11th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 3, Common Scoter 2, Great White Egret 1, Blackcap 1.

Ferrybridge: Dunlin 136, Ringed Plover 54.

10th December

Today's bitter North-easterly wind seemed to do the trick, with a nice variety of birds present for so late into the month. The highlight of the day was a Snow Bunting at Ferrybridge; this was only the second record this year after the subliminal fly-over bird back in October. Additional new arrivals from around the Bill included singles of Chiffchaff, Redwing and Redpoll whilst a total of 8 Purple Sandpipers was the most seen this winter. At sea, a total of 16 Red-throated Divers, 5 Common Scoters, 2 Brent Geese and 2 Velvet Scoters were recorded.

Today's Snow Bunting proved much more obliging, as it pitched in for around an hour along the shingle beach across from Ferrybridge before being lost further along the shore © Pete Saunders 

The Redpoll was busy feeding away on the bountiful seedheads around Culverwell © Jodie Henderson


9th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 9w, Common Scoter 6e, Great Northern Diver 1e, Chiffchaff 2.

Ferrybridge: Common Gull 4, Great Crested Grebe 4, Goosander 2, Great Northern Diver 2w, Lapwing 1. 

Today's Common Gulls and Great Northern Diver from Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders 


    

8th December

With a second day under the effects of Storm Darragh, it seemed that most of the birds had the good sense to remain well under cover, with a total of 2 Chiffchaffs, a Goldcrest and a Water Rail heard but not seen from around the Bill. Overhead, a Grey Heron was carried out to the tip of the Bill, before battling its way back Northwards. Elsewhere at Ferrybridge, 2 Great Northern Divers, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Sanderling were present.

Today's Sanderling and Pale-bellied Brent Goose from Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders 


7th December

With maximum gusts of over 70 mph and persistent rain from midday, there was very little in the way of birding opportunities, with today's only report of a Kingfisher and 21 Red-breasted Mergansers waiting out the storm off Portland Castle. 

A pop of colour on what was a very grey day! © Debby Saunders



6th December

Despite the wind currently rattling against the office window marking the arrival of Storm Darragh, the majority of the day was surprisingly mild and settled. Totals from around the Bill included 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff in the obs garden, 2 Water Rail and a Redwing at Culverwell and a single Purple Sandpiper below the Obelisk. A quiet morning seawatch resulted in just 3 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver heading west. Across the harbour, a total of 5 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver and a Kingfisher were logged. Additional Black Redstarts were seen at both Chiswell and Hamm Beach Road, whilst the Portland Castle bird remained among the barmy swimmers and sauna. Lastly, the Wheatear was still present at Ferrybridge. 

Another exceptionally late record of Painted Lady from today © Jodie Henderson


Some of the 140 Goldfinches currently overwintering on the verges around Portland Marina © Pete Saunders



5th December

Portland Bill: Woodcock 1, Purple Sandpiper 6, Turnstone 2, Red-throated diver 3, Great Northern Diver 1.

Harbour: Common Scoter 5.

Ferrybridge: Wheatear 1. 

4th December

It was yet another unseasonably mild day, but with a distinct feel of fewer migrants around against the backdrop of an ever increasing south-westerly wind. Around the bill, a total of 6 Redwing, 2 Song Thrush, 2 Snipe and 2 Chiffchaff were recorded (1 of which was the ringed Siberian Chiffchaff). At sea, 7 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Diver, and singles of Great Northern Diver and Black-throated Diver were logged passed the bill. A further 2 Great Northern Divers were present in the harbour alongside 9 Red-Breasted Mergansers and a Black Redstart at the marina. Lastly, the Wheatear remained at Ferrybridge.

Tucked away at the very top of the crown estate field, today marked the first time the lingering Tristis Chiffchaff was seen since the 16th November © Jodie Henderson



3rd December

A calm and overcast morning saw a nice variety of birds on the move for so late in the season. Overhead passage made up the bulk of the day's records, with a total of 70 Chaffinches, 3 Siskin, 2 Greenfinch, 2 Brambling and 2 Redpoll passed the Bill. Other grounded migrants around the obs included 4 Song Thrush, 2 Chiffchaffs and singles of Redwing, Goldcrest and Bullfinch. A Balearic Shearwater marked the highlight of the morning's seawatch, with a supporting cast of 11 Red-throated Divers, 7 Wigeon, 4 Common Scoter and a Dark-bellied Brent Goose. Totals for the Harbour included 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe from Sandsfoot and 5 Common Scoter, 4 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver from the Sailing Club. Elsewhere, the Wheatear remained at Ferrybridge, with new Black Redstarts at both Blacknor and Church Ope Cove, where a Sanderling was also present.

Today's settled conditions seemed like a suitable enough excuse for a jaunt up island to some more under-watched spots, although we failed to uncover anything more unusual among the Chiffchaff and crests present © Jodie Henderson


Today's Sanderling was an unexpected find along the strandline at Church Ope Cove, where it was busily feeding away among the wintering pipits and wagtails © Jodie Henderson


2nd December

A switch back round to North-westerlies brought with it cooler and breezier conditions that inevitably meant more time spent catching up on paperwork and less time out in the field. A Bullfinch at Culverwell was a slightly unexpected arrival, with a flyover Golden Plover and 2 Fieldfare also present at Southwell. Elsewhere, the Wheatear was present for it's second day at Ferrybridge.

A Small Mottled Willow from last night's moth traps and a Painted Lady at Southwell this morning constituted the day's migrant Lepidoptera news. 

1st December

The month got off to a rather wet start, with a fairly heavy band of rain passing over during the first couple of hours after dawn. The highlight of the day came in the form of a late Wheatear at Ferrybridge where a total of 8 Shelduck, 4 Common Scoter and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were also present. The only other records from around the Bill seemed to involve lingering birds, with singles of Chiffchaff and Firecrest at the obs and a Water Rail at Culverwell. At sea, just one each of Red-throated Diver and Great Northern Diver to note. 

Today's Wheatear was looking rather bedraggled in the morning's showers © Pete Saunders



30th November

Whilst the continuing mild weather made for pleasant birding, there appeared to be little in the way of new arrivals, with a total of 3 Song Thrush, a Reed Bunting and a Chiffchaff recorded around the obs. The oddity of the day came in the form of a Little Egret which was first seen at Southwell before dropping in at several sites around the Bill including the obs pond. Elsewhere, a total of 6 Purple Sandpipers were at the tip of the Bill and a Water Rail was heard calling from Culverwell. At sea, just 2 Red-throated Divers and 16 Common Scoter were recorded. At Ferrybridge, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were still present, with a group of 19 Greenfinch of note.

Whilst the moth traps were undoubtedly busier with migrant activity, with a total of 4 Rusty Dot Pearl, 2 Silver Y, 2 White Speck, 2 Rush Veneer and a Small Mottled Willow, it was hard not be a tad disappointed when compared to some of the other rarities turning up around the county!

Today's Great Northern Diver and Bar-tailed Godwit from Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders



29th November

An overcast day with temperatures back up into double figures saw a small arrival of migrants join the already lingering birds around the obs garden. Presumed newcomers included a total of 4 Chiffchaffs, 7 Redwing and a Lapwing whilst at least 2 Goldcrests and the male Blackcap were also present. At Ferrybridge, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were recorded, whilst a total of 5 Common Scoter, 4 Great Northern Divers, 2 Black-necked Grebes and singles of Black-throated Diver, Red-necked Grebe and Black Redstart were seen from the various watchpoints along Portland harbour.

