December 2003

December 31st A surprisingly busy end to the year with a chilly easterly breeze being the cue for some movement offshore and a couple of interesting late arrivals on the land. Seawatching at the Bill produced 33 Wigeon, 13 Red-throated Divers, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Mallard, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, a Teal, a Gadwall, a Pintail, a Tufted Duck and a Little Gull; 8 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were also still lingering offshore. A Blackcap and a Siskin were new arrivals at the Obs and there were still fair numbers of Song Thrushes, 2 Black Redstarts and a Snipe at the Bill. An Eider was in Portland Harbour, a Black Redstart was still at Portland Castle and 9 Little Egrets were at Ferrybridge. December 30th Quieter weather today allowed the southern half of the island to be checked more thoroughly than of late. Notable sightings included 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, a Black Redstart and a Redwing at Barleycrates Lane, a Chiffchaff at Weston, a Fieldfare at Avalanche Road and 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Redwing at the Bill; there was also a distinct influx of Song Thrushes, with 44 counted between the Bill and Weston/Easton. Twelve Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained off the Bill, where 5 Red-throated Divers also flew past; another 2 Red-throated Divers flew over Portland Harbour and there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. December 29th Another wet and windy day that offered few chances to venture outdoors. Nine Purple Sandpipers were at the Bill, where 17 Common Scoter remained offshore and a lone Red-throated Diver flew past. Elsewhere, a Black Redstart was at Southwell.

   

 

  Shag - Portland Bill, December 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 28th The flock of Common Scoter and Eider were still off the Bill, where 2 Red-throated Divers and a Teal also passed through.

   

      

  Great Skua - Portland Bill, December 27th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 27th A succession of heavy, squally showers of rain and hail meant that seawatching was again the only birding worth any effort. Two Great Skuas passed through off the Bill and another 1 or 2 were seen at Chesil Cove. The flock of 15 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still lingering off the Bill and 10 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Turnstones were on the shore below the East Cliffs. A lone Eider was in Portland Harbour. December 26th Highlight today was a Little Auk settled in Chesil Cove for a while during the morning. The only other news was of 17 Common Scoter and 3 Eider off the Bill and the wintering Black Redstart still on the East Cliffs at the Bill. December 25th The flock of 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained off the Bill where there were also very large numbers of Gannets, gulls and auks feeding distantly offshore - presumably being attracted by shoaling sprats which have apparently become abundant in the area lately.

   

   

  Kittiwake - Portland Bill, December 24th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 24th The only news today was of 14 Common Scoter and 3 Eider settled off the Bill and 2 fly-by Red-throated Divers there. December 23rd The flock of 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still off the Bill, where 7 Red-throated Divers and 3 Velvet Scoters also passed through. Portland Harbour was a little busier than of late, producing totals of 7 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 2 Eider and a Kingfisher. Single wintering Black Redstarts were at the Bill and on the Harbour shore. December 22nd More of the same today. Four Song Thrushes and a Redwing were at the Bill, a Red-throated Diver passed through and 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained lingering offshore there, and Portland Harbour produced 6 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Eider and a Great Northern Diver. December 21st Eight Common Scoter were still lingering off the Bill, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Brent Geese passed through there and the wintering Black Redstart remained along the East Cliffs at the Bill. December 20th Very little to report today in wet and windy weather. Ten Common Scoter and 3 Eider were lingering off the Bill, a Great Skua was at Chesil Cove and a Black Redstart visited a garden at Southwell. December 19th Typical fare today, with the Bill area producing 2 Siskins, a Water Rail, a Snipe, a Black Redstart and a Redwing; a total of 11 Stonechats were found between the Bill and Tout Quarry, and another 2 Black Redstarts were at Blacknor. Six Common Scoter and 3 Eider were again off the Bill and a single Black-throated Diver was in Portland Harbour.

   

 

  Great Northern Diver - Portland Bill, December 18th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 18th A pleasantly mild and sunny day that at least made seeing nothing particularly out of the ordinary quite enjoyable. Odds and sods at the Bill included 80 Starlings moving north, a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Firecrest, whilst elsewhere there were 3 Goldcrests and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle and a Chiffchaff at Weston. A Red-throated Diver passed through off the Bill, where a Mediterranean Gull was also lingering, and a Great Northern Diver flew south high over the West Cliffs. December 17th The only news today was of 15 Song Thrushes at the Bill, a Firecrest at Culverwell and 3 Red-throated Divers passing on the sea off the Bill. December 16th New arrivals today included 350 Starlings, a dozen Song Thrushes and a Blackcap at the Bill and 16 Chaffinches at Southwell; presumed winterers included 6 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill, a few Redwings at Southwell and single Goldcrests at the Bill and Southwell, whilst a Barn Owl seen before dawn at Wide Street was perhaps the individual that has been seen from time in recent months both there and on the Beach Road. Seawatching at the Bill produced 18 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Divers, 3 Eider and 2 Brent Geese. December 15th Still, clear mornings continue to produce a handful of late migrants, with 20 Goldfinches, 3 Brambling, a Redwing and a Fieldfare passing overhead at the Bill this morning. Single wintering Black Redstarts were also still at the Bill and Portland Castle, and 2 Great Northern Divers were in Portland Harbour  

After an autumn spent at PBO, James Lees is now in Canada - click here for James's new website chronicling his birding adventures there.

 

December 14th Despite a big improvement in the weather there was still little to be seen around the island. The 8 Common Scoter and single Eider were still off the Bill where 2 Red-throated Divers also flew past. Elsewhere a Velvet Scoter was a new arrival in Portland Harbour, where there also 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Common Scoter and an Eider. December 13th Same weather, same birds. The 8 Common Scoter and single Eider were still off the Bill and the lone Redwing was still in the Obs garden. The only news from elsewhere was of a single Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour. December 12th Damp, dismal weather saw to it that there were hardly any birders in the field. The only news was of a solitary Redwing in the Obs garden and 8 Common Scoter and an Eider lingering off the Bill.

   

   

  Turnstone - Portland Bill, December 11th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 11th Just a few snippets of news from the Bill today, where there were 8 Purple Sandpipers, a Turnstone and a Redwing on the land and 3 Red-throated Divers past on the sea. December 10th A pleasantly mild and bright day that produced a handful of late migrants, with new arrivals at the Bill including 20 Song Thrushes, 10 Chaffinches, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Siskins, a Redwing and a Brambling; a lone Red-throated Diver was the only worthwhile sighting on the sea there. Odds and sods elsewhere included 3 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour, 8 Little Egrets and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge and a Black Redstart at Portland Harbour Sailing Academy. December 9th Very little to report again today. A Black Redstart was a new arrival at the Bill where there otherwise just a few Song Thrushes and the wintering Goldcrest; an Eider and a Little Gull were the only noteworthy birds on the sea there. December 8th Another dull, chilly and windy day. The only news came from the Bill area, where there were 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, a Water Rail, a Black Redstart, a Redwing and a Goldcrest on the land, and 3 Eider and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through on the sea. December 7th A blasting easterly wind prevented any serious birding other than seawatching at the Bill, where 16 Teal, 2 Wigeon, a Red-throated Diver, a Shelduck, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Snipe passed through. The only other news was of a Golden Plover and a Redwing on the land at the Bill, and 600 Dark-bellied and a lone Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge.

   

   

  Fieldfare - Portland Bill, December 6th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 6th There was another small flurry of late migrants at the Bill today, including 12 Chaffinches, 6 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, a Golden Plover, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Redpoll and a Yellowhammer.

   

   

  Pink-footed Geese - Southwell, December 5th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 5th A dreary, cold day that produced a good island rarity in the form of 3 Pink-footed Geese: a lone individual flew north over the Bill soon after dawn, whilst later in the morning 2 birds together passed overhead at the Bill and Southwell before leaving to the west. New arrivals in the Bill area included 10 Redwings, 5 Lapwings, 3 Snipe and 3 Fieldfares; seawatching there produced 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua. A flock of 18 Eider were new arrivals in Portland Harbour, where there were also 80 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Northern Diver and a Common Scoter December 4th Thrushes were still on the move at the Bill where 45 Redwings, 20 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush passed through during the morning; a Blackcap, a Goldcrest and a Siskin were also new arrivals there. Offshore, Gannets and Kittiwakes were feeding in good numbers, whilst more than 1000 auks, 7 Brent Geese, 6 Velvet Scoters, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Wigeon also passed through. December 3rd Clear weather in the morning saw a few more late migrants pass through at the Bill, where there were 20 Chaffinches, 19 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Bramblings, 2 Siskins, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest. The only news from other sites was of a Blackcap and a Goldcrest at Wakeham. December 2nd Despite the return of quieter weather there was little to report again today. Small numbers of Redwings were scattered around the south of the island, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff were still at Pennsylvania Castle, another lone Goldcrest was at Avalanche Road and a there was a Black Redstart at Southwell. Two Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill and a Mediterranean Gull was at Ferrybridge. December 1st A dismal start to December with heavy rain throughout the morning and the drier afternoon spoilt by a raw north-east wind. The only news from round the island was of 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge, 6 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill and 4 Redwings and a Goldcrest in the Obs garden.

November 2003

November 30th No sign again today of either the Yellow-browed Warbler or the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat. A Lapland Bunting flew north at the Bill but the only movement of late common migrants there involved a few Chaffinches and a Redpoll passing overhead; a lone Blackcap was still in the Obs garden. Elsewhere there was a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle and a Chiffchaff at Easton. Nine Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Red-necked Grebes passed through off the Bill and a Little Auk was reported briefly in Portland Harbour.  November 29th Only a handful of birders braved the wind and rain this morning and, not surprisingly, they drew a blank with both the Yellow-browed Warbler and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat. The only other news was of 7 Goldcrests and a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua passing through off Chesil Cove and 3 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill.

   

            

  Long-eared Owl - Portland Bill, November 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 28th A Long-eared Owl showed well at the Bill for a while during the morning after it had been watched flying in off the sea, but new arrivals there otherwise consisted of just 250 Starlings also arriving in off the sea and a Golden Plover. Long-stayers still around included the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton, the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell, and 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Black Redstart and a Blackcap at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill produced 17 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser.

   

   

  Blackcap - Portland Bill, November 27th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 27th The Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell were both still present today. The sprinkle of birds in the Bill area included 6 Bramblings, 5 Redpolls, 5 Siskins, 3 Fieldfares, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Water Rails (including a new individual in the Obs garden), 2 Goldcrests, a Merlin, a Black Redstart and a Reed Bunting, as well as 100 Starlings arriving in off the sea. Elsewhere there were 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Firecrests and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, a good count for the winter of 38 Pied and a Grey Wagtail on Church Ope beach and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge. November 26th Very little change today, with both the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell still present and a Siberian Chiffchaff seen again at Wakeham. Five Redwings and 4 Fieldfares at Avalanche Road were probably new arrivals, but the Black Redstart at the Bill and the scatter of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests in sheltered spots between Southwell and Easton were all likely to be lingering on from previous days. Eight Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea at the Bill. November 25th Despite the continuing presence of both the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell it is looking like autumn interest is fizzling out as increasingly frequent Atlantic depressions sweep wind and rain across the island. The only additional news today was of a Firecrest and a Treecreeper still at Pennsylvania Castle, and 18 Common Scoter and 2 Brent Geese passing through on the sea at the Bill.

   

   

  Yellow-browed Warbler - Easton, November 24th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 24th The weather finally took a turn for the better enabling most areas of the island to be looked at pretty thoroughly. The Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell both showed well, a Siberian Chiffchaff was at Wakeham and there were further single 'eastern' Chiffchaffs at both Wakeham and Easton. The trickle of thrushes and finches passing overhead at the Bill included 7 Bramblings, 2 Redpolls and 2 Siskins, whilst grounded migrants/winterers there included 4 Black Redstarts, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests and a Water Rail. Suitable sites elsewhere around the island still held a few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests, and another Black Redstart was at Weston. Finally, seawatching at the Bill produced 7 Brent Geese and a Red-throated Diver. November 23rd Another day of unrelenting rain. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained in the Pennsylvania Castle area and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell. Despite the grim weather it was apparent that there were plenty of late migrants on the move, with thrushes in particular passing overhead at the Bill throughout the morning. Seawatching at the Bill produced little more than a single Great Skua. November 22nd Day-long wet weather made meaningful birding a lost cause everywhere today. The presumed Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Pennsylvania Castle although it afforded only occasional brief views and the continued presence there of an elusive Yellow-browed Warbler further confused matters; a late Garden Warbler, an 'eastern' Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper and a few Blackcaps and 'crests were also there. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell but there was no sign of any Pallas's Warblers today. November 21st The excellent run of birds continued today with new Pallas's Warblers at both Avalanche Road and Pennsylvania Castle and, in the fading light of the last hour of the day, a presumed Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler discovered at Pennsylvania Castle; in addition, the Yellow-browed Warblers remained at Easton and Pennsylvania Castle, the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell, a Lapland Bunting passed through at the Bill and there were several Firecrests scattered around the island. Common migrant arrivals included surprising numbers of new Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in all suitable sites and a trickle of thrushes and finches overhead everywhere. 

   

         

  Yellow-browed Warbler - Easton, November 20th 2003 © James Lees

  November 20th Quality new arrivals today were confined to Easton where a Pallas's Warbler was seen briefly early in the morning and a Yellow-browed Warbler showed well for much of the day; another Yellow-browed Warbler and a Continental Coal Tit at Pennsylvania Castle were both perhaps individuals that had been in the area for some days. There was little evidence of an arrival of new commoner migrants, although fair numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests were lingering on in sheltered spots throughout the island. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Arctic Skuas lingering amongst good numbers of Gannets and gulls. After dark, a Barn Owl was seen hunting alongside the Portland Beach Road near the oil tanks.

   

   

  'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat - Southwell, November 19th 2003 © James Lees

  November 19th The 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat remained at Southwell where it was trapped and ringed and found to conform closest to the form halimodendri (click here for more pictures and biometrics). Starlings were still on the move, with another 1600 counted heading north over the Bill, a few finches and a lone Swallow passed through in the opposite direction, but the only noteworthy new birds on the ground were 3 Blackcaps at the Bill; long-stayers still around included 4 Firecrests between the Bill and Easton, a Water Rail at Culverwell and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle. 

   

   

  Pallas's Warbler - Southwell, November 18th 2003 © Debby Saunders

  November 18th The rarities keep coming, with a Pallas's Warbler at Southwell being the latest addition to the already impressive November tally. The 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was also seen again at Southwell, single Merlins were at Easton and Portland Harbour, and at least 7 Firecrests were found in sheltered spots around the south of the island. New common migrants were few and far between, with the only noteworthy movement being of a few Starlings that trickled in off the sea at the Bill.  November 17th Late migrant interest dwindled as the fine weather of the weekend gave way once more to wet and windy south-westerlies. At the Bill, the wintering Firecrest remained at the Obs, but the only evidence of new arrivals were a few grounded thrushes and 500 Starlings that arrived in off the sea; elsewhere the Pennsylvania Castle area still harboured the long-staying Treecreeper and a few Chiffchaffs and 'crests. Offshore, a lone Sooty Shearwater lingered off the Bill throughout the morning.

   

  

        

  'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow-browed Warbler - Southwell and Portland Bill, November 16th 2003 © Adrian Webb (top) and Martin Cade (bottom two)

  November 16th Lots to see again today, with plenty of visible passage overhead, a few new grounded migrants and a selection of new and lingering rarities. On the rarity front a Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs was additional to the singles that remained at both Pennsylvania Castle and Portland Castle, and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat also remained at Southwell. Scarcer migrants included a few Black Redstarts and Firecrests scattered around, 3 Woodlarks over Barleycrates Lane, a Merlin at Weston, a Woodcock at Wakeham, a Continental Coal Tit and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, and a Snow Bunting over the Bill. Grounded commoner migrants included several new Blackcaps and Goldcrests, whilst a strong movement of at least 175 Bramblings was the pick of visible passage over the south of the island, where 800 Wood Pigeons, 175 Stock Doves and 5 Mistle Thrushes also passed through along with plenty of other thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings. Finally, seawatching at the Bill produced 3 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Black-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua, and the Little Gull was still at Ferrybridge. November 15th The return of fair weather saw another pulse of late passage but also produced a most peculiar selection of unseasonable sightings. Most unexpected of all was a fly-by tern off the Bill that was considered by its observers to be a Caspian Tern; seawatching there also produced a Great Northern Diver, a Balearic Shearwater, a Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua. On the land, sheltered spots in the Pennsylvania Castle/Wakeham area still held a few Chiffchaffs and 'crests, as well as a Garden Warbler, a Willow Warbler and a Treecreeper. At the Bill most of the movement was of fly-over thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings, although 600 Wood Pigeons also passed overhead. Elsewhere the Yellow-browed Warbler showed up again at Portland Castle, a Serin was seen briefly at Weston, a Lesser Whitethroat was in private gardens at Southwell (the same individual that was first seen there several days ago and seemingly a bird of the one the eastern forms) and there were single Mediterranean and Little Gulls at Ferrybridge.

   

  

  Chesil Cove - November 14th 2003 © James Lees

  November 14th A very stormy day that saw most attention fixed on the sea. A Sabine's Gull passed through off the Bill and one or more Grey Phalaropes were seen a couple of times in Chesil Cove, but the only other reports were of a single Red-throated Diver passing the Bill and 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Gull and an Eider lingering in Chesil Cove. The land was all but unbirdable, although the shelter of Pennsylvania Castle produced a Yellow-browed Warbler (perhaps the same as the bird seen a couple of days ago at nearby Wakeham), a Treecreeper, a Brambling and a Siskin.

