30 Apr 21

Portland Castle

After dropping the car off at the car dealer, I was going to walk back home with Ted. The route would have been along Portland Beach Road, Portland Castle, The Verne, Fancy's Farm and Broadcroft Quarry Lane. But as I arrived at Ferrybridge I realised it was high tide, so there was going to be very little chance of seeing any waders. So instead Dawn dropped me off at Hamm Beach and I headed towards Portland Castle via Portland Marina.

The weather was looking promising, but as I looked back towards Weymouth, I could see some really black clouds appearing over the town. So it was just a brief visit to the castle grounds, followed by a lift home by Dawn, who just happened to be driving by on one of her delivers. It was perfect timing as the rain began to fall.

Before the rain arrived there were dozens of Swallows and House Martins making their way northwards as I walked along the esplanade from the marina to the castle.

However the best of the birding occurred when I arrived at the castle, with a dozen or more Willow Warblers, a few Chiffchaff, a Garden Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatchers and 2 female Common Redstarts feeding in the grounds.

Oddity of the morning though went to a Goldfinch with a white head!!

Unfortunately our stay was brief but it was very enjoyable

Here are a few images and videos from this morning:

This part of the Portland Castle grounds was alive with migrants, especially.........

.............Willow Warblers with numbers well into double figures. There were also a few Chiffchaffs about as well.

Here are 3 Willow Warblers feeding in the garden until something disturbed them

One of the 3 Spotted Flycatchers I spotted here today.

Here is another and brings my yearly bird species list to 101. 

As far as I could make out there were just 2 female Common Redstarts here.

Here is a brief video of the female Common Redstart.

And here is an even shorter video of the second bird.

A Wren looking intrigued by the number of birds in his garden.

And now that white-headed Goldfinch

Another side on shot.

And one compared to "normal" looking adult Goldfinch

This white head is caused by leucism which is a condition characterised by reduced pigmentation found in animals and humans. 

And another video of it feeding, though it wasn't impressed when the Starlings barged in. 

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Common Redstart, Blackbird, Garden Warbler, 5+ Chiffchaff, 12+ Willow Warbler, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and Greenfinch

Bees Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

Ships Today

This is the Greek Oil Tanker "Kastelorizo" anchored up in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here. In front of her is...................

...............our old fishing boat "Star", now with a new owner and moored off Castletown.

Aircraft Today

A Chinook comes into land to refuel at the Heliport

Always handy to have someone on the ramp when you land.

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

29 Apr 21

Ferrybridge

On the way back from Weymouth, Dawn and I stopped off at Ferrybridge to give Ted a walk. Well okay, and also so I could see what was about as the tide started to drop.

Main highlight was my 100th bird of the year, a Greenshank way out on the mudflats. Also about were the Little Terns and if you couldn't see them, you could certainly hear them. There were at least 4 Sandwich Terns here as well.

As the mudflats began to show, a large flock of 60+ waders took off close to the Chesil Beach Visitors Centre and made their way further up The Fleet close to the Mussel Bed Farm, or are they Oyster Beds, I'm not sure!! The flock was mainly Dunlin, but I did notice one or two Ringed Plovers in amongst them as they fed close to several Bar-tailed Godwits.

Close to the embankment was a Little Egret and even closer a Whimbrel which was only around 30 metres from where we were stood.

Here are a few images and videos from this afternoon:

Just a few of the Dunlin that landed on the mudflats as the tide dropped.

This Whimbrel was feeding on very small Shore Crabs. Not the best of photos, but there is a crab at the tip of its bill.

And here it is again foraging in amongst the seaweed

A bit later it headed out to open waters.

A little further out was very elegant looking Little Egret

And when they aren't chattering away, the Little Terns have a break by sitting on the boat moorings.

And they are off

And here are their larger cousins the Sandwich Terns. Looks like one of them is a bit overweight. Hold on!!!

And me being a bit arty with Sea Thrift (Armeria maritima) taking centre stage.

What a lovely clean dog and then...............

......Oh my goodness.

Yes you are a mess Ted.

Birds Recorded: Little Egret, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Bar-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Greenshank, Black-headed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, House Martin and Swallow.

Wakeham

Later this afternoon, Dawn noticed a bird going in and out of the nest box I put up by the gazebo. After waiting several minutes, a female Great Tit arrived with a huge beakful of moss and proceeded to enter the box. It's been quite a few years since I have had anything nesting in the boxes.

Its been many years since I have had any birds nesting in the boxes. Hopefully this Great Tit will be successful.

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

28 Apr 21

Out and About

Sadly there was more work to be done on the car than I had expected. So much so, that I ended up trading it in for another second-hand car. At least the new one has 6 months warranty.

So with all the travelling back and forth to Weymouth and back, there was no time for a walk today until late this afternoon. Unfortunately the weather really turned and it absolutely poured down with heavy rain and hailstones, with a bit of lightening thrown in for a dramatic end to the day.

So bird watching was mainly confined to the passenger seat of Dawn's car and as I was chauffer driven around I at least had some great views of migrants crossing the beach road and The Fleet.

Main highlights were 6 Black-tailed Godwit on the Fleet, where there were also at least 8 Little Tern and 4 Sandwich Terns seen. Overhead and almost flying level with the car were dozens of Swallows and House Martins making their way over Portland Harbour. In amongst the flocks I also picked out a Yellow Wagtail.

Sadly no photos from today, but you can tell from the birds I recorded today, it was pretty good being a passenger. 

Here are a couple of photos of Yellow Wagtails I took a few years back on Portland

Birds Recorded: 2 Little Egret, Kestrel, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Little Tern, Sandwich Tern, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Yellow Wagtail, Robin, Blackbird, Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

27 Apr 21

Inmosthay, Grove Road Woods, Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve and Lower Horse Paddock

I had a late afternoon walk back from the garage today, where my car is having a bit of work done on it. Nothing too serious, just the brake pipes!!! The sea air has weathered them dramatically, so it was case of getting them replaced before anything serious happens.

The walk back home was pretty uneventful and the best I could find enroute were 2 male Blackcaps singing in Grove Road Woods, another on the Butterfly Reserve. 

However when I arrived at the Lower Horse Paddock I came across two Whinchat on the Brambles. As a dog walker was approaching them, I decided to take a record shot of them from about 100 metres away. It was just as well I did, as they flew off as soon as the walker got to them. Also making their way north were 2 House Martins and a Swallow.

Here are a few images from this afternoon:

A record shot of the two Whinchat on the Brambles in the Horse Paddock.

The 3 Amigos chilling out on the back of this pony.

One of the Starlings even makes the effort to have a preen.

For one second I thought Aliens had landed. Well when you walk around a corner and see 2 people in white suits, it does take you by surprise. These are local beekeepers giving two of their hives a Spring clean. I kept my distance, as those Honey Bees weren't too impressed.

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 2 House Martin, 1 Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Whinchat, Blackbird, 3 Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and a Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica)

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

26 May 21

Old Quarry Lane, Easton Railway Cuttings, Channel View Road, Pound Piece, Bowers Quarry, Blacknor Fort, Southwest Coast Path, Reap Lane, Barleycrates Lane, The Windmills and Wakeham

A change of scenery this afternoon and a repeat of a walk I did back in January of this year. Lots of highlights including my first Whinchat of the year at Barleycrates, where there were also 3 Wheatear.

The target bird I was hoping for was a Swift, with a few seen moving up alongside Portland's west cliffs over the past few days. Unfortunately not when I was there and the best I could do was 20 Swallows.

Other highlights were:
- 2 Peregrine Falcons way out to sea, possibly looking for birds approaching the shore.
- 4 Gannets, with one struggling to take off from the water, after it had been attacked by a Great Black-backed Gull just off the shoreline.
- 2 Stonechats by Blacknor Fort
- 3 more Wheatear by the Windmills
- 1 Song Thrush at Easton Railway Cuttings
- a Garden Warbler along the Old Quarry Lane
- 4 Common Whitethroats with 2 at the west end of Barleycrates Lane and 2 by the Windmills
- 3 Blackcap along Old Quarry Lane and Wakeham Meadow.
- 2 Chiffchaff. One along Old Quarry Lane and one at Reap Lane
- 1 Willow Warbler along the Southwest Coast Path

Lots of butterflies seen including my first Wall Brown of the year.

Here are a few images from today:

Way way out to sea were these two...............

................Peregrine Falcons. Is it possible they they were on the lookout for migratory birds homing in on our shores!!

I'm not going to win any prizes for this video, but this one of the Peregrines circling over the sea.

One of the 3 Common Buzzards that flew low over my head at  Bowers Quarry

By Blacknor was this Stonechat with another close by.

And my first Whinchat of the year at Barleycrates Lane.

A Wheatear in a horse field. I think we will leave it at that.

This Common Whitethroat was very vocal.

I passed it twice on my walk, so perhaps he's setting up his territory.

You can see why these Jackdaws are confused. There's no West and North is opposite to East. That's Portland for you!!

When I was being taught photography in the RAF, many moons ago, I was always told to fill the frame. Well 45 years on, I finally cracked it with this Robin. 😂😂

And here it is singing. Shame about the leaf, but the focus did come back eventually.

A Small White, which I had hoped would be a female Orange-tip. Still plenty of time.

Despite the bitter winds still, I was well pleased to find a Wall Brown on my travels. I just need to find one that will keep its wings open long enough for a decent photo. Still it is only my first for the year.

An interesting fly this one. This is a Fever-fly (Dilophus febrilis) and it's interesting because I have recorded seeing this species before the very similar looking St Mark's Fly emerges in about a weeks time. St Mark's flies have a "hairier" thorax.

And another confusing beastie. Two years ago I came across this species of Ichneumon at Portland Bill and at the time assumed it was a female Ichneumon extensorius. Well I've not been caught out and this is the very similar looking Exephanes ischioxanthus, which I came across in Wakeham Meadow.

Along Easton Railway Cuttings I came across this Ischnomera cyanea. One of the many False Blister Beetles

Thirsty boy. Not sure about the foot dip, maybe Ted's paw is a bit warm.

Birds Recorded: 4 Fulmar, 3 Gannet, 3 Buzzard, 2 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 1 Pheasant, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 2 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 20 Swallow, 1 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Stonechat, 1 Whinchat, 6 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 Garden Warbler, 4 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: 20+ Large White, 8 Small White, 3 Speckled Wood, Wall Brown

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) and many Andrena sp.

Ichneumon Wasps Recorded: 1 Exephanes ischioxanthus

Hoverflies Recorded: Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax), Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax) and The Footballer (Helophilus pendulus)

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) and Fever-fly (Dilophus febrilis)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Ischnomera cyanea

Ships Today

This is the Korean Vehicles Carrier "Glovis Cardinal" on its way from Lome (Togo, West Africa) to Bremerhaven (Denmark). More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Cargo ship "Eddystone" bobbing about midway between Portland and Exmouth. 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.

25 Apr 21

Wakeham

It was another beautiful day and if you could find shelter from that icy wind from the east, it was very warm. Today was focussed on the Cherry Tree in the back garden, which is now in full blossom, and don't the bees know it.

There were at least 4 Buff-tailed Bumblebees and at this point I must say a big thank you to my good friend Ed Wilson for pointing out to me that my White-tailed Bumblebees I keep reporting, are in fact Buff-tailed Bumblebees.

Other bees enjoying the blossom was a Red-tailed Bumblebee, dozens of Honey Bees and 5 different species of Andrena Bees, including a first for me. In amongst the bees a lone Tapered Dronefly put in an appearance.

Elsewhere in the garden, a Frog poked its head up out of the weed in the pond, a Red Admiral and a Large White touched down briefly by the pond before heading off and there were several Bronze Furrow Bees in the flowerbed.

And as I sat down for a drink a Willow Warbler briefly landed on the Cherry Tree. It saw me and was off. Later a Dunnock sat on the uppermost branches and burst into song.

The only other invertebrate I came across was a 7-Spot Ladybird.

Here are a few images from today:

Another excellent blossom on the Cherry Tree and lots of bees on it this afternoon.

And it wasn't just the bees, but also a Willow Warbler and this Dunnock.

There were at least 4 Buff-tailed Bumblebees here today.

And lots of Honey Bees. In fact if it wasn't for the wind, I'm sure I would have heard them.

Now I'm not saying I'm right, but I believe this a Grey-patched Mining Bee.

Here it is taking off.

Now this one looks very similar to the one above, but there is an orange tip to its abdomen.

This is an Orange-tip Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) and also goes by the name of Early Mining Bee.

And an easier one to identify. This is an Ashy Mining Bee.

Away from the Cherry Tree and a very small bee in the centre of this Dandelion flower.

Slightly enlarged and it is a Bronze Furrow Bee.

I don't mind saying but I'm stuck on this one. Its another Andrena, but one I'm unsure of. However, and a big thank you to my good friend Ed Wilson, who informs me that this looks good for Grey-banded Mining Bee (Andrena denticulata). It was no wonder I was stuck on this one, as it's first one I have come across.

 

A 7-Spot Ladybird on its travels.

I had just topped up the pond and this Frog popped its head out to find out what was going on.

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Blackbird, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch,.

Butterflies Recorded: Large White and a Red Admiral

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius), Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria), Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica), Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida), Orange-tip Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa), Grey-banded Mining Bee (Andrena denticulata) and Bronze Furrow Bee (Halictus tumulorum)

Wasps Recorded: 1 Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.