I should have trusted my instincts, but I was thinking it was quite early so maybe a visit to the cove was on. However I totally underestimated the need for the public to escape from their homes, and when I arrived at Rufus Castle, I could see from the viewing platform, that the beach, steps and Penn's Weare were absolutely heaving. Mind you with the winds coming from the Arctic tomorrow, I reckon I'll have the whole cove to myself. Whether there will be anything to see, remains to be seen.
So today, it was a case of reversing up the South-west coast path and walking the lanes and butterfly reserve again. To be honest, there always seem to be a lot more to see on this particular walk.
Main highlights today were my first Swallow of the year, a single bird heading north over the the horse paddock, the next was a Chiffchaff in Broadcroft Quarry Lane and last was my first Large White butterfly for year as well.
Here are a few images and a video from today:
If the forecast is right, then there wont be too many Wall Lizards about tomorrow.
Nearly there.
Whoops a bit of turbulence and its up to the next "Pussy Willow"
There were a vast number of "yellow" bees on the Sallows. And they were all Honey Bees covered in pollen.
Busy Bees.
There were few hoverflies about as well. This is a Common Dronefly on a flowering Blackthorn.
And this is a Vagrant Hoverfly (Eupeodes corollae) on an Alexanders.
This rather green looking fly is a female Yellow Dung Fly.
And this is the male
Me having a play in PhotoShop.
Mammals Recorded: Bunny
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Swallow, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and Greenfinch
Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)
Butterflies Recorded: 1 Large White 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 Vagrant Hoverfly (Eupeodes corollae)
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: 2 Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria)
Ferrybridge
As I was returning from Wyke Regis this afternoon, 2 Sandwich Terns flew across the road heading towards the Fleet. My first for the year.