Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Perryfield Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, The Cuttings, Bumpers Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Lower Horse Paddock.
Well the day started off pretty wet, then it cleared, then the rain came back and eventually the sun came out before it clouded over again. At least the showers were regular, allowing me to pick the time I wanted to go for a walk. And as soon as the sun was out I was off.
Still pretty dire on the birding front, however not so with the invertebrates, with many out in the sun and milder conditions.
So what did I see, well there were several Honey Bees on the Mahonia, at the top of Penns Wood. A big increase from the past few days, when there have only been singles seen. Whilst at the cove there were at least 3 White-tailed Bumblebees, all on the flowering Hebes.
Elsewhere I came across another Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly on the way up the steps below Rufus Castle, a Yellow Dung Fly at the top of Penns Wood and in several places there quite a few Empoasca vitis Leafhoppers.
Well the day started off pretty wet, then it cleared, then the rain came back and eventually the sun came out before it clouded over again. At least the showers were regular, allowing me to pick the time I wanted to go for a walk. And as soon as the sun was out I was off.
Still pretty dire on the birding front, however not so with the invertebrates, with many out in the sun and milder conditions.
So what did I see, well there were several Honey Bees on the Mahonia, at the top of Penns Wood. A big increase from the past few days, when there have only been singles seen. Whilst at the cove there were at least 3 White-tailed Bumblebees, all on the flowering Hebes.
Elsewhere I came across another Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly on the way up the steps below Rufus Castle, a Yellow Dung Fly at the top of Penns Wood and in several places there quite a few Empoasca vitis Leafhoppers.
I came across a new leafmine today on a Primrose, which I believe was created by the Primrose leaf miner, Chromatomyia primulae.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
Here are a few images and videos from today:
This is a Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly, and quite "common" in the Winter months by all accounts
And there were dozens of these Empoasca vitis leafhoppers.
This flowering Gorse certainly brightens up the day, especially when the weather closes in.
Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica) about to flower.
Ted taking in the amazing view on our doorstep
And Ted wouldn't be Ted if he didn't do a buzz every now and then.
Birds Recorded: 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 2 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Bees Recorded: 7+ Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and 3 White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: 1 Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and a "mined leaf" possibly by a Primrose leaf miner fly, Chromatomyia primulae.
Leafhoppers Recorded: Empoasca vitis
............its past track would suggest that it is the replenishment ship "RFA Tidespring" Here. However the shape of the boat is totally wrong including the position of the funnels. It took awhile of thumbing through images to confirm that the ship I photographed is the British Replenishment Ship "RFA Fort Victoria". So the past track above is "RFA Tidespring", and there isn't a past track for "RFA Fort Victoria". More on "Fort Victoria" Here.
Bees Recorded: 7+ Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and 3 White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: 1 Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and a "mined leaf" possibly by a Primrose leaf miner fly, Chromatomyia primulae.
Leafhoppers Recorded: Empoasca vitis
Ships Today
This is the Liberian Bulk Carrier "Pegasos" ................
..................on its from Las Palmas (Spain) to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Independent Vision" on its way from Southampton to Cork. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Auxiliary Ship "RFA Mounts Bay" coming into Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.
This is I believe a British Auxiliary Ship and judging by......
