15th May

The Great Spotted Cuckoo remained around all day but developed unexpected wanderlust: after forsaking what had become its favoured haunt at Reap Lane it first headed off to Top Fields, then the Strips before finally settling for the afternoon in and around the Obs garden. With clear skies and, at least by the afternoon, warm sunshine the order of the day hirundines were on the move in decent numbers but grounded migrants were in short supply, with 2 each of Whimbrel, Short-eared Owl and Garden Warbler, and singles of Cuckoo, Redstart and Black Redstart easily the best on offer at the Bill. Along with the hirundines, singles of Hobby and Little Egret were of note overhead at the Bill, whilst 29 Common Scoter and 4 Great Northern Divers passed through on the sea there.





Great Spotted Cuckoo, Short-eared Owl and Peregrine - Portland Bill, 15th May 2016 © Keith Pritchard (GSCuckoo flying), Nick Hopper (GSCuckoo settled and SEOwl) and Andy Mitchell (Peregine)

...having the Great Spotted Cuckoo zooming around the Obs garden at often point blank range was a truly memorable experience, made all the exciting as it had become far more vocal than had been the case when it was at Reap Lane: