11th-14th December

A few days of relatively settled conditions that allowed for better coverage. The tail end of late autumn passage was evidenced by 20 Redwing and 2 Song Thrush calls logged by the nocmig recorder at the Obs overnight on 12th/13th and some apparent new Chiffchaffs at the Bill, including 5 in the Crown Estate Field on 13th; the total of at least 11 Goldcrests scattered about between the Obs and the Grove were presumed winterers as were the singles of Water Rail and Reed Bunting at the Bill and 2 Black Redstarts at Chesil Cove. The Goosander continued from time to time at Portland Castle, with 5 Black-necked Grebes and a Black-throated Diver amongst the harbour regulars. Daily Red-throated Divers off the Bill peaked at 8 on 13th with 4 Pintail also through on that date, when 11 Common Scoter represented their peak of the month to date.

The Portland Castle Goosander was still putting on a good show on 11th © Pete Saunders:

Red-throated Diver © Debby Saunders and Common Scoters © Pete Saunders passing the Bill on 14th: 

managed to dodge the black redstarts again despite hearing one, great to watch the portland castle goosander hunting and a GND there with two more off hamm beach. not sure if this one has an eel or pipefish. oddest spectacle was an early fulmar return circling over chesil cove and fortuneswell

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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) December 11, 2025 at 6:14 PM

Calm night saw a mini flurry of migrant moths at the Obs: 4 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Turnip and a Silver Y + a late Radford's Flame Shoulder. This mrng a Red Admiral on the wing at the Obs (yesterday, there was another Painted Lady there).

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) December 13, 2025 at 10:43 AM