December 2004

December 31st More of the same to end the year. Both the Chiffchaff and the Blackcap were still in the Obs garden, with the Bill area also producing 5 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, a Pheasant and a Redwing.  Offshore, the resident Scoter flock numbered 25, whilst a Great Skua and a Red-throated Diver passed through. Elsewhere there were 10 Long-tailed Tits and a Chiffchaff at Southwell. December 30th With the temperature having shot up overnight it felt almost spring-like and some of the birds on view were hardly seasonal. Single Chiffchaffs were new arrivals at the Obs and at Southwell (the latter joining a second individual that had arrived there a few days ago); the wintering Blackcap was still in the Obs garden and a Goldcrest was at Southwell. More appropriate sightings for the time of year included a Redwing at the Bill and 4 Red-throated Divers passing through offshore. Late news for recent days: a Chiffchaff was in a garden at Southwell on 25th, 28th and 29th. December 29th Calmer, duller conditions allowed for a better look at Portland Harbour, where there were now 7 Black-necked Grebes along with 2 Black-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and a Little Grebe. Five Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill where the resident Scoter flock has dwindled to just 17 birds in recent days; 3 Redwings, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest were the pick of the sightings there on the land.

                                                 

  

 Great Skua - Portland Bill, December 28th 2004 © Martin Cade

  December 28th After a stormy and wet night it was again clear and sunny today although a stiff north-west wind made birding difficult. A Great Skua was again lingering off the Bill but diver movement was restricted to just a single Red-throated passing through; 10 Purple Sandpipers were also on the shore at the Bill. Elsewhere there were 2 Black-necked Grebes off Sandsfoot Castle (only the second sighting in Portland Harbour this winter) and up to 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour.  December 27th A crisp, clear and sunny morning provided ideal conditions for divers to get moving and a total of 32 Red-throateds passed the Bill by early afternoon; a Great Skua was again offshore harrying the feeding gulls but the only other birds on the move there were 2 Wigeon and a lone Velvet Scoter. Elsewhere, 6 Redwings and a Blackcap were in the Obs garden, a Chiffchaff was at Shepherd's Dinner and 2 Red-throated Divers and several Guillemots were reported from Portland Harbour. Late news for 24th December: a Merlin was seen at Weston Street. December 26th A Great Skua lingered amongst the feeding gulls off the Bill during the morning but the only birds on the move there were 6 passing Red-throated Divers. At least one of the wintering Blackcaps was still in the Obs garden. December 25th Only a couple of short seawatches at the Bill to report on today, although the first did reveal the highest auk numbers so far this winter with a westward movement of between 100 and 150 per minute - almost exclusively Razorbills - for nearly an hour during the morning; numbers had declined to nothing more than a trickle in the afternoon. The resident Common Scoter flock was still present and single Red-throated and Great Northern Divers also passed through. December 24th A windy and at times very wet day that saw birding limited to the occasional peer outside from the Obs lounge. Kittiwake numbers continued to increase, with more than 600 feeding offshore during the morning, but the only other sightings were of the flock of 60 Common Scoter still offshore and the 2 Blackcaps still in the Obs garden. December 23rd The sea has been providing most of what little interest there's been in recent days and that proved to be the case again today. A substantial feeding flock of gulls and Gannets has been building up around the tide race off the Bill lately, with 300 Kittiwakes, 70 Gannets and 2 Mediterranean Gulls among larger numbers of Herring and Common Gulls there today; the flock of 60 Common Scoter remained offshore and 2 Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver passed by there. Elsewhere the 2 wintering Blackcaps were still in the Obs garden, a Little Egret and a Pheasant were at Grove Point and a Firecrest was at East Weare. December 22nd Only very limited coverage today in wet and windy conditions. The Common Scoter flock off East Cliffs increased to 65, 3 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill and a Redwing and a Blackcap were in the Obs garden. December 21st The only reports today were of the 2 Blackcaps still in the Obs garden, 4 Brent Geese and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill, 55 Common Scoter settled off East Cliffs, 19 Little Egrets and 3 Shelduck at Ferrybridge and a Black Redstart at the Grove. Late news for recent days: a Ring-billed Gull was reported at Ferrybridge yesterday but there was no sign of it there today; Firecrests have been seen quite frequently at Verne Common recently where there have also been occasional sightings of Woodcocks at dusk (but there has been no sign of any Long-eared Owls there so far this winter). December 20th A hint of chill in the air seemed to have got a few birds moving on the land and sea today. Seawatching at the Bill produced a steady flow of passing auks (which have otherwise been in quite low numbers so far this winter) along with 22 Red-throated Divers, 10 Common Scoter, 6 Wigeon, 5 Teal, 2 Brent Geese and a Red-breasted Merganser; the resident flock of 50 Common Scoter were also still offshore. On the land 10 Lapwings passed overhead at the Bill, where there were also 2 Redwings and 2 Blackcaps. A Chiffchaff was a new arrival at Southwell where a lone Black Redstart was also present. December 19th Heavy rain overnight gave way to clearer conditions and a chilly north-easterly blow. The wintering Blackcap in the Obs garden was joined by a second individual but the only other new arrival there was a single Fieldfare. Three Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver passed through offshore where the wintering flock of Common Scoter were still present. Elsewhere there were 4 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. December 18th With the forecast heavy rain holding off for much of the day there was better coverage of the island today. The Bill area produced 10 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, a Fieldfare and a Redwing, the Common Scoter flock remained off East Cliffs, 2 Red-throated and 2 Great Northern Divers passed through off the Bill, 5 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge, 6 Redwings were at Portland Castle and 2 Eider, a Slavonian Grebe and a Mediterranean Gull were in Portland Harbour. December 17th A quite stormy day and the only reports were of the Scoter flock still off East Cliffs, another single Red-throated Diver passing through off the Bill and a Fieldfare at Culverwell December 16th The quiet weather of recent weeks gave way to wind and rain and there was precious little coverage of the island. The only news was of the 60 Common Scoter still off East Cliffs, a single Red-throated Diver passing the Bill and a Firecrest at Easton.

                                                 

   

 Blackcap - Portland Bill, December 15th 2004 © Martin Cade

  December 15th Thrushes have remained on the move much later than usual this year and last night produced another heavy nocturnal passage of Redwings over the Bill, with 60 more passing through there after dawn. The only other reports were of a Lapwing at the Bill, the wintering Blackcap still in the Obs garden and 60 Common Scoter still off East Cliffs. December 14th Just routine fare today, with the best on offer being a Black Redstart at Weston, 5 Fieldfares, 3 Redwings, a Blackcap and a Brambling at the Bill, 60 Common Scoter and 2 Mediterranean Gulls lingering off East Cliffs and 5 Brent Geese and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill.

                                                 

     

      

 White-fronted Geese - Portland Bill and Fortuneswell, December 13th 2004 © Martin Cade

  December 13th An unexpectedly productive day, with the pick of the bunch being a small influx of White-fronted Geese: a lone bird wandered around the Bill area during the morning, whilst a party of 3 that arrived on a playing-field at Fortuneswell at midday later moved down the island and settled near the Windmill Stables off Weston Street. The land otherwise produced 3 Lapwings, 3 Redwings, a Golden Plover, a Snipe and a Blackcap at the Bill, a Black Redstart at Weston Street, a Pheasant on the shore below Grove Point and 400 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, a Pale-bellied Brent and 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. Seawatching at the Bill provided 7 Brent Geese, 3 Shelduck, 2 Eider and a Red-throated Diver passing through and 50 Common Scoter still settled offshore.  December 12th Grey skies and a cold wind made for unpleasant birding again today, and the only news was of 750 Brent Geese and a Shoveler at Ferrybridge, 15 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares at Avalanche Road, 5 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Lapwings, a Golden Plover and a Blackcap at the Bill and 50 Common Scoter still off the East Cliffs. December 11th More of the same at the Bill, where there were 4 Fieldfares, 3 Redwings, 2 Turnstones, a Snipe and a Blackcap on the land and 25 Common Scoter still lingering offshore. December 10th A surprisingly long and varied list  from the Bill area today. Overnight, large numbers of Redwings could be heard passing overhead and a few continued to trickle through after dawn; 8 Snipe, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Lapwings and a Blackcap were also logged on the land. The flock of 60 Common Scoter remained offshore, where a Mediterranean Gull also lingered and 12 Teal, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Red-throated Diver passed through. December 9th Precious little coverage today, with a fresh south-east wind and very gloomy skies having kept most visitors away. A Redwing, a Fieldfare and a Blackcap were in the Obs garden and 60 Common Scoter were still offshore at the Bill. December 8th The only news today was from the Bill where there was a Golden Plover and a Fieldfare on the land and 60 Common Scoter and a Mediterranean Gull lingering offshore.

                                                 

       

 sunrise and sunset from the Obs - December 7th 2004 © Martin Cade

  December 7th A pleasantly mild and still day that produced another late Swallow over the Obs, a total of 6 Goldcrests scattered between the Bill and Easton, a Black Redstart at Weston, a Firecrest at Southwell, 2 Black-throated Divers in Portland Harbour, 3 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill and 60 Common Scoter settled off the East Cliffs. December 6th A Fieldfare was a new arrival at the Bill, where there were also 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone. The Common Scoter flock remained off the East Cliffs, a Mediterranean Gull was again lingering amongst the feeding gulls offshore, where a lone Red-throated Diver also passed through. December 5th One or two surprises to report, notably a Barn Owl seen last night beside the Bill Road near Culverwell and a late Swallow passing through at the Bill today. More routine sightings today included a Water Rail, a Blackcap and a Brambling at the Bill, a Firecrest at Southwell, 57 Common Scoter settled off the Bill, a Mediterranean Gull lingering offshore there and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through on the sea. December 4th The island was remarkably bereft of birds today, with the only news being of a new Goldcrest in the Obs garden and 50 Common Scoter settled offshore at the Bill.  December 3rd A crisp, clear morning produced 5 Snipe and a Fieldfare as new arrivals at the Bill; the 2 wintering Blackcaps were still in the Obs garden and 25 Common Scoter and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were lingering offshore (the 2 Velvet Scoters haven't been seen there for a couple of days).

                                                 

  

      

 Black Brant - Ferrybridge, December 2nd 2004 © Martin Cade

  December 2nd The Black Brant (although its incomplete neck-ring might indicate it is a hydrid/intergrade) was again at Ferrybridge at midday. The only only news was of 2 Blackcaps, a Lapwing and a Redwing at the Bill and 40 Common Scoter still offshore there. December 1st Highlight today was a Black Brant amongst the Brent Goose flock at Ferrybridge early in the afternoon. There was otherwise poor coverage of the rest of the island, with the only news being of 6 Purple Sandpipers, a Blackcap and a Brambling at the Bill, the mixed Scoter flock still present offshore and 5 Eider flying past the Bill.

November 2004

November 30th A party of 100 Starlings arriving from the south at the Bill gave some hope that perhaps everything hasn't quite finished for winter, although on the land the only sign of anything in the way of new arrivals were a handful of 'extra' Song Thrushes and a single Snipe. Two Blackcaps lingered on in the Obs garden, 25 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter were still offshore, 2 Little Gulls were amongst the feeding gulls off the Bill and 5 Eider, a Red-throated Diver and a Brent Goose passed through on the sea. November 29th The only news today was from the Bill where a Blackcap was still in the Obs garden, 2 Velvet Scoters and a Mediterranean Gull were still offshore and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Red-throated Diver passed by on the sea.

                                                 

     

 Blackcap - Portland Bill, November 28th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 28th A chillier day than of late but it was more of the same bird-wise. Two Fieldfares, 2 Blackcaps (one of them a new arrival) and a Redwing were the only noteworthy sightings on the land at the Bill, where the Common and Velvet Scoters remained offshore along with a Mediterranean Gull and 4 passing Little Gulls. Portland Harbour produced 2 Mute Swans, 2 Eider, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Black-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe, whilst there were 830 Brent Geese at Ferrybridge. Late news for yesterday: 2 Ruddy Shelducks were settled on a sandbank in Portland Harbour briefly in the afternoon before flying off west over Chesil Beach, 6 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Ferrybridge and a Firecrest was at Southwell. November 27th Uneventful winter birding today, with the last vestiges of autumn movement seemingly now ceased. The Bill area produced 6 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Water Rails, 2 Blackcaps, a Fieldfare and a Goldcrest on the land, 6 Tufted Ducks passing through on the sea and 30 Common Scoter, 2 Velvet Scoter and a Mediterranean Gull lingering offshore. Three Eider, 3 Black-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were in Portland Harbour. November 26th The Goosander remained in Portland Harbour where there were also 3 Eider, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and a Black-throated Diver. The only reports from other sites were of 2 Blackcaps, a Short-eared Owl and a Redwing at the Bill, a Red-throated Diver passing through on the sea there and 25 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter still settled off the East Cliffs. November 25th For the most part another fine and warm day although gathering cloud during the afternoon hinted at a change on the way. Yesterday's Pallas's Warbler was searched for but couldn't be found and there was not a great deal else on view anywhere on the land although a Goosander in Portland Harbour (off Sandsfoot Castle) was a quality record for the area. Odds and sods at the Bill included 5 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest, with 32 Goldfinches and 4 Skylarks leaving out to the south overhead; elsewhere there were 2 Black Redstarts at Southwell. Seven Red-throated Divers and a Mediterranean Gull passed through off the Bill, where the settled flock of Common and Velvet Scoter were also still present. Late news for yesterday: single Firecrests were at Southwell and on the Grove undercliff.

                                                 

       

 Pallas's Warbler - Portland Bill, November 24th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 24th Early morning cloud cleared away to leave almost summer-like blue skies and warm sunshine for the rest of the day. Late migrants were hardly conspicuous so a major surprise was the discovery of a Pallas's Warbler at the Higher Lighthouse at the Bill; it was present for an hour feeding in low rose bushes early in the afternoon but subsequent searches for it there drew a blank. The Bill area otherwise produced 11 Redwings, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Water Rails, 2 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff, a Siskin, a Brambling and a Reed Bunting, as well as another 60 Starlings arriving in off the sea. A single Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea. November 23rd There was plenty of incentive to get out in the field today in pleasantly mild, still conditions and there were quite a few sightings to show for the effort made. The highlight was a Snow Bunting that dropped in briefly near the Bill lighthouse, whilst other new arrivals around the Bill included 10 Redwings, 2 Reed Buntings, a Golden Plover, a Woodcock, a Fieldfare and a Blackcap; another Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and Goldcrest were also still lingering on there from previous days. Overhead a total of at least 500 Starlings arrived from the south and carried on northwards. The only movement on the sea involved 3 passing Red-throated Divers although the settled Common and Velvet Scoters were also still offshore. Portland Harbour produced 3 Eider, 2 Black-throated Divers and a Slavonian Grebe. November 22nd Yesterday's minor flurry of interest proved to be nothing more than a flash in the pan and it was right back to normal service today. A couple of small parties of Starlings arrived in off the sea at the Bill but the only worthwhile new arrivals on the land were a Siskin at the Bill and a Brambling at the Grove; 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff also at the Bill were left-overs from yesterday, whilst the Water Rail and Goldcrest there look to be attempting to winter at Culverwell and the Obs garden respectively. The Common Scoter flock off the Bill declined to fewer than 40 but the 2 Velvet Scoter were still offshore as was a lone Mediterranean Gull. November 21st November's reputation as a reliable month for late passage and good rarities has taken quite a dent this year but much milder conditions today at least produced a suggestion of a few more birds getting moving again, with the Bill area provided new arrivals including 16 Redwings, 10 Blackcaps, 4 Lapwings, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Snipe and a Brambling. The Scoter flock, including 2 Velvets, was still offshore, 3 Red-throated Divers passed by and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were lingering amongst the feeding flock of gulls offshore. Ferrybridge provided an excellent count of 1300 Brent Geese, whilst 3 Eider, 3 Black-throated and 2 Great Northern Divers and 2 Slavonian Grebes were in Portland Harbour. November 20th A really grim morning with constant rain or drizzle blown in on a raw south-east breeze. New arrivals at the Bill included 4 Redwings, 3 Golden Plover, 2 Fieldfares and a Snipe, whilst the sea provided 3 passing Red-throated Divers and the lingering Scoter flock offshore (that included 2 Velvet Scoter again). November 19th The gloomy skies of recent days gave way to clearer, chillier conditions and there was just a hint of late movement, with 230 Starlings and a Snow Bunting arriving in off the sea at the Bill and a handful of Redwings and Chaffinches dropping in through the morning. The flock of 50 Common Scoter remained off the Bill but only 1 of the 2 Velvet Scoters could be seen there. Portland Harbour produced 2 Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver and single Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes. November 18th The only news today was from the Bill where there were 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, 2 Redwings and a Goldcrest on the land, the settled Common and Velvet Scoters were still offshore and a single Red-throated Diver passed by. November 17th Another very quiet day. A few small parties of Goldfinches left to the south from the Bill but the only noteworthy birds reported on the ground were 4 Blackcaps and 2 Goldcrests at Pennsylvania Castle and a Redwing, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest at the Bill. The Common and Velvet Scoters were still off the Bill, where a lone Red-throated Diver also passed by. November 16th No sign of a resurgence in passage today, with a Grey Wagtail and a Redwing the only new arrivals at the Bill and the handful of Blackcaps and Goldcrests lingering on in sheltered spots looking likely to be attempting to winter on the island. Fifty Common and 2 Velvet Scoter remained off the Bill, a Black-throated Diver and a Great Skua passed by there, 4 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge and a Sandwich Tern was in Portland Harbour.

                                                 

       

 Sparrowhawk - Portland Bill, November 15th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 15th Autumn continues to run out of steam, with the only new arrivals at the Bill today being 70 Starlings in off the sea, 11 Redwings, 4 Fieldfares, 2 Goldcrests and a Lapland Bunting; elsewhere there was a small increase in Goldcrest numbers at Pennsylvania Castle. Three Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart remained at the Bill, where the Common and Velvet Scoters were still offshore and single Red-throated and Black-throated Divers passed by. Portland Harbour produced 4 Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 4 Eider and 3 Mediterranean Gulls. November 14th More of the same weather and more of the same birds. The best the Bill area could muster were 5 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Blackcaps, 3 Snipe, 2 Turnstones, 2 Goldcrests, a Grey Heron, a Ringed Plover, a Swallow, a Redwing, a Fieldfare and a Chiffchaff. The Common and Velvet Scoters were still settled offshore and 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Northern Diver and a Mediterranean Gull passed by.

                                                 

     

 Buzzard - Portland Bill, November 13th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 13th Crisp, clear weather didn't look likely to produce much on the ground and surprisingly didn't produce much overhead either. Single Lapland Buntings were reported near Verne Prison and on the East Cliffs near Southwell, a Buzzard toured the south of the island during the afternoon and a Merlin arrived in off the sea at the Bill, but in the way of commoner migrants the only new arrivals were 6 Blackcaps, 2 Redwings, 2 Reed Buntings, a Snipe and a Swallow at the Bill. The resident flock of Common Scoter and 2 Velvet Scoter remained off the Bill, where 5 Eider, 2 Red-throated Divers and a Pintail also passed through. November 12th An overcast early morning saw quite a bit of movement at the Bill, with 200 Linnets, 120 Redwings, 40 Blackbirds, 40 Chaffinches, 20 Fieldfares, 3 Brambling, 2 Siskin, 2 Reed Buntings and a Lapwing passing through soon after dawn and 1100 Starlings arriving in off the sea a little later. Skies soon cleared and more extensive searching of the island revealed precious few new arrivals on the ground beyond a handful of Blackcaps and Goldcrests; a single presumably now wintering Black Redstart was still at the Bill. Sixty Common and 2 Velvet Scoter were still settled off the Bill and 2 Red-throated Divers passed through there.

                                                 

     

 Black Redstart - Portland Bill, November 11th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 11th Despite plenty of legwork in very fair weather there was poor reward all around the island today. The customary trickle of thrushes and finches passing overhead at the Bill included 3 Bramblings, but otherwise there was nothing much more interesting there than 4 Lapwings, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Swallow and a Black Redstart. Elsewhere there were 2 Firecrests and a Chiffchaff at Cheyne Weare and another Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle. The 2 Velvet Scoter remained off the Bill where 2 Red-throated Divers also passed through.

                                                 

     

 Yellow-browed Warbler - Portland Bill, November 10th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 10th A subtle change in the weather saw the wind remain in the north but pick up to a stiff breeze as skies cleared and the temperature dropped considerably. Whilst the change had little effect on migrant numbers it produced two good scarcities in the form of a Yellow-browed Warbler that was trapped and ringed in the Obs garden at dawn and a Serin that made a typically fleeting visit to the same site early in the afternoon. If anything commoner migrants were even more thinly spread than in recent days, with a handful of thrushes and finches, 4 Snipe, 2 Lapwings, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a late Wheatear the best on offer at the Bill. The 2 Velvet Scoter remained off the East Cliffs and 2 Wigeon passed by off the Bill.

                                                 

     

 Redstart - Portland Bill, November 9th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 9th The prevailing gloomy, quiet weather continued to reduce late movement to no more than a trickle. Small numbers of thrushes, Blackcaps, Goldcrests and finches made up what numbers there were today, with the only quality being a Jack Snipe, a Woodcock and late Swallow and Redstart at the Bill; 2 probable Twite overhead at Wakeham would have been birds of the day had they have been pinned down. The Common Scoter flock off the Bill increased to 70 again, the 2 Velvet Scoter were still present and a Great Northern Diver and a Brent Goose passed by there.

                                                 

  

   

 Yellowhammer and migrating Starlings - Portland Bill, November 8th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 8th Precious little change today with only a handful of new arrivals on the ground and not much more passing overhead. Under heavily overcast skies at the Bill there was a constant trickle of ones and twos of thrushes arriving in off the sea all morning, whilst around midday a pulse of more than 600 Starlings passed through in quick time; 3 Lapwings, a Golden Plover, a Short-eared Owl and a Woodlark also passed through there and a late Swallow was at Ferrybridge. Apart from a handful of Blackcaps and Goldcrests the only obvious new arrivals on the ground were a party of 7 Yellowhammers at the Bill; 2 Black Redstarts and a Merlin were also still present there and another Black Redstart was at Church Ope Cove. Fifty Common and 2 Velvet Scoter were still settled offshore and 2 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver also passed through. Belated news for yesterday: a Dartford Warbler was in Top Fields and a male Redstart (reported as showing features of the eastern form samamisicus) was seen near the Higher Light at the Bill.

                                                 

     

 Fieldfare - Portland Bill, November 7th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 7th Still very quiet on the late migrant front with nothing much more than a trickle of Blackcaps, thrushes and finches passing through at the Bill. Two Black Redstarts and a Short-eared Owl were the pick of the scarcer species there, whilst the wintering group of Purple Sandpipers had increased to 8 birds and the 2 lingering Velvet Scoter remained off the East Cliffs. Elsewhere there were 4 Eider and 2 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour.

                                                 

     

 no birds but the fireworks were great - Southwell, November 6th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 6th Today's rarity interest was provided by a Yellow-browed Warbler reported from Pennsylvania Castle early in the morning and a Tree Sparrow that wandered between the Obs garden and the Coastguard gardens later in the morning. Commoner migrants were again extremely thin on the ground, with the only worthwhile reports being of a 3 late Swallows, 2 Bramblings, a Dartford Warbler and a Corn Bunting at the Bill and a Merlin at Barleycrates Lane. The 2 Velvet Scoters remained off the Bill where 2 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver and a Little Egret also passed through.

                                                 

     

  Long-eared Owl - Portland Bill, November 5th 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 5th A great start to the day saw a Long-eared Owl trapped and ringed in the Obs garden at dawn. Unfortunately the clear anticyclonic conditions otherwise delivered next to nothing in the way of grounded migrants and an ominous wintery silence had descended on all the areas of sheltered cover around the island. It was also surprisingly quiet overhead with just 140 Wood Pigeons, 10 Reed Buntings, 4 Redpolls, a Swallow, a Siskin and small numbers of commoner finches passing over the Bill. Offshore there were still 40 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter lingering off the East Cliffs. Belated news for yesterday: a Little Auk was seen close inshore off Pulpit Rock at the Bill late in the afternoon. November 4th Overnight there were plenty of thrushes on the move in overcast, damp conditions but although it was still raining at dawn most passage had petered out and the only grounded new arrivals at the Bill were a few Goldcrests; at least 5 Black Redstarts and a Merlin were still lingering on there from previous days. Despite the initially gloomy conditions there was quite a bit of visible passage overhead as the morning went on, with 400 Linnets, 250 Goldfinches, 70 Meadow Pipits, 40 Chaffinches, 25 Skylarks, 20 alba wagtails, 4 Swallows, 2 Reed Buntings, a Lapwing, a Snipe, a Siskin, a Lapland Bunting and a Corn Bunting over the Bill and a Snow Bunting over Weston Street. The only birds of note on the sea were a settled flock of 25 Common and 1 Velvet Scoter off the Bill. The Pale-bellied Brent Goose was again at Ferrybridge where there have been over 900 Dark-bellied Brents in recent days. November 3rd More of the same today with small numbers of thrushes, Goldcrests and finches still passing through. The best on offer on the land included a scatter of Firecrests everywhere as well as 9 Black Redstarts, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Merlin at the Bill and another Short-eared Owl at Weston Street; late migrants included 2 Wheatears and 2 Swallows at the Bill and another Swallow at the Grove. The Velvet Scoters off the Bill increased to 3 where there also 40 settled Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Shelduck flying past.

                                                 

      

  Velvet Scoter - Portland Bill, November 2nd 2004 © Martin Cade

  November 2nd Another very heavily overcast day with occasional showery rain and a moderate south-east wind: seemingly promising conditions at this time of year although clearly the birds didn't seem to think so. A Great Grey Shrike seen briefly near the Portland Heights Hotel was the one quality find of the day, with the only other oddities reported on the land being 5 Black Redstarts, 2 Firecrests, a Merlin, a Woodcock and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill. Thrushes continued to trickle through but there was precious little else of note in the way of commoner migrants. At sea, the 2 Velvet Scoter continued to linger off the Bill, where 2 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Red-throated Diver and a Pintail also passed through. November 1st Yesterday's excesses proved to be something of a flash in the pan with similar-looking conditions today providing much more mundane numbers of birds. Thrushes were still conspicuous but numbered in the low hundreds as opposed to the thousands, and Goldcrests and a few of the commoner finches were the only other migrants that were even faintly numerous. Oddities included 10 Black Redstarts, 3 Firecrests, 4 Short-eared Owls, 3 Dartford Warblers, a Merlin, a Woodcock, a Ring Ouzel and a Lapland Bunting at the Bill and the same or another Lapland Bunting over Reap Lane, whilst late migrants included several House Martins and Swallows, a Hobby, a Wheatear and a Reed Warbler at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill provided a settled flock of 30 Common and a Velvet Scoter, as well as 5 Red-throated Divers, a Brent Goose and a Red-breasted Merganser passing by.

October 2004

                                                 

      

  Yellow-browed Warbler (....elusive!) - Wakeham, October 31st 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 31st Heavily overcast skies and a light easterly breeze delivered a whopping arrival of thrushes today. Birds were on the move until late in the afternoon and with few birds lingering and movement taking place on a broad front it was difficult to estimate numbers beyond a conservative estimate of 3000 Redwings, 2000 Blackbirds, 1000 Song Thrushes, 200 Fieldfares, 15 Mistle Thrushes and 4 Ring Ouzels passing through the southern half of the island; grounded migrants in the same area included 100 Robins, 100 Blackcaps, 100 Goldcrests, 60 Chiffchaffs, 20 Black Redstarts, 20 Firecrests, 10 Woodcock, 4 Dartford Warblers and 2 Short-eared Owls. The north of the island provided at least another 10 Black Redstarts and 5 Ring Ouzels. Rarity-wise there was surprisingly little on offer although a Yellow-browed Warbler was found near the Mermaid pub at Wakeham, a Snow Bunting was settled at Shepherds Dinner and a Lapland Bunting flew over at Reforne. There was also an interesting array of late migrants including a Sandwich Tern in Portland Harbour and a Whinchat, a Redstart (seemingly showing some characteristics of the eastern form samamisicus), a Reed Warbler and a Garden Warbler at the Bill. Once again very little attention was paid to the sea although at least 1 Velvet Scoter was still lingering off the Bill.

                                                 

            

  Woodcock - Portland Bill, October 30th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 30th In view of recent events nationally a Pallid Swift had seemed on the cards for some while but that didn't detract from the excitement of news being received of one being seen flying north at Reap Lane soon after dawn; within an hour the same or perhaps even more likely another individual that looked as though it had just arrived in off the sea was watched flying north up the Slopes at the Bill whilst later in the morning there was a third sighting of a bird leaving to the south from Cheyne Weare. With the wind and rain of recent days having finally given way to clear skies and warm sunshine there was plenty of movement overhead throughout the day. Pick of the fly-overs around the southern half of the island included at least 7 Woodlarks (with another individual settled for a while at Wakeham), 5 Mistle Thrushes, 4 presumed Pink-footed Geese, a Richard's Pipit, a Snow Bunting and a Lapland Bunting. On the ground only Goldcrests and thrushes were present in any real numbers but quality included around 30 Black Redstarts, 10 Firecrests, 4 Woodcocks, 3 Merlins, 2 Short-eared and a Long-eared Owl. With so much interest in the sky and on the ground precious little attention was given to the sea, where the only noteworthy report was of 2 Velvet Scoter lingering off the Bill.

                                                 

                

  Pallas's Warbler - Pennsylvania Castle, October 29th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 29th A surprise flurry of Pallas's Warblers provided today's highlight and came despite continuing inclement weather conditions: a rather mobile and elusive individual frequented the Pennsylvania Castle area during the afternoon whilst late in the day two birds were found at Delhi Lane, Easton. Elsewhere the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat remained at Barleycrates Lane, a Woodcock, a Redstart and a Pied Flycatcher were at Old Hill, a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl were at the Bill and a few Black Redstarts and Firecrests were scattered around the island. As many as 50 Little Gulls lingered or passed through at Chesil Cove and several Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns remained at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge. Aside from the storm-driven birds there was precious little movement at sea, with the Bill producing just 40 Common and 3 Velvet Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Black-throated Diver, a Fulmar and a Teal.

                                                 

 

       

       

  Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Little Gull, Common Tern and Arctic Skua - Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour, October 28th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 28th Whilst the weather remained extremely unsettled the wind dropped away noticeably for much of the morning and allowed most of the island to be covered quite well. The legacy of yesterday's stormy conditions included a good scatter of lingering Little Gulls, particularly at Chesil Cove, as well as 3 Common Terns, 3 Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua lingering in Portland Harbour, 40 Pintail and a Little Auk past Chesil Cove and a Black-throated Diver, a Teal and a Great Skua past the Bill. On the land there were reasonable numbers of new thrushes and Robins everywhere, a small arrival of Black Redstarts included 3 at Chesil Cove and at least 6 Firecrests were scattered around the sheltered spots in the south of the island; a Reed Warbler was a good late record at the Bill whilst a Lesser Whitethroat at Barleycrates Lane was another individual of this species showing characteristics of one of the eastern forms. Elsewhere a Pale-bellied Brent Goose joined the Dark-bellied Brents at Ferrybridge. October 27th Yesterday's interlude of fairer weather proved to be short-lived, with a howling easterly gale having set in overnight and heavy rain reaching the island by midday. The land was all but unbirdable, with the only reports being of 4 Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl and a Black Redstart at the Bill and 2 more Firecrests at Portland Castle; the trickle of overhead passage included 100 Starlings, a few thrushes and 2 Lapwings at the Bill. Seawatching produced just 25 Common Scoter, 6 Grey Plover, 2 Brent Geese, a Fulmar, a Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua passing the Bill and a Little Gull lingering in Chesil Cove.

                                                 

       

  

  Pallas's Warbler and 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat (including wing-tip and tail detail) - Portland Bill, October 26th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 26th The return of fair weather gave plenty of opportunity for birders to scour the island and there was a long and varied list to show for all the effort. Highlights included a Pallas's Warbler at Culverwell during the afternoon, fly-over Richard's Pipit, Woodlark and Lapland Bunting at the Bill, a Grey Phalarope settled in Chesil Cove early in the morning, a Kingfisher briefly at the Obs and a Lesser Whitethroat showing characteristics of one of the eastern forms trapped and ringed there and in the evening a Barn Owl seen near the windmills at Easton. Grounded migrants were not plentiful but did include several Black Redstarts and Firecrests at the Bill. Overhead passage was much more conspicuous and included plenty of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, and finches still on the move over the Bill along with 250 Wood Pigeons, 80 Jackdaws and 25 Reed Buntings also passing over there. Sea passage largely petered out, although up to 7 Little Gulls were still lingering in Chesil Cove and a Mediterranean Gull passed through off the Bill.

                                                 

       

  Arctic Tern - Portland Harbour, October 25th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 25th A peculiar selection of sightings today including some good island rarities. A Marsh Tit reported briefly at Culverwell was the highlight (there are only two previous Portland records) but a Little Auk at Chesil Cove and a Moorhen at Avalanche Road were also both quality local records. With grounded migrants still at a premium it was left to overhead passage and seawatching to provide interest. Finches were on the move most of the day, with sample counts of 735 Linnets and 353 Goldfinches flying south at the Bill in 90 minutes during the morning. There was precious little moving on the sea, with just 12 Little Gulls, a Great Skua, an Arctic Skua and an Arctic Tern passing the Bill, but storm-driven Little Gulls were again a feature, with up to 24 lingering in Chesil Cove; another Little Gull and several Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns were also lingering in Portland Harbour. The pick of the birds on the land were 5 Firecrests in the Obs garden and several sightings of Merlins at Chesil Cove and the Bill. October 24th What gradual improvement in the weather there was seemed to have come too late in the night to allow many migrants to get moving, and other than fair numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in the sheltered spots around the centre of the island there was not too much to see in the way of grounded birds; 7 Firecrests, a couple of Black Redstarts and a Merlin were the only scarcer species reported although a late Willow Warbler at Pennsylvania Castle was also noteworthy. With the wind having eased down most of yesterday's Little Gulls had made their way back out to sea with just 15 remaining in Portland Harbour/Chesil Cove early in the morning; 3 Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull also remained at Ferrybridge. Sea passage off the Bill was restricted to 10 Common Scoter, 4 Little Gulls, 2 Storm Petrels, a Manx Shearwater, a Little Egret and a Great Skua passing during the first couple of hours of the day. October 23rd Another very stormy and wet day. Most of what little movement there was on the sea occurred off the Bill where 6 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, 4 Storm Petrels, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Little Gulls passed through and 15 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver were settled offshore. Elsewhere there were counts of 45 and 21 storm-driven Little Gulls lingering in Portland Harbour and Chesil Cove respectively, whilst there were also several Common, Arctic and Sandwich Terns lingering in Portland Harbour. The only birds of note on the land were a fly-over Lapland Bunting at Avalanche Road and 2 Firecrests, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl and a Black Redstart at the Bill.

                                                 

       

  Little Gull - Ferrybridge, October 22nd 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 22nd Seawatching was just about the only worthwhile birding on the island in continuing very windy weather. Watches from the Bill produced 18 Great, 8 Arctic and a Long-tailed Skua, 15 Little Gulls, 2 Manx Shearwaters and a Great Northern Diver; a brief look at Chesil Cove early in the morning provided another 4 Little Gulls and a Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere, 4 Common Terns, a Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull were at Ferrybridge, 3 Firecrests, a Merlin and a Black Redstart remained at the Bill and 2 Firecrests were at Tilleycombe. October 21st A blasting westerly wind dominated proceedings today, making birding on the land very difficult but at the same time producing some interest on the sea. A few flocks of Linnets were still on the move overhead but on the ground it was very much quieter than during the last couple of days. The Pallas's Warbler was still at Avalanche Road early in the morning although it later flew off over some nearby houses and couldn't be relocated; a handful of Firecrests were also still around in the few sheltered spots in the south of the island. Wakeham provided the only quality new arrivals, with a Yellow-browed Warbler in trees opposite the Mermaid pub and a fly-over Woodlark at the same spot. Seawatching at the Bill produced 27 Little Gulls, 3 Great, 2 Arctic and a Long-tailed Skua, a Red-throated Diver, a Sooty Shearwater and a Red-breasted Merganser, whilst Chesil Cove provided 25 Little Gulls, an Arctic Tern and a Sandwich Tern.

                                                 

            

  Spotted Flycatcher - Portland Bill, October 20th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 20th Higher temperatures, overcast skies and another pulse of pre-dawn rain produced bags more common migrants but unfortunately the rarity that had looked so on the cards at dawn failed to materialize. Yesterday's Pallas's Warbler remained at Avalanche Road but nothing better than a couple of Dartford Warblers and a scatter of Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels and Firecrests could be found amongst the new arrivals. Robins and thrushes dominated the tally of common migrants, with more than 150 Robins grounded at the Bill and overflying Redwings, Song Thrushes and Blackbirds each numbering in the hundreds. Among the variety of other common migrants there was again a good selection of late records, with 5 Whinchats, 4 Redstarts, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Whitethroats, 2 Reed Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher dotted around the south of the island. The sea again provided some interest, with 31 Little Gulls, 4 Great Skuas, 2 Teal and a Black-throated Diver passing through off the Bill. 

                                                 

        

             

  Pallas's Warbler - Avalanche Road, October 19th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 19th Promising-looking weather conditions, with heavy rain having arrived from the south late in the night, dropped a good selection of common migrants around the Bill area in particular, whilst late in the afternoon the first Pallas's Warbler of the autumn was found at the island hot-spot for the species at Avalanche Road, Southwell. Scarcer migrants were not numerous but did include 6 Firecrests at the Bill and another 2 or 3 at other sites, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and an overflying Snow Bunting at the Bill and a Ring Ouzel and a Mistle Thrush at Weston. Robins were particularly conspicuous everywhere and numbered at least 75 at the Bill, whilst the good scatter of other common migrants included late records of 2 Garden Warbler and a Willow Warbler at the Bill and a Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat at Weston. Once the rain had cleared through there was a good movement of birds on the sea, with 19 Little Gulls, 10 Great and 3 Arctic Skuas, a Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater and a late Fulmar passing through off the Bill. Elsewhere the wintering flock of Brent Geese at Ferrybridge increased to 480.  October 18th What breeze there was remained in the north-west and it was more of the same on the bird front. The best on offer at the Bill were 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Firecrests, a Merlin, a late Whimbrel, a Black Redstart and a fly-over Lapland Bunting, whilst commoner migrants there included just small numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests as well as an influx of new Blue and Great Tits. Elsewhere a Hobby was a good late record at Penn's Weare. Most of the routine passage was of migrants passing overhead, with a sample one hour count at the Bill producing totals of 419 Linnets, 86 Goldfinches, 85 Meadow Pipits, 77 alba wagtails, 48 Skylarks, 22 Chaffinches, 19 Swallows, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Siskins and a Redpoll. October 17th With there having been hardly any change in the weather there were no high expectations for the birding today. A Wryneck that showed up for a short while around the beach hut fields beside the Obs during the morning was the bird of the day and may have been the individual seen equally briefly there a couple of days ago. Otherwise the best of the scarcer migrants were a Ring Ouzel and a Brambling at Verne Common, 2 Black Redstarts, a Mistle Thrush and a Brambling at Weston, a late Lesser Whitethroat at Reap Lane and 3 Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a Brambling at the Bill. Common migrants included small numbers of grounded Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere and a fair movement of a variety of wagtails, pipits and finches overhead. Three Brent Geese passing the Bill were the only worthwhile sightings on the sea.

                                                 

             

  Reed Bunting - Portland Bill, October 16th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 16th With one notable exception it was just typical October fare again today, with 5 Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a Ring Ouzel the only particularly noteworthy grounded scarcer migrants at the Bill; the one unexpected highlight was a Surf Scoter that passed through off the Bill with a small flock of Common Scoter during the evening. Although it was pretty quiet on the ground there were still fair numbers of birds on the move overhead, with 445 Linnets, 157 alba wagtails, 143 Meadow Pipits, 70 Goldfinches, 54 Chaffinches, 31 Skylarks and 15 Reed Buntings over the Bill during a 75 minute sample count in the morning. October 15th The quietest day of the week so far in terms of both numbers and variety, with the stiff north-westerly wind living up to its reputation for being the least productive wind direction at Portland. Ring Ouzels were reduced to just 3 at East Weare and 1 at Avalanche Church, whilst Firecrests numbered 6 between Southwell and the Bill; 2 Black Redstarts were at Reap Lane and 2 Black-tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge, but the only other unusual sighting was of a Pheasant at Culverwell (news was also received of another individual seen earlier in the week at Easton). Fair numbers of birds were on the move overhead, with a sample hour-long count at the Bill providing totals including 305 Linnets, 120 Meadow Pipits, 113 Goldfinches, 99 alba wagtails and 59 Chaffinches, but on the ground there were only smallish numbers of thrushes, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests scattered around. Late common migrants included 2 Whinchats at Barleycrates Lane and a Willow Warbler at Pennsylvania Castle. The only noteworthy sea passage was of 15 Wigeon, a Great Northern Diver and a Brent Goose off the Bill.

                                                 

             

  Wryneck - Portland Bill, October 14th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 14th Breezy north-westerly conditions didn't look too promising at the start of the day but there were reasonable numbers of typical October common migrants on show and a few scarcities were found as the day went on. A late Wryneck was a surprise new arrival around the edges of the Obs garden at midday, although it seemed quite restless and wasn't thought to have lingered; at least 9 Ring Ouzels, 6 Firecrests and 3 Dartford Warblers were also still scattered around the island. The Pennsylvania Castle area was particularly busy with Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, as well as attracting 11 Siskins, whilst there were smaller numbers of the same species elsewhere. Meadow Pipits, alba wagtails, thrushes and finches trickled overhead all morning, with 12 Reed Buntings also passing through at the Bill.

                                                 

             

  Yellow-browed Warbler - Tilleycombe, October 13th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 13th A big clear-out of yesterday's birds unfortunately made for disappointing visits for the day-trippers who arrived hoping to dip in on some of the action. There had been some early promise in the form of a good arrival of new Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests around the south of the island at dawn but these largely filtered away during an otherwise very wet morning and the best that was left for much of the afternoon were 9 or more Ring Ouzels and half a dozen Firecrests dotted about the island, a couple of Merlins, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a Mistle Thrush at the Bill and another Black Redstart at Reap Lane. The highlight of the day wasn't found until the end of the afternoon when the first Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn showed up at Tilleycombe. The sea had also shown a little early promise in strong southerlies at dawn, with 6 Great Skuas, an Arctic Skua and a Balearic Shearwater passing through off the Bill but interest ground to a halt as the wind abated and veered into the north-west during the afternoon.

                                                 

    

       

  Snow Bunting, Bluethroat and Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, October 12th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 12th Plenty to see today in drab, drizzly and unpleasantly cold northerlies that dropped a reasonable arrival of common migrants and a few scarcer highlights. The best of the scarcities were a Stone Curlew seen in flight a couple of times at the Bill and then later at Weston, a Snow Bunting that showed well near the Bill lighthouse, a very confiding Bluethroat found in the afternoon in the Bill Quarry, a brief reappearance of the Weston Rose-coloured Starling, perhaps as many as 6 Short-eared Owls at the Bill, a dozen or more Ring Ouzels scattered around the island, 3 Dartford Warblers at the Bill, regular sightings of single Merlins at the Bill and a scatter of Firecrests everywhere. Thrushes were again on the move in fair numbers and all the sheltered spots held good quantities of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests; late common migrants included several Redstarts and Whinchats, a Turtle Dove, a Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Willow Warbler scattered around the south of the island. October 11th Another day of promising-looking strong easterlies that for the umpteenth day failed to produce the expected rarity. There was again plenty of movement overhead, with Skylarks, alba wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Starlings and a variety of thrushes and finches dominating at the Bill. The best of the grounded birds were a total of 10 Ring Ouzels of which 8 were in the Priory Corner/Tout Quarry area, 5 Firecrests, 2 Dartford Warblers and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill and a Hobby and the first Black Redstart of the autumn at Weston. The sea continued to produced some limited wildfowl movement including 20 Wigeon and a Pintail passing the Bill, where 2 Storm Petrels and a Mediterranean Gull also passed by. Finally, some late news for yesterday from the Grove where a Rose-coloured Starling was seen amongst a pre-roost gathering of Starlings in the evening.

                                                 

    

  Arctic Skua - Portland Bill, October 10th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 10th The blasting east wind had hardly eased at all which again made for really difficult birding on the land. However the sea produced plenty of interest and the species list for the day as a whole was long and varied. In drizzly weather overnight thrushes had been on the move overhead in quantity and daybreak saw quite a few still passing through; 600 Starlings and 23 Lapwings were the pick of the other overhead passage at the Bill. Grounded migrants included small numbers of expected October common migrants, along with 4 Firecrests around Southwell, single Ring Ouzels at the Bill, Southwell Farm and Suckthumb Quarry and a Turtle Dove at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill produced 91 Common Scoter, 34 Dunlin, 13 Brent Geese, 12 Arctic and 4 Great Skuas (including an Arctic Skua that settled for a while on the Bill Common and the Slopes), a Little Gull and a good variety of other wildfowl and waders. A flock of 15 Mute Swans was a good record at Chesil Cove, whilst Ferrybridge provided plenty of birds including a fly-over Osprey and a Little Stint. October 9th A strengthening east wind made the land all but unbirdable for much of the day and most attention was paid to the wealth of passage overhead and the trickle of birds passing on the sea. A two hour sample count on the West Cliffs early in the morning produced totals of 1620 House Martins, 560 Meadow Pipits, 453 Swallows, 230 alba wagtails, 125 Linnets, 33 Skylarks, 10 Song Thrushes, 6 Redwings, 5 Wheatears, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Merlin, 1 Hobby, 1 Lapwing and 1 Mistle Thrush flying north, with more of the same on the move everywhere for much of the day; additional species overhead elsewhere included 75 Starlings, 50 Chaffinches and 2 Snipe at the Bill and single Fieldfares at the Bill and Tout Quarry. The only noteworthy sightings on the land were of a Ring Ouzel at Church Ope Cove and a Firecrest at Culverwell. The few birds passing through on the sea at the Bill included 38 Common Scoter, 13 Brent Geese, a Wigeon and single Arctic and Great Skuas. A single Little Stint was reported at Ferrybridge, where the long-staying Knot was still present.

                                                 

    

  Dartford Warbler - Portland Bill, October 8th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 8th Still no sign of a good autumn rarity but otherwise a pretty typical early October day. Oddities included 3 Dartford Warblers and a Woodcock at the Bill, single Ring Ouzels at the Bill, Southwell and Suckthumb Quarry and a Hobby at Southwell. Small numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were present in all the suitable sites, although Meadow Pipit was by far the most conspicuous common migrant, with many hundreds grounded throughout the island. Other migrants included 16 Wheatears and a Tree Pipit at the Bill, 4 Redwings and 2 Whinchats at Barleycrates Lane and 3 Yellow Wagtails still at Weston. Overhead there were plenty of birds on the move all morning, with a two hour sample count at the Bill providing totals of 560 Meadow Pipits, 259 alba wagtails, 177 Linnets, 87 Chaffinches, 42 Greenfinches, 32 Swallows, 27 Skylarks, a Golden Plover, a Grey Wagtail and a Siskin.

                                                 

  

  Common Buzzard - Southwell, October 7th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 7th Good birds remained at a premium despite much improved weather conditions. A Dartford Warbler was certainly a new arrival at Cheyne Weare, two Common Buzzards over the Bill and Southwell appeared to be different individuals to those that had been present around the island earlier in the year and 10 Long-tailed Tits at Southwell had wandered well away from their usual haunts; however, many of the other grounded migrants - including a Ring Ouzel at Avalanche Road and a Firecrest at the Obs - seemed to be lingering on from previous days. The clear skies encouraged plenty of birds to get moving overhead, with a 75 minute count at the Bill early in the morning producing totals of 380 Linnets, 356 Meadow Pipits, 139 alba wagtails, 127 Goldfinches, 62 Chaffinches, 43 Swallows, 41 Skylarks, 12 Greenfinches, 2 Reed Buntings and a Grey Wagtail flying south; 4 Siskins, 2 Grey Herons, a Merlin and a Snipe also passed overhead there at other times. October 6th With an unpleasantly strong westerly wind making birding very difficult on the land overhead passage received plenty of attention during the morning. The highlight was a Lapland Bunting passing through at Cheyne Weare, whilst 90 minute sample counts of commoner migrants included 618 Linnets, 520 Meadow Pipits, 309 alba wagtails, 147 Goldfinches, 66 Swallows, 44 Skylarks, 11 Greenfinches, 7 Chaffinches, 6 Golden Plover and 2 Siskins south at the Bill, and 298 Meadow Pipits, 285 alba wagtails, 261 Linnets, 51 Goldfinches, 51 Swallows, 12 House Martins, a Golden Plover and a Grey Wagtail south at Cheyne Weare. Grounded Pied Wagtails remained very conspicuous and included a total of 270 on the school playing field beside Weston Road, but the only other noteworthy sightings on the land were of 3 Yellow Wagtails at Weston and a Merlin and a Firecrest at the Bill.

                                                 

        

  Rose-coloured Starling and Yellow Wagtail - Weston, October 5th 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 5th New arrivals were distinctly thin on the ground today, with grounded Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits the only migrants that were at all conspicuous. The Rose-coloured Starling at Weston was still present but only gave itself up twice - and then only briefly each time - all day, whilst late-ish common migrants included 5 Yellow Wagtails at Weston, a Tree Pipit at Suckthumb Quarry, a Willow Warbler at Perryfields, a Spotted Flycatcher at Fortuneswell and a Turtle Dove at the Bill. The sea couldn't chip in with anything better than 2 Common Scoter, a Balearic Shearwater and an Arctic Skua off the Bill.

                                                 

  

  Knot - Ferrybridge, October 4th 2004 © Vaughan Ashby Birdfinders

  October 4th The stormy and wet weather of the night continued for the first part of the morning when 14 Common Scoter, 7 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, a Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Tern passed through off the Bill and 4 Great and an Arctic Skua passed Chesil Cove. However, the sea saved the best until later when, just as the weather improved late in the morning, a Slender-billed Gull appeared off the Bill and after several apparent attempts to fly west eventually settled and drifted away to the east; later searches for it drew a blank. Last week's Rose-coloured Starling was found again at Weston but it remained frustratingly elusive, and otherwise the best on offer on the land were small numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere and 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Whinchat, a Garden Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher at Weston. Waders at Ferrybridge included the long-staying Knot. October 3rd With the promised wind and rain holding off until the afternoon there was plenty of time to discover that it was disappointingly quiet on the migrant front. Overhead there were again fair numbers of birds on the move, with a sample one hour count at the Bill providing totals of 435 Linnets, 290 Meadow Pipits, 82 alba wagtails and 65 Swallows leaving to the south early in the morning, but on the ground there was nothing better among the small numbers of expected migrants than a Redwing and a Firecrest at the Bill. The best the sea could offer was 26 Common Scoter, 7 Arctic and 1 Great Skua and a single Wigeon passing the Bill. Ferrybridge produced 135 Ringed Plover, 90 Dunlin, 2 Common Terns, a Merlin and a Knot.

                                                 

  

  

  Pin-tailed Whydah and Sabine's Gull - Southwell and Chesil Cove, October 2nd 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 2nd A wet and windy start to the day looked likely to provide some interest on the sea, but in the event the only birds of note passing through off the Bill were 15 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua. Fortunately Chesil Cove again saved the day with a Sabine's Gull that appeared close inshore several times before flying off high to the east over Fortuneswell. The weather spoilt any serious attempts at birding on the land, although oddities found included a Hobby, a Knot and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill and a Pin-tailed Whydah visiting a garden bird-feeder at Southwell

                                                 

  

  Pied Wagtail - Southwell, October 1st 2004 © Martin Cade

  October 1st Plenty of typical early October birds today, with a reasonable scatter of grounded migrants and lots of visible passage. At the Bill the highlights were 2 Short-eared Owls, the first Redwing of the autumn and a Grasshopper Warbler, whilst elsewhere a Ring Ouzel was at Avalanche Road. Grounded Meadow Pipits and Pied Wagtails were conspicuous everywhere, with suitable cover holding plenty of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests; there were also signs of the first decent numbers of migrant Stonechats, thrushes and Reed Buntings putting in an appearance. Very good numbers of birds were on the move overhead, with a 75 minute sample count at the Bill in the morning producing totals including 370 Meadow Pipits, 360 Linnets and 215 alba wagtails. Seawatching at the Bill produced 104 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic and a Great Skua, and single Wigeon and Teal.