Port and Wey: 25 Sep 21

Wakeham

What a really odd day weather-wise. It was cloudy, murky, still and pleasantly mild. At times it looked like the sun was going to appear and then minutes later you felt it could rain. What is it they say on this island "Keep Portland Weird", well it certainly was today.

It was another day spent gardening and if I ever get my car back from the garage, there will be a much needed trip to the recycling centre.

Highlights, there weren't too many, was a brief visit by a Chiffchaff, a lone Slow-worm under the corrugated sheet, and 2 Small White butterflies & a single Red Admiral.

Birds Recorded:
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
1 Chiffchaff
Magpie
Carrion Crow
House Sparrow
Goldfinch

This Chiffchaff made a very brief visit to the garden and so.......

........did this Magpie after it scared off the Goldfinches and House Sparrows on the feeders.

Once the Magpie had left the Goldfinches and a House Sparrow returned to the feeders. In the photo are 2 adult and 2 juvenile Goldfinches, plus a female House Sparrow coming into land.

Reptiles Recorded:
Slow-worm

Good to see a Slow-worm under the corrugated sheet. Under the cover of darkness it will be out looking for a meal, which is made up of a variety of invertebrates, including slugs, snails, spiders and earthworms. They have backward curving teeth, which is perfect for keeping hold of anything wriggly or slippery.

Butterflies Recorded:
2 Small White
1 Red Admiral

A worn female Small White

And a Red Admiral

Bees Recorded:
Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum)

A Common Carder Bumblebee. The only bee I came across today.

Hoverflies Recorded:
6 Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

There were a lot more Common Droneflies out today.

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Semaphore Fly (Poecilobothrus nobilitatus)
Common Fruit Fly (Tephritis bardanae)

A female Semaphore Fly

And another joins it. No males seen though!!

Common Fruit Fly (Tephritis bardanae)

Slugs and Snails Recorded:
White-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis)
Brown-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea nemoralis)
Garden Snail (Cornu aspersa)