9 Mar 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, Perryfield Quarry Butterfly Reserve, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, The Cuttings Quarry, Bumpers Lane, Lower Horse Paddock

Another lovely day and more butterflies seen with 2 Large Tortoiseshell, a Comma (first for the year) and a Peacock

A couple of migrants seen today with a male Blackcap in the grounds of St Andrew's Church and a Meadow Pipit over the horse paddock.

Also recorded were a few Wall Lizards, Bees and Hoverflies.

It looks like Spring is nearly here, but with the weather forecast for tomorrow being heavy rain and wind gusts up to 60mph, it likes it will be on hold for a couple of days at least..

Here are a few images from today:

One of a possible pair of Common Buzzards circling over Penn's Weare

Here we have a juvenile and an adult Wall Lizard basking in the sun, in the grounds of St Andrew's Church

Also in the grounds was this Comma. When it took off and headed up into the overhanging Ivy, it disturbed a Large Tortoiseshell. In fact it was a pretty good day, considering the temperature was hovering around the 7.0°C, as I came across a second Large Tortoiseshell by the hut where there was one yesterday. Another butterfly recorded today was a Peacock in the Lower Horse Paddock.

I'm still sticking with a Syrphus torvus, as this hoverfly is an early Spring species.

I seem to be giving Robin's a first name depending on where I have come across them. At the cove there's a Rock Robin and Hut Robin. And ............

...........this silent one here is the Allotment Robin.

This is Ted's second walk today and he's still got plenty of energy.

Birds Recorded: 2 Buzzard, 1 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 1 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Peacock, 2 Large Tortoiseshell and a Comma

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and White-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lucorum)

Hoverflies Recorded: Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax) and a Syrphus torvus

Ships and a Helicopter Today

This is the British Training Ship "Smit Spey" on its way back into Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Fishing Boat "Quarter Bell" returning to Weymouth. More on this vessel Here.

One of these two boats is the British Military Ops Boat "OTB4". Unfortunately I can't find any info or photos of either boat other than "OTB4's" location Here.

Hopefully both mystery boats will...........

.......be back out to sea tomorrow.

And a Merlin which was just off Portland's east coast

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.