Port and Wey

14 May 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, The Windmills, Combefield Quarry, Avalanche Road Hump, Suckthumb Quarry and Thumb Lane

Almost the same walk as yesterday, but today I included Avalanche Hump and Suckthumb Quarry, in the hope of seeing the Golden Oriole which was seen at the Obs earlier in the morning. In previous years Golden Orioles have been seen at The Hump and Suckthumb Quarry, but not today.

The weather was very much like yesterday with a fair bit of cloud and spots of rain as I started my walk, however instead of getting cloudier it actually got sunnier and a lot warmer.

Here are a few birding highlights:
House Martin and Swallow - several over The Hump, Thumb Lane and The Windmills
Wheatear - 1 male again in Weston Road horse paddock
Common Whitethroat - 7 around The Windmills, 6 Combefield Quarry, 2 Suckthumb Quarry
Blackcap - 1 Old Quarry Lane, 2 The Hump
Chiffchaff - Singles at The Windmills and The Hump
Willow Warbler - 1 at The Hump singing.
Spotted Flycatcher - 2 at The Hump

There were a lot more butterflies today, including one of the "blue" butterfly species. Unfortunately I couldn't see which one as it flew off into one of the horse paddocks next to The Hump.

And today also saw an emergence of Green-longhorn Moths dancing around several Sycamore Trees along my walk.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

Could this possibly be the same male Wheatear as I saw yesterday in the horse paddock just south of Weston Road. Surely not!!

Here it is feeding.

There were some very vocal Common Whitethroats today.

And here's another one.

Okay, obviously doesn't like an audience.

One of the two Spotted Flycatchers in..............

.................. the wood at The Hump.

In their usual spot a Slow-worm and its.......

...........youngster.

One of many Green-longhorn Moths that emerged today.

Find a Sycamore on Portland and they wont be far away.

This is a Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica)

I thought this was an Orange-tip Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa) but.........

...........looking at these images.......

..........I'm not so sure. Hmm one to ID later.

An Ichneumon Wasp sp. the first Ichneumon Wasp I have seen this year.

Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea). There were quite a.........

.............few about.

A Spring Epistrophe Hoverfly (Epistrophe eligans)

The Footballer (Helophilus pendulus)

And head on.

One of my favourite flies............

.......................a Celery Fly.

Well if you ever wanted proof that Ted can fly well here it is. No PhotoShop manipulating here.

Birds Recorded: Buzzard, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Wheatear, Blackbird, 15 Common Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Reptiles Recorded: 2 Slow-worms

Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Small White, 1 Red Admiral and a Blue sp.

Moths Recorded: Green-longhorn Moths (Adela reaumurella)

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius), Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica), Ashy Mining Bee (Andrena cineraria) and a possible Orange-tip Mining Bee (Andrena haemorrhoa)

Ichneumon Wasps Recorded: Ichneumon Wasp sp.

Hoverflies Recorded: Dead Head Hoverfly (Myathropa florea), Spring Epistrophe (Epistrophe eligans) and The Footballer (Helophilus pendulus)

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: Celery fly (Euleia heraclei) and St Mark's Fly (Bibio marci)

Ships Today

This is the Maltese Cargo Ship "Laureline" on its way from Rozenburg (Holland) to Dublin. More on this vessel Here.

This is the Norwegian Passenger Ship "Viking Venus" on its way from Portsmouth to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

13 May 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, The Windmills, Thumb Lane, Combefield Quarry and Pennsylvania Castle Grounds.

A change of scenery today, which proved to be quite fruitful with 2 Lesser Whitethroats to add to my year list, both birds were close together between Thumb Lane and Combefield Quarry.

Other birds of note were:
Swifts - 3 heading north over Pennsylvania Castle
Wheatear - 1 in the horse paddock along Weston Street
Blackcap - 1 Old Quarry Lane and 1 Thumb Lane
Chiffchaff - Singles at Old Quarry Lane, Thumb Lane and Pennsylvania Castle Grounds.
Common Whitethroat - 1 Wakeham Meadow, 3 The Windmills, 3 between Thumb Lane and Combefield Quarry

Here are a few images from today:

One of the two Lesser Whitethroats I came across today.

In the same area as the Lesser Whitethroat was this Common Whitethroat

And a late male Wheatear passing through.

A male Linnet looking a bit worn.

And a Stock Dove which I came across in Combefield Quarry

In one of the local farms I passed, was this Rhea or is it an Emu. Whatever it is, either my camera has gone stupid or this bird has two eyes. In fact I'm pretty sure its a facial marking, but certainly one that makes you look twice.

If I have ID'd this thistle correctly it is a Milk Thistle.

In Australia this plant is considered to be widespread weed. More on this plant Here and Here.

Maybe there is a problem with my camera!!

Birds Recorded: 1 Buzzard, Herring Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 3 Swift, Swallow, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 1 Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 7 Common Whitethroat, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Blackcap, 3 Chiffchaff, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: Large White

Bees Recorded: Buff-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus terrestris)

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

12 May 21

Wakeham

A morning spent at home in glorious sunshine and then when I had a bit more time on my hands in the afternoon, it hammered down.

Nothing special today, though for the second day running there has been a Pheasant calling from one of the neighbours garden's.

The Great Tits have stopped bringing nesting material into the nest box and on the odd ocassion the female leaves the nest for short breaks.

Here are a few images from the garden this morning:

My first Red Mason Bee of the year

A Chequered Hoverfly

I'm not quite sure what species this is. It looks very similar to a Root Fly.

Another fly to be ID'd possibly one of the muscid species.

Oh good something I do know. This is a Common Green Shieldbug and close by was another.

This is a Copper Sun-jumper and it looks like its tucking into an aphid possibly

Oh dear I know what that looks means. Fortunately there were other family members on hand to give Ted a walk.

Birds heard and seen this morning from the back garden: 1 Pheasant, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Large White

Bees Recorded: Honey Bee (Apis mellifera), Bronze Furrow Bee (Halictus tumulorum), Chocolate Mining Bee (Andrena scotica) and a Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis)

Wasps Recorded: 1 Common Wasp (Vespula vulgaris)

Hoverflies Recorded: 1 Chequered Hoverfly (Melanostoma scalare)

Flies, Craneflies, Gnats and Midges Recorded: 2 flies sp.

Bugs and Beetles Recorded: 2 Common Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina)

Spiders Recorded: Copper Sun-jumper (Heliophanus cupreus)

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

11 May 21

Portland Bird Observatory, Obs Quarry, Hut Fields, The Obelisk, QinetiQ and Crown Estate Fields.

I got very lucky today, I knew there had been a Chough flying around the Obs and local fields during the morning, but unfortunately I couldn't get down there until the afternoon. As I parked up in the Obs carpark and then got out of the car, I couldn't believe my luck as I heard the Chough and then watched it fly overhead and around to the back of the lighthouse.

By the time I'd got to the veranda it had gone. It was seen by others and was last seen heading down to The Bill, which is exactly where I headed.

Despite a thorough search, I didn't see it again, which was a great shame. So I really was lucky to hear it and catch a glimpse of one of our more "exotic" looking crows.

Not my video but one of many you will find of Choughs on YouTube. What a beautiful bird.

Other highlights on my walk were a Hobby up in the Top Fields, a Little Owl in the Obs Quarry and around The Races were thousands of gulls feeding on baitfish plus at least 2 Sandwich Terns.

Here are a few images and videos from today:

One of the Little Owls on lookout in the Obs Quarry

One of the juvenile Stonechats from around the Hut Fields.

Sea Thrift brightening up an otherwise cloudy and wet afternoon.

There were a good thousand or more gulls around The Races.

Herring Gulls of all ages having a fish frenzy

A large majority were Herring Gulls plus a few Great Black-backed Gulls and Gannets.

In amongst the Herrings an adult Great Black-backed Gull

Its been awhile since Ted has had a Buzz. Well he's making up for now.

Birds Recorded: Fulmar, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Hobby, Pheasant, Herring Gull, 2 Sandwich Tern, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, 1 Little Owl, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Stonechat, Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Chough, Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Ships Today

This is the British yacht "Bliss" sailing through the Portland Races on its way from Exmouth to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Patrol Ship "HMS Tamar" on its way from Portsmouth to Plymouth. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

10 May 21

Old Quarry Lane, Wakeham Meadow, Lower Horse Paddock, Broadcroft Quarry Lane and Broadcroft Quarry Butterfly Reserve and Lower Horse Paddock

A very quick walk this afternoon as I was expecting a couple of home deliveries. No real highlights more "lowlights", with Tree Surgeons cutting down mature Sycamore Trees on behalf of a well-known and unscrupulous local Building Company.

But apparently all was above board according to one of the felling crew, as there was an ecologist sat by the wood for an hour to make sure there were no nesting birds. I think the word that sums up these people is "clueless". The area was quite extensive with lots of bushes, brambles and ground cover, so I'm sorry but I really don't believe this ecologist. There was no way he could really know. Rant over!!

Anyway what good things did I come across, well actually not a lot, as there was still that biting chilly wind and all the invertebrates that you would normally see at this time of year are yet to appear. So with the lack of insects, there appeared to be a lack of birds. The only birds of note were a Chiffchaff and a Blackcap both singing along the Old Quarry Lane and a Common Whitethroat singing in the Lower Horse paddock.

The only insects I came across were 2 Large Whites and a single Honey Bee. This is an awful Spring.

Here are a few images and a video from today:

It's always sad to see trees being felled. This woodland filled with mature Sycamores is being cleared for a housing development. Apparently an Ecologist was there before work started to ensure there were no birds nesting!!

This is the paddock right next to the development site behind me. Maybe I read to much into things but......

...........why is there a reptile survey in progress.

Here is one of the dozen or so mats around the paddock. A survey to see what lives in the field before developers move in, surely not!!!!

And first across the line, Ted of course.

Mammals Recorded: Bunny

Birds Recorded: Kestrel, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 2 Swallow, 2 Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch

Butterflies Recorded: 2 Large White

Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

9 May 21

Lower Horse Paddock, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Broadcroft Butterfly Reserve and Higher Horse Paddock

Well the morning started off fairly bright and then a low cloud began to move up the island. By the time I got out for a walk, it was pretty dull and quite chilly.

Main highlight was a Turtle Dove singing from around the Higher Horse Paddock, but luck wasn't on my side, as a family and their two very vocal dogs walked past the field and scared it off.

Here's a recording of a Turtle Dove singing courtesy of Xeno-canto

Also about were 11 Wheatear in the Lower Horse Paddock, which was a bit of a surprise. But I guess with the weather closing in, they decided to stop off in the paddock for a munch on the plentiful supply of flies, courtesy of the horses. I also came across 2 Common Whitethroats and a Blackcap singing.

Here are a few images from today in very poor light.

It didn't matter where you looked there were..........

.............Wheatears everywhere. I counted at least 11.

Always a delight to see Greenfinches. This male was in good voice along the lane.

Having missed a long walk yesterday, Ted was certainly making the most of today's walk. I've never seen him move so fast.

Mammals Recorded: 8 Bunnies

Birds Recorded: Buzzard, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Turtle Dove, Swallow, Pied Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 11 Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Goldfinch and 3 Greenfinch

Butterflies Recorded: 1 Red Admiral

Ships Today

This is the British yacht "Jellyfish" on its way from Portland Harbour to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day

2020
Today's Sightings Here

2019
Today's Sightings Here.

2018
Today' Sightings Here.

8 May 21

Wakeham

What a miserable, cloudy and very windy day.

The only real interest today was the fact that the Great Tits have stopped bringing nesting material to the nest box. Also of note is that there is no sign of the female and the male keeps calling out whenever anyone walks past the nest. So it could well be she's sitting on eggs.

So as there was no walk, here are a few photos of bee-flies I have taken over the years

These are Dark-edged Bee-fly - Bombylius major