27 Sep 23

High Angle Battery and Fancy's Farm

As I was in the area I thought I would stop and have a look to see what was about. There were a few highlights, the first being a hen Pheasant, which took off from the top of the cliffs and then glided down to East Weares. Next was a Yellow Wagtail calling as it headed south down the island and also noted were 3 individual Chiffchaffs calling from the bushes south of Fancy Farm.

Also south of Fancy Farm were two finch flocks, the first were 23 Linnet and the second was around 30+ Goldfinch.


Birds Recorded:
1 Peregrine Falcon
1 Kestrel
1 Pheasant
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Yellow Wagtail
Robin
Blackbird
3 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
23 Linnet
30+ Goldfinch

Honest, centre frame is a hen Pheasant gliding down towards the East Weares.

Just a few of the 30+ Goldfinches on the Hawthorns south of Fancy Farm

Butterflies Recorded:
1 Large White
2 Red Admiral


Moths Recorded:
Rusty Dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis)

A Rusty Dot Pearl (Udea ferrugalis)

Bees Recorded:
Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)
Ivy Bee (Colletes hederae)

Honey Bee (Apis mellifera)

And another Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) with a pollen sac

The Ivy Bees (Colletes hederae) were outnumbered by the Honey Bees today.

Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)


Hoverflies Recorded:
Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

A Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) - form succinea

The Ivy bushes were alive again today with Harlequin Ladybirds. However the form I could find was succinea

Slugs and Snails Recorded:

White-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis)

Nothing out of the ordinary a White-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis) on a Sycamore leaf...

...........except it was almost 3 metres up from the ground. That must have taken awhile to get there!!

Plants:
Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae)
Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)

apple sp.

An Ivy Broomrape (Orobanche hederae) a parasitic plant that flowers from May to July. More on this plant here.

This is Common Toadflax (Linaria vulgaris) and also goes.........

..........by the name of Yellow Toadflax and Butter-and-eggs

Nice red apples

Ahh, it looks like it's suffering from apple scab. More on this fungal disease here.

General Shots:

The view looking south with Fancy Farm directly behind me.

Ted:

Yes I can see you Ted.

Ships Today:

This is the Maltese Chemical/Oil Products Ship "Monjasa" tied up in Portland Harbour. More on this vessel here.

This is the General Cargo Ship "BBC Destiny" flying the flag of Antigua Barbuda. It is presently anchored up in Weymouth Bay. More on this vessel here.