3 Dec 25
RSPB Radipole Lake
After a visit to Weymouth Hospital to have some stitches out, it was short stop at Radipole Lake, to see what was about from the bridge next to the RSPB visitors centre.
Unfortunately there had been some very heavy rain, and the water levels were very high covering the "beach" around the island just in front of the bridge, so no chance of any waders etc. on the edge here.
Birds Recorded:
6 Cormorant
Mallard
Teal
Tufted Duck
1 Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
1 Cetti's Warbler
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
After a visit to Weymouth Hospital to have some stitches out, it was short stop at Radipole Lake, to see what was about from the bridge next to the RSPB visitors centre.
Unfortunately there had been some very heavy rain, and the water levels were very high covering the "beach" around the island just in front of the bridge, so no chance of any waders etc. on the edge here.
Birds Recorded:
6 Cormorant
Mallard
Teal
Tufted Duck
1 Marsh Harrier
Moorhen
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
1 Cetti's Warbler
Blue Tit
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Teal
Tufted Ducks "Popping"
A female Marsh Harrier
A Great Black-backed Gull.
30 Nov 25
Wakeham
What a lovely day, just a shame I wasn't up for a walk. So as per norm.
What a lovely day, just a shame I wasn't up for a walk. So as per norm.
A Robin the back garden.
Snow
Goldfinches on the feeders.
A Stonechat in the Horse Paddocks.
A Grey Squirrel along Wakeham Railway Cuttings.
A Firecrest along the Railway Cuttings.
A Rock Pipit at Church Ope Cove.
A Black Redstart at Church Ope Cove.
29 Nov 25
Wakeham
After a wet start, it turned out really nice with blue skies and the odd cloud.
I still haven't risen to the occasion, where I will have a short walk down the back garden and back. But I will soon. However I did stick my head outside the conservatory door this afternoon.
After a wet start, it turned out really nice with blue skies and the odd cloud.
I still haven't risen to the occasion, where I will have a short walk down the back garden and back. But I will soon. However I did stick my head outside the conservatory door this afternoon.
This puffed up Wood Pigeon was trying to keep warm in the Sycamore at the bottom of the garden, unlike......
............this Herring Gull which is keeping warm next to this chimney pot.
28 Nov 25
Wakeham
I will get outdoors eventually. But for the time being, I will be adjusting to my post-op physical capabilities, which sadly doesn't mean walking any distance at the moment.
I will get outdoors eventually. But for the time being, I will be adjusting to my post-op physical capabilities, which sadly doesn't mean walking any distance at the moment.
Bird news from Portland Bird Observatory Here.
Dorset Bird News Here.
So as per norm:
A Peregrine Falcon over Southampton General Hospital.
An American Golden Plover at Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
Mediterranean Gulls in Portland Marina
A male Stonechat in the Higher Horse paddock
A Firecrest in Broadcroft Quarry Lane
A Rock Pipit at Church Ope Cove.
A Mediterranean Gull in the Swannery Car Park, Weymouth.
A Great Spotted Woodpecker at Wakeham.
27 Nov 25
Wakeham
Well it's my first day at home, having had open heart surgery exactly a week ago, which is quite unbelievable.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't that brilliant so, walking up and down the garden wasn't possible. Hopefully I wont have to wait long before I can get outside.
So as per norm:
Well it's my first day at home, having had open heart surgery exactly a week ago, which is quite unbelievable.
Unfortunately the weather wasn't that brilliant so, walking up and down the garden wasn't possible. Hopefully I wont have to wait long before I can get outside.
So as per norm:
Southampton Docks as seen from my ward.
An adult Mediterranean Gull.
Chesil Beach and a couple watching the sunset.
A Grey Seal Church Ope Cove.
A Great Black-backed Gull in Church Ope Cove.
A Goldcrest at Church Ope Cove.
Rain stopped play today.
An adult winter Mediterranean Gull at Chesil Cove.
26 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
It was another good day with my recovery, so hopefully some good news later.
