23rd November

Less windy today but the crystal clear sky did no favours when it came to dropping migrants, with a grounded Snipe one of the few new arrivals at the Bill; the Siberian Chiffchaff was still there and 2 Black Redstarts and a Merlin were again available for those looking. Starlings accounted for the bulk of the numbers overhead, with 235 in from the south at the Bill and another 450 north at Blacknor; the bitsy passage overhead also included 12 Redwings, 8 Bramblings, 6 Fieldfares, a Lapwing, a Siskin and a frustrating 'one call wonder' likely Tree Pipit over the Bill. A nice little miscellany of waterfowl through off the Bill included 24 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Divers, 6 Brent Geese, 6 Teal, 3 Wigeon and singles of Shelduck, Red-breasted Merganser and Goosander.

In conjunction with the Obs, UK Birding Pins have recently released a PBO pin badge:

We will shortly have stock available at the Obs but in the meanwhile the pin badge can be ordered direct from UK Birding Pins at Portland Bird Observatory Pin Badge

During this autumn visitors to the Obs will have seen some of us wearing rather exclusive hoodies (actually very exclusive since only five of them were made!) bearing a PBO 60th Anniversary logo - these were a one-off order by one of our trustees, Mark 'Slasher' Cutts. Following lots of positive comments Mark's offered to make these Contrast Hoodies, as well as Polo Shirts bearing the same logo, available to our members and supporters.

They both come in small, medium, large, extra large and sizes upwards. The Polo Shirts come in Black, Red, Royal or Navy Blue, Heather or Solid Grey, Green or Burgundy; the Contrast Hoodies come in a variety of colour combinations. Please send requests to slashercutts@gmail.com with colour and size requirements. Mark will check availability and get back to you. Once confirmed, payment can be made to the Obs bank account via a BACS transfer. 

Contrast Hoodies are £25.00 each and Polo’s £15.00. Ideally items will be picked up from the Obs but Mark can post items out at a standard cost of £4:00 for 1-2 items.