28th November

Another cold and clear start to the day, with the winds gradually switching back to the south and building in strength as the afternoon went on. All was fairly quiet around the obs, with just singles of Brambling, Blackcap and Redwing to note. A vocal Firecrest among the hut bushes failed to provide adequate enough views to establish whether it was the same ringed bird that has been lingering around the obs garden. At sea, 2 Red-throated Divers and 1 Great Northern Diver went by. Totals from Ferrybridge included 8 Little Egrets, 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Bar-Tailed Godwit and singles of Common Scoter and Great Northern Diver. An additional Great Northern Diver was also reported off Portland Castle, with both a Black-throated Diver and Red-throated Diver seen looking out across the harbour.

27th November

Today marked a return to winter, with both cooler temperatures and decidedly fewer birds. Around the Bill a total of 7 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart were present whilst 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Great Northern Divers were all seen heading west. At Ferrybridge, a total of 4 Common Scoter and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits were also recorded.


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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) November 27, 2024 at 6:28 PM

26 November

With the wind dropped right away to a light breeze and the temperature clinging to double figures, many of today's birds were actively feeding up in the relative calm. In the garden, a total of 2 Goldcrests, a Firecrest and a Blackcap reappeared from their sheltered hiding spots, although new Chiffchaffs at both the Obs and Southwell suggested there may have also been a small overnight arrival. Elsewhere at the Bill, a total of 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were present and a lone Velvet Scoter was the highlight of the morning's seawatch. Amazingly, another 5 Painted Ladies were recorded around the Bill, where a Red Admiral was also on the wing.

One of the day's new Chiffchaffs was busy feeding around the Crown Estate pond where a Reed Bunting also dropped in © Jodie Henderson



Two of the three Purple Sandpipers  © Pete Saunders



25 November

After a weekend of seawatching, today's clear and dry conditions meant that attentions could shift back to the land. There were signs of early promise from the Obs garden with 3 Redwing leaving in the half light of dawn, which was followed by a steady passage of finches, with 176 Goldfinches, 22 Linnet, 16 Chaffinch and a single Greenfinch overhead. It was perhaps still a tad too windy to expect much in the way of grounded migrants, but 2 Song Thrush and a Reed Bunting were present in the Top Fields. At sea, a total of 4 Great Northern Divers, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar and a Manx Shearwater were recorded, with a marked reduction in Kittiwake passage with just 68 seen off the Bill. Elsewhere, two Little Gulls were settled off Chesil Cove.

Whilst last night's moth traps failed to deliver much in the way of migrant activity (just 2 Rush Veneers from the Obs garden), a minimum of 5 Painted ladies were a sign of fresh arrivals from across the continent  © Jodie Henderson


A Chaffinch settled in the Crown Estate Field  © Jodie Henderson


24 November

Whilst another day of wild weather courtesy of Storm Bert, the incoming North African airflow meant it was surprisingly warm for so late into November. Seawatching was again at the forefront of the day's birding, with a total of 4 Sooty Shearwaters, 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Great Northern Divers plus singles of Manx Shearwater, Black-throated Diver and Great Skua past the Bill. Further sightings from the various watchpoints around the harbour included singles of both Little Gull and Arctic Skua from Ferrybridge, where a total of 43 Kittiwake,  2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Knot and a Great Northern Diver were also present. An additional Little Gull was also reported from Chesil Cove, with 3 Great Northern Divers, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-necked Grebe. Lastly, a Sandwich Tern, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Black-throated Diver were seen off Portland Castle with a Black Redstart at the nearby marina. 

Arctic Skua and Little Gull from Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders



Compared to yesterday, today's Sooty Shearwaters were *just* about in range for photography purposes © Thomas Miller



23rd November

With the latter half of the autumn being marked by prolonged periods of calm and dry conditions, there seemed to be quite a deal of anticipation for what Storm Bert might bring in the way of seabird activity. Whilst maybe not quite on the level that some would have hoped, the seawatching was still of a varied selection, including singles of both Manx Shearwater and Sooty Shearwater, 3 Great Skuas, 6 Common Scoter and an Eider recorded off the Bill. Elsewhere, a Leach's Petrel was seen briefly on the harbour-side of the causeway, with a total of 6 Shelduck, 5 Kittiwake, 4 Goosander, 4 Common Scoter and a single Pale-bellied Brent Goose recorded at Ferrybridge.

