4 Feb 21

Mermaid Track, Rufus Castle, Penn's Copse, Penn's Weare, Church Ope Cove, St Andrew's Church Grounds and Penns Wood

What a strange weather forecast today, it was supposed to be raining all day, but there was definitely more sun than rain. Well I was certainly not complaining and both Ted and I took full advantage of the unexpected sunshine.

For once the main highlight wasn't on the beach or sea, but over the cove with 3 Buzzards being mobbed by a Peregrine, 2 Ravens, 4 Carrion Crows and 20+ Herring Gulls. It was quite a spectacle as all the birds drifted south.

Actually I tell a lie, the beach was pretty good as well, with well over 30 Rock Pipits, 2 Pied Wagtails and a Grey Wagtail. With more of a chop on the water today and the absent of the big swells that were here for the past 3 days, the only gull on the water was a lone Black-headed Gull.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

Just east of the Wakeham Railway Bridge, this digger apparently was clearing a wide section of the brambles and buddleia on behalf of the Butterfly Conservation Dorset Branch. I hope the winter roost of finches appreciate their winter roosts being decimated. Why don't people check first.

On the beach this Grey Wagtail was having a right feast on the Kelp flies.

Watching this video back of the Grey Wagtail, I'm just wondering whether it has injured its left leg. Every now and then it keeps tucking it up.

Here it is again with both feet on the ground.

It was another good for Rock Pipits, I counted a good 30 birds and I'm sure there were many others.

And the Rock Pipits weren't alone as the 2 Pied Wagtails were also here again.

Along with the Buzzards, Peregrine and Sparrowhawk, there was also this Kestrel over Penn's Weare.


And here it is again in Slow-motion.

Yesterday it was the turn of the Marmalade Hoverfly on the Hebe's, today it was back to the Spotted Meliscaeva hoverflies, with two seen behind the beach huts.

And once again, with the sun out, there were dozens of these Empoasca vitis leafhoppers.

And the same/different Yellow Dung Fly on the same Alexanders  I have seen them this year, at the top of Penns Wood.

The Mahonia at the top of Penns wood was teaming with Honey Bees with 12 or more on the flowers along with a couple of White-tailed Bumblebees.

I'm glad I put Ted's waterproof jacket on, just look at those muddy feet.

Mammals Recorded: 1 Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded: 3 Buzzard, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-headed Gull, 5 Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 30+ Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, 1 Dunnock, 1 Robin, Blackbird, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Bees Recorded: 12+ Honey Bees (Apis mellifera) and 2 White-tailed bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

Hoverflies Recorded: 2 Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)

Leafhoppers Recorded: Empoasca vitis

Ships Today

This is the British Destroyer - D35 "HMS Dragon" just off Portland's east coast. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........
2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.