Old Quarry Lane, Perryfield Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church Grounds, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, Bumpers Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve, Higher Horse Paddock and Lower Horse Paddock.
It was a good walk this afternoon to blow the cobwebs away and I can see why the Government call it an exercise walk. Apart from a couple of brief stops, it was non-stop walking and the backs of my legs are now feeling it.
We still have that biting north-easterly and the clear skies forecast for the afternoon never materialised, so we ended up with a very grey dreary and exceptionally cold day.
Not too many birding highlights with just a Buzzard over Old Quarry Lane, to add to my year list.
This afternoon was more about the "Could that have been a.....!".
First off was a large raptor, smaller than a Buzzard, but appeared to be bigger than a female Sparrowhawk. Goshawk maybe!
And then behind the beach huts at the cove, was that a Chiffchaff calling.
And then finally in the allotments, adjacent to the Lower Horse paddock, I thought I saw one of the Stonechats, but as the light began to fade, I lost sight of it.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
It was a good walk this afternoon to blow the cobwebs away and I can see why the Government call it an exercise walk. Apart from a couple of brief stops, it was non-stop walking and the backs of my legs are now feeling it.
We still have that biting north-easterly and the clear skies forecast for the afternoon never materialised, so we ended up with a very grey dreary and exceptionally cold day.
Not too many birding highlights with just a Buzzard over Old Quarry Lane, to add to my year list.
This afternoon was more about the "Could that have been a.....!".
First off was a large raptor, smaller than a Buzzard, but appeared to be bigger than a female Sparrowhawk. Goshawk maybe!
And then behind the beach huts at the cove, was that a Chiffchaff calling.
And then finally in the allotments, adjacent to the Lower Horse paddock, I thought I saw one of the Stonechats, but as the light began to fade, I lost sight of it.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
The resident Robin is still present at the back of the cove.
And the only bird on the beach was this Herring Gull, which I believe is a 2nd Calendar Bird. More on Herring Gulls Here.
The Grey Squirrels are still pretty active. This one was close-by to the grounds of St Andrew's Church.
And Ted on the lookout. He's spotted something!
I promise not to get too annoyed this year, but sadly this is Bumpers Lane strewn with rubbish from the local building site. I have spoken to the company responsible for the new housing estate and in fairness they did for a short time clear the rubbish in the lane. However that was back in October 2020 and now the rubbish is even worse as they continue building. I feel another phone call is imminent.
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 2 Song Thrush, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch
Ships Today
This is the Dutch Cargo Ship "Sea Charente" on its way from Teignmouth to Erith. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Fishing Boat "Portland Isle" returning to Weymouth. More on this vessel Here.
This is the British Fishing Boat "Quarter Bell" on its way back to Weymouth. More on this vessel Here.