Portland and Pumpkins

The weather at Portland is rather windy so the mist nets are unable to be raised but they are still catching birds using other methods.  This photograph shows Hayley wrapped up against the weather with the rough sea behind her.

Some photos have just arrived in my Inbox.   A view showing how brisk the wind is coming over the sea, with black clouds overhead.

The bird ringing 'room' is a little different to Foxglove and even the Crater.  At least it looks sheltered.

A bird that we don't see around Foxglove is this Rock Pipit.  It is larger than our Mipits but smaller than a Starling.  Their diet includes insects, beetles, small fish and shellfish.  They are resident and breed around the rocky coasts of the UK.  Some birds fly from Norway to spend the winter.

Another bird ringed today was a Black Redstart.  With fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK, the Black Redstart is on the Red List of Birds of Conservation Concern. It is also listed as a Schedule 1 species on The Wildlife and Countryside Act, which means a special license is needed by the bird ringers if these birds are to be ringed during the breeding season.

Meanwhile back at Foxglove the Species Team of volunteers showed off other skills by decorating the pumpkins, kindly donated by Tesco.  They will be ready for the Pumpkin Trail next week.

The Species Team had time to go for a wander around the reserve and listed over 55 fungi still fruiting.  (This information again, has just dropped into my inbox!) It has been an amazing year for fungi.   Thanks to the Species Team for identifying them over the last few weeks and adding to our list of species.