27 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 Museum

In the wake of Storm Arwen, the north-westerly wind was still pretty strong with gusts up to 54mph. But surprisingly the cove was pretty calm, so much so that a Grey Seal was having a siesta just off the beach and a female/juvenile Black Redstart was running around the beach catching Kelp Flies.

In the grounds of St Andrew's Church there was a Chiffchaff, whilst overhead a Grey Wagtail was seen heading to the beach. Though when I got down there it was nowhere to be found and instead I came across 2 Rock Pipits and of course the Black Redstart.

Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Seal
3 Grey Squirrel

A Grey Seal just off the beach at Church Ope Cove

It was looking pretty relaxed and at times appeared to be sleeping.

Here it is having a good look around.

And the last one in a bit closer.  More on Grey Seals and Common Seals Here.

I came across three Grey Squirrels today.

Including this one that was a bit too quick for the camera.

Birds Recorded:
Gannet
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
2 Rock Pipit
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
1 Black Redstart
Blackbird
1 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
30+ Goldfinch

My second Black Redstart of the Autumn at the cove. Its either a female or a juvenile. Not that easy to tell at this time of year.

Here are a few videos of the Black Redstart feeding on the beach.

Note the feet are slightly swollen on this male Chaffinch. It is caused either by mites or a disease known as Fringilla papillomavirus. More on this Here.

Slugs and Snails Recorded:
White-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis)

A White-lipped Banded Snail making its way across a busy path by the castle. Fearing it would be crushed, I placed it by the wall. Lets just hope I put it on the side of the path it was heading for!!!


Plants:

Common Gorse (Ulex europaeus)

Honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

This is Common Gorse and not only......

...........very prickly, but in flower in November. More on this plant Here.

The berries of Honeysuckle are poisonous, however the leaves, flowers and seeds have been used for medicinal purposes for a variety of conditions.

General Shots:

Church Ope Cove viewed from St Andrew's Church. Inside the black circle is the Grey Seal with its head stuck out of the water.

Looking south along the beach at the cove

Ted:

Just two Ted's today

Ships Today:

This is the British Trawler "MFV William Henry II" on its way from Dartmouth to Weymouth. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Cargo Ship "Eems Dart" flying the flag of Gibraltar. It is on its way from Rotterdam (Holland) to Villagarcia (Spain). More on this vessel Here.

This is the Italian Vehicles Carrier "Grande Halifax" on its way from Bremerhaven (Denmark) to the Suez Canal (Egypt). More on this vessel Here.