14 Nov 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, The Windmills, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Church Ope Cove Wood, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle and the Mermaid Track

Yet again another very cloudy and mild day. But despite the dull conditions there were some good highlights with:

Wakeham Meadow: 1 Redwing, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest and 2 Siskin overhead
Penns Wood: 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Firecrest
St Andrew's Church grounds: 1 Chiffchaff
Church Ope Cove: 23 Rock Pipit
Penn's Copse: 1 Chiffchaff

The only invertebrates noted were a lone Buff-tailed Bumblebee and millions of Kelp Flies.

Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Squirrel
1 Bunny

Birds Recorded:
1 Cormorant
1 Kestrel
30+ Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
1 Great Spotted Woodpecker
23 Rock Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
1 Redwing
3 Chiffchaff
1 Goldcrest
1 Firecrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
2 Siskin
Goldfinch

I'm not sure what these Herring Gulls found to their liking, but there were a good 30+ just off the beach feeding in the surf.

An adult Herring Gull

Despite lots of visitors to the beach and dogs running up and down it, the Rock Pipits were in good numbers, with 23 logged. However they spent a lot of energy taking off and landing elsewhere on the beach, when disturbed.

Here is one of the Rock Pipits feeding in amongst the Kelp and then joining another in flight.

Close to the edge

If I didn't know any better, I would think this Dunnock is telling me off.

In the grounds of St Andrew Church was this Chiffchaff.

It was continually calling, which made me think that it was keeping in contact with another bird a good 50 metres or so further up the steps in Penn's Copse.

And a Magpie also giving me a hard stare.

Thirty or so Goldfinches at a pre-roost.

Bees Recorded:
1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)


Wasps Recorded:
None

There are very few Ivy's in flower, which might account for the lack of wasps seen


Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Kelp Flies (Coelopa frigida)


General Shots:

Out on the Shambles Sandbank there were some big waves.

Ted:

And Ted being very alert. This is where the Fox was stood a few weeks back. And I reckon Ted can still sense that.

Ships Today:

Once again apologies for the poor quality images. Which as you can tell, progressively get worse, the further out the ships are in the English Channel

This is the Maltese Oil/Chemical Tanker "PS Roma" on its way from Terneuzen (Holland) to Santos (Brazil) via Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Pleasure Craft "Tortuga" on its way out of Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Dutch Container Ship "Elisabeth" on its way from Cork to Southampton. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Lithuanian Ro-Ro/Passenger Ship "Regina Seaways" (honest) on its way from Rosslare (Ireland) to Dunkirk (France). More on this vessel Here.