A change of scenery today and an early afternoon walk around Portland's southern tip. Main highlight was a male Pied Flycatcher singing in the the front garden of the Obs. But try as I could, I just could not locate it and it just vanished into the trees.
I might not have seen the Pied Flycatcher, but it was lovely to hear it singing. Here is recording of one courtesy of Xeno-canto.
Other highlights were the number of Common Whitethroats singing from nearly every bush I passed. Also about were at least 11 Wheatear, along with singles of Whinchat and Chiffchaff. And it was great to see one of the Little Owls sat on its ledge in the Obs Quarry.
Overhead were small parties of Swallows, House Martins and a few Sand Martins heading up the island.
Here are a few images and videos from today:
There might have been a stiff south wind coming up the island, but it wasn't a problem for this Kestrel. They are real experts in holding there position above the ground whatever the wind strength. Well barring a hurricane of course.
This is the British Aircraft Carrier "HMS Queen Elizabeth" still off the tip of Portland. Apparently she will be taking part in an exercise off Scotland before departing for a tour of the Indo-Pacific region. More on this vessel Here and Here.
Always popular with the visitors to the Obs Quarry. One of the Little Owls chilling out on its favourite ledge
A very distant shot of a Whinchat. Just the one seen, though I did hear there were several earlier in the day.
And it was definitely a Whitethroat fest today with at least 11 Common Whitethroats singing along my walk.
I'm pretty sure this is a Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
And a very fluffy and well-groomed Ted.
Mammals Recorded: Rat
Birds Recorded: Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, Blackbird, 11 Common Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White and Speckled Wood
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida)
Hoverflies Recorded: Spring Epistrophe (Epistrophe eligans)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)
Birds Recorded: Kestrel, Pheasant, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Whinchat, 11 Wheatear, Blackbird, 11 Common Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Pied Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White and Speckled Wood
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Grey-patched Mining Bee (Andrena nitida)
Hoverflies Recorded: Spring Epistrophe (Epistrophe eligans)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)
Ships Today
