It was a later walk than planned, as I ended up helping a motorist whose car was hit by another car which had attempted to do a u-turn in the middle of the road, opposite the cottage. Extraordinary as it may sound, but I knew both drivers. The white car that was hit, was being driven by a Lepidopterist I met at Church Ope Cove a few years back, when the Large Tortoiseshells were present. The red car was driven by a local man who lives just up the road from me.
Fortunately nobody was hurt, but it took 6 hours to move the white car. Apparently it was a hybrid car and once the battery goes flat, the only way to recover it, is by a flatbed.
So it was a later than planned walk, but still a very good one with the following highlights noted:
Rock Pipit - Al the Rock Pipit is still present on the beach. So named as he has AAL on a plastic leg ring. Well why not!!
Pied Wagtail - The juvenile is still present and appears to follow Al around the beach
Stonechat - There are now a pair here on the beach. No sign of any Black Redstarts yet!!
Chiffchaff - One in Penns Copse
Goldcrest - Two in Penns Wood
Firecrest - Two in the grounds of St Andrew's Church
Long-tailed Tit - Five at the back of Church Ope Cove
Siskin - Two over Wakeham
Greenfinch - Two over Wakeham Meadow
Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded:
2 Shag
1 Kestrel
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
1 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
2 Stonechat
Blackbird
1 Chiffchaff
2 Goldcrest
2 Firecrest
5 Long-tailed Tit
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Linnet
2 Siskin
Goldfinch
2 Greenfinch
And this is the juvenile Pied Wagtail which is also "resident" at the cove and.......
..........is never far from Al.
Note:
Al was first trapped as a juvenile and ringed on the 30th August 2023 (Ring number 2699306 by Portland Bird Observatory) in a small cove just north of the Lobster Pot Cafe and has since moved to Church Ope Cove.
Reptiles Recorded:
1 Wall Lizard
Hoverflies Recorded:
None
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
5 Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) - form succinea
General Shots:
Ted:
You can do it Ted. He hates wearing a lead, but I know full well that if didn't, he would be on the beach in a flash and eating the seaweed.
Ships Today:
A Robin in Penns Wood.
This pair of Stonechats are new arrivals to Church Ope Cove.
This is the male and........
.............this is the female. How long they stay remains to be seen.
And two Firecrests which.............
..............put in an appearance in the grounds of St Andrew's Church.
1 Wall Lizard
As I've said before, if it's sunny and warm enough the Wall Lizards will be out basking, whatever month it is.
Butterflies Recorded:
4 Red Admiral
Bees Recorded:
1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
4 Red Admiral
Bees Recorded:
1 Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)
There is still a good buzz from the Common Wasp nest in Wakeham Meadow.
None
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)
Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
5 Harlequin Ladybird (Harmonia axyridis) - form succinea
On the leaves of a fuchsia along Wakeham Railway Cuttings there were at least.........
...............five Harlequin Ladybirds. All form succinea
A very calm sea at Church Ope Cove, after days of strong winds and rough seas.
Ships Today:
This is the Dutch General Cargo Ship "FWN Spirit" on its way from Southampton to La Rochelle (France). More on this vessel here.
This is the British Ro-Ro Cargo Ship "Hurst Point" on its way from Alexandroupolis (Greece) to Saltmead. More on this vessel here.
This is the British Fishing Boat PH 37 "Loyal Friend" fishing just off Portland Bill. More on this vessel Here.