Wakeham Cuttings, Perryfield Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, Bumpers Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve and Lower Horse Paddock
The fine weather was still with us today and there were a lot of butterflies on the wing. Highlight of course went to a Large Tortoiseshell, which was settled on a Blackthorn at the back of the cove. And with the warm weather coming up from the south a Hummingbird Hawk-moth also put in an appearance at the Pirates Graveyard.
On the birding front there was a male Blackcap singing (sub-song) in Penns Wood and I also came across 2 Willow Warblers singing along Bumpers Lane.
As always when the sun is out there were plenty of Wall Lizards about and I also came across a couple of Common Lizards up on Penn's Weare.
With the warm weather there were a lot of flying insects about, and I came across several Dark-edged Bee-flies. Apparently the ones I have been seeing lately are the smaller males. Another guy I met also recorded a Dotted Bee-fly (Bombylius discolor)
Penns Wood is full of Common Green Shieldbugs at the moment and they were on both the Russian Comfrey and the leaves of the Japanese Spindle. I also came across a 7-Spot Ladybird on an Alexanders, on my way up the steps to Rufus Castle.
Here are a few images from today:
The fine weather was still with us today and there were a lot of butterflies on the wing. Highlight of course went to a Large Tortoiseshell, which was settled on a Blackthorn at the back of the cove. And with the warm weather coming up from the south a Hummingbird Hawk-moth also put in an appearance at the Pirates Graveyard.
On the birding front there was a male Blackcap singing (sub-song) in Penns Wood and I also came across 2 Willow Warblers singing along Bumpers Lane.
As always when the sun is out there were plenty of Wall Lizards about and I also came across a couple of Common Lizards up on Penn's Weare.
With the warm weather there were a lot of flying insects about, and I came across several Dark-edged Bee-flies. Apparently the ones I have been seeing lately are the smaller males. Another guy I met also recorded a Dotted Bee-fly (Bombylius discolor)
Penns Wood is full of Common Green Shieldbugs at the moment and they were on both the Russian Comfrey and the leaves of the Japanese Spindle. I also came across a 7-Spot Ladybird on an Alexanders, on my way up the steps to Rufus Castle.
Here are a few images from today:
The Bluebells on Portland seemed to be flowering earlier and earlier every year.
One of a few Yellow Dung Flies in Penns Wood
And one of several Common Green Shieldbugs. Penns Wood seems to be quite a good location for this shieldbug.
And one of many Robins singing along my walk.
I said it was a good day for butterflies and there were quite a few Commas about.
Here's another looking slightly worn
And another which is in pristine condition.
The Wall Lizards were out in their dozens.
And I learnt something new today, these tiny Dark-edged Bee-flies are males. The females are a lot larger.
And a 7-Spot Ladybird. Hopefully there will be many more seen
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Meadow Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard and Common Lizard
Butterflies Recorded: 3 Small White, 3 Brimstone, 1 Red Admiral, 6+ Peacock, 1 Large Tortoiseshell and 4 Comma
Moths Recorded: Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and several Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 6 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
This is the British Fishing Boat "Royal Escape WH768" on its way from Teignmouth to Weymouth. More on this vessel Here.
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida), Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and several Dark-edged Bee-fly (Bombylius major)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata) and 6 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)
Ships Today
