23 Aug 22

Barleycrates Lane and Reap Lane

It was a change of scenery today, with a walk on Portland's west side from Barleycrates Lane to Reap Lane.

The weather did start off dry, but as I got closer to West Weares the low cloud was sweeping over the cliffs, making it a bit damp at times. There's nothing like walking through the clouds, but at least it was fairly mild.

Main highlights were 3 Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler and a fem/juv Pied Flycatcher at Reap Lane Barns.

Elsewhere there was another Chiff/Will along Barleycrates Lane.

In the field, west of the barn, were a good 150+ House Sparrows feeding on spilt grain. They were quite flighty and made an impressive sight when they all took off together.

Birds Recorded:
1 Kestrel
Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
2 Meadow Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
4 Chiffchaff/Willow Warbler
1 Pied Flycatcher
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
150+ House Sparrow
Goldfinch

Looking south across to the other side of a field from where I was stood in Barleycrates Lane I noticed this Kestrel with a small rodent in its talons. It didn't seem interested in eating it, but was looking intently at the ground below.

Next second it was on the ground with another prey in its talons, but.......

.......was very quickly set upon by this Carrion Crow.

It's not easy to say what it caught, but............

...........it was definitely bird with those legs sticking out.

I tried zooming in a bit more, but it doesn't really help in identifying what bird species its caught.

Another shot, but even less helpful!!

In the copse just east of the barn at Reap Lane was this Chiff/Will seen briefly. It was so windy, I was amazed I actually managed to photograph one of the three here.

A couple of photos of..........

...........a fem/juv Pied Flycatcher in the copse. The light was horrendous but I didn't do too badly photographing it.

And the House Sparrow flock in the cereal crop.

A rough count as they took off and there are around a 150 or so.

Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorded:
hawker sp.


Butterflies Recorded:
Large White
Small White
1 Comma


Bees Recorded:
Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)
Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)


General Shots:

To the north of Barleycrates Lane is a house which is being restored. The garden on all sides has plastic sheets dug into the ground. These are amphibian fences which control the movement of frogs, toads and newts. More on why these fences are used Here.

Looking northwest and the low cloud is "pouring" over the cliffs.

The copse and Barn at Reap Lane. A really good spot for Autumn migrating birds.

Ted:

And Ted enjoying his walk.