February 2006

February 28th

An unexpectedly pleasant sunny morning gave way to more indifferent conditions that even included a passing snow shower during the afternoon. There was nothing more interesting at the Bill than 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Fieldfares and a Snipe on the land, 5 Eider still settled offshore and another 3 passing Red-throated Divers. Elsewhere there were 8 Fieldfares at Barleycrates Lane and 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge.

Red Admirals ventured on to the wing at Priory Corner and in the Obs garden during the morning.

February 27th

The assortment around the island today included a Firecrest at Weston, 8 Fieldfares and a Redwing at Barleycrates Lane and a Lapwing and a Snipe at the Bill. Seven Eider remained off the Bill where another 13 Red-throated Divers passed by.

Late news for recent days: the majority of reports were of sea passage off the Bill where a total of 65 Red-throated Divers passed between 18th and 26th (maximum of 21 on 19th); singles of Sooty Shearwater (18th), Shoveler (19th), Red-necked Grebe (21st) and Great Skua (22nd) also passed by during this period. The land remained very quiet with the pick of the sightings being of up to 4 Black Redstarts scattered around on 22nd/23rd and 6 Lapwings at the Bill on 25th. A single Hummingbird Hawk-moth was on the wing at Weston on 25th.

February 17th

Just a hint of some spring movement this morning when a total of 33 Black-headed Gulls passed up-Channel off the Bill. A single Manx Shearwater also passed through but that was perhaps more likely to have been an unseasonable wintering bird rather than an exceptionally early spring arrival; 9 Eider and 5 Common Scoter were still settled offshore and 6 more Red-throated Divers also passed by. Further odds and sods included 7 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstone, 2 Fieldfares and a Common Buzzard at the Bill and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and several Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge.

Please note that there will be no updates to the site for the next few days; normal service will resume on 27th February.

February 16th

The mild, showery and blustery conditions that have set in over recent days continued and there was a pretty poor return for today's efforts. Four Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill where 9 Eider and 6 Common Scoter were still settled offshore and 6 Purple Sandpipers were again present at the Bill. The only other reports were of a Blackcap at Weston, 10 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and 6 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes in Portland Harbour.

February 15th

The only reports today were of 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Golden Plover at the Bill, 9 Eider and 6 Common Scoter still settled off East Cliffs, a Red-throated Diver passing through off the Bill and 6 Black-necked and 6 Slavonian Grebes in Portland Harbour.

   

    

  Little Egret - Ferrybridge, February 14th 2006 © Martin Cade

  February 14th

Almost a blank today with virtually nobody in the field. The only reports were of 200 Brent Geese, 12 Mediterranean Gulls and several Little Egrets at Ferrybridge and a single Common Buzzard at the Bill.

Late news for yesterday: a fuller count of the auks off the Bill came up with a total of at least 3000 (with an 8:1 ratio in favour of Razorbills). The assessment of Portland Harbour being very quiet during the morning proved to be unduly pessimistic as 21 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Slavonian Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe, a Black-throated Diver and a Common Scoter were found there during the afternoon.

February 13th

More of the same at the Bill where there were 3 Snipe, 2 Fieldfares and a Buzzard on the land, 9 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea, 9 Eider and 8 Common Scoter were settled offshore and many hundreds of auks - still mainly Razorbills - were lingering offshore. Elsewhere there was a Chiffchaff at Weston, whilst a pretty thorough look at Portland Harbour in calm conditions revealed nothing more than 248 Red-breasted Mergansers, 13 Great Crested Grebes and 6 Black-necked Grebes.

February 12th

The forecast change in the weather duly materialised overnight when heavy cloud and a short spell of rain pushed through. The only reports were from the Bill where 10 Common Scoter and 6 Eider were settled offshore, 2 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea and there were 2 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Fieldfares on the land.

Two unidentified dolphins were seen briefly off the Bill.

February 11th

The weekend saw quite a few more birders in the field but quality birds were thin on the ground. The Bill area provided 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Snipe and 2 Fieldfares, along with what looked to be quite an increase in Meadow Pipit numbers. Offshore, seabird numbers have increased again (with 2000 or more auks - still mostly Razorbills - being particularly conspicuous), the 5 Eider were still settled off East Cliffs and 10 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Divers, 4 Eider and a Red-breasted Merganser passed through on the sea. Elsewhere there was a Siskin at the Grove, a Black Redstart and a Chiffchaff at Weston, a Fieldfare at Barleycrates Lane, 4 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose with 60 Dark-bellied Brents in Portland Harbour.

February 10th

More decent weather and another good quality new arrival in the form of a Crossbill passing overhead at the Grove. Both the Weston Black Redstarts showed up, a Little Egret passed overhead at Victoria Square and there were 6 Snipe, 3 Common Buzzards and 3 Fieldfares at the Bill. Five Common Scoter, a Black-necked Grebe and an Eider were in Portland Harbour, another 5 Eider remained settled off the Bill and 4 Red-throated Divers and Shelduck passed through on the sea there.

February 9th

A pleasant spring-like day with plenty of warmth in the sun. New arrivals included 2 Rooks over the Bill, a Siskin passing overhead at Weston, a Grey Heron over Southwell and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane, whilst long-stayers on view included a Black Redstart at Weston and 5 Purple Sandpipers, a Common Buzzard and a Snipe at the Bill. Another 12 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill where 8 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver and a Brent Goose also passed by and 4 Eider were still settled offshore.

   

    

  Little Owl by torchlight - Portland Bill, February 8th 2006 © Martin Cade

  February 8th

Still nothing much changing. Eight Purple Sandpipers, 6 Fieldfares, a Common Buzzard and a Snipe were at the Bill, where 5 Eider remained settled offshore and a single Red-throated Diver passed through. Elsewhere there were 25 Great Crested and 4 Black-necked Grebes, 5 Common Scoter, at least 3 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Eider in Portland Harbour and a Little Egret at Grove Point. Also of interest at the Bill, the resident Obs Quarry Little Owl has been calling almost constantly in recent nights in what seems to be have become a forlorn quest for a mate.

Finally, a couple of diary dates for the spring: the next In Focus field events at the Obs take place on 28th March and 17th May.

February 7th

Very little change on the land, with 8 Fieldfares, 6 Snipe, a Common Buzzard and a Redwing at the Bill and 7 Fieldfares and a Redwing at Barleycrates Lane. Seawatching at the Bill provided 11 Common Scoter and 4 Eider settled offshore and 11 Red-throated Divers passing through.

February 6th

Just routine fare today, with 8 Fieldfares, 2 Golden Plovers, a Common Buzzard and a Redwing at the Bill, 10 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill, 3 Eider still settled off East Cliffs and 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge.

February 5th

The big rarity today was the welcome return of clear skies and warm sunshine for the first time in nearly a week. On the bird front there were 9 Fieldfares, a Common Buzzard, a Lapwing, a Snipe and a Redwing at the Bill, where there were also 2 Eider still settled offshore and 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter passed through on the sea. Elsewhere there were 7 Black-necked Grebes, a Great Northern Diver and an Eider in Portland Harbour.

The pleasant sunshine tempted a Red Admiral on to the wing at Southwell.

Late news for yesterday: a Merlin was reported from Tout Quarry.

February 4th

Although it remained dull and drab it felt not nearly so unpleasant today with the temperature having crept up several degrees. There was little change on the bird front with the Bill area producing 22 Song Thrushes, 9 Fieldfares, 8 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Snipe, 4 Turnstones, 3 Common Buzzards and 2 Redwings; 3 Eider were still settled offshore and 7 Common Scoter passed through on the sea. Elsewhere there was another single Fieldfare at Weston. 

