Wakeham
It was an early rise this morning as I headed off to Shropshire for my granddaughters Christening. As I walked to the car a Yellow Wagtail flew over the cottage calling away.
Portland Beach Road
As I made my way along the beach road there must have been 1000+ hirundine feeding over the grasses and over the water in Portland Harbour, especially at Hamm Beach.
24 Aug 19
Obs Quarry, Culverwell, Top Fields and Crown Estate Fields.
This morning it was another walk around "south" Portland looking for Autumn migrants and I didn't do to bad with the following migrants logged: 30+ Swift over the Obs, 150+ Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow in the Crown Estate Fields, 1 Tree Pipit over the Top Fields, 5 Yellow Wagtail in the Top Fields with 2 in amongst the horses, 2 Wheatear found Here, 2 Common Whitethroat in Helen's Field and 1 Willow Warbler in the Obs Quarry
..........feeding in amongst the Brambles. Hopefully in the next few weeks or so we might get a Wryneck visiting the quarry. We can but hope!!
A Clouded Yellow flew past and I turned and just fired the exposure button. a lucky shot as I managed to capture it in flight.
Mammals Recorded: Stoat
Birds Recorded: Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 39+ Swift, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, 1 Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 200+ Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, 1 Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue and Common Blue
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
Wakeham
This afternoon I found a new moth for my Portland list, a Garden Carpet in, where else, my back garden. Also a Common Darter.
This morning it was another walk around "south" Portland looking for Autumn migrants and I didn't do to bad with the following migrants logged: 30+ Swift over the Obs, 150+ Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow in the Crown Estate Fields, 1 Tree Pipit over the Top Fields, 5 Yellow Wagtail in the Top Fields with 2 in amongst the horses, 2 Wheatear found Here, 2 Common Whitethroat in Helen's Field and 1 Willow Warbler in the Obs Quarry
Not so many Painted Lady's today, but plenty of Small Heath and Large Whites about, plus a Clouded Yellow in the Crown Estate Fields
And finally my first Stoat on Portland with a family making their way through the stubble and brambles in the Top Field Here.
Here are a few images from this morning:
The Obs Quarry where there was ..................
..........this lone Willow Warbler.........
In Southwell the horse field Here was providing these 2 Yellow Wagtails.......
.......plenty of flies.
Mind you they have to keep an eye out for a stray hoof.
Close to the Southwell Barns were these 2 Yellow Wagtails feeding on flies "kicked" up by the horses.
In the Crown Estate Fields were these Swallows and Sand Martins.
It was quite a large flock of around 150 birds.
In this shot a single House Martin on the wires in the top right corner.
The Swallows, Sand Martins and House Martins gather in the fields before heading south over the English Channel.
In the fields were dozens of Linnets feeding on the Linseed or Flax seeds.
Getting better a record shot of a Swift.
A Kestrel searching for a snack.
Fortunately it landed very briefly for a static shot.
Mammals Recorded: Stoat
Birds Recorded: Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 39+ Swift, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, 1 Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 2 Wheatear, Blackbird, 2 Common Whitethroat, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 200+ Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, 1 Clouded Yellow, Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Holly Blue and Common Blue
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
Wakeham
This afternoon I found a new moth for my Portland list, a Garden Carpet in, where else, my back garden. Also a Common Darter.
A Garden Carpet, Xanthorhoe fluctuata and my 154th moth on Portland since May 2017
23 Aug 19
King Barrow Quarry, Grove Cliffs, Broadcroft Quarry Lane, Bumpers Lane and Mermaid Track
I dropped the car off at the garage early this morning and then walked home along the east coast path starting off at the King Barrow Quarry where 3 Tree Pipits flew over. In the quarry itself there was a Blackcap, Willow Warbler, a Grey Wagtail and 150+ Linnet.
Other highlights were 2 Whitethroat along Broadcroft Quarry Lane, a Chiffchaff along the Mermaid Track where 2 Yellow Wagtails passed overhead.. And as I made my way home there were a few Swallows and House Martins making their way south down the island.
Still lots of Painted Lady's about and I came across a couple of Wall Browns along the East Weare.
Here are a few photos from this morning:
A Crab Apple Tree.........
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Wall Brown, 1 Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue
Moths Recorded: 1 Carnation Tortrix (Cacoecimorpha pronubana), 1 Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) and 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
I dropped the car off at the garage early this morning and then walked home along the east coast path starting off at the King Barrow Quarry where 3 Tree Pipits flew over. In the quarry itself there was a Blackcap, Willow Warbler, a Grey Wagtail and 150+ Linnet.
Other highlights were 2 Whitethroat along Broadcroft Quarry Lane, a Chiffchaff along the Mermaid Track where 2 Yellow Wagtails passed overhead.. And as I made my way home there were a few Swallows and House Martins making their way south down the island.
Still lots of Painted Lady's about and I came across a couple of Wall Browns along the East Weare.
Here are a few photos from this morning:
A Common Buzzard and in the far distance the Lighthouse at The Bill.
