Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre

6th-9th January

Still very quiet around the island so far this week - many of the regular winterers remain on station and the likes of Red-throated Divers continue to tickle by off the Bill. The only new arrival of particular note was a Common Sandpiper at Ferrybridge on 7th; a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Pennsylvania Castle on 9th was also the first reported for several weeks although it's more than likely been about and just escaped attention with so few people out looking.

Barn Owls have been quite showy at the Bill this winter, with - uncharacteristically for Portland - quite regular broad daylight sightings in the vicinity of the Obs © Martin Cade...

Our stalwart owl-catchers, Mark Cutts and Verity Hill, made the most of a still evening last weekend and trapped two new Barn Owls in the Crown Estate Field © Verity Hill:

With nothing much going on around the island we took the opportunity today to make the most of some decent weather and pop over to Lodmoor for a look at the Green-winged Teal that's been there for a couple of days - after a very long period of inactivity it actually ended up showing pretty well © Martin Cade:

2nd-5th January

All sorts of weather and not that many sorts of bird in the last few days as the conditions swung from flat calm and icy cold to wildly windy, wet and extremely mild. The only even slightly out of the ordinary sightings were of a Mallard off the Bill on 2nd and a Goldeneye in Portland Harbour on 4th. Red-throated Divers were daily off the Bill (max 14 on 4th), with a lone passing Shelduck (on 3rd) also of note on the sea; the daily regulars around Portland Harbour have included 5 Common Scoter, 4 Great Northern Divers, 3 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Black-throated Divers, with several more Great Northern Divers and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge. Black Redstarts have been scattered at their regular spots and winterers at the Bill have included 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Reed Bunting.

One of the spread of Great Northern Divers at Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour © Pete Saunders:

1st January

Not the easiest of starts to the year, what with a severe gale that had blown in overnight spoiling the best part of the morning before the onset of heavy rain washed out the rest of the day. The day's only rewards were 6 Kittiwakes, 4 Great Northern Divers, 4 Shelducks, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Little Gull at Ferrybridge and a Firecrest at the Obs.

A lone Rusty-dot Pearl made it into a moth-trap at the Obs before the gale set in to get the year's migrant moth tally off the mark.

Little Gull, Kittiwake and Pale-bellied Brent Goose getting the Ferrybridge year off to a decent start this morning © Pete Saunders

31st December

A low-key end to the year over the last few days, with a Ring-necked Parakeet at Easton (28th) the only sighting of particular interest; other local/seasonal oddities included a Shoveler in Portland Harbour (29th) and the first Merlin of the winter at the Bill (31st). More routine winter fare included up to 4 Snipe, 2 Chiffchaffs and singles of Golden Plover, Purple Sandpiper and Reed Bunting at the Bill, a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, singles of Redwing and Goldcrest at Easton, a Mute Swan at Ferrybridge and up to 42 Turnstones, 11 Black-necked Grebes, 5 Great Northern Divers, 5 Common Scoter and 2 Black-throated Divers at Portland Harbour. Sea movement included daily Red-throated Divers off the Bill (max 9 on 28th) and a single Red-breasted Merganser through off there on 29th.

Although no strangers to exhibitions of gluttony, you'd think this Cormorant's catch was right at the limit of what it could cope with; per Pete Saunders, a c30cm fish would be expected to weigh in at c800gms - BWP records that a Cormorant's average daily consumption is 425-700gms © Pete Saunders:

@PortlandBirdObs Great Northern Diver. Portland Marina.
Taken on my mobile. pic.twitter.com/gv1ejulhwC
— Matt. (@mdbz1975) December 30, 2024

First Dark Sword Grass since mid-November a new arrival in the Obs moth-traps overnight; single Rusty-dot Pearl the only other migrant

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) December 31, 2024 at 10:53 AM

27th December

In conditions that looked to be entirely unpromising for such things - there's been barely a breath of breeze for three days, let alone anything amounting to cold weather - there were again a few minor oddities discovered today that included a Golden Plover at the Bill, a Shoveler through on the sea there and a Fieldfare overhead at Ferrybridge. A total of 11 Red-throated Divers logged from next to no serious serious seawatching at the Bill suggested they were on the move in quantity for the first time this winter, whilst the only other reports were of 121 Dunlin and 57 Ringed Plovers at Ferrybridge.

Still the odd few migrant moths showing up: a Scarce Bordered Straw and 2 Rusty-dot Pearls trapped overnight at the Obs

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) December 27, 2024 at 9:07 AM

26th December

Another day rendered largely opaque by continuing fog. A Mistle Thrush over Osprey Quay was an oddity and a Golden Plover over Ferrybridge was another sighting more usually associated with cold weather at this time of year. The Ferrybridge Mute Swans increased to 3 and routine fare there are around Portland Harbour included at least 5 Great Northern Divers (12 were counted there yesterday, along with 7 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Common Scoter and the Long-tailed Duck).

The Mistle Thrush and one of the Great Northern Divers © Pete Saunders:

24th December

The nicest day for quite a while allowed for more comprehensive coverage today. A Long-tailed Duck joining the 5 Common Scoter in Portland Harbour was the day's highlight, with 6 Great Northern Divers and 3 Black-necked Grebes also scattered about the harbour; wintering singles of Kingfisher and Grey Wagtail were in the vicinity of Portland Castle and a Knot was at Ferrybridge. A late migrant Redwing dropped in briefly at the Bill where a presumably wintering Reed Bunting also came out of the woodwork and 2 Chiffchaffs were still knocking about. Two Red-throated Divers passed by off the Bill along with an altogether more unexpected flock of 20 Knot.

A little immigrant moth activity included 2 Rusty-dot Pearl attracted to the traps at the Obs, with another found settled below the porch light there.

22nd December

With a run of unhelpful weather conditions and the onset of seasonal apathy, reports have been in short supply in recent days; these singles of Great Northern Diver and Pale-bellied Brent Goose were among the regulars on offer at Ferrybridge this morning © Pete Saunders:

20th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 1, Turnstone 3, Greenfinch 1.

Ferrybridge: Greenfinch 30.

The Greenfinch flock continues to grow at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders

19th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 2, Common Scoter 2, Chiffchaff 1.

Harbour: Red-breasted Merganser 15+, Great Northern Diver 5, Common Scoter 5, Great Crested Grebe 2, Black-throated Diver 1, Black-necked Grebe 1.

17th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 1, Common Scoter 4, Chiffchaff 1.

Ferrybridge: Great Northern Diver 2, Dunlin 200, Ringed Plover 80, Mediterranean Gull 3,000+ (including the adjacent Fleet)

16th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 16, Common Scoter 3, Chiffchaff 1, Water Rail 1.

Ferrybridge: Mediterranean Gull 1400.

Church Ope: Black Redstart 1, Chiffchaff 1.

Cove House Inn: Black Redstart 1.

Harbour: Black-necked Grebe 3, Great Northern Diver 1.

Presumed Nabis capsiformis to light last night at the obs. A single Diamondback was the only migrant lepidoptera.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) December 16, 2024 at 12:15 PM

15th December

Portland Bill: Red-throated Diver 8, Common Scoter 3, Water Rail 1.

Ferrybridge: Great Northern Diver 3, Brent Geese 152, Greenfinch 26.

Church Ope: Black Redstart 1.

14th December

Portland Bill: Common Scoter 4, Red-throated Diver 2, Turnstone 4, Purple Sandpiper 1.

Ferrybridge: Great Northern Diver 3, Turnstone 30, Pale-bellied Brent Goose 1.

Church Ope: Black Redstart 1.

13th December

Portland Bill: Redwing 2, Chiffchaff 2, Black Redstart 1, Purple Sandpiper 3, Turnstone 4, Dunlin 1, Red-throated Diver 2.

Harbour: Common Scoter 6, Great Northern Diver 3 (+1 Ferrybridge, +1 Portland Castle), Black-necked Grebe 2.

12th December

Another day of moderate North-easterly winds, saw a small arrival of thrushes, with a minimum of 10 Song Thrushes and 3 Redwings pitched in around the Bill. A total of 3 over-wintering Chiffchaffs were recorded around the obs area, with an additional 2 at Southwell whilst the Purple Sandpiper count was back down to 6 around the obelisk. A busy morning's seawatch was dominated by Auk movement, with approximately 550 heading east in a 10 minute timed count. A further 13 Red-throated Divers, 6 Common Scoters, 3 Velvet Scoters and a Little Egret were recorded past the bill. A total of 3 Great Northern Divers were present at Ferrybridge, with an additional 5 Common Scoter, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Black-necked Grebe in the harbour.

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.

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.

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!

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