15 Oct 20

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Mermaid Track, Bumpers Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Higher Horse Paddock and Lower Horse Paddock

A beautiful sunny day, but a distinct lack of migrants with just 7 Chiffchaffs and 20+ Swallows. The latter heading north!!

Other than that just a couple of Goldcrests, a few Meadow Pipits, 8 Pied Wagtails and 3 Redwing along the Railway Cuttings.

Here are a few images from today:

Today was all about the local Buzzards over Broadcroft Quarry.

This is one of the noisy youngsters.

A very distant shot of another Buzzard being mobbed by a Rook I believe, going by the shape and colour of the bill.

One of many Goldfinches seen on my walk.

A Grey Squirrel foraging...........

..............along the path adjacent to the old railway track in Wakeham.

A very poor year for Harlequin Ladybirds, which is obviously a good thing, as they are an invasive species and are driving out our native species. A few beginning to appear now. This Harlequin is the form succinea. More on this Ladybird Here.

This is the quarry close to Shepherds Dinner. Once an open quarry, now back filled and a storage for top soil and graded Portland Stone.

There's even a new track now, where there is no public right of way, though Ted thinks it doesn't apply to him. But at least this track means..........

..........the alternative route is Bumpers Lane and Broadcroft Quarry Lane, where vehicles can longer drive.

Mammals Recorded: 2 Grey Squirrels

Birds Recorded: Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 20+ Swallow, Meadow Pipit, 8 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 3 Redwing, 7 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 3 Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Speckled Wood and Red Admiral

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)

Wasps Recorded: Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis, form - succinea)

Ships Today

This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Akacia" on its way from Antwerp to Dublin. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Danish Tanker "Bro Designer" on its way from Dublin to Portland. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day
2019
Today's Sightings Here

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today' Sightings Here.