6 Feb 24

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Rufus Castle and Portland Museum

The weather today was pretty windy with gusts up to 50mph. At least it wasn't raining like yesterday, but it was pretty murky.

Yet again most of the action was at the cove where todays highlights were 4 Rock Pipits, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, a male Stonechat, the female Black Redstart and one possibly two Chiffchaff.


Birds Recorded:
2 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
4 Rock Pipit
1 Pied Wagtail
1 Grey Wagtail
Dunnock
Robin
1 Stonechat
1 Black Redstart
Blackbird
1 Song Thrush (sub-song by Rufus Castle)
1/2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch

Just four Rock Pipits on the beach this afternoon along with....

...........this male Pied Wagtail and...........

..............Grey Wagtail.

Other birds around the cove were this male Stonechat (there was no sign of the female) and......

.............the overwintering female Black Redstart feeding........

............on Kelp Flies in amongst the pebbles on the beach.

Hoverflies Recorded:
Spotted Meliscaeva (Meliscaeva auricollis)

This is a Spotted Meliscaeva hoverfly, and quite "common" in the Winter months by all accounts

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


Plants:
Snowflakes (Leucojum Vernum)

These are Snowflakes (Leucojum Vernum) and a plant I first came across in the grounds of St Andrew's Church last year here. They like moist ground and prefer semi-shaded areas...........

When they are in bloom they have scented flowers. More on this plant Here.

General Shots:

Looking south along the beach at Church Ope Cove on another cloudy murky day.

Ted and Theo:

Ted and Theo on the steps up to Rufus Castle

And Ted legging it down to the beach to see "Dave" the volunteer gardener who tidy's up the beach and other sites on the island. Ted has met Dave many times and knows he will get a treat if he sees him. It just amazes me that Ted knew he was on the beach from 200 metres away.

Ships Today:

Despite the very choppy conditions the Fishing Boat PO9 "Freya May" was making slow progress to its fishing grounds at The Bill.