Today's Leach's Petrel marked the first individual recorded off Portland this year © Pete Saunders


A lone Common Scoter passing the obelisk  © Thomas Miller


In absence of a photo of either a Manx or Sooty gliding through the troughs (they were really quite far off!) we will instead leave you with a more scenic view of Portland under Storm Bert © Jodie Henderson




22nd November

Today's crisp and clear conditions felt a lot like the calm before the storm, with a nice variety of birds turned up in the winter sunshine. A Balearic Shearwater lingering off the Bill marked another out of season record, with a further 2 Red-throated Divers and 10 Common Scoter also recorded there. The 4 Purple Sandpipers were again on the rocks below the Obelisk and the lingering Blackcap remained at the obs. Further afield, a total of 80 Dunlin, 2 Knot and 2 Shelduck were seen at Ferrybridge, with up to 8 Red-breasted Mergansers, 1 Great Northern Diver and a Caspian Gull present off Portland Castle. 

Today's Dunlin flock at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders


Whilst challenging to connect with, there have now been 5 sightings of Caspian Gull this autumn © Thomas Miller



21 November

Whilst we may have escaped the snowy conditions that seemed to have blanketed large swathes of the country, a rather persistent band of sleet-like rain put a halt to any real birding opportunities till well past midday. A late Manx Shearwater was the highlight of the seawatching with just a single Brent Goose and 9 Common Scoter also of note. Around the Bill, a total of 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones and a Knot were also recorded. The lingering Blackcap was again observed visiting the apple provisions in the Obs garden. 

We're not particularly aware that Knots are associated with cold weather at spots like Ferrybridge and you never really see them flying past or over the Bill during cold spells but as soon as the temperature plummets it's the safest of bets that one will turn up on the wave-cut platform below the crane on East Cliffs - and so it came to pass today! © Jodie Mae Henderson:

20th November

With downturns in the weather inevitably going to get more frequent from here on in today's clear sky and relative calm had to be made the most of. A few late migrants at the Bill included a light trickle of Chaffinches, Linnets and Goldfinches overhead, along with 5 Bramblings, 3 Redwings and a Fieldfare; the 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Chiffchaffs and single Blackcap on the ground were all lingerers/winterers. The sea there was busy with auks in the low thousands and c200 Mediterranean Gulls, along with a late Balearic Shearwater and 2 Brent Geese. Four Black-necked Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Kingfishers and a Common Scoter were at Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour.

Great Northern Diver overhead at Ferrybridge this morning © Pete Saunders:

19th November

Winter really had set in by the end of today when the temperature was hovering only a little above zero but the precursor to this had been a pretty wild morning of blasting northwesterlies. The sea was busy with routine fare for the time of year amongst which 3 Red-throated Divers and a Brent Goose passed by off the Bill; lingering Kittiwakes numbered in the low hundreds off the Bill, with several also passing through Portland Harbour, whilst Lesser Black-backed Gulls were also more numerous than of late including 32 off the Bill. Five Purple Sandpipers were at the Bill where a few of the recent regular passerines still about included a lone Blackcap; elsewhere, 2 Grey Plovers passed through at Portland Harbour.

Only ever a wild weather visitor to Portland Harbour, this was one of ten Kittiwakes through there this morning © Pete Saunders:


18th November

The inexorable slide into winter continued and despite relatively benign conditions through the morning new migrant interest at the Bill consisted of little more than a handful of thrushes and a lone Chiffchaff; one or two other Chiffchaffs, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Goldcrests and singles of Blackcap and Brambling were also logged there but were all certain or likely lingerers. Four Red-throated Divers passed by on the sea there.

