27 Dec 19

Wakeham

Another miserable day here on Portland and this time its was fog with that penetrating drizzle you get. The sort that somehow finds its way through your clothes, no matter how good your waterproofs are.

So birding today was confined to the cottage and the best I could do was a male Pheasant calling from the back gardens, a couple of Blackbirds, a Chaffinch, a Great Tit and the resident Herring Gulls. Apparently this male Pheasant has several females in attendance, though I've not come across them on my travels.

Yep a real Pea Souper today.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

26 Dec 19

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

Did yesterday really happen. I have to ask, as yesterdays wall to wall blue skies, beautiful sunshine and really calm conditions, gave way to yet another wet and miserable day today.

My walk today was pre-planned as I knew I would be watching the footie and then setting off on my walk. Unfortunately the weather had different plans and even though the sun was out briefly and at least dry during my viewing of my match, as soon as I set off the rain began to fall. Light at first and then a deluge as I came off the beach. Yep me and Ted got absolutely soaked.

Despite the damp conditions I did at least manage 3 Firecrests, 2 Goldcrests and a Blackcap. Two of the Firecrests were at the back of the cove, whilst another and the Goldcrests & Blackcap were in Penns Wood.

The beach was void of birds, but out to sea there was a lone Gannet heading south, an Oystercatcher heading north and a Cormorant fishing just off the beach.

Here are a few images from today:

One of the two Ravens here at the cove this afternoon. As this one was flying about its mate was..........

...........calling from the wood at the back of the cove.

Below the Raven and in the brambles was this Firecrest. Sadly only a very brief view.  Its mate was close-by. 

Just lately there have been quite a few things washed up on the beach at the cove. Not surprising when you consider the extreme weather we've been experiencing over the past few weeks. Recently there have been a few Whelk egg cases washed up, today a few Cuttlefish bones. I say bones, in fact they are the internal cartilaginous shell. More on Cuttlefish Here

Plenty of Hart's-tongue Ferns (Asplenium scolopendrium) in Penns Wood

Birds Recorded: 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 1 Oystercatcher, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Goldcrest, 3 Firecrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, 2 Raven and Chaffinch.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

25 Dec 19

Out and About Today

What should have finished the day off on a high note, turned into a disaster, when having been out on my local patch this morning, was supposed to have ended with our Christmas Day boat trip around Portland Harbour.

Sadly "Star" had different ideas and as a result of several days of heavy rain, both the 12 volt boat batteries were dead. The Bilge Pump in the stern was running when we boarded Star, and on opening the deck cover, the pump was definitely on but there was no bilge being expelled. So not sure how many days it had been running, but the result was a few bobs worth of batteries completely flat. Needless to say they are both on charge, but probably to far gone to be of use again.

So this morning the main highlights were the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat along the Wakeham Railway Cuttings by the caravan park, a Chiffchaff and a Firecrest at the back of the cove and another Chiffchaff with a Goldcrest in Penns Wood. On the beach at Church Ope Cove were 4 Rock Pipits, a Grey Wagtail and the 1st Winter Pied Wagtail.

In Portland Marina, just as we were boarding "Star" there was a Great Northern Diver diving just a few metres away from the main ramp down to the pontoons. When we left 30 minutes later it was still fishing in the Marina.

So Plan B was a trip down to the Bill and for me a chance to catch up with the 11 Purple Sandpipers that have been there for a week or so I believe. They are brave waders, as the heavy sea (despite it being a windless day) was crashing onto the rocky platforms they were feeding on.

Other wildlife of note were 6 Marmalade Hoverflies at the cove, where there was also Common Green Shieldbug in Winter colours. It might have been quite chilly but it was very sunny.

Hmm my best shot of the Chiffchaff at the back of the cove this morning.

On the beach another washed up Whelk Egg Case

It was chilly out today, but the sun was warm enough, not just for this Marmalade Hoverfly, but 3 others at the back of the Cove.

Also at the cove this Common Green Shieldbug in Winter colours.

In Portland Marina was this Great Northern Diver at close quarters.

At The Bill  was this Rock Pipit and these brave..............

..........Purple Sandpipers.

Today there were 11 here foraging on the rocky platforms.

Despite the waves crashing onto this Rocky Platform these Purple Sandpipers were feeding on, it wasn't going to stop them searching food.

