, Swallow and a lone Yellow Wagtail. And for the first time in a week or so no Siskins.
A few butterflies and bees about. And on the Ivy by the Higher Horse Paddock there were not only several Ivy Bees, but dozens of Common Droneflies.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
And away it flew in the same direction it had come from.
The immature Starlings are going through their moult now. Still a dozen or more on the brambles.
And one of several immature Linnets along the lane
And one of my favourite bees at this time year the Ivy Bee
Ted has done a fair bit of walking over the past few days. But he still enjoys it, no matter what the weather.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Wheatear, Blackbird, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood and Peacock
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)