February 3rd

Still very cold, grey and miserable. The Bill area produced 20 Song Thrushes, at least 16 Golden Plovers, 9 Fieldfares, a Common Buzzard, a Snipe and a Redwing, as well as 5 Eider still settled offshore (but the sea was otherwise all but lifeless following a complete clear-out of the large flocks of feeding seabirds that have been a feature since the turn of the year). Elsewhere there were 73 Dunlin, 42 Ringed Plover, 22 Mediterranean Gulls and a Knot at Ferrybridge. 

   

    

  Golden Plover - Victoria Square, February 2nd 2006 © Martin Cade

  February 2nd

Heavily overcast skies, reduced visibility and a real chill in the air - Portland at its most dismal. The only reports received were of a Golden Plover and a Snipe at the Bill, the same or another Golden Plover later in the day at Victoria Square, and 33 Ringed Plover, 25 Mediterranean Gulls and 7 Little Egrets at Ferrybridge.

Late news for yesterday: a Black Redstart was at Perryfields and a Chiffchaff was in a garden at Reap Lane.

February 1st

Portland Harbour was busy today, with totals that included 230 Red-breasted Mergansers, 10 Great Crested, 6 Black-necked and a Red-necked Grebe, 6 Common Scoter, 2 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, and 1 Eider; nearby at Ferrybridge there were 14 Mediterranean Gulls. Eight Red-throated Divers and a Goldeneye passed through off the Bill, a Grey Wagtail and a Redwing were at Southwell and a Fieldfare at Barleycrates Lane, whilst at least 3 Common Buzzards continued to roam the south of the island.

January 2006

January 31st

Weston provided some early interest with a Barn Owl flying over at dawn and at least one of the Black Redstarts still present. Seven Red-throated Divers and 2 Wigeon passed through off the Bill where 14 Common Scoter were settled offshore and 2 Common Buzzards remained on the land. Elsewhere there were 27 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and 146 Dunlin, 6 Common Scoter, 5 Little Egrets, 2 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Eider and a Great Northern Diver at Portland Harbour.

Late news for yesterday: 2 Knot were at Ferrybridge.

January 30th

Not a hint of a change in the weather with the blasting easterly wind keeping it feeling very cold. The year-ticks hardly come thick and fast at Portland in mid-winter so the addition of a fly-over Hen Harrier at the Grove was a welcome bonus today. The continued presence of large numbers of seabirds feeding offshore (where Gannets increasing to more than 300) was the main feature of interest at the Bill where there were also 9 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Turnstones and a Common Buzzard on the land and at least a single Eider still settled off East Cliffs. Elsewhere there were 520 Brent Geese (including 2 Pale-bellied Brents), 19 Mediterranean Gulls and 4 Bar-tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge, nearly 600 Herring Gulls (feeding around the edges of the extensive sand-banks exposed by the very low spring tide) and 4 Black-necked Grebes in Portland Harbour, 3 Fieldfares at the Grove and 2 Black Redstarts at Weston.

A party of at least 4 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off the Bill during the morning.

January 29th

A couple more additions to the island year-list today in the form of an Arctic Skua that appeared amongst the mass of feeding seabirds off the Bill and a Brambling that was discovered visiting a bird-table at Courtlands. Otherwise it was more of the same as in recent days, with 300 Brent Geese at Ferrybridge, 31 Fieldfares at the windmills at Easton, a Redwing and a Goldcrest at Easton, a Blackcap at Weston, 5 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Turnstone and a Snipe at the Bill, 3 Eider settled off the Bill and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Red-throated Diver and a Goldeneye passing through off the Bill.

January 28th

The most unpleasant day of the recent cold spell with the biting north-east wind having noticeably strengthened overnight. Four Fieldfares, a Common Buzzard and a Snipe were at the Bill, where 2 Eider were still settled off East Cliffs, a Red-breasted Merganser passed through on the sea and there were again large numbers of Gannets, gulls and auks feeding offshore. The only other report received was of 3 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge.

January 27th

All the news today came from the Bill where there were 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Snipe, a Common Buzzard, a Lapwing and a Fieldfare on the land, 3 Eider still settled offshore and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers passed through on the sea; several thousand auks (mainly Razorbills), 500 Kittiwakes, 50 Gannets and a single Mediterranean Gull were among the large feeding flocks of birds offshore.

January 26th

The Reap Lane/Barleycrates Lane thrush flock numbered 25 Fieldfares and a single Redwing, with another 4 Fieldfares present at the Bill. Four Common Buzzards were scattered around the centre and south of the island, whilst other sightings of note included 11 Long-tailed Tits at Avalanche Road, a Blackcap at Ventnor Road, a Chiffchaff at Easton, a Lapwing at the Bill and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill.

January 25th

A raw north-easterly wind ensured excursions into the field were few and far between today. Four Goldeneye, 2 Mallards and a Red-throated Diver passed through off the Bill, where 6 Purple Sandpipers and a Common Buzzard were again present on the land. The only other report of interest was of a party of 14 Linnets at the windmills at Easton.

January 24th

Thrushes figured again today, with a decent sized flock at Reap Lane found to contain 64 Redwings and 27 Fieldfares. Another 6 Fieldfares along with 2 Common Buzzards, a Golden Plover and a Chiffchaff were at the Bill, where 3 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea. At dusk an eared owl, thought to be a Short-eared Owl, was seen flying over the Obs garden.

   

    

  Razorbills - Portland Bill, January 23rd 2006 © Martin Cade

  January 23rd

Grey skies together with a brisk and chilly easterly wind made for uncomfortable birding today. Six Redwings and 4 Fieldfares were new arrivals at the Bill where 4 Eider were still settled offshore, a single Red-throated Diver passed by and good numbers of auks - still predominantly Razorbills - remained offshore. Elsewhere there were still 3 Redwings at Easton and late in the afternoon the Mediterranean Gull record was broken yet again when 31 were counted passing Sandsfoot Castle on their way to roost. 

January 22nd

The only newcomer of note today was a Short-eared Owl seen at dusk at the Bill. Another 4 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill but the only other news from there was of 2 Eider still settled offshore and 3 Common Buzzards still roaming about on the land. Elsewhere there were small numbers of a selection of  divers and grebes in Portland Harbour and several Mediterranean Gulls were again at Ferrybridge but no full counts were reported from either site.

A Red Admiral was again on the wing in the Obs garden.

January 21st

Pleasant mild and sunny conditions saw plenty of birders in the field, with their main reward being another record count of 29 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. Otherwise there was just a selection of typical winter sightings, with 6 Red-throated, a Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver passing the Bill, 5 Eider still settled off East Cliffs, 2 Common Buzzards, a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff at the Bill/Southwell and 10 Common Scoter, 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Great Northern Diver, a Black-throated Diver and an Eider in Portland Harbour.

The first butterflies of the year - single Red Admirals in each case - were on the wing in the Obs garden and in a garden at Mallams.

   

    

  yesterday's Pochard - Chesil Cove, January 19th 2006 © Nigel Gidney

  January 20th

More fairly routine reports today, with 6 Purple Sandpipers still at the Bill, 3 Eider still settled offshore there and 4 Slavonian, 4 Black-necked and 2 Red-necked Grebes, 4 Mediterranean Gulls and 2 Sandwich Terns in Portland Harbour. 

January 19th

The sea continues to provide much of the interest with an unseasonable Manx Shearwater off the Bill being today's highlight; another 7 Red-throated Divers also passed through and the usual few Common Scoter and Eider were still settled offshore. Four Purple Sandpipers and a Common Buzzard remained at the Bill, a Chiffchaff was at Southwell, 2 Redwings and a Firecrest were at Easton and a Pochard was settled in Chesil Cove.

Despite very mild conditions overnight the Obs garden moth-traps were again unproductive; the first Mottled Grey of the year was the only minor highlight among the handful of routine residents caught.