Birds Recorded: 1 Great Northern Diver, Cormorant, Shag, 1 Sparrowhawk, 11 Purple Sandpiper, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Song Thrush, 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Hoverflies Recorded: 6 Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

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

Ships Today

This is the Portuguese Container Ship "Elbstrom" on its way from Rotterdam to Liverpool. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

24 Dec 19

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

Yuk, that sums up today, though it was sunny when I left home, but on the way back the heavens opened and it was wet. Needless to say I missed out the railway cuttings as it was absolutely pouring. So if the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat was there, we will never  know!!

The walk down to the cove was sunny, but very quiet bird-wise other than a Grey Wagtail and 2 Ravens flying over Penns Wood.

At the cove there were 2 Rock Pipits which for the first time this Winter were outnumbered by 3 Wrens. Out to sea were many Gannets heading south.

Over Penns Weare a Kestrel was desperately trying to hover, but gave up in the strong gusts.

On the way back up to Penns Wood, I came across a Firecrest singing at the back of the cove. There was no sign of the 2 Chiffchaffs from yesterday and the only other birds here were a small flock of 5 Long-tailed Tits passing through.

As I returned through Penns Wood, the rain started to fall and a large flock of 23 Long-tailed Tits stopped briefly. In amongst them a single Goldfinch.

Also seen today when the sun was out was a Common Dronefly, a Marmalade Hoverfly and several Bluebottles, all in Penns Wood.

Here are a few images from today:

A couple of Gannets making their way down the coast. There were many more further out to sea.

Before the rain fell the sun was warm enough for this Common Dronefly and several........

..........Bluebottles to emerge in Penns Wood where........

...........the Japonica is well laden in berries.

Also in Penns Wood was this "jelly" mushroom, which, if I've got it right is Exidia nucleata and..........

............. goes by the common name of Crystal Brain Fungus. There are similar Exidia, but I do like the name Crystal Brain. More on Exidia Here.

Birds Recorded: Dozens of Gannets, 1 Kestrel, 20+ Herring Gull, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 28 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 2 Raven and Chaffinch

Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus) and a Common Dronefly (Eristalis tenax)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Fungi Recorded:  Crystal Brain Fungus (Exidia nucleata)

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

23 Dec 19

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove, Church Ope Cove Wood and Mermaid Track.

No sign of the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat today, but not helped by a Kestrel sat just above where I saw it yesterday. Just the one Firecrest today in Penns Wood where there was also a Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrests and a fairly large flock of Long-tailed Tits totaling 23 birds.. Also here my first Greenfinch at this location.

Elsewhere there were 2 Chiffchaffs at the back of the cove, whilst on the beach there were 17 Rock Pipits,  a 1st winter Pied Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. Out to sea there were a few Gannets, a lone Razorbill heading up the coast and a Black-headed Gull just off the beach.

The sun was bright enough and warm enough for 2 juvenile Wall Lizards to venture out in the church ground, and also for a Red Admiral, a Honey Bee and a Marmalade Hoverfly to be out at the back of the cove.

Here are a few images from today:

Once again most of the action was on the beach with the Rock Pipits........

..........bust hunting down Kelp Flies.

They even had time to pose for the camera.

The overwintering Grey Wagtail was also enjoying the abundance of Kelp flies as was.........

.........this 1st Winter Pied Wagtail.

At the back of the cove were 2 Chiffchaffs, this very olive individual Chiffchaff #1

And again

And another shot of Chiffchaff #1

This is the slightly paler Chiffchaff #2

Looking at this photo you would almost think it was stationary and standing on its feet, but...........

..........far from it. It was busy "climbing" up the tree picking off insects at every opportunity 

I think this is the reason why I didn't see the "Easter" Lesser Whitethroat today. This Kestrel was sat almost exactly where the whitethroat was yesterday.

Another Grey Squirrel

And two juvenile Wall Lizards sunbathing in the church grounds.

It was even warm enough not only for this Red Admiral but also........

...........for this Honey Bee.

Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded:  3 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, 1 Kestrel, 1 Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, 1 Razorbill, Wood Pigeon, 17 Rock Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 23 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, 2 Raven, Chaffinch, Goldfinch and 1 Greenfinch

Reptiles Recorded: Wall Lizard (Podarcis muralis)

Butterflies Recorded: Red Admiral

Hoverflies Recorded: Marmalade Hoverfly (Episyrphus balteatus)

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Ships Today

This is the Danish Tanker "Charlotte Theresa" on its way from Fawley to Portland Harbour. More on this vessel Here.

This is the British Fishing Boat "Portland Isle" fishing just off Church Ope Cove More on this vessel Here.

And another fishing boat, this time from Portland Harbour.

This is Red Rose.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

22 Dec 19

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, Penns Wood, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove and Church Ope Cove Wood.

Another day where I struggled to find any decent birds with just singles of Chiffchaff, Firecrest and Goldcrest. Best of the morning though was finding the "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat again. This time in its "new" location east of the bridge along the railway cuttings Here in Wakeham.

Elsewhere the Great Spotted Woodpecker was in Penns Wood, whilst on the beach there were 7 Rock Pipits and a Grey Wagtail.

Here is a breakdown of the birds seen today.

Wakeham Railway Cuttings: The "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat and a Goldcrest

Penns Wood: 1 Firecrest and a Great Spotted Woodpecker

Church Ope Cove: 7 Rock Pipit and a Grey Wagtail. Out to sea a few Gannets and a Cormorant

Church Ope Cove Wood: 1 Chiffchaff and 5 Long-tailed Tit

Here are a couple of images from today:

One of the 7 Rock Pipits on the beach today. 

Whelk egg cases

Birds Recorded: 7+ Gannet, 1 Cormorant, Herring Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, 7 Rock Pipit, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 "Eastern" Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Chiffchaff,  Goldcrest, 1 Firecrest, 5 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Ships Today

This is the Cargo ship "Dong A Glaucos" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Zeebrugge to Baltimore (Maryland, USA). More on this vessel Here.

This is the Cargo Ship "Fehn Calypso" flying the flag of Antigua Barbuda. It is on its way from Eemshaven (Holland) to Gemlik (Turkey) More on this vessel Here.

Here is "Dong A Glaucos" about to pass "Fehn Calypso".

This is the Dutch Cargo ship "Anita" on its way from Antwerp (Belgium) to New Ross (Ireland). More on this vessel Here

This is the British Buoy-laying Vessel "Patricia" on its way from Yarmouth to Teignmouth. More on this vessel Here.

The large waves are on the Shambles Sandbank, an area the large boats avoid. Today there are automatic marker buoys around the sandbank. However between 1859 until 1976 there used to be Shambles Lightships. More on these Here.

This is the Vehicles Carrier "Crystal Ace" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Zeebrugge to Koper (Slovenia). More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.

21 Dec 19

Wakeham Railway Cuttings, St Andrew's Church, Church Ope Cove and Church Ope Cove Wood

Ouch and back down to earth with a bump. Just 2 Chiffchaffs, a Blackcap and a single Goldcrest seen today. Not a single Firecrest or Long-tailed Tit seen or heard and the beach wasn't much better with just 6 Rock Pipits and no wagtails seen or heard either.

The Blackcap was in Penns Wood with a Chiffchaff, another Chiff was at the back of the cove and the single Goldcrest was along the railway cutting.

Out to sea a single Gannet heading down the coast and a Cormorant was fishing just off the beach.

Here are a few images from this morning:

Rufus Castle from Church Ope Cove. Behind the huts just a single Chiffchaff

On the beach were 6 Rock Pipits

They were pretty busy searching for Kelp Flies but..............

..........as you can see from this video there were very few about.

Out to sea a lone Gannet makes its way down the coast.

At the top of Penns Wood there were around 8 Chaffinches, with a few pink-breasted males.

Another Grey Squirrel, this one has pinched a Peanut off one the local bird feeders.

Mammals Recorded: Grey Squirrel

Birds Recorded: 1 Gannet, 1 Cormorant, Herring Gull, 6 Rock Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Goldcrest, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Chaffinch and Goldfinch

Flies Recorded: Kelp Fly (Coelopa frigida)

Ships Today

This is the Cargo Ship "Glovis Sirius" flying the flag of the Marshall Islands. It is on its way from Antwerp to Barcelona. More on this vessel Here.

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On this day..........

2018
Today's Sightings Here.

2017
Today's Sightings Here.