Despite our proximity to their UK heartland in east Devon (on a clear day many of their breeding sites are visible from the West Cliffs!), Cirl Bunting is these days a high value rarity at Portland and certainly not the sort of thing that you'd have been expecting when asked by a member of the public for help with a 'finch-like bird' that had become trapped in the roof space of a garage at Southwell. At first the identity of the mystery bird fluttering in the gloom amongst the rafters of the garage wasn't immediately apparent but once we were atop a step ladder wafting a hand net at it it became clear what it was - not quite an Allen's Gallinule moment but surprisingly galvanising nonetheless © Martin Cade:
