15 Dec 22

Bumpers Lane, Rufus Castle, Church Ope Cove, St Andrew's Church and Pennsylvania Castle Woods

Ted and I had an hour's walk before the sun set at 4.06 pm. Not much on the way to the beach, but once we got there, there were some really good highlights with:

1 Black-headed Gull just off the beach
6 Rock Pipit - in amongst the seaweed
2 Robin - feeding in amongst the pebbles
3 Black Redstart - 3 fem/imm feeding in amongst the seaweed and pebbles.
2 Wren - feeding in amongst the pebbles

On the way back home via Pennsylvania Castle Woods there were 8 Long-tailed Tits heading off to roost, close-by and a lone Lapwing overhead.

Birds Recorded:
1 Sparrowhawk

1 Lapwing
1 Black-headed Gull
Herring Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
6 Rock Pipit
Dunnock
8 Robin
3 Black Redstart
Blackbird
8 Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

A lone Black-headed Gull just off the beach at the cove.

There were a few Rock Pipits at the cove. Not as........

..........many as I thought there might be, considering how cold it has been. Mind you there are probably very few Kelp Flies about.

Two Robins on the beach was a first for me, though.......

.........this individual preferred to sit on one of the hut roofs.

Another Robin. And a very confiding individual at that. This one was at the top of Penns Wood.

#1 - Black Redstart

#2 -  Black Redstart

#3 - Black Redstart. And all three being fem/imm birds.

A Black Redstart compilation from two video clips.

General Shots:

As the sun began to set, so the shadows began to cover the south-facing cliff.

Looking south and the beach is already in darkness.

And way way across Weymouth Bay is the headland of St Aldhelm's Head viewed from from Penn's Weare. The building in the middle, on top of the headland is St Aldhelm's Chapel Here. More on the Chapel Here and Here

Ted:

What are you doing Ted!!

Nothing Dad, just a bit of cliff climbing.

And one last look before......

......having a good sprint past me.

Ships Today:

This is the British Fishing Boat - WH49 "Aurelia J" fishing just off Church Ope Cove. More on this vessel Here.