Bird sightings:
4 Herring Gull
20+ godwit sps.
2 Wood Pigeons
8 Feral Pigeon
1 Pied Wagtail
2 Magpie
4 Carrion Crow
The Singaporean Container Ship in dock today is the "APL Singapura". More on this vessel here.
25 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
It was another day of ticking the boxes, and one of positive comments from consultants, doctors, nurses etc.
It was another day of ticking the boxes, and one of positive comments from consultants, doctors, nurses etc.
The signs are looking good for an early discharge.
Bird sightings:
4 Herring Gull
4 Wood Pigeons
3 Feral Pigeon
1 Pied Wagtail
4 Magpie
8 Carrion Crow
1 Blackbird
24 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
Well, the view from the ward window is pretty much like last years, with just slightly more of the right-hand side of the dockyard showing and of course less of where the cruise ships tie up on the left.
Birds Recorded:
6 Herring Gull
Well, the view from the ward window is pretty much like last years, with just slightly more of the right-hand side of the dockyard showing and of course less of where the cruise ships tie up on the left.
Birds Recorded:
6 Herring Gull
2 Common Snipe
4 Wood Pigeons
1 Magpie
1 Carrion Crow
1 Blackbird
A distant shot of the dockside this morning.
23 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
Late tonight I moved into the main recovery ward, right next door to where I was last year.
Late tonight I moved into the main recovery ward, right next door to where I was last year.
Hopefully I will have the same/similar view of the Docks I had then.
We will know tomorrow!
22 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
So this afternoon I moved from the ICU to the Cardiac High Dependency Ward, with a window looking out onto scaffolding 😒
21 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
Well I'm still in intensive care after 8 hours on the operating table. No photos as there are no windows.20 Nov 25
Southampton General Hospital
So today's the day I have a new Aortic Valve to replace the replacement one I had in October 2024. So there definitely won't be any write up today.
So today's the day I have a new Aortic Valve to replace the replacement one I had in October 2024. So there definitely won't be any write up today.
Tomorrow I will most likely be in intensive care, so there won't be anything tomorrow either.
19 Nov 25
Wakeham to Southampton General Hospital
So my journey to Southampton General Hospital starts all over again. Hopefully this time I wont end up staying for several weeks as I did last year.
En route:
So my journey to Southampton General Hospital starts all over again. Hopefully this time I wont end up staying for several weeks as I did last year.
En route:
Birds Recorded:
Cormorant
1 Great White Egret
1 Little Egret
2 Grey Heron
4 Mute Swan
1 Dark-bellied Brent Goose
1 Sparrowhawk
6 Buzzard
1 Kestrel
2 Pheasant - deceased
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
19 Long-tailed Tit
Magpie
Rook
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
The Fleet
The Fleet looking towards Portland.
18 Nov 25
Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadows, Wakeham Wildlife Site, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Glen Caravan Park, The Mermaid Track and Wakeham Railway Cuttings (east)
So today was my last walk with Ted, as tomorrow I head off to Southampton General Hospital until the end of the month. He will still be getting his walks with the family. Plus a neighbour asked if she could take him. Ted you're going to be spoilt!
Today was a very quiet day bird-wise with just two Chiffchaffs noted along both sections of the railway cuttings.
The only other things of note were a Grey Squirrel in the caravan park, 2 Gannets heading towards Portland Harbour and 5 Common Wasps on Ivy flowers along Quarry Lane.
Ships today:
So today was my last walk with Ted, as tomorrow I head off to Southampton General Hospital until the end of the month. He will still be getting his walks with the family. Plus a neighbour asked if she could take him. Ted you're going to be spoilt!
Today was a very quiet day bird-wise with just two Chiffchaffs noted along both sections of the railway cuttings.
The only other things of note were a Grey Squirrel in the caravan park, 2 Gannets heading towards Portland Harbour and 5 Common Wasps on Ivy flowers along Quarry Lane.
Mammals Recorded:
1 Grey Squirrel
1 Grey Squirrel
Birds Recorded:
2 Gannet
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
2 Gannet
Herring Gull
Wood Pigeon
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
2 Chiffchaff
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
This male Blackbird is really enjoying this Newton Wonder
Escapees, Ferals, Possibles Etc.
Feral pigeon
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
5 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Feral pigeon
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
5 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
A few unidentified flies
Locust Blowfly Stomorhina lunata
Root-maggot fly Anthomyiidae family
Blue Blowfly Calliphora vicina
Orange-bellied Housefly Phaonia rufiventris - possiblyA few unidentified flies
Locust Blowfly Stomorhina lunata
Root-maggot fly Anthomyiidae family
Blue Blowfly Calliphora vicina
On this Yarrow Achillea millefolium is a Locust Blowfly Stomorhina lunata
Also on the Yarrow was this Root-maggot fly Anthomyiidae family
On this Ivy leaf is a Blue Blowfly Calliphora vicina
An Orange-bellied Housefly Phaonia rufiventris or something similar
Ted:
Wow, I don't think I've ever seen Ted run so fast
Ships today:
This is the British Offshore Support Vessel "Stirling Castle" just off Portland's east coast. More on this vessel here.
17 Nov 25
Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadows, Wakeham Wildlife Site, Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Glen Caravan Park, The Mermaid Track and Wakeham Railway Cuttings (east)
Blue skies and lots of sunshine, but wow, what a nip in the air. There has been quite a drop in the temperature since yesterday, but despite feeling brrrr there were quite a few highlights including 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebees and a Marmalade Hoverfly.
On the bird front I couldn't locate the Long-tailed Tit flock, and their entourage, but I did record 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests in Wakeham Railway Cuttings, whilst on the east side of the road bridge there was a male Blackcap and a lone Chiffchaff.
Birds Recorded:
1 Sparrowhawk
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
2 Meadow Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaff
2 Goldcrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
Escapees, Ferals, Possibles Etc.
Feral pigeon
Bees Recorded:
2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
4 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Hoverflies Recorded:
1 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
A few unidentified flies
Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis - Pupae
Aircraft today:
Blue skies and lots of sunshine, but wow, what a nip in the air. There has been quite a drop in the temperature since yesterday, but despite feeling brrrr there were quite a few highlights including 2 Buff-tailed Bumblebees and a Marmalade Hoverfly.
On the bird front I couldn't locate the Long-tailed Tit flock, and their entourage, but I did record 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Goldcrests in Wakeham Railway Cuttings, whilst on the east side of the road bridge there was a male Blackcap and a lone Chiffchaff.
Birds Recorded:
1 Sparrowhawk
Herring Gull
1 Great Black-backed Gull
Stock Dove
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
2 Meadow Pipit
Dunnock
Robin
Blackbird
1 Blackcap
3 Chiffchaff
2 Goldcrest
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Wren
Magpie
Carrion Crow
Jackdaw
Starling
House Sparrow
Chaffinch
Goldfinch
A couple of photos of the local........
...............Sparrowhawk as it looks for its next prey.
A male Blackcap along.................
..................Wakeham Railway Cuttings (east).
And a Goldcrest along Wakeham Railway Cuttings (west).
Goldfinches really are stunning looking birds.
Feral pigeon
Bees Recorded:
2 Buff-tailed Bumblebee Bombus terrestris
Wasps, Ichneumon Wasps, Parasitic Wasps and Gall Wasps Recorded:
4 Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
Common Wasp Vespula vulgaris
1 Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Despite the chilly conditions this hardy Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus was out in the sun.
Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded:
A few unidentified flies
Bugs and Beetles Recorded:
Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis - Pupae
The pupae of a Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis
This is the Boeing 747-8R7F..............
..........Registration LX-VCL on its...........
.........way from Miami to Luxembourg. More on Cargolux here.
This is the Boeing 777-FS2...................
..............Registration N891FD on its............
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