   

                

  Yellow-browed Warbler and Long-tailed Tit - Avalanche Road, November 13th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 13th Yet another new Yellow-browed Warbler that dropped in at Avalanche Road was bird of the day today. The sparse selection of grounded commoner migrants included 3 Black Redstarts at Weston and 2 Blackcaps at the Bill, whilst long-stayers included a Merlin and a Firecrest still at the Bill. Overhead passage was dominated by finches, with 220 Chaffinches, 110 Goldfinches and 22 Bramblings passing through at the Bill. Elsewhere there were 300 Brent Geese, 70 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Little Egrets at Ferrybridge, and a Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe and an Eider in Portland Harbour. November 12th Skies cleared today giving late migrants a chance to get moving again. New Yellow-browed Warblers showed up at Wakeham and Portland Castle, a Serin paid a brief visit to the Obs garden and a Continental Coal Tit was another surprise newcomer there. Chaffinches and Starlings were conspicuous overhead, with the selection of other visible migrants including 10 Bramblings and 6 Redpolls over the Bill. On the ground there were 3 new Blackcaps and 2 new Goldcrests at the Obs but few other indications of much in the way of new arrivals. Seawatching at the Bill produced 28 Common Scoter, 11 Brent Geese and a single Great Skua. November 11th A dull, damp day that for a change produced nothing of particular note. The Firecrest count dropped to less than 10, Black Redstarts numbered just 4 and the only other scarcer migrants reported were 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Woodcock at the Bill. Among the commoner migrants there were noteworthy counts of 40 Fieldfares at Reap Lane and 14 Bramblings at the Bill but, although Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were still about in some numbers in the remaining well-leaved spots and the late Wheatear was still at Reap Lane, most other species were present in only very small numbers. 

   

               

  Serin - Portland Bill, November 10th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 10th The good birds keep coming, with another Dusky Warbler seen early in the morning at Reap Lane and a Serin seen - and later trapped and ringed - in and around the Obs garden. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Southwell, whilst scarcer migrants included about 20 Firecrests and 10 Black Redstarts dotted around the island, 2 Short-eared Owls at the Bill and another at Reap Lane, a Merlin at the Bill, a Woodcock at Avalanche Road and a Corn Bunting at Reap Lane. Commoner migrants included a good scatter of new Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, a few over-flying thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings, a late Wheatear at Reap Lane and yesterday's Lesser Whitethroat still at Southwell.

   

           

       

  Dusky Warbler - Portland Bill, November 9th 2003 © James Lees/Martin Cade

  November 9th November goes from strength to strength, with a Dusky Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs in the morning being the latest addition to the list of quality birds recorded around the island this month. A Yellow-browed Warbler at Southwell was thought likely to be the individual first seen there three days ago but a late Lesser Whitethroat at the same site and a Pallas's Warbler at Verne Common were certainly new arrivals. Thrushes and finches once again made up the bulk of common migrant passage, but there were also several new Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests at the Bill. Other oddities around the island included 5 Firecrests, 2 Long-tailed Tits and a Woodcock at the Bill, and several more Firecrests scattered elsewhere. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Skuas, a Brent Goose and a Little Gull, whilst one of the first looks at Portland Harbour this winter revealed the presence of 3 Black-necked and a Great Crested Grebe, a Great Northern Diver and a Shelduck.

   

        

  Wood Pigeons - Portland Bill, November 8th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 8th Heavily overcast skies and a raw south-east wind made birding very difficult all day. Thrushes, Starlings and finches were again on the move in fair quantity although the highlight of the overhead passage were the 1500 or more Wood Pigeons that arrived in off the sea at the Bill during the morning. Scarcer species were hard to come by but did still include at least 11 Firecrests in the few sheltered spots, 2 or 3 Long-tailed Tits between the Bill and Southwell, 2 Black Redstarts at Southwell and a Merlin at the Bill. The sea produced a few surprises, with totals at the Bill of 246 Common Gulls, 28 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Wigeon, 5 Common Scoter, 4 Brent Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 4 Teal, 4 Dunlin, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Little Auk. November 7th One of the Pallas's Warblers remained at the Obs but in clear weather and a strengthening easterly wind it was a much quieter day than yesterday. Thrushes were about in some numbers at dawn but didn't linger and later in the morning more than 1000 Starlings trickled in off the sea, but new common migrants were otherwise thin on the ground. Oddities included 7 Firecrests scattered around the south of the island, a Water Rail, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a Corn Bunting at the Bill, a Moorhen, a Black Redstart and a Corn Bunting at Barleycrates Lane and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle.

   

     

  Pallas's Warblers and Red-breasted Flycatcher - Portland Bill and Perryfields, November 6th 2003 © James Lees and Martin Cade

  November 6th The combination of mild, southerly winds and a weak weather front overhead at dawn looked likely to deliver the goods and in the event certainly didn't disappoint. Yesterday's Pallas's Warbler remained at the Obs where it was joined by a second individual that was also trapped and ringed; also new today were an elusive Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Pennsylvania Castle/Perryfields area and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Southwell. Commoner migrants arrived in quantity, with counts at the Bill including 120 Skylarks, 100 Redwings, 100 Blackbirds, 70 Song Thrushes, 25 Goldcrests, 13 Black Redstarts, 7 Blackcaps, 7 Firecrests, 5 Siskins, 4 Fieldfares, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Bramblings. Elsewhere there were good numbers of new Goldcrests everywhere, along with 4 Firecrests at Avalanche Road, a Woodcock at Old Hill and a Woodlark over Barleycrates Lane. The sea again provided a little interest, with 5 Eider, 4 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Little Gulls, a Great Northern Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser passing through off the Bill.

   

  

  Pallas's Warbler - Portland Bill, November 5th 2003 © James Lees

  November 5th Overhead passage all but dried up today but there was plenty of interest on the land where quite a few new arrivals showed throughout the day. At the Bill, a few thrushes and finches passed overhead, and 8 Goldcrests, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Firecrests, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Merlin were scattered about on the land; the highlight wasn't found until late in the afternoon when a Pallas's Warbler was trapped and ringed at the Obs. Elsewhere there were a couple more Firecrests at Avalanche Road, 2 more Black Redstarts at Bowers Quarry and a britannicus Coal Tit at Weston; another interesting discovery was of a Merlin picked up dead on the road at Victoria Square that proved on examination in the hand to be of the Icelandic subspecies subaesalon (thought to be the first confirmed record for Portland). The sea continued to provide some interest, with 25 Common Scoter, 12 Little Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers and single Arctic and Great Skuas passing the Bill. November 4th The return of calmer weather saw plenty of late migrants get moving again. Counts of visible passage at the Bill produced totals of 900 Goldfinches, 500 Linnets, 100 Chaffinches, 75 Meadow Pipits, 60 Greenfinches, 30 alba Wagtails, 15 Bramblings, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 2 Swallows, a Reed Bunting and a Mistle Thrush. Grounded migrants were much more sparsely spread, with 60 Redwings at the Bill leaving before sunrise and nothing better than 2 Firecrests and a Merlin seen there later in the day. The sea produced a trickle of westward passage all day, with 8 Little Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Red-throated Diver, a Pintail and single Arctic and Great Skuas passing through off the Bill.

   

    

 Red-breasted Goose and Little Auk - Ferrybridge and Portland Bill, November 3rd 2003 © Martin Cade and James Lees

  November 3rd There was excitement for a while in the morning when a Red-breasted Goose joined the Brent Goose flock at Ferrybridge; unfortunately, when the bird finally emerged out onto the mud it was found to be sporting a blue plastic ring, and further enquiries revealed it to be an escaped bird that had been present in the Abbotsbury area for several weeks. After a very stormy night there was still plenty to be seen offshore; Chesil Cove produced 600 Black-headed Gulls, 10 or more Little Auks, a Storm Petrel, a Little Gull and a report of a Grey Phalarope, whilst at the Bill there were more than 1000 Kittiwakes, single Great and Arctic Skuas, and a Little Auk that lingered off the East Cliffs all afternoon. The Merlin and the Firecrest were still at the Bill, where 4 Swallows also passed through.

   

                   

  Little Auks - Chesil Cove, November 2nd 2003 © James Lees

  November 2nd The first good south-westerly blow for a long time saw attention switch to the sea. Off the Bill there were 13 Common Scoter, the first dozen returning Fulmars of the winter, 5 Arctic and 4 Great Skuas, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Little Auks, single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters, a Storm Petrel and a Red-breasted Merganser. At least 15 Little Auks also passed through at Chesil Cove, where 3 lingered for a while in the afternoon (although one was later killed by a Great Black-backed Gull); a Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua also passed through there. A Little Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and a Knot were new arrivals at Ferrybridge, where the Black Brant was again present with 200 Brent Geese and the 4 Bar-tailed Godwits were still present. The only news from the land was of 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Merlin and a Firecrest still at the Bill.

 

   

            

 Black Brant - Ferrybridge, November 1st 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 1st The Black Brant that joined the wintering flock of Brent Geese on the Fleet a couple of weeks ago showed up at Ferrybridge for the first time during the morning; also there were 4 Bar-tailed Godwits. In very clear conditions there was a good deal of northward passage of Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings, Bramblings, Redpolls and Reed Buntings over the south of the island, where a lone Lapland Bunting also passed through. New grounded migrants were thin on the ground, but did include an additional Firecrest that joined the 2 birds already present at the Bill; 3 Purple Sandpipers, a Merlin and a Black Redstart were the only other minor highlights there, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Short-eared Owls at Barleycrates Lane and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Great and an Arctic Skua, a Black-throated Diver and a Mediterranean Gull.

October 2003

October 31st A much more pleasant day that unfortunately provided poor reward for plenty of searching. A Yellow-browed Warbler was reported briefly at Avalanche Road but subsequent searches for it drew a blank; rarity interest was otherwise limited to a fly-over Lapland Bunting at the Bill. A handful of thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings passed overhead, but the only birds of note on the ground were a couple of Firecrests at the Bill and another at Avalanche Road, and a thin sprinkle of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests at all the suitable sites. Seawatching at the Bill produced 7 Common and 4 Velvet Scoters, a Mediterranean Gull and a single unidentified diver. October 30th The early promise of a still and overcast dawn soon fizzled out as heavy rain and gale force winds swept in through the morning to spoil any birding during the rest of the day. A few thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings passed through again at the Bill, and there were good counts of 44 Goldcrests and 11 Chiffchaffs at Pennsylvania Castle, but the only scarcer migrants found were 11 Firecrests scattered around the south of the island and a lone Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle.

 

                

 Lesser Redpoll - Portland Bill, October 29th 2003 © James Lees

  October 29th After a night of heavy rainfall there was a small arrival of grounded migrants but overhead passage all but petered out. A Serin made another brief appearance at the Obs, but otherwise the best of the scarcer migrants were a respectable island-wide count of at least 13 Firecrests, 3 Short-eared Owls between the Bill and Barleycrates Lane, and single Treecreepers at Old Hill and Pennsylvania Castle. Noteworthy counts of commoner migrants included 12 new Blackcaps at the Obs.

 

                   

 Pallas's Warbler - Southwell, October 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 28th The long-awaited first Pallas's Warbler of the autumn was today's highlight: it showed well all day at Southwell School. Further rarities and scarce migrants included 4 Firecrests at the Bill, 3 Black Redstarts at the Bill and Southwell, 2 Woodlarks flying over at Portland Heights, a Merlin at the Bill, a late Yellow Wagtail over Top Fields and Weston, a Treecreeper at Old Hill and a Serin at Barleycrates Lane. Thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings continued to pass through in some numbers and there was also an influx of new Goldcrests; Swallows still linger on, with at least 30 at the Bill alone. October 27th Same weather, same trickle of birds. Bramblings and Reed Buntings, with counts of 25 and 20 respectively, were conspicuous at the Bill early in the morning where all the other usual suspects also passed through in small numbers; a fly-over Serin, 3 Mistle Thrushes, a Merlin, a Black Redstart and a Firecrest were the best of the oddities there. The only news from other sites was of 2 Firecrests at both Pennsylvania Castle and Avalanche Road. October 26th Another day of typical late autumn passage that produced small numbers of all the expected commoner migrants. Less regular species around the island included Firecrests at Verne Common (5), the Bill (3) and Wakeham, 4 Yellowhammers, a Merlin and a Woodlark at the Bill, a Short-eared Owl at Barleycrates Lane, a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle and a Black Redstart at Broadcroft Quarry. October 25th More of the same today, although rarities and scarce migrants were all but absent. Counts from the Bill area included 20 Redwings, 15 Bramblings, 8 Fieldfares, 5 Redpolls, 3 Siskins, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Firecrests, a Golden Plover and a Ring Ouzel. Elsewhere there were 32 Redwings, 11 Fieldfares, a Mistle Thrush and a Firecrest at Verne Common, a late Whinchat lingering on at Barleycrates Lane, a Black Redstart at Easton and further Firecrests at Avalanche Road (2), Pennsylvania Castle (2), the Grove (2) and Southwell. October 24th A calmer day that saw plenty of common migrants on the move again (with a week of the month still to go, the total of more than 1250 birds trapped and ringed already constitutes the highest October ringing total recorded at the Obs). Thrushes and finches were again numerous, and there were still good numbers of alba Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats, Goldcrests and Reed Buntings passing through. In the very fine weather it was no surprise that none of the rarities and scarcer migrants reported lingered for more than a few minutes; highlights included a Serin at Culverwell, a Richard's Pipit and 2 Lapland Buntings at Reap Lane, a Woodcock, a Woodlark and a Corn Bunting at the Bill and another Woodcock at Verne Common. 

 

               

 Brambling - Portland Bill, October 23rd 2003 © James Lees

  October 23rd Quite a disappointing day, with the stir-up in the weather yesterday failing to produce any obvious reward today. Thrushes and finches, including a Mistle Thrush and a Ring Ouzel at the Bill, were still on the move in small numbers, but the only slightly scarcer migrants seen were 2 Firecrests at the Obs and another at Verne Common, a Short-eared Owl at the Bill and a Water Rail at Culverwell. Three Teal were the only birds of note passing through on the sea at the Bill.

 

         

 Lapland Bunting - Blacknor, October 22nd 2003 © James Lees

  October 22nd The first substantial rainfall for many weeks made serious birding a less than inviting proposition and there were relatively few observations to report. A settled Lapland Bunting at Blacknor was the best find of the day, whilst scarcer migrants still around included single Ring Ouzels at the Bill and Priory Corner, a Merlin at the Bill and several Firecrests at the Bill, Avalanche Road and the former Weston Craft Centre. A few thrushes and finches trickled through but otherwise the rain seemed not to have dropped many new common migrants.

 

   

 Dartford Warbler - Portland Bill, October 21st 2003 © James Lees

  October 21st The calmest day for a couple of weeks saw a good selection of typical late autumn birds recorded around the island. Highlights included a Yellow-browed Warbler at Avalanche Road, and a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Woodlark, a Dartford Warbler and a Lapland Bunting at the Bill. Common migrants, particularly Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and a variety of finches, passed though in good numbers again, whilst scarcer species included 6 Firecrests at the Bill and another single at Avalanche Road, 2 Black Redstarts at Tout Quarry, single Ring Ouzels at Tout Quarry and the Bill, a Short-eared Owl at Suckthumb Quarry and a Merlin at the Bill. October 20th The still brisk and cold wind edged into the north after a weak weather front had passed through during the night, and thrushes and finches again moved through in quantity for a couple of hours after dawn. New common migrants were otherwise not particularly plentiful, although Ring Ouzels and Firecrests were still scattered around the island in some numbers, and lone Short-eared Owls were at the Bill and Portland Heights. The rarities of the day proved frustratingly difficult to get to grips with: a very vocal Red-throated Pipit roamed the fields immediately to the north of the Obs for a while early in the afternoon but afforded flight views only; a Richard's Pipit was flushed from Top Fields and left strongly to the north; a Lapland Bunting was another 'fly-over only' at the Bill; and finally, a Yellow-browed Warbler found late in the afternoon at Avalanche Road was heard calling frequently but couldn't be seen.

 

                

 

 Mute Swan - Portland Bill, October 19th 2003 © Martin Cade/James Lees

  October 19th With strong, cold easterly winds continuing to dominate there were plenty more birds to be seen everywhere. Thrushes, Stonechats, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and finches were conspicuous and appeared to be arriving throughout the day; rarities and less regular migrants included at least 12 Ring Ouzels and 6 Firecrests scattered around the island, a Merlin and a Short eared Owl a the Bill, a Yellow-browed Warbler heard briefly at Southwell School, a Continental Coal Tit at Avalanche Road and a Lapland Bunting overhead on the West Cliffs. Another 160 Black-headed Gulls passed through off the Bill, along with 30 Common Scoter, 3 Wigeon, a Brent Goose and Mediterranean Gull. The most peculiar incident of the day concerned the arrival in off the sea and subsequent capture of the first Mute Swan to be ringed at the Bill; having escaped the attention of marauding gulls and made landfall on the East Cliff, this hapless individual was spectacularly plucked from the sky as it tried to take to the air again and duly became one of the more unlikely species to be ringed at the Obs. October 18th More of the same today. The Continental Coal Tit was still present at the Obs and a second individual was found at Old Hill. A Lapland Bunting was a new arrival at the Bill, where there were also 8 Firecrests and 8 Ring Ouzels; another 2 Firecrests and 7 Ring Ouzels were scattered around the centre and north of the island, and single Short-eared Owls were seen at the Bill and Church Ope. Grounded and fly-over migrants were reasonably plentiful everywhere, and included a noteworthy count of 66 Stonechats between Tout Quarry and the Bill, as well as late records of lone Lesser Whitethroats at Wakeham and Delhi Lane, and a Reed Warbler at the Bill. Black-headed Gulls continued to feature off the Bill, where 352 were counted moving east during the morning. October 17th Another day of clear skies and strong easterly winds. Grounded migrants were not plentiful, but there was plenty of visible passage overhead and a few more interesting scarcities showed up. A Yellow-browed Warbler was a new arrival at the former Weston Craft Centre, a Treecreeper showed up at Pennsylvania Castle, another Woodlark passed through at the Bill, the Continental Coal Tit remained in the Obs garden, and 15 Ring Ouzels, 7 Firecrests and a couple of Merlins were scattered widely around the Island. An hour-and-a-half sample count of overhead passage at the Bill provided totals of 205 Meadow Pipits, 160 Starlings, 141 Chaffinches, 115 Linnets, 84 Greenfinches, 55 alba Wagtails, 23 Skylarks and smaller numbers of a good variety of other species. Another 102 Black-headed Gulls passed through off the Bill, along with 12 Teal and 5 Brent Geese.

 

      

 Continental Coal Tit - Portland Bill, October 16th 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 16th The wind remained firmly in the east and there was another interesting selection of rarities and scarce migrants on view around the island. A Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Culverwell, and a Great Crested Grebe, a Jack Snipe and a Continental Coal Tit were all new arrivals elsewhere in the Bill area. A fly-over Woodlark at Cheyne Weare was a first for the autumn, whilst there were still 6 Ring Ouzels, 6 Firecrests, 2 Merlins and a Short-eared Owl scattered widely. The variety of common migrants was rather similar to yesterday, although visible passage was a good deal less conspicuous. Seawatching at the Bill produced 102 Black-headed Gulls, 47 Common Gulls, 11 Common Scoter, 3 Great Skuas, a Brent Goose and a Red-breasted Merganser.

 

    

 Ring Ouzel - West Weare, October 15th 2003 © James Lees

  October 15th Another bird-filled day, although birding itself remained very difficult in almost gale force easterlies. Notable new arrivals included a Red Kite over the Verne and Church Ope, a Hen Harrier over Church Ope, a Barn Owl at Wide Street, an 'eastern' Chiffchaff at Old Hill and reports of 1 or more Yellow-browed Warblers at Culverwell; a Cetti's Warbler at Bumpers Lane may have been the individual first seen at the same site (in fact in the same bush!) several weeks ago. Grounded migrants were less numerous than in recent days, although still included at least 23 Ring Ouzels dotted around the north of the island, and 3 Firecrests and 2 Short-eared Owls at the Bill. Ouzels aside, thrush numbers dwindled and the majority of overhead passage consisted of Skylarks, pipits, wagtails and finches moving north; an hour-and-a-half sample count at the Bill in the morning produced totals including 670 Linnets, 440 Meadow Pipits, 105 alba Wagtails, 60 Starlings and 28 Skylarks. Seawatching at the Bill provided a typically motley selection of sightings including 75 Black-headed Gulls, 21 Brent Geese, 9 Teal, a Wigeon and a Pintail.

 

        

 Kestrel - Portland Bill, October 14th 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 14th Rather surprisingly, all of yesterday's rarities had moved on and, although common migrants were still passing through in quantity, the only quality arrivals in their place were a Quail and a Lapland Bunting at the Bill. Thrushes again featured prominently everywhere, with a minimum of 20 Ring Ouzels scattered around the island, as well as counts of 250 Blackbirds, 200 Song Thrushes, 200 Redwings, 10 Fieldfares and 2 Mistle Thrushes passing through at the BIll. Further interest was provided by 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Merlins, 2 Firecrests and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill, and a Hobby over Reforne, whilst among the commoner species there was the first good passage of Starlings of the autumn and a good count of 9 Snipe at the Bill. On the sea, Common Gulls were on the move for the first time, and 12 Wigeon, 3 Dunlin, 8 Brent Geese, 2 Teal, a Curlew and a Little Gull also passed the Bill.

 

       

       

 Radde's Warbler, Chiffchaff and 'eastern' Chiffchaff, and Yellow-browed Warbler - Portland Bill, October 13th 2003 © Martin Cade/James Lees

  October 13th A storming good day today with several excellent quality rarities and plenty of common migrants. The highlight was a Radde's Warbler trapped and ringed in the Obs garden and released in the Obs Quarry where it showed well throughout the day; the strong supporting cast included a Common Rosefinch in and around the Obs garden for a while at dawn, single Yellow-browed Warblers at the Obs, Southwell and Wakeham, an 'eastern' Chiffchaff trapped and ringed at the Obs, an Osprey and a Marsh Harrier flying south at the Bill and, finally, a elusive Siberian Stonechat that was found at Barleycrates Lane late in the day. Counts of commoner migrants included 460 Chaffinches overhead in the centre of the island, 100 Blackbirds at the Bill, 100 Redwings at both the Bill and Weston, 75 Song Thrushes at Weston and 10 Bramblings at both the Bill and Weston, whilst scarcer migrants included 4 Firecrests at the Bill, 3 Mistle Thrushes at the Bill, Ring Ouzels at Priory Corner (2) and Reap Lane, and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill. October 12th A howling south-east gale had set in by dawn and with shelter at a premium birding was hard work and pretty unrewarding. Substantial numbers of wagtails, pipits, thrushes and finches were on the move overhead, but the best of the few grounded migrants were 2 Ring Ouzels and 2 Firecrests at the Bill. The hoped-for busy seawatch came to nothing, with only 14 Common Scoter, 2 Grey Plover, a Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua logged passing the BIll. October 11th Yesterday's Yellow-browed Warbler showed up briefly in Southwell early in the morning but it was again the only sighting of any great note on the island. In fine, sunny weather grounded migrants were relatively thin on the ground, with the best being 13 Stonechats, 9 Reed Buntings, a Golden Plover, a Whinchat, a Redstart and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill; among the commoner species there were conspicuous influxes of Dunnocks, Great Tits and Greenfinches. Overhead passage was again quite heavy, and included counts of 200 alba Wagtails, 45 Siskins, 12 Bramblings and 5 Redpolls at the Bill. October 10th After a lean few days for rarities the appearance of a Yellow-browed Warbler in a private garden at Southwell was welcome. Unfortunately the day was otherwise very quiet, with grounded and over-flying migrants in short supply. The Bill area produced just 10 Chiffchaffs, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Wheatears, a Merlin and a Firecrest on the ground, as well as 500 Linnets and small numbers of pipits, wagtails and other finches passing through overhead. The only report from elsewhere was of a lone Reed Bunting at Suckthumb Quarry. October 9th Plenty more routine October passage but still not a hint of anything remotely out of the ordinary. Overhead passage again dominated at the Bill, where 800 Linnets, 300 Meadow Pipits, 300 alba Wagtails, 50 Siskins, 40 Chaffinches, 15 Skylarks and 3 Reed Buntings passed through. On the ground there were more Stonechats in evidence, but otherwise just a sprinkle of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere; a late Redstart was at Wakeham and a late Whitethroat at the Bill, but the only scarcer migrants were a Merlin and a Firecrest at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill produced 17 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, a Sooty Shearwater and an Arctic Skua. October 8th A milder but still overcast day that produced quite a bit more movement. Overhead passage was surprisingly heavy, with totals at the Bill of 1300 Linnets, 200 alba Wagtails, 150 Goldfinches, 75 Chaffinches, 35 Siskins, 3 Reed Buntings, 2 Redpolls and 2 Bramblings flying south. Grounded migrants included small numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, but still nothing better than a Merlin and a Firecrest at the Bill. Only sheer persistence provided any reward on the seawatchhing front, with the majority of the total of 8 Great and an Arctic Skua seen at the Bill passing through during a brief flurry of action during the afternoon. October 7th The blustery north-westerly weather continued and land and sea were both pretty quiet. Seawatching at the Bill produced 4 Arctic and 3 Great Skuas as well as a report of a lone Leach's Petrel, and there was little more interesting than a Merlin and a Reed Bunting on the land there. Elsewhere there were 4 Brent Geese at Ferrybridge and a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle.

 

          

 Common Rosefinch - Portland Bill, October 6th 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 6th After a wet and at times quite stormy night it was a surprise that there were a few new arrivals on the land. The highlights were another Common Rosefinch trapped and ringed at the Obs (the sixth island record this year) and a Dartford Warbler reported at Southwell. Among the scatter of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests at the Bill there was also a Redstart, a Garden Warbler and a Reed Bunting. Despite the wind veering back into the north-west the sea provided some interest, with 5 Arctic and 3 Great Skuas and a lone Balearic Shearwater passing the Bill.

 

  

 Pied Wagtail - Portland Bill, October 5th 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 5th Overhead passage dominated again today, with Meadow Pipits, alba Wagtails, Chaffinches and Linnets still on the move in quantity; among the variety of other species logged there were 90 Siskins over the Bill, the first 2 Bramblings of the autumn at Culverwell, 3 Lapland Buntings over Southwell and a Snow Bunting over Barleycrates Lane. On the ground there were still fair numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, whilst oddities included 2 Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl, a Turtle Dove and a Ring Ouzel at the Bill, another Turtle Dove at Barleycrates Lane, another Firecrest at Avalanche Road and a Treecreeper at Southwell School. The sea remained very quiet in the strong offshore winds, with nothing more interesting than 2 Arctic Terns and an Arctic Skua off the Bill. October 4th The return of chilly, blustery north-westerlies saw to it that there were fewer grounded migrants but a lot more overhead passage today. Visible passage totals at the Bill included 1500 Meadow Pipits, 1500 Linnets, 400 alba Wagtails, 300 Goldfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 55 Siskins, 6 Golden Plovers and 5 Reed Buntings. Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests made up the bulk of the few grounded migrants everywhere, with the only oddities reported being a Merlin and a Firecrest at the Bill, a Ring Ouzel at Reforne, and a flock of 23 Ravens over Verne Common. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Little Egrets, 2 Brent Geese, a Great Northern Diver, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Pomarine Skua, whilst waders at Ferrybridge included 4 Bar-tailed and a lone Black-tailed Godwit.

 

                   

 Chiffchaff - Portland Bill, October 3rd 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 3rd After a long time of waiting, dawn saw almost perfect 'fall' conditions over the island and the few birders around were certainly not disappointed by the events of the day. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps dominated, with totals at the Bill alone of 400 and 200 respectively; other counts from there included 500 House Martins, 300 alba Wagtails, 300 Linnets, 40 Siskins, 30 Song Thrushes, 25 Chaffinches, 8 Redstarts and 6 Redwings. Trapping effort at the Obs and Culverwell produced a joint day total of 253 new birds ringed - more than double the previous highest day total this year. Scarcer migrants around the island included at least 4 Firecrests and a couple of Ring Ouzels, whilst rarity interest was provided by a Cirl Bunting briefly at Culverwell (the first island record for ten years), a Common Rosefinch at Tilleycombe and a presumed Siberian Chiffchaff at Culverwell. October 2nd More variety today although numbers remained pretty poor. The only rarity reported was a Red Kite that did a round of the island during the morning. The Bill area produced counts of 30 Wheatears, 25 Chaffinches, 10 Chiffchaffs, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Redstarts, 3 Tree Pipits, 3 Song Thrushes, 3 Whinchats, a Hobby, a Snipe, a Dunlin, a Turtle Dove, a Ring Ouzel, a Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Goldcrest and a Siskin. Elsewhere there were 3 Firecrests at Easton and 2 Turtle Doves at Suckthumb Quarry.

 

               

 Common Rosefinch - Portland Bill, October 1st 2003 © Martin Cade

  October 1st There was an encouraging start to the new month when a Common Rosefinch was trapped and ringed in the Obs garden early in the morning. Searching for common migrants was hard work in very strong easterly winds and, as the day went on, increasingly heavy rain; however, the Bill area produced the first flurry of migrant Blackbirds of the autumn, as well as a sprinkle of other common migrants, 5 Grey Herons, 2 Hobbies, a Golden Plover and a Snipe. Six Wigeon and 2 Great Skuas were the only birds of note on the sea.