5th June

With the skies woefully devoid of any signs avian life, much of the day was spent in search of some of Portland's scare and rare plant life (see pictures below). The pinnacle of the birding day came in the form of two Balearic Shearwaters lingering amongst the evening gull flock. Otherwise land-based migrants were limited to...(don't get too excited now folks) Chiffchaffs, Blackcaps and a pair of Rooks.

The field adjacent to the Obs that was purchased last year is one of the few remaining (relatively) untouched areas of limestone grassland left on Portland and every year it provides a stunning display of orchids. This year is, so far, no exception with many of the nominate form of Bee Orchid appearing as well as this Wasp Orchid  © Martin King:

It's not just orchids that make Portland special but also the incredible diversity of vetches! Of the three pictured two are nationally scarce one of which, the Bithynian Vetch, is also declining in its coastal strongholds  © Erin Taylor:

Bithynian Vetch...

Grass Vetchling…

Yellow Vetch...