Late news for yesterday: Portland Harbour produced totals of 11 Common Scoter, 5 Slavonian and 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 2 Eider and 2 Sandwich Terns.

Our links page has been updated with the addition of several Obs members new websites; these include Simon Woolley's Birding by Bike, along with Anserbirding that includes sightings updates from Slimbridge WWT by Martin McGill and James Lees.

January 18th

A small movement of divers off the Bill this morning included 12 Red-throateds and 2 Great Northerns but otherwise just standard fare to report, with 40 Common Scoter and 6 Eider still settled off the Bill, 3 Common Buzzards and a Snipe at the Bill and a Chiffchaff at Avalanche Road.

January 17th

A Great Skua passing through off the Bill was an addition to the year list but otherwise it was more of the same as in recent days. A Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver and a Mediterranean Gull also passed through off the Bill where 5 Eider were still settled offshore.  A single Chiffchaff was again at Reap Lane, 16 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge and 13 Common Scoter, 8 Slavonian and 4 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Great Northern  and 2 Black-throated Divers, 3 Goldeneye, 2 Eider and 2 Sandwich Terns were in Portland Harbour. 

   

      

  Oystercatcher and Little Gull - Portland Bill, January 16th 2006 © Martin Cade

  January 16th

Lots of coverage today and plenty of birds to show for the effort. Four Red-throated Divers, a Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull passed through on the sea at the Bill where 6 Eider were still settled offshore and a Common Buzzard was still present on the land. Portland Harbour produced totals of 13 Common Scoter, 13 Mediterranean Gulls, 8 Slavonian, 4 Black-necked and a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Great Northern Divers and an Eider, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest in the Pennsylvania Castle/Wakeham area, 3 Redwings at Easton and 2 Chiffchaffs at Reap Lane.

January 15th

Large numbers of auks, predominantly Razorbills, remained off the Bill where 6 Eider were still settled off East Cliffs, 8 Red-throated Divers passed through and a Common Buzzard, a Purple Sandpiper and a Blackcap were still present on the land. Elsewhere there 11 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and 4 Black-necked Grebes, a Black-throated Diver and an Eider in Portland Harbour.

Late news for yesterday: additional reports for Portland Harbour include a fly-by Scaup and a single Black Redstart.

January 14th

A very different day with the wind having dropped right away and an early spell of light rain being quickly replaced by clearer skies. Many hundreds of auks remained off the Bill but gull numbers had dropped markedly; 6 Eider were still offshore, a Mediterranean Gull lingered for a while and a lone Red-throated Diver passed through. Five Purple Sandpipers, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap were also still at the Bill and a Chiffchaff  was in a garden at Reap Lane. The only other news came from Portland Harbour where there were 11 Common Scoter, 6 Great Northern Divers, 6 Slavonian and 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Eider and 2 Sandwich Terns.

January 13th

A stiff southerly wind spoilt what was otherwise a pleasantly sunny and mild day. Gannets, gulls and auks were still feeding in quantity off the Bill where 40 Common Scoter and 5 Eider were also still settled. Six Purple Sandpipers and a Blackcap remained at the Bill, 8 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Slavonian Grebe and a Kingfisher were at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge and a Red-throated Diver flew over the harbour. 

The lit windows of the Obs lounge have been festooned with Winter Moths in recent nights but the one moth-trap operated in the Obs garden last night failed to attract a single moth of any species.

   

    

  feeding melee of gulls - Portland Bill, January 12th 2005 © Martin Cade

  January 12th

Large feeding flocks of gulls and auks - presumably attracted by shoaling sprats or the like - were a feature off the Bill throughout the morning, but the only other news was of 25 Common Scoter and 5 Eider still settled off the Bill, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap still at the Bill, the Velvet Scoter still in Portland Harbour and a Kingfisher on the harbour shore near Portland Castle.

