31st August

While the rest of the South West basked in showers of migrating birds, we were struggling with numbers if not quality. A clinched Ortolan Bunting was the highlight of the morning along with the usual 45 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Grey Wagtails and 2 Tree Pipits. Other migrants of note included: 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 25 Whitethroats, 46 Wheatears, 2 Whinchats, 2 Reed Buntings, 2 Whinchats, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Greenshank, 1 Snipe, 1 Redshank, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 4 Chiffchaffs. There was also a semi-decent movement of Hirundines and Swifts with 55+ Swallows, 11 House Martins, 4 Sand Martins and 3 Swifts. 17 Balearic bwere the highlight on the sea. 

The final results are in from the Little Tern project on Chesil Beach and in the 2018 season 37 pairs managed to successfully fledge 25 juveniles. In addition, 12-15 pairs of Ringed Plover and 1 pair of Oystercatchers were monitored within the Tern colony. A brilliant success for the volunteers considering the pressures from some particularly persistent Kestrels. 

Perhaps not a spectacular day for birds as far as the history of Portland birding goes but a beautiful day none the less © Simon Colenutt  www.thedeskboundbirder.blogspot.co.uk




...and a Stonechat from this morning © Matt Ames