August 2000

    August 30th Another day with a reasonable arrival of common migrants, but no sign of anything really unexpected. Hirundines, Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and Willow Warblers were the most conspicuous migrants, and there were again a few Redstarts, and Pied and Spotted Flycatchers about the Bill area. Two groups of over-flying Black-tailed Godwits, totalling 24 birds, were unusual. Offshore, there were just a few commic Terns and Black-headed Gulls, and a single Pomarine Skua. August 29th The first really calm day for some time brought with it a few more migrants. Willow Warblers increased to 60 at the Bill, where there were also 30 Robins and 20 Tree Pipits, as well as a good sprinkle of all the expected common migrants for the time of year. In the afternoon a dramatic hatch of flying ants attracted more than 1000 hirundines to the Bill - the first decent gathering of the autumn. In the evening there was an out-of-the-blue sighting of a Cory's and a Sooty Shearwater during a brief seawatch from the Bill. The Curlew Sandpiper remained at Ferrybridge all day. August 28th Another rather lean day saw generally low numbers of common migrants logged. At the Bill higher counts included 60 Wheatears, 50 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Whitethroats, 15 Willow Warblers and 8 Grey Wagtails. Oddities included a Turtle Dove and a Grasshopper Warbler. A lone Curlew Sandpiper was at Ferrybridge throughout the day. August 27th Quieter all round today, with a change to fresher westerly weather and a drop in migrant numbers. Totals included 100 Wheatears, 50 Yellow Wagtails and 25 Willow Warblers, but otherwise just single figure counts of the other commoner migrants. Scarcer species included 5 Turtle Doves at Southwell, 4 Pied Flycatchers, and a single Nightingale at Blacknor. A lone Great Skua was the only noteworthy bird offshore. August 26th The recent easterly weather has promised much, but hasn't really produced the goods. Today saw a decent flurry of some of the commoner migrants, but the expected rarities failed to show. Around the Island, there were up to 500 Wheatears and 40 Whinchats, together with a sprinkle of other typical early autumn species. A Nightingale at the Bill was the only oddity. Seawatching produced 3 Balearic and 2 Sooty Shearwaters.  August 25th Another day dominated by a blasting easterly wind. A Little Shearwater passed east off the Bill early in the morning, but, with a supporting cast of just the first couple of returning auks and a single Manx Shearwater, it didn't mark the start of a good days seawatching. Birding on the land was difficult in the strong wind, although an Aquatic Warbler showed very briefly at Barleycrates Lane, and there were reasonable numbers of Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails around the Bill. Oddities included single Turtle Dove, Grasshopper Warbler and Pied Flycatcher at the Bill. August 24th Although some migrants continue to arrive in quite good supply, others that would normally be expected at this time of year remain very scarce. Today saw respectable totals at the Bill of, for example,  200 Wheatears, 40 Yellow Wagtails, 12 Tree Pipits and 10 Whinchats. However, warblers were virtually absent, with Willow Warblers barely reaching double-figures. Offshore, a lone Balearic Shearwater was the best bird seen. August 23rd A constant strong easterly wind again put paid to most passage, with nearly all the common migrants present in very low numbers, and a probable fly-through Dotterel at the Bill the nearest thing to a highlight of the day. Sand Martins passed through in fair supply all day, and an early Bullfinch showed up at Culverwell. A trickle of terns, including a single Black Tern, 2 Balearic Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua were the only reward from seawatching at the Bill. Waders at Ferrybridge included 10 Sanderling and 3 Knot. August 22nd The highlight today was the trapping of the fourth Melodious Warbler of the autumn at the Obs during the afternoon. Unfortunately, an ever strengthening easterly wind seemed to have put a stop to most routine migration, although a few oddities, including Merlin, Mediterranean Gull, Lesser Whitethroat and Pied Flycatcher, showed up at various times around the Bill. The sea remained very quiet, with 2 Arctic and a Great Skua very much the best birds seen. August 21st The improvement continued today, with another reasonable arrival of common migrants. Numbers were, in the main, rather similar to yesterday, although there were fewer Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails, and more Willow Warblers and hirundines. Less common species at the Bill included Merlin, 2 Greenshank and a Redshank, 5 Grey Wagtails and a Nightingale. Sea passage remained very slow, with nothing better than 2 Arctic Skuas seen from the Bill. August 20th A much better day today, with the first decent arrival of migrants for a couple of weeks. At the Bill, totals included 100 Wheatears, 60 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Willow Warblers, 10 Tree Pipits, 3 Whinchats and single Merlin, Turtle Dove, Cuckoo, Nightingale and Grasshopper Warbler; hirundines and Swifts also trickled through all day. August 19th More of the same today, with migrants remaining exceedingly few and far between. Wheatear was again the only common migrant in any numbers, with a total of only 40 at the Bill, and a handful elsewhere. The first autumn Purple Sandpiper was present at the Bill itself, whilst offshore, 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Puffin were the only birds of note. Waders at Ferrybridge included 180 Ringed Plovers, 100 Dunlin and 5 Sanderling. August 18th There was little change in the migrant situation today, with low numbers of everything except Wheatears. A fresher wind and heavy rain during the morning promised to perk-up seawatching, but in the event the only birds seen from the Bill were 38 commic Terns, 2 Arctic and a Great Skua, and a lone Manx Shearwater. August 17th A re-run of yesterday, with most migrants in such short supply that, again, not a single new bird was trapped at the Obs. Around the Bill, Wheatears increased slightly to more than 80, whilst overhead, Swifts and Sand Martins trickled through all day. At Ferrybridge, waders included 2 Knot and 2 Sanderling. August 16th A few more migrants were in evidence today, although it remained quiet for the time of year. At the Bill there were 70 Wheatears and 50 Sand Martins, but warblers were all but absent (not one new bird was trapped for ringing at the Obs in 6 hours of trying!). Seawatching provided just 10 Common Scoter, 2 Great Skuas and a Sandwich Tern. August 15th Migrants were again at a premium; the Nightingale of two days ago was retrapped at the Obs, and there were only a handful of new arrivals of the commonest species overnight. Freshening winds and sporadic rain in the afternoon produced nothing better than a single Great Skua on the sea.  August 14th After the events of yesterday, the sea was well covered all day, but proved to be rather quiet. Off the Bill, counts included 34 Common Scoter, 6 Balearic and 3 Manx Shearwaters, and 2 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas. Migrants were again very sparse on the land, where the highlight was just a single Reed Warbler. August 13th A change in the weather promised a few more birds, but the bizarre selection that showed up could not have been predicted. The land was unexpectedly quiet, with a Nightingale - one of only two birds trapped at the Obs all day - very much the highlight. With so little about in the way of migrants, interest moved to the sea following the sighting of 2 unseasonable Velvet Scoters passing the Bill. Soon an adult Long-tailed Skua flew west, and then, just before midday, a presumed Fea's Soft-plumaged Petrel passed frustratingly quickly in the same direction. These highlights aside, the seawatching was otherwise remarkably unproductive, with counts of just 34 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic and 2 Great Skuas, and 2 Manx Shearwaters. August 12th Another hot day saw a variety of migrants arrive, although all were in very low numbers. At the Bill there were 25 Willow Warblers, 25 Wheatears, 7 Yellow Wagtails, 4 Tree Pipits, 2 Garden Warblers, and single Redstart, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher. August 11th In very fine weather, migrants were again relatively sparse. At the Bill, counts included 50 Willow Warblers, 8 Garden Warblers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher. Twelve fly-by Mallards were the highlight of some unproductive seawatching. August 10th Migrants remained in low numbers at the Bill, where there were 45 Willow Warblers, 40 Wheatears, a Sedge Warbler, a Garden Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher. Seawatching provided just a single Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua. August 9th Numbers of common migrants fell even further today, and a single Wood Warbler at the Obs was the only minor highlight on the land. Offshore, 2 Great Skuas passed in the morning. August 8th A much quieter day, with both the Melodious Warblers having moved on, and only rather low numbers of migrants having arrived overnight. Willow Warbler numbers dropped to just 40 and, although most of the species seen in recent days were present, all were in reduced numbers. A lone Sooty Shearwater was reported passing the Bill in the afternoon. August 7th Yesterdays Melodious Warblers remained in the area, with both being seen together on occasions. Common migrants continue to arrive at the Bill in reasonable supply, with totals today including 150 Willow Warblers, 10 Garden Warblers, 5 Tree Pipits and 2 Pied Flycatchers. Passage offshore was limited to 50 Black-headed Gulls and a few Common Scoter. 

 

Melodious Warbler - the 3rd  ringed this autumn  © Charlie Moores

  August 6th The good start to the autumn continued today with the trapping of another Melodious Warbler at the Obs in the afternoon; the bird present for the past few days was still present in the morning at least. Common migrants were present in good supply at the Bill, where counts included 300 Willow Warblers, 25 Garden Warblers, 10 Pied Flycatchers, and a scatter of other typical early movers in lower numbers. A single Little Ringed Plover flew over the Bill and a Balearic Shearwater passed on the sea.  August 5th August More of the same today, with the Melodious Warbler present all day and a reasonable sprinkle of common migrants having arrived overnight. At the Bill, there were 100 Willow Warblers, 8 Garden Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, and single Reed and Sedge Warblers; fly-over waders included both Snipe and Greenshank. The sea produced just a single Balearic Shearwater. At Ferrybridge, waders included 145 Ringed Plovers, 130 Dunlin and 15 Sanderling.  August 4th Once again the Melodious Warbler remained in the vicinity of the Obs Quarry throughout the day. It was the busiest day of the autumn so far for common migrants: Willow Warblers numbered around 200 at the Bill, where there were also 12 Garden Warblers, 10 Sedge Warblers, 2 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Tree Pipits, 2 Grey Herons, and single Snipe, Grasshopper Warbler and Redstart. The sea was much quieter, and provided just 5 Manx Shearwaters. August 3rd The Melodious Warbler remained in the Obs Quarry for most of the day and entertained a steady stream of birders throughout. Other oddities at the Bill included 2 Little Ringed Plovers and a Wood Sandpiper. Common migrants were still in short supply, with the best being a single Grasshopper Warbler. With blustery westerly weather continuing the sea produced totals of 19 Balearic and 9 Manx Shearwaters, and a single Arctic Skua.  August 2nd The Melodious Warbler showed well for most of the day in the Obs Quarry, but it was otherwise a quiet day spoilt by freshening westerly winds. A handful of Willow Warblers and a Spotted Flycatcher were the only new migrants on the land, and seawatching was surprisingly  unproductive all day.

 

Melodious Warbler  - the 2nd  ringed this autumn  © Martin Cade

  August 1st The Hippolais run continued today with the trapping of a Melodious Warbler in the Obs garden; the bird later showed well in the Hut Fields and Obs Quarry. Common migrants were again thin on the ground, with little more than a sprinkle of Wheatears, Willow and Sedge Warblers, and a single Tree Pipit at the Bill. A fly-over Green Sandpiper there was more unusual.

July 2000

  July 31st The month finished, as it had begun, with a rare Hippolais warbler; this time a very elusive  Icterine Warbler that spent the late morning and early afternoon in the Hut Fields and adjacent edge of the Obs garden. It was accompanied by small numbers of common migrants, including 25 Willow Warblers, a few Sedge and Garden Warblers, and a Lesser Whitethroat. July 30th A sprinkle of migrants around the Bill in the morning included 70 Willow Warblers, 5 Grey Herons, 3 Tree Pipits, 8 Sedge Warblers and a single Pied Flycatcher. The sea was very quiet, and provided just 20 Common Scoter and a Whimbrel. July 29th A busier day, with decent numbers of typical migrants for the early autumn. Willow Warblers numbered more than 50 at the Bill, where there were also several Sedge Warblers and Blackcaps, and and a few Sand Martins passing through; the Green Woodpecker showed up again in the morning. Offshore, a total of 8 Balearic Shearwaters and a Black Tern were seen. July 28th Despite a less than promising start to the day, with very few migrants about, a Melodious Warbler was trapped in the Obs garden during the morning. Commoner migrants around the Bill area otherwise included just a handful of Willow Warblers and Blackcaps, and single Reed and Sedge Warblers. Off the Bill, 5 Balearic Shearwaters and a Great Skua passed during the morning. July 27th A much quieter day, with a meagre sprinkle of migrants. A Grasshopper Warbler at the Obs. was the best new bird, and there were otherwise just a handful of Willow Warblers and Garden Warblers. The Green Woodpecker was again around the Bill in the morning.   July 26th A similar day to yesterday, but without most of the better migrants. At the Bill, 30 Willow Warblers and 4 Garden Warbler were accompanied by just single Reed and Sedge Warblers; the Green Woodpecker was present for a second day. Waders were again numerous at Ferrybridge, where a lone Curlew Sandpiper was present in the evening with 200 Dunlin, 40 Ringed Plover and 4 Sanderling. July 25th A promising still and overcast dawn brought with it the first reasonable flurry of autumn migrants. At the Bill, there were 40 Willow Warblers, 6 Garden Warblers, 2 Cuckoos, and single Grasshopper Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Wood Warbler and Pied Flycatcher; a Black Redstart was again present, and a Green Woodpecker was an unusual visitor. Offshore, single Balearic Shearwater, Grey Plover and Arctic Skua were seen. Elsewhere on the Island, a fly-through Serin was seen at Barleycrates Lane. July 24th A similar day to yesterday. At least 8 Willow and a Sedge Warbler were at the Bill, where there was also a lone Black Redstart. Sea movement was limited to just 6 Manx Shearwaters and 6 Common Scoter. At Ferrybridge, waders included 3 Little Ringed Plover and a Curlew Sandpiper, as well as a brief reappearance of last weeks Kentish Plover. July 23rd At the Bill 3 Willow and a Sedge Warbler were the only land migrants found, and 35 Common Scoter, 4 Balearic Shearwaters and 3 Whimbrel were the highlights on the sea. Ferrybridge continues to get busier: todays wader totals included 325 Dunlin, 57 Ringed Plover, 3 Sanderling, 3 Little Ringed Plovers, and single Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Knot. July 22nd A stiff easterly wind dominated the day and most of the worthwhile birds were seen off the Bill. Common Scoter and Black-headed Gulls were moving in small numbers, and there were also 2 late Puffins, and single Balearic Shearwater, Curlew, Mediterranean Gull and Arctic Skua. At Ferrybridge, waders present included 153 Dunlin and a Little Stint. July 21st Another day of settled weather and few birds. At the Bill, migrants on the land included more Sand Martins, a Lapwing and a Willow Warbler. Offshore, there were a few Manx Shearwaters and Common Scoter, and single Balearic Shearwater, Mediterranean Gull and Arctic Skua. A Little Ringed Plover was at Ferrybridge. July 20th With the very fine weather continuing birds remained at a premium. Around the Bill there were just a few Sand Martins, 3 Grey Herons, a Greenshank, and single Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat. Seawatching was also slow with 4 Balearic Shearwaters the only birds of note. Dunlin numbers continue to increase at Ferrybridge: 68 were counted today. July 19th More very fine weather but, not surprisingly, very few birds. At the Obs Sand Martins trickled through all morning, a couple of Ringed Plovers flew over and the first 2 Garden Warblers of the autumn were seen. A single Common Sandpiper was seen on East Cliffs. July 18th A balmy summers day with a few birds on both land and sea. At the Obs Sand Martins passed over in some numbers and there were single Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Bullfinch; a couple of new Willow Warblers were seen at other Island sites. Off the Bill more than 40 Common Scoter, and single Balearic Shearwater and Pomarine Skua were seen. July 17th Back to earth with a bump today. A few returning migrants trickled through during the morning with Sand Martins, which numbered more than 50, the most prominent; also present on the land were single Grey Heron, Lapwing, Whimbrel, Yellow Wagtail and Willow Warbler. Off the Bill there were nearly 150 Common Scoter and 4 Balearic Shearwaters. July 16th An unexpectedly excellent day in what ought to be a quiet time of year. Bird of the day was a fine male Black-headed Bunting that spent nearly an hour in the morning around the Obs/Huts, and then Culverwell, before leaving to the north; a female Serin appeared briefly at the Obs at the same time. Also on the land, Sand Martins were moving in some numbers, single Reed and Grasshopper Warblers were seen at the Bill, and, most unusually for the time of year, a Coal Tit showed briefly at St Georges Church. Off the Bill, there was a small movement of Manx Shearwaters and Common Scoter, 3 Pomarine and a Great Skua, 2 Balearic Shearwaters, a Great Crested Grebe, and a report of a Black Guillemot. Finally, a female Kentish Plover found at Ferrybridge showed well during the afternoon. July 15th The wind eased markedly today but remained in the north, so it was a surprise that as many as 12 Balearic Shearwaters passed the Bill in the morning; also reported from the Bill were a few Manx Shearwaters and Common Scoter, and 4 Little Egrets. July 14th Not surprisingly, considering there was no respite from the cool, blustery weather that has been with us all week, little birding was done today. A few Manx Shearwaters and a couple of passing flocks of Common Scoter off the Bill were the only birds of note reported. July 13th Less all round today with just 50 Manx Shearwaters, 45 Common Scoter and a single Balearic Shearwater off the Bill, and a Blackcap in the Obs garden. July 12th The sea continued to provide most of the interest, with 200 Manx and a Balearic Shearwater, as well as 75 Common Scoter and a Storm Petrel off the Bill. Two Lapwing and a Whimbrel were at the Bill; and continuing the wader theme there were 40 Dunlin and 5 Sanderling at Ferrybridge. July 11th Plenty of Manx Shearwaters remained offshore at the Bill all day, but little else was seen on either the sea or the land. July 10th More very windy weather today saw another decent passage of Manx Shearwaters off the Bill, particularly in the evening when several hundred passed. Variety was otherwise pretty limited with just a single Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua seen. At Ferrybridge Dunlin have built up to 59, and the first young Little Terns are now on the wing. July 9th With unseasonably windy weather prevailing, birding activity was confined to seawatching at the Bill where there was a steady trickle of Manx and 3 Balearic Shearwaters, as well as 3 Arctic Skuas and a Storm Petrel. July 8th At the Bill a Snipe and a new Chiffchaff were the only noteworthy land migrants. Offshore a lone Balearic Shearwater passed, along with a trickle of Manx Shearwaters. July 7th After several very still days the wind increased conspicuously and Swifts were in good supply passing north all day. Returning waders included 3 Lapwings over Weston, and both Green Sandpiper and Curlew at the Bill. July 6th Another extremely quiet day with no noteworthy migrants at the Bill, and otherwise just a slight increase in Dunlin numbers at Ferrybridge. July 5th Once again little was seen on the land or sea at the Bill. At Ferrybridge return passage of common waders is starting: today saw 8 Dunlin, 3 Redshank and a Black-tailed Godwit recorded.  July 4th Persistent light rain meant there was little birding activity on the land, and the only new migrant discovered was a Reed Warbler at the Obs. Off the Bill, Common Scoter and Black-headed Gulls were passing in small numbers during the morning. July 3rd Back to form for the time of year today with the only worthwhile birds reported at the Bill being single Curlew, Whimbrel and Grey Wagtail. A Ring-necked Parakeet was an unusual but brief visitor to the middle of the Island in the morning. July 2nd Unfortunately the Sykes's Warbler had moved on overnight, but there was a surprisingly good selection of common migrants at the Bill, including single Whimbrel, Curlew, Yellow and Grey Wagtail, Redstart, Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff and Lesser Whitethroat. Off the Bill there were a few Manx Shearwaters and Common Scoter, as well as reports of both Great and Pomarine Skuas.

 

Sykes's Warbler © Martin Cade

 

July 1st There were a few new migrants about at the Bill in the morning, including a couple of Curlews, a Hobby and a Bullfinch, but otherwise no hint of the excitement to come when, soon after midday, a Booted Warbler (seemingly of the race rama - Sykes's Warbler - the second record for Britain) was trapped at the Obs. The bird remained for the rest of the day, eventually settling and showing well in the edge of the Obs garden.            

June 2000

  June 30th Persistent sea fog hampered birding today and the only migrants of note were singles of Redshank, Grey Wagtail and Willow Warbler at the Bill. June 29th There was no increase in the number of routine migrants recorded, but a fine 2nd summer Montagu's Harrier that spent a couple of hours quartering the fields at the Bill around midday was an unexpected bonus after several lean days.

 

Montagu's Harrier © Martin Cade

  June 28th A single new Chiffchaff at the Obs and a light passage of Swifts overhead were the only birds on the move today. June 27th The Island remained in the midsummer doldrums today and the only worthwhile birds reported were a few Manx Shearwaters and a single Great Skua off the Bill. June 26th The sea was unexpectedly productive in the morning when a few Manx Shearwaters, 50 Common Scoter and 3 late Pomarine Skuas passed the Bill. Elsewhere on the Bill land migrants included 2 Curlews and a Reed Warbler. June 25th More of the same today with a reasonable passage of  Manx Shearwaters, a single Balearic Shearwater and an Arctic Skua off the Bill June 24th Three Balearic and a few Manx Shearwaters were logged from the Bill, but it was otherwise a very quiet day with no migrants of note on the land. June 23rd With some improvement in the weather a little more was discovered on the land today. A 'green' Golden Oriole at Culverwell, and later Southwell, was considered to be different from the bird seen earlier in the week. Additional migrants around the Bill included singles of Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher. A few Manx Shearwaters were the only noteworthy birds offshore. June 22nd Another blustery day saw a total of 6 Storm Petrels recorded along with 22 Common Scoter and a steady passage of Manx Shearwaters off the Bill. A lone Yellow Wagtail over the Obs was the only land migrant of note. June 21st With the change to much cooler, blusterly weather the sea provided more interest than of late: Manx Shearwaters were conspicuous all day, a Balearic Shearwater passed the Bill, and singles of both Arctic and Great Skua were seen at Chesil Cove. On the land a Curlew and a Yellow Wagtail at the Bill were the only migrants of note. June 20th The same or another Golden Oriole was found at Culverwell in the morning, but otherwise the only signs of  movement were a couple of singing Reed Warblers and a Sand Martin at the Bill. June 19th Whilst the rest of the country roasted, Portland spent most of the day under another blanket of fog which perhaps accounted for the arrival of a female Golden Oriole that was trapped at the Obs in the morning. The bird stayed for a couple of hours but could not be found in the afternoon. A single Blackcap was the only other new arrival reported. June 18th The highlight today was a fly-by Serin at the Obs during the morning: the first sighting of the species since the long run of records in late April and early May. New migrants around the Bill included singles of Curlew, Sand Martin and Chiffchaff. June 17th Today saw just a sprinkle of birds typical of recent days: a Curlew and a Reed Warbler were found at the Bill, and a few Manx Shearwaters and a flock of commic Terns passed offshore. June 16th Fog blanketed the Island for much of the day, but lifted long enough at Weston for the Rose-coloured Starling to be spotted again very briefly in the middle of the morning. Elsewhere, both Ringed Plover and Sandwich Tern were heard but not seen from the Obs. Seawatching was impossible all day. June 15th Again today the few migrants about at the Bill seemed to be going in both directions: a Spotted Flycatcher was presumably a late spring bird, whilst a Curlew was probably an autumn migrant. Off the Bill there were just a few passing Manx Shearwaters and Common Scoter. June 14th More of the same today with just a Sand Martin and a Reed Warbler at the Bill, and a few Manx Shearwaters offshore. At Ferrybridge the first Little Tern chick hatched today (visible on the video-link currently available at the Chesil Beach Centre). June 13th With the land once again very quiet it was down to seawatching to provide what few birds were noted: Manx Shearwaters were offshore in small numbers all day, and up to 4 Storm Petrels were lingering off the Bill.  June 12th The sole new migrant on the land, perhaps heralding the start of return passage, was a Whimbrel. The predictable westward trickle of Manx Shearwaters off the Bill was enlivened by the presence of several lingering Storm Petrels through the morning.  June 11th A surprise, but all too brief,  reappearance by the Rose-coloured Starling, this time near the Southwell School, was the highlight of the day. Common migrants included singles of Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, and seawatching from the Bill provided no more than a few Manx Shearwaters. June 10th A handful of late migrants continue to pass through. Today saw a Hobby, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher logged at the Bill, where there was also a single Corn Bunting. After yesterdays strong eastward movement of Manx Shearwaters today saw a good many trickling back westward all day. June 9th Despite a promising feel to the morning new arrivals on the land were restricted to 2 Chiffchaffs and a single Reed Warbler trapped at the Obs. Storm Petrels were still a feature offshore early in the day and there was also a report of a Cory's Shearwater off the Bill. As the wind increased in the evening there was a strong up-Channel movement of more than 1000 Manx Shearwaters together with a lone Arctic Skua. June 8th Little change today with hardly any sign of late migrants on the land. The sea provided a few lingering Storm Petrels in the evening, and after dark the first attempt of the summer to tape-lure them resulted in the trapping of 7 birds. June 7th A second successive quiet day, with just the odd Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher about. June 6th A quiet day with very few new migrant arrivals, save for a few hirundines trickling through. A lone Arctic Skua passed the Bill in the morning. June 5th The Rose-coloured Starling was still present early in the day, this time around the Coastguards and Hut Fields; unfortunately it disappeared after a couple of hours and had not been found again by the end of the day. Common migrants were again sparse, but included a late Black Redstart, as well as a couple of Reed Warblers and Spotted Flycatchers, and singles of  Whinchat, Blackcap and Willow Warbler. The only birds of note off the Bill were 2 Arctic Skuas. 

 

Red-backed Shrike © Paul Gale

 

June 4th A fine singing male Red-backed Shrike was a welcome morning arrival today; it was discovered in Top Fields and ranged as far as the Obs. Quarry before returning and settling in Top Fields in the afternoon. Even better though was the very showy adult male Rose-coloured Starling which was found in the middle of the afternoon on the roadside beside the Dung Heap. Once again common migrant arrivals were restricted to the odd Reed Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher here and there. Seawatching from the Bill produced 2 Arctic Skuas and a Storm Petrel, as well as the routine Manx Shearwaters.

 

Rosy Starling © Paul Gale

 

June 3rd Today saw the arrival of the first decent scarce migrant since mid-May: a singing Golden Oriole briefly in Culverwell early in the morning. There were again a few Reed Warblers about the Island, but movement was otherwise limited to a trickle of hirundines and 2 Hobbies passing straight through. Out to sea the highlight was a single Pomarine Skua off the Bill. June 2nd A similar selection of common migrants to yesterday, with Reed Warblers, which totalled 6 at the Bill, a little more prominent. Seawatching from the Bill produced 2 Pomarine and single Great and Arctic Skuas. June 1st New month, same old birds. A handful of seemingly fresh migrants arrived at the Bill, including 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Blackcaps and a Sedge Warbler. Offshore there was a single Storm Petrel and a scatter of Manx Shearwaters.    

May 2000

    May 31st There was little of interest anywhere today. A single Spotted Flycatcher at the Obs. was virtually the only new migrant on the land; whilst the sea, with just single Pomarine and Arctic Skuas off the Bill in the evening, was hardly better. May 30th Persistent drizzle put the block on birding for most of the day, and the best birds logged were a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher at the Obs., and a Storm Petrel and a small evening movement of Manx Shearwaters off the Bill. May 29th A ridge of high pressure improved the weather and migrants were a little more conspicuous than for many days. At the Bill, where the highlight was a Tree Sparrow at the Obs., counts included 8 Spotted Flycatchers and 7 Reed Warblers, as well as singles of Whinchat and Sedge Warbler; lower numbers of the same species were also reported from several other Island sites. Offshore, Manx Shearwaters again figured prominently, and there were also 7 Arctic and a Pomarine Skua, and 3 Storm Petrels. Two Purple Sandpipers were again on the shore at the Bill. May 28th The sea again provided most of the interest, with totals from the Bill of more than 100 Manx and the first Balearic Shearwater of the summer, 3 Arctic and 2 Great Skuas, and 2 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver. A lingering Purple Sandpiper was still on the shore at the Bill, and the handful of migrants on the land included 2 Turtle Doves at Southwell, and 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Reed Warbler at the Bill. May 27th More of the same today with no end to the wind and showers. Offshore there were 50 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Pomarine, 2 Great and an Arctic Skua, and 2 Red-throated Divers, whilst in the inclement conditions just 2 Reed Warblers and a Whimbrel were discovered at the Bill.  May 26th The third wet day in the last four saw no let-up in the recent dismal spell. On the land the one or two new migrants noted included singles of Yellow Wagtail, Blackcap and Willow Warbler, whilst off the Bill a lone Great Northern Diver and a few Manx Shearwaters were the best. May 25th Blustery westerly weather continued to dominate and as expected there was virtually nothing of note on the land. Off the Bill there were more than 100 Manx Shearwaters, 25 Common Scoter and 5 Arctic Skuas. May 24th Despite a more pleasant start today soon deteriorated into a repeat of yesterdays washout. Once again there were a few Spotted Flycatchers dotted about the Island, but the only other birds on the move were the hirundines that trickled in all morning. A Great Skua and a Storm Petrel were the only worthwhile birds logged off the Bill. At Ferrybridge wader passage seems to be tailing off: today saw counts of just 20 Dunlin and 4 Sanderling. May 23rd A miserable day which started unpleasantly blustery and ended up as a washout. On the land a few Spotted Flycatchers were seen before it rained. Off the Bill there was just a trickle of Manx Shearwaters and a single Great Skua. May 22nd Westerly weather continued to dominate and it remained very quiet. A handful of Spotted Flycatchers were dotted around the Island, but otherwise there were just singles of Yellow Wagtail, and Reed and Sedge Warbler. At the Bill, where there was a late Purple Sandpiper on the shore, 2 Storm Petrels in the morning were the only birds of note offshore. May 21st Despite less than ideal blustery north-westerly winds the sea provided virtually all the birds worth reporting. Over 100 Manx Shearwaters and 70 Common Scoter were logged off the Bill, along with 9 Knot, 3 Great Northern Divers, a Red-throated Diver, a Storm Petrel, and single Great and Pomarine Skuas. A Hobby at Fortuneswell was the only worthwhile migrant on the land.  May 20th A short-lived ridge of high pressure settled the weather and a handful more common migrants were discovered. About the Island as a whole there were 25 or more Spotted Flycatchers, as well as a few Yellow Wagtails, Whinchats and Reed Warblers, and a single Grasshopper Warblers. A lone Black Tern passed the Bill in the evening. May 19th No change in the weather or the birds today. A single Spotted Flycatcher was again the highlight on the land, and seawatching produced 2 Arctic and a Pomarine Skua. May 18th Blustery north-westerly weather rarely produces much at Portland, and today was no exception. On the land a single Spotted Flycatcher at the Obs. was just about the only bird of note, whilst offshore there were a few Manx Shearwaters and a lone Great Skua. May 17th A total change to blustery, much cooler, westerly weather did nothing to improve the situation for common migrants, which remained conspicuously few and far between everywhere. A lone 'green' Golden Oriole was seen in flight at Wakeham, but could not be relocated later. Surprisingly little was stirred-up offshore: off the Bill the only birds of note were a trickle of Manx Shearwaters, single Red-throated and Great Northern Divers, and a Great Skua. May 16th The Fan-tailed Warbler remained overnight but was much more difficult to pin down as it ranged between the Bill and Culverwell for the first few hours of the day; it finally left to the north around mid-morning and was not relocated. After another foggy night very few common migrants arrived and a lone Hobby was the only bird of note discovered later in the day.  

Fan-tailed Warbler © Alan Tate

  May 15th Dense fog continued to shroud the Island from dawn and it was soon evident that virtually no new migrants had arrived overnight. However, no sooner had the sun started to burn off the fog than a Fan-tailed Warbler was seen seemingly arriving in off the sea. It later settled and showed well between the Pulpit Pub and the Lower Admiralty compound, before moving to Culverwell in the evening. A 'green' Golden Oriole was also trapped and ringed at the Obs. as the fog cleared. May 14th With swirling sea-fog lingering all day, at least at the Bill, today was the quietest day for a long time. The only migrants of note were a Turtle Dove and yesterdays Firecrest still present at the Obs.  May 13th Neither of the rarities reported today stayed around to please the weekend visitors: a Hoopoe flew north past one observer at the Grove, and a Bee-eater was spotted from the car of another birder driving down the Bill Road. A small flurry of late migrants in early morning fog at the Bill included 3 Redpolls, a Grasshopper Warbler, a Firecrest and a Pied Flycatcher, and later a couple of Hobbies were seen. With limited visibility the sea produced just 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, and a single Great Skua.  May 12th With the bulk of spring migrants having seemingly passed through, the emphasis appears to be switching to variety rather than numbers. A brief Red-throated Pipit at Weston was the highlight of the day, although this was almost matched in local rarity terms by the Stone Curlew that showed up for a little longer in Top Fields. On the land migrants included 3 Hobbies, a Turtle Dove and a late Redpoll at the Bill. Off the Bill seawatching produced 80 commic Terns,11 Pomarine and 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Storm Petrels and a Little Egret. At Ferrybridge 40 Sanderlings represented the highest count of the species so far this spring. May 11th A subtle change in the weather, with stronger easterly winds and more overcast skies, resulted in a much better day for birds. At the Obs. an apparent Iberian Chiffchaff was trapped and ringed in the early afternoon. This bird was not heard calling or singing but showed many of the in-hand features and biometrics of the species. Later in the afternoon 2 separate Honey Buzzards arrived in off the sea at the Bill. On the land Spotted Flycatchers were conspicuous: 20 were trapped at the Obs. and more than 50 were present around the Bill area. Other migrants included a Wood Warbler at the Obs., several Turtle Doves at the Bill, and good numbers of Swifts and hirundines passing through. May 10th Another hazy, hot day saw two good raptors reported: a Black Kite just clipped the north-west corner of the Island en route to the mainland, and a Montagu's Harrier appeared overhead at Ferrybridge. Land and sea were otherwise very quiet, with no particularly noteworthy migrants save for a Little Stint and 10 Black Terns at Ferrybridge. May 9th Little change in the weather and little change in the birds. Again very few common migrants arrived overnight and seawatching continued to be thwarted by poor visibility. A lone Serin put in two brief appearances at Culverwell, there were 4 Wood Warblers at sites between Southwell and Weston, and a late Ring Ouzel was in the Top Fields. Offshore the highlight was the first Storm Petrel of the year at the Bill in the evening. May 8th Despite there being no obvious change in the prevailing hot, humid weather, today was a considerable anticlimax. The Wryneck and Woodchat Shrike had both moved on overnight and unfortunately nothing of note arrived in their place. Swifts and hirundines continued to pass through in high numbers, but otherwise common migrants were still scarce, with the best being 2 Pied Flycatchers, a Turtle Dove and a Black Redstart. Morning seawatching was hampered by poor visibility, but in the evening a selection of waders, including 30 Whimbrel, were seen off Chesil Beach. May 7th With the hot weather continuing this was another day that came up with the goods, at least in terms of the rarities and sea passage recorded. A Woodchat Shrike was a new arrival in the Top Fields, the Wryneck at the Obs. Quarry continued to please the crowds, and an Iceland Gull commuted between Ferrybridge and the Bill. Less settled were a fly-over female Montagu's Harrier, a Ring-necked Parakeet, a Nightjar and a Tree Sparrow at the Bill, and one or more flighty Golden Orioles reported from several sites. Common migrants were thin on the ground everywhere, but included 2 Wood Warblers at the Obs. The Chesil Beach was the place to seawatch: here there were 800 commic and 169 Black Terns, as well as 6 Little Gulls; the Bill, with just a trickle of commic Terns and 4 Arctic Skuas, was poor in comparison. May 6th Expectations were high following the arrival of very warm weather but this proved to be a day when most of the rarities seen were on the move, and only seen by their lucky finders. The Wryneck at the Obs. Quarry continued to show well all day, but less obliging were a Bee-eater heard over the East Weares, at least 1 Golden Oriole in the same area, and a Honey Buzzard passing through along the West Cliffs. Migrant numbers, with the exception of hirundines, were considerably lower than yesterday, although most of the same species were still represented; scarcer migrants recorded included 2 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest at the Bill, and at least 3 Hobbies. Hirundines streamed through all day: conservative estimates put Swallow numbers alone at 7500. The sea was productive, with the Chesil Beach predictably doing well in the very hazy conditions: here there were 38 Black and a Roseate Tern, whilst the Bill provided 90 Common Scoter, 12 Black Terns, 12 Little Gulls, a Great Northern Diver and a few waders. May 5th A classic Portland spring day. Under an overcast sky at dawn it soon became apparent that there had been a major fall of migrants: Swifts were arriving in numbers off the sea, and the Bill was alive with a variety of common migrants - many flying straight through into the strong north-east wind. The total of 220 new birds trapped and ringed at the Obs spoke volumes for this sudden rush of birds after a long relatively barren spell for common migrants. Day totals for the Bill area were difficult to estimate with so many birds not lingering but included minimums of 750 Swifts, 500 Willow Warblers, 80 Whinchat, 80 Garden Warblers, 75 Spotted Flycatchers, 50 Whitethroats, 15 Pied Flycatchers, 20 Tree Pipits, 15 Sedge Warblers, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Turtle Doves, 5 Wood Warblers, 4 Redstarts, 3 Reed Warblers, 3 Cuckoos and a Nightingale. Rarity interest was maintained with 3 Serins, including 2 males together at the Obs, and the rediscovery of yesterdays Wryneck which eventually showed well at the Obs. Quarry once the weather improved in the afternoon. May 4th The recent run of interest continued with the discovery of a short-stay Wryneck during the morning at the Bill Quarry, and another Serin during the afternoon near the Eight Kings Quarry. Most common migrants were represented, albeit generally still in lowish numbers; Swifts were an exception, being logged passing through in good supply all day. A single Pied Flycatcher was at the Obs, a lone Wood Warbler at Verne Common and at least a couple of Hobbies ranging widely. Off shore passage included a good variety of waders, including 5 Black-tailed Godwits, off Chesil Beach in the morning, and a Little Egret and single Pomarine and Arctic Skuas. May 3rd There were conspicuously fewer migrants about today, but the rarity interest was maintained at the Obs. where there was another fly-by Serin, and, in the nick of time in the evening, a sub-adult  male Golden Oriole which was found trapped in one of the mist-nets. Commoner migrants included 2 Wood Warblers at the Obs. and a Black Redstart on the East Cliffs, as well as a trickle of Swifts passing through all day. At sea, day totals off the Bill included 100 Bar-tailed Godwits, 20 Dunlin, 2 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, and a Grey Plover.  

Golden Oriole © Martin Cade

  May 2nd At long last a decent spring day with migrants, seabirds and rarities. The now daily flurry of Serins continued with several sightings at the Bill and Southwell, but much more exciting was a Short-toed Lark which showed well on the slopes above the Lower Admiralty during the morning. A Woodchat Shrike was reported briefly near the Pulpit Pub in the afternoon. Numbers of common migrants picked up markedly across the Island. At the Obs the 45 birds ringed included both Pied and Spotted Flycatchers, and the Bill area in general was much busier, with Whinchats and Wheatears especially prominent. Elsewhere 2 Hobbies passed through at Weston. Off the Bill, sea watching totals included 113 Bar-tailed Godwits, 11 Pomarine and 1 Arctic Skua, 3 Knot and a Great Northern Diver.  

Short-toed Lark © Peter Coe

  May 1st With the settled weather continuing most common migrants were again at a premium. Hirundines were conspicuous all day, and there were 2 Hobbies, a Turtle Dove and a Wood Warbler at the Bill. One or more Serins continued to be seen occasionally anywhere between the Bill and Southwell. Sea passage was still rather disappointing: at the Bill 400 Bar-tailed Godwits passed but there were just single Arctic and Pomarine Skuas, whilst off Chesil Beach 5 Pomarine Skuas were counted along with a variety a waders. At Ferrybridge Little Terns now numbered nearly 100.