January 11th

A pleasantly sunny day but no great change on the bird front. Auks were very conspicuous, with more than 4000 passing the Bill in the first hour of the day, but the sea otherwise produced just 2 passing Red-throated Divers and the usual settled groups of 50 Common Scoter and 6 Eider. Six Purple Sandpipers and a Blackcap remained at the Bill and the Velvet Scoter remained in Portland Harbour.

January 10th

A change to much milder weather came courtesy of a freshening south-west wind but any rain held off until after dark. The only worthwhile news came from the Bill where there was an unexpected westerly movement of more than 170 Great Black-backed Gulls; a single Red-throated Diver also passed through on the sea and 50 Common Scoter and 7 Eider were still settled offshore. There was nothing better on the land than 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Common Buzzards and a Blackcap.

January 9th

Another damp and dismal start to the day although the arrival of clearer weather permitted a good deal of coverage during the afternoon. Portland Harbour provided totals of 210 Red-breasted Mergansers, 16 Great Crested, 4 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 13 Common Scoter, 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 3 Eider, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Goldeneye and a Velvet Scoter, whilst nearby at Ferrybridge there were 10 Mediterranean Gulls, 9 Little Grebes, 4 Brent Geese and a Little Egret. Elsewhere there were 2 Black Redstarts at Portland Castle, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff at Mallams and 2 Common Buzzards and a Blackcap at the Bill.

January 8th

A truly grim day of constant sleety rain blown in on a cold north-easterly breeze. Six Purple Sandpipers, a Redwing and a Blackcap were at the Bill where 8 Eider were still settled offshore. Elsewhere there were 25 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and 3 Redwings and a Snipe at Kingbarrow Quarry.

   

    

  Velvet Scoter - Portland Harbour, January 7th 2005 © Martin Cade

  January 7th

The grey skies of recent days had cleared but a keen easterly breeze kept it feeling very chilly. A Pomarine Skua was off the Bill early in the morning but the only other reports from there were of a single Red-breasted Merganser passing by on the sea, 2 Eider still settled offshore and 2 Common Buzzards, a Brent Goose, a Lapwing, a Snipe and a Blackcap on the land. A Velvet Scoter was a new arrival in Portland Harbour where there were also 7 Common Scoter, 4 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Sandwich Terns and a Great Northern Diver. At least 13 Mediterranean Gulls were again at Ferrybridge.

January 6th

Not much change in the weather or the birding. The only reports were from the Bill where 11 Eider were still settled offshore, 3 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea and 2 Pheasants, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap were scattered around the area.

January 5th

A cold wind and grey skies deterred all but the most enthusiastic birders today. Nine Eider, 2 Little Gulls and a few Common Scoter lingered off the Bill where 3 Red-throated Divers also passed by. The land produced just 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Blackcap at the Bill and at least 3 Common Buzzards wandering around the centre and south of the island.

January 4th

A chillier day with a brisk north-easterly wind having set in overnight. Another 10 Red-throated Divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Wigeon passed through off the Bill, where 40 Common Scoter and 7 Eider were still settled offshore and a Little Gull lingered amongst the feeding flock of gannets, gulls and auks off East Cliffs. Three Sandwich Terns remained in Portland Harbour but the only other news was from the land, with a Common Buzzard, a Lapwing and a Blackcap at the Bill and a large post-roost gathering of more than 220 Jackdaws (probably accounting for the majority of the island population) at Weston.

January 3rd

Not such a pleasant day with drizzly rain and low cloud settling over the island by midday. Three Sandwich Terns, several Mediterranean Gulls and a good variety of divers, grebes and sea-duck were again in Portland Harbour although the reduced visibility hampered attempts at a full count. Seven Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, where 7 Eider were still offshore and 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap were still present on the land. Elsewhere there was a Chiffchaff at Mallams.

In surprisingly balmy conditions overnight a single Plutella xylostella was an unseasonable visitor to the Obs garden moth-traps; the only resident species trapped were Winter Moth, Scobipalpa costella, Epiphyas postvittana, Crocidosema plebejana and Acleris hastiana.

January 2nd

Another long list from the area today in perfect mild and still winter birding weather. Portland Harbour provided totals of 11 Common Scoter, 6 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 3 Black-necked, 2 Slavonian and 2 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Eider and a Sandwich Tern; additionally, both Kingfisher and Black Redstart were seen near of Portland Castle. Mediterranean Gulls were well spread around the harbour and Ferrybridge and thought to number at least 26 in total; Ferrybridge also held 50 Dunlin, 40 Oystercatchers, 8 Little Egrets, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Curlew. All the rest of the news came from the Bill where 15 Red-throated Divers, a Red-necked Grebe and a Red-breasted Merganser passed by offshore, 75 Common Scoter and 11 Eider were still settled off East Cliffs and a Common Buzzard, a Redwing, a Blackcap and a Bullfinch were seen on the land.

January 1st

The customary flurry of new year birding activity produced reports of a variety of divers and grebes in Portland Harbour that included 3 Red-throated, a Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver and 4 Black-necked, 2 Slavonian and a Red-necked Grebe; both the recently arrived Sandwich Terns were also still present there. Nine new Eider joined the 3 birds already present off the Bill where 70 Common Scoter were still settled offshore and a Red-throated Diver and a Mediterranean Gull passed by. The only other reports were of a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and a Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge and 9 Purple Sandpipers, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap at the Bill.

Late news for yesterday: 6 Mediterranean Gulls and a Sandwich Tern were at Ferrybridge.

December 2005

December 31st

A bright, blustery and quiet end to the year. Auks were passing the Bill in some numbers (ca2000/hour early in the morning) and 45 Common Scoter and 4 Eider were still settled offshore there. Elsewhere there were 5 Mediterranean Gulls at Chesil Cove.

A single Dark Chestnut was the only moth attracted to the one moth-trap operated in the Obs garden overnight.

   

  

  Sandwich Tern - Ferrybridge, December 30th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 30th

A miserable gloomy and wet day but much milder than of late. Two Sandwich Terns were unexpected new arrivals at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge where 2 Knot were also unusual mid-winter visitors; several Mediterranean Gulls and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose were also still present there. The only other reports were of 4 Lapwings, 2 Golden Plovers and a Blackcap at the Bill.

December 29th

A calm, clear and very frosty dawn allowed for plenty of early coverage but by midday heavy cloud and drizzly rain had pushed in to spoil any afternoon birding. The Bill area produced 3 Lapwings, 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Snipe, a Woodcock and a Fieldfare on the land, along with 30 Common Scoter and 4 Eider settled offshore and 5 Red-throated Divers passing through on the sea, whilst elsewhere there were 4 Redwings and a Siskin at Easton and a Black Redstart at Weston.

Two Roe Deer were in Top Fields early in the morning.

December 28th

Just a hint of some cold weather movement today with 6 Lapwings, a Fieldfare and a Redwing new in at the Bill and 2 Fieldfares and a Redwing passing overhead at Weston; a new Black Redstart was also found at St Georges Estate Road. Resident fare included 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Common Buzzards and a Blackcap at the Bill, 40 Common Scoter and an Eider settled off the Bill, a Red-throated Diver passing through offshore and single Chiffchaffs at Weston and Easton. 

A party of 8 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off the Bill in the morning.

December 27th

A raw north-easterly wind that freshened through the day made any birding that involved stepping outdoors/getting out of the car less than appealing. A Barn Owl was seen again alongside the Beach Road during the early hours of the morning and 2 Common Buzzards and a Blackcap were still present at the Bill. Gulls were in short supply at Ferrybridge where there was no sign of the Glaucous Gull and only a handful of Mediterranean Gulls showed up during the afternoon. Nine Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Red-throated Divers and a Brent Goose passed through on the sea at the Bill.

   

     

    Glