12 Feb 20

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood and Church Ope Cove

A much drier start to the day and a definite dip in the wind. The lull before the storm, as it appears that Storm Dennis is just around the corner.

Today's one and only highlight was a single Firecrest in Penns Wood, no sign of the second bird here or the the third bird at the back of the cove.

The 10+ strong Long-tailed Tit flock still remains in Penns wood and there is a bit of a Spring feeling here as the male Chaffinches are in good voice. There is also a bit of argy-bargy with the female Chaffinches, with quite a few chasing off other females. Not sure what that is that all about.

On the beach its was great to see 12 Rock Pipits, the highest number I have seen here this year. Also with them a Grey Wagtail, whilst just off the beach the adult Winter Black-headed Gull was still lingering.

Whilst the sun was out there were several Wall Lizards soaking up a few rays.

Also noted today were a few Buff-tailed Bumblebees, Early Bumblebees, a couple of Marmalade Hoverflies, a Migrant Hoverfly and a Common Dronefly.

Alongside the steps behind the cove was a Common Green Shieldbug on the Alexanders.

Here are a few images from today:

For a change the beach was busy with 12 Rock Pipits feeding on the millions of Kelp Flies.

In fact in most cases they didn't have to move far to catch their meal.

These flies are so small its going to take awhile to fill that stomach.

Another Kelp Fly is dispatched.

At least you dont have to put in too much effort for a meal.

I've not seen too many Grey Wagtails on the beach this year. This one like the Rock Pipits is on the hunt for a meal.

While the sun is out the Wall Lizards will show.

And adult and juvenile

Another juvenile. Can they get any smaller!!

A slight variation in colour.

A very distinct fly with an orange abdomen a Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)

And a Common Green Shieldbug in winter colours.

Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded: 1 Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 12 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 15+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Bees Recorded: Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Migrant Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis) and Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Ships Today

This is the British Fishery Patrol boat "Ocean Osprey" on its way out of Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Frigate "HMS Lancaster" just off Portland. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Destroyer "HMS Daring" just off Portland. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Replenishment Ship "RFA Tideforce" out in Weymouth bay. More on this vessel Here.

Note

Out of view but along with HMS Daring and HMS Lancaster were also HMS Mersey, HMS Montrose, HMS Northumberland and HMS Dragon. Obviously a big training exercise.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

11 Feb 20

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood and Church Ope Cove

Not a lot different than yesterday, though if anything the wind speed seems to have increased. There were still a few squally showers about and after the late morning one had passed I set off down to the cove.

Main highlights were very much the same as yesterday with 2 Firecrests in Penns Wood and another at the back of the cove. The small flock of 10+ Long-tailed Tits are still in the woods, which is probably one of the few sheltered spots on the island.

Nothing on the beach, but as I arrived 2 Pied Wagtails left and 3 Rock Pipits were seen heading south across the cove. Just off the beach an adult Winter Black-headed Gull was feeding in the surf.

Also about there were 4 Wall Lizards in the grounds of St Andrew's Church with another at the back of the cove, just where they have cut the Hebes hedge back from the path.

A few Buff-tailed Bumblebees were out on the Hebes and also in the long grass in the Church Grounds, perhaps looking for a new nest!! Just the one Migrant Hoverfly seen today, plus a a couple of Phaonia subventa, Muscid Flies and a Common Green Shieldbug in winter colours.

The mild conditions have seen a few Comfrey's come into flower in Penns Wood. Very early as they don't normally flower until the end of April!!

Here are a few images from today:

The grounds of St Andrew's Church where the sun was warm enough for......

.......these Wall Lizards

And another.

The juvenile from yesterday next to the Garden Snails. And just poking its head out an adult Wall Lizard.

Not in the Church grounds but yet again on the path behind the beach huts.

An adult Winter Black-headed Gull avoiding the waves.

It took some lift off to..........

...........clear this one.

It was a day of singing Robins.

It didn't matter where you walked......

..........there were Robins singing all along my walk.

A very short song burst

There were quite a few Buff-tailed Bumblebees out today. This one was warming up on one the trees in Penns Wood.

This Buff-tailed Bumblebee has a Common Green Shieldbug for company.

A Muscid Fly. This one is a Palomena prasina

And very early flowering Comfrey in Penns Wood. This plant normally flowers at the end of April

Birds Recorded: 1 Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 3 Rock Pipit, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 3 Firecrest, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: 4 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Bees Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Migrant Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis)

Flies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida) and Muscid Fly (Phaonia subventa)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

10 Feb 20

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove Wood and Church Ope Cove

A day of sunshine and blustery showers, as the remnants of Storm Ciara could still be felt along the South Coast. Fortunately, and its not often it happens, I managed to finish my walk before another big shower hit the island. A pretty heavy one at that which had a bit thunder and lightening accompanying it. I wasn't expecting that!!

Some good highlights today with 2 Firecrests in Penns Wood, another at the back of the cove, 5 Rock Pipits on the beach, the first here for quite sometime and just off the beach a few Herring Gulls, a Great Black-backed Gull, 3 Black-headed Gulls and a 1st Winter Common Gull.

Here are a few images and a video from today:

Church Ope Cove with Rufus Castle in the background.

Still some big waves out there.

Not as a big as those on Chesil Beach, which is probably just as well, otherwise I think the beach would disappear.

Just off the beach a 1st Winter Common Gull.

Also this Black-headed Gull picking "tit-bits" off the surface.

On the beach and for the first time in ages 5 Rock Pipits.

At the back of the Cove I came across a Firecrest, plus these two in Penns Wood.

Here is the other one.

A Kentish Snail

A White-lipped Banded Snail

Birds Recorded: Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Common Gull, Wood Pigeon, 5 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Firecrest, 10+ Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 1 Raven, Chaffinch, 7+ Linnet and Goldfinch

Slugs and Snails Recorded: White-lipped Banded Snail (Cepaea hortensis), Garden Snail (Cornu aspersa) and a Kentish Snail (Monacha cantiana)

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

9 Feb 20

Wakeham

Sadly no walk today as Storm Ciara brought in heavy rain and gusts to over 70mph on the island.

Here are a few images and videos taken by Dawn at Chesil Cove and from New Road this afternoon.







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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

8 Feb 20

Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church and Church Ope Cove Wood

A bright sunny day and quite mild. The lull before the storm, as tomorrow Storm Ciara will be hitting the UK, with wind gusts expected to reach 80mph along the coast. More Here.

At least for the time being it was nice and it was great to find 3 Firecrests in Penns Wood, along with dozens of Chaffinches and Goldfinches.

Also about were 7 Wall Lizards in the grounds of St Andrew's Church soaking up the sun.

On the Hebes and Japonica, along my walk, there were Early Bumblebees, Honey Bees, Migrant Hoverflies, Marmalade Hoverfly and an early Tapered Dronefly.

Along the pathway at the back of the cove a Common Shieldbug was on an Alexanders

Here are a few images from today:

A great comparison, a juvenile Wall Lizard next to 2 Garden Snails

An adult

And a Wall Lizard going through a moult.

A very brown individual.

And one that has lost its tail.

All together there were 7 Wall Lizards in the grounds of  St Andrew's Church

A few Honey Bees were out today, especially on the Hebes.

And I was a bit surprised to see this Tapered Dronefly on the Japonica in Penns Wood. At this time of year you are more likely to see Common Droneflies (Eristalis tenax) than Tapered Droneflies (Eristalis pertinax). The latter normally appear between March and November, peaking in May and August.

A Common Green Shieldbug

Birds Recorded: Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: 7 Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Early Bumblebee (Bombus pratorum) and Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus), Migrant Hoverfly (Meliscaeva auricollis) and Tapered Dronefly (Eristalis pertinax)

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 1 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Snails and Slugs Recorded: Garden Snail  (Cornu aspersa)

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

7 Feb 20

Top Fields and Crown Estate Fields

Another visit to the fields in the hope of catching a glimpse of a Short-eared Owl or even a Stock Dove. Well yet again I missed out on the former, but finally after 38 days I've managed to see my first Stock Dove of the year.

Also about were 2 Kestrels working the fields, plus 2 Buzzards sat on the fence posts.

A large flock of around 50 Linnet dropped into the Estate Fields, where there were small pockets of Chaffinch feeding on the fallen seeds. In the adjacent horse field a small flock of 20+ Starling were feeding.

Two Skylarks heard and a couple of Meadow Pipits passed through.

Just the one image.

From the Crown Estate Fields the Obs on the left and the Lighthouse on the right.


Birds Recorded: 2 Buzzard, 2 Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, 1 Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 2 Skylark, 2 Meadow Pipit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 20+ Starling, Chaffinch and 50+ Linnet

Ships Today

This is the British Fishing Boat "Portland Isle" returning to Weymouth Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

Wakeham

A Tawny Owl heard at 4:10am this morning.

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On this day..........
2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today's Sightings Here.
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