A Whitethroat foraging in the brambles.
So many Painted Lady's on the island.
And a Wall Brown.
Sadly this Wall Brown is a bit battered.
A Jersey Tiger Moth.
Looking south down Broadcroft Quarry Lane at the new housing estate being built.
A Crab Apple Tree.........
........with what I would think would be very sharp apples
And Portland Harbour showing the 3 entrances between the breakwaters. The closest entrance is The Hood.
Birds Recorded: Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, House Martin, Swallow, 3 Tree Pipit, Meadow Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 150+ Linnet and Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, 2 Speckled Wood, 2 Wall Brown, 1 Ringlet, Meadow Brown, Painted Lady, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue
Moths Recorded: 1 Carnation Tortrix (Cacoecimorpha pronubana), 1 Jersey Tiger (Euplagia quadripunctaria) and 1 Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum), Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius) and Garden Bumblebee (Bombus hortorum)
22 Aug 19
Portland Bill
A morning spent walking around The Hut Fields, The Bill, Top Fields and Culverwell. Lots of migrants recorded with the main highlights being: 8 Swift over the fields at Southwell where there were also 7 Wheatear. Another Wheatear was at at The Bill. 2 Yellow Wagtails made their way over Culverwell and landed in the cow and sheep field just up from the Obs.
And finally 3 of the 8 Oystercatchers in the same field as the Yellow Wagtails were in. Sadly no photos of the Yellow Wags.
Mammals Recorded: 1 Bunny
Birds Recorded: Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, 8 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 8 Swift, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 3 Stonechat, 8 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 3 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, and 100+ Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, 1 Wall Brown, 5 Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 1 Small Copper, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue.
Moths Recorded: 1 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), 1 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorded: 4 Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) and 5 Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
This is the Tanker "Stena Primorsk" flying the flag of Bermuda. It is on its way from Portland Harbour to an unknown destination. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Cargo vessel "Komet lll" flying the flag of Antigua Barbuda. It is on its way from Newport to Southampton. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Danish Tanker "Tina Theresa" on its way from La Pallice, France to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.
This is the Cargo Vessel "Glovis Champion" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Bremerhaven, Denmark to Port of Spain, Trinidad Tobago. More on this vessel Here.
A morning spent walking around The Hut Fields, The Bill, Top Fields and Culverwell. Lots of migrants recorded with the main highlights being: 8 Swift over the fields at Southwell where there were also 7 Wheatear. Another Wheatear was at at The Bill. 2 Yellow Wagtails made their way over Culverwell and landed in the cow and sheep field just up from the Obs.
Elsewhere their were parties of Sand Martins, House Martins and Swallows overhead. The only warbler found was a Blackcap just north of Culverwell. And finally there was a huge flock of 100+ Goldfinch by the Higher Lighthouse.
Here are a few images from this morning:
Here are a few images from this morning:
The Lighthouse and Obelisk. Along the rocky cliffs here were Linnets, Rock Pipits and a lone Wheatear.
One of the dozen or so Linnets seem along the cliff top.
Also a few Rock Pipits about.
The Pulpit.
Just off the Bill a Gannet flies by.
In the quarry a Bunny sunbathing on the rocks (centre of frame)
A well chilled Bunny.
This Kestrel let me walk right up to it. Shame about the barbed wire.
A Small Heath. There were several along the coast path leading up to the West Cliffs.
One of the 3 Ravens along the West Cliff and slopes.
A great sight the humble House Sparrow. This mini flock seem to be doing quite well at the Southwell Barns.
A Goldfinch sporting a ring.
It took me awhile but eventually I managed to get a shot of this Wall Brown with its wings open.
In these fields just south of Southwell were 7 Wheatear
Wheatear
And another.
And one more.
Common Toadflax, Linaria vulgaris (also known as Yellow Toadflax and Butter-and-eggs)
Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata)
My feeble attempt at photographing a Swift
Mammals Recorded: 1 Bunny
Birds Recorded: Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, 8 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Stock Dove, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, 8 Swift, Skylark, Sand Martin, House Martin, Swallow, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, 2 Yellow Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, 3 Stonechat, 8 Wheatear, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 3 Raven, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, and 100+ Goldfinch
Butterflies Recorded: Large White, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, 1 Wall Brown, 5 Small Heath, Meadow Brown, Red Admiral, Painted Lady, 1 Small Copper, Common Blue and Chalk Hill Blue.
Moths Recorded: 1 Garden Grass-veneer (Chrysoteuchia culmella), 1 Common Carpet (Epirrhoe alternata) and a Hummingbird Hawk-moth (Macroglossum stellatarum)
Bees Recorded: Honey Bees (Apis mellifera), Common Carder (Bombus pascuorum) and Red-tailed Bumblebee (Bombus lapidarius)
Dragonflies and Damselflies Recorded: 4 Emperor Dragonfly (Anax imperator) and 5 Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)
Hoverflies Recorded: Hornet Mimic Hoverfly (Volucella zonaria)
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