The breeding birds have been out in force making the most of the first calm, warm weather for a few days © Geoff Orton:
23rd June
Clear blue skies and a gentle sea breeze were the perfect conditions for a handful of high flying finches. Three Crossbills over the centre of the island were a much expected year-tick after their recent form across the south coast and further afield, whilst a Serin that dropped in briefly amongst the Linnets at the Bill was a welcome sighting of a Portland regular that's been conspicuously thin on the ground this year. The 2 Rosy Starlings lingered on at Weston, whilst marginally less exciting land-based observations included the lingering Reed Warbler at Culverwell with a second new individual at Weston, the first fly-over Grey Wagtail since the 9th May and a wealth of common breeding birds. The sea was a fraction more varied than in previous days with two Arctic Skuas west, a third calendar year Yellow-legged Gull and the standard fare including Common Scoter, Mediterranean Gulls, Black-headed Gulls and three Sandwich Terns.