17th November

A relatively meagre list of migrants to show for today's efforts but there were some snippets of quality in the form of singles of Red Kite and Lapland Bunting overhead at the Bill and 15 Pintail and 4 Velvet Scoter through on the sea there. Passerine-wise, the only arrivals on the ground looked to be 3 Redwings and a Chiffchaff; one or two other lingering Chiffchaffs, together with 2 Goldcrests, a Blackcap and a Brambling, were also still about there. Overhead, there was little on the move bar a few Chaffinches, whilst 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Great Northern Diver were the only extras of note on the sea. Ferrybridge was busy: 8 Black-tailed and 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, the Common Scoter and singles of Pale-bellied Brent Goose, Knot and Sanderling were there during the morning and by the afternoon 2500 Mediterranean Gulls had gathered; nearby, 34 Turnstones were on the Harbour shore and 5 Black-necked Grebes in the Harbour itself.

Winter records of Red Kite at Portland are extremely infrequent; this one looked as though it was attempting to leave towards France but after getting several miles offshore it about-turned and headed back north off East Cliffs © John Hansford:

16th November

The fact that activities were somewhat curtailed by an afternoon spent indoors attending to Obs administrative business couldn't be used as an excuse for today's poor showing - it was so quiet on the migration front that is was almost a relief not to be flogging a dead horse for a few more hours. At the Bill, odds and ends of new arrivals on the ground and overhead included 2 each of Brambling and Siskin and singles of Swallow, Mistle Thrush and Redwing, whilst long-stayers looking increasingly like they're thinking of trying to see out the winter here included a Siberian Chiffchaff and a handful of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. Six Common Scoter and a Brent Goose passed by on the sea there.

15th November

What's not to like about a millpond calm and overcast dawn in mid-November? - quite a bit on the strength of today's happenings: it was beautifully birdable and netable but if migrants were on the move they gave us a pretty wide berth today. A steady passage of 150 Chaffinches passed overhead at the Bill but beside them it was unexpectedly quiet on all fronts. Six Redpolls, 5 Bramblings and 4 Siskins also passed over there but the fact that Redwing didn't even manage a double-figure total was evidence enough about the state of play overhead. It wasn't much different on the ground at the Bill where 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Blackcaps and a Bullfinch were new but many if not all of the likes of Black Redstarts, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were lingerers; elsewhere, a Firecrest was at Avalanche Road. Gulls weren't quite a prominent offshore as in recent days but 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Balearic Shearwater did provide some interest off the Bill.

Very nice to have an excuse (Trustees' meeting!) to enjoy a day's bird ringing at PBO @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social 23 birds of 10 species with Redwing and Redpoll especially nice. A fine day in contrast to last few in South Wales with good sunset and full super moon.Business tomorrow!

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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) November 15, 2024 at 6:17 PM

14th November

The return of some cloud cover was welcome and led to a small uptick in migrant numbers, most of which passed through overhead. At the Bill, totals included 200 Chaffinches, 91 Redwings, 17 Fieldfares, 6 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Bramblings, a Merlin and a Redpoll, with at least 3 Blackcaps and 2 Chiffchaffs new on the ground; lingerers there included 4 Goldcrests, 3 Black Redstarts and singles of Water Rail and Moorhen. Auks, Mediterranean Gulls and Common Gulls were again in abundance offshore but 12 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Brent Goose were the only movers over the sea. A largely customary selection at Ferrybridge included 741 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 7 Pale-bellied Brents and the lingering Common Scoter.

It's that time of year when incoming Blackcaps squabble over the apples we provision them with © Martin Cade:


It's also that time of year when the Brents are at their peak at Ferrybridge; thus far, a Black Brant or two have been conspicuous absentees but today's seven Pale-bellied Brents represented their highest total of the season to date...



...the lingering Common Scoter was also there again today © Pete Saunders:

13th November

Someone's hit repeat - weather and birds - and this time round we're not getting nearly as much mileage out of it as we did last week. The unbroken sunshine was pleasant but did few favours on the migrant front with most of the numbers overhead, including 130 Starlings, 100 Wood Pigeons, 85 Chaffinches, 80 Stock Doves, 22 Redwings, 5 Bramblings, 2 Siskins and a Swallow through at the Bill. The odd few new arrivals on the ground there included several Blackbirds, a Short-eared Owl and a Chiffchaff, with 4 more of the latter, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Blackcaps and singles of Water Rail, Moorhen and Siberian Chiffchaff lingering on there. The sea got plenty of attention, with a minimum of 500 lingering Mediterranean Gulls dominated proceedings off the Bill; 150 Common Gulls and 10 Black-headed Gulls were amongst them and 3 Brent Geese, 3 Teal, 2 Pintail, a Red-throated Diver and a Shoveler passed by there. Elsewhere, the Common Scoter was still at Ferrybridge.

Very few if any of the Short-eared Owls that have passed though this autumn have hung around which has been a bit of a surprise since there seems to be a lot of voles about - we'll see if today's bird that showed up at last light at the Bill proves to be any different © Peter McSweeney:

12th November

Whilst we're sure that the last knockings of autumn are still a fair way off yet there was no doubt that today's happenings had a distressingly pedestrian, end of season feel in comparison with last week's bountiful offerings. The explanation wasn't in any way opaque since the crystal clear sky and chilly northerly breeze were never going to have dropped migrants in numbers and in combination are rarely productive here on the vismig front either at this time of year. A few flocks of pigeons overhead totalled just into four figures, with the Wood Pigeon to Stock Dove ratio looking to be around 10:1; Redwings and Chaffinches also trickled through, with each reached into low dozens totals, but none of the other overhead movers managed double figures and quality consisted of just 2 Lapwings, 2 Redpolls, a Woodlark and a late Swallow. It was even quieter on the ground, with little more than 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap new at the Bill where 2 Black Redstarts and a Moorhen were still about.

Far better conditions for the mainland coast than for Portland at this time of the year: the cloudless sky and brisk northerly would have been spot on in spring but weren't so helpful for us in November. Redwings, a couple of Lapwings and a Woodlark were some of today's overhead movers © Martin Cade:





By the middle of the day it had got surprisingly warm out of the wind and butterflies were still on the wing in some numbers - most were Red Admirals but a late-ish Small White was of note © Martin Cade: 


11th November

Another short spell of pre-dawn damp prompted another small arrival of migrants today. At the Bill, a good 80 Redwings and a handful of Fieldfares and Song Thrushes made the briefest of landfalls at daybreak, whilst later the likes of 10 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, a Siberian Chiffchaff and a Firecrest showed up new in there; also there lingerers included an additional Siberian Chiffchaff and 2 more Firecrests, along with 6 Goldcrests, 2 Black Redstarts, a Moorhen and a Dartford Warbler. More impressive numbers were on the move overhead, with 2620 Wood Pigeons, 660 Stock Doves, 190 Starlings, 120 Chaffinches, 55 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 24 Skylarks, 5 Siskins, 4 Bramblings, 2 Snipe, a Grey Heron and a Golden Plover amongst the migrants making the most of the clearing sky over the Bill. The sea also had its moments: the almost customary 200 Mediterranean Gulls were a constant sight off the Bill, where 150 Kittiwakes, 50 Common Gulls and 20 Black-headed Gulls were also offshore and 3 Eider, a Great Northern Diver and a Balearic Shearwater passed by.

Overnight mothing at the Obs didn't really reach the hoped-for level: a recurvalis a nice new arrival but migrant numbers otherwise fairly samey

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) November 11, 2024 at 10:15 AM

Not bad for migrant #moths last night with Scarce Bordered Straw, Gem, 2 Olive Tree Pearl and 15 Rusty-dot Pearl

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) November 11, 2024 at 4:01 PM
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