29 Nov 23

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

It was back to the local patch this afternoon, and what a surprise it was to find four Black Redstarts on the beach at Church Ope Cove. Also here were two Rock Pipits, 5 Pied Wagtails, a pair of Stonechats and a Chiffchaff.

Elsewhere there were two Greenfinches close to Wakeham Meadows.

Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded:
2 Cormorant
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
2 Rock Pipit
5 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
2 Stonechat
4 Black Redstart
Blackbird
1 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
3 Raven
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
2 Greenfinch

There were just two Rock Pipits on the beach. This one and another that flew off to south. No sign of AAL.

When I arrived at the cove there were no Pied Wagtails to be seen and then all of a sudden five came "screaming" in with lots of excitement and chatter. In amongst the five were two juveniles.

A male Stonechat at the southern end of the cove. The female was close by

Below are a few photos and a video of the four Black Redstarts at the cove this afternoon.

Apologies for haphazard panning of the camera. I was trying to remember where all four Black Redstarts were located on the beach. I got them in the end.

Just as I was about to photograph this Chiffchaff it decided to take off.

Two Ravens heading south over the cove

Plants:
Common Knapweed (Centaurea nigra)

I'm still finding a few Common Knapweed in flower.

Ted:

I don't know where Ted gets his energy from.

Ships Today:

This is the Maltese Ro-Ro Cargo Ship "Hermine" on its way from Zeebrugge to Dublin. More on this vessel here.

This the Dutch General Cargo Ship "Sea Charente" on its way from Erith to Teignmouth. More on this vessel here.