17th December

On another mild day 100 more Goldfinches headed south over the Bill and winterers putting in appearances included 2 each of Chiffchaff, Goldcrest and Firecrest at the Obs, 2 Short-eared Owls at Southwell, single Black Redstarts at Blacknor and Portland Castle, and 3 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour. Seawatching at the Bill came up with 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Common Scoter and a Black-throated Diver.

In comparison with nearby sites Portland fared very poorly on the immigrant moth front, with 2 Rusty-dot Pearl and a Silver Y the only representatives in the Obs traps.


Firecrest - Portland Bill, 17th December 2015 © Martin Cade