12 Feb 22

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Penn's Weare, Penn's Copse, Rufus Castle, Bumpers Lane, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve and Lower Horse Paddock

With the forecast for rain this afternoon, I made sure I got a walk in before the heavens opened. Despite the sunny conditions the southerly wind was surprisingly cold, but there again it is still Winter.

Nothing of real note today, apart from a pair of Greenfinches in Broadcroft Quarry Lane and 3 Buff-tailed Bumblebees at the cove.

Mammals Recorded:
Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded:
Herring Gull
2 Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Greenfinch

Two Stock Doves in Bumpers Lane Quarry

There can't be too many birds that are so confiding as a Robin. As long as you don't make any sudden moves, they may even.................

..........sing to you. This Robin was at the top of Pennsylvania Castle Wood

A "Pied" Crow. One for my good friend Ed Wilson.

A Greenfinch. A female/juvenile was also with this male along Broadcroft Quarry Lane.

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

Bee "Central". This Hebe on the beach at Church Ope Cove has been a mecca for Honey Bees and....... 

.............Buff-tailed Bumblebees

This one was warming up close-by.

Plants:

These are the first Snowdrops I have seen this year.

General Shots:

Looking south from Penns Weare

This is the Lower Horse Paddock and sadly the brambles have been grubbed out. This area was used as a nesting site for Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Common Whitethroat, Long-tailed Tit, Wrens, Linnets and even House Sparrows.

Time to head home as the dark clouds gather and that sun looks very "watery".

Ted:

I'm sure Ted's thinking "This is the Life"

Ships Today:

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