7th October


PBO membership standing orders
As Obs members will be aware, earlier this year our charitable status changed when we became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO); as part of this change we were required to open a new current bank account. We are in the process of closing our old bank account and request that members who have a membership subscription standing order in our favour transfer this to the new account. 
For those with online banking facilities this transfer may be readily accomplished via your banking app - our new account details are: 
Account name Portland Bird Observatory; Sort code 09-01-29; Account No. 19754723
Those without online arrangements will require a new standing order form that can be requested from the Obs or downloaded here  - this form should be filled in and returned to us for forwarding to your bank or sent direct to your bank. 
Apologies for the inconvenience and many thanks for your help with this important matter.


Today saw the commencement of the inter-bird observatories bird race and as such we can tell you that an average to poor day on Portland Bill will earn you a species list of around 80 birds. The morning started with a flurry of common migrants with 44 Chiffchaffs trapped and large flocks of Siskins and Pied Wagtails overhead. Highlights of the day included: the first Yellow-browed Warblers of the year, a pair of obliging Woodlarks at Shepherds Dinner (I didn't know that was a place either), the first Redwings and Fieldfares of the autumn and the third Cetti's Warbler of the autumn.

Only the second and third Woodlarks of the autumn showing off all the features... © Erin Taylor



The first Redwings of the year proved tricky to catch and this one had us waiting until the very last net round of the day © Martin Cade:


...and with this Mistle Thrush and a Fieldfare also on the list it made for the first five thrush day of the autumn © Keith Pritchard: 


A couple of late Sandwich Terns lingering in the harbour © Joe Stockwell: