2 Nov 22

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadows, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Church Ope Cove Wood, Rufus Castle, Bumpers Lane and Portland Museum

Yuk springs to mind as the gale force wind from the south west continues for the 3rd day running, with gusts today reaching 48mph.

The only location I could think of for a walk, was through the woods down to the cove. But that wind was so strong, it didn't seem to matter where you walked.

Still I did come away with a few highlights, with a Redwing close to Wakeham Meadows, a Chiffchaff along the railway cuttings and another at the bottom of Penns Wood; where the two Firecrests still remain. The third Firecrest at the top of the wood, plus the Goldcrest were nowhere to be seen today.

On the beach were 10 Rock Pipits, whilst just off the cove I counted 6 Gannets and at least 15 Cormorants heading south down the coast.

Also at the top of Penns Wood were a good 40+ Goldfinches in the Sycamore Tree all "chatting" away.

Mammals Recorded:
Grey Squirrel


Birds Recorded:
6 Gannet
15 Cormorant
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
10 Rock Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
1 Redwing
2 Chiffchaff
2 Firecrest
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
2 Raven
Chaffinch
40+ Goldfinch

With the strong southwesterly wind, the...........

............Gannets were........

............either fishing close-in....................

...................... or heading down Portland's east coast.

As for the Cormorants I counted at least 15, all of which............

............were also heading south.

Top left a Wood Pigeon and a Raven below it. Big bird!!

In this tree at the top of Pennsylvania Castle Woods were at least 40 Goldfinches all chattering away.

Bees Recorded:
None - To wet and windy

Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
20+ Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

In the relative shelter at the back of the cove I came across around 20 plus Common Wasps on the Ivy.

Here is a side profile of one of the Common Wasps and........

...........a head on view.

Hoverflies Recorded:
Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Along the Wakeham Railway Cuttings I was a bit surprised to see this Marmalade Hoverfly. It was the only hoverfly I came across today.

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


General Shots:

The large waves crashing onto the beach at the cove, and also............

.................below the south facing cliffs.

Rough seas at Church Ope Cove

Ted:

He doesn't look happy. I'm not surprised though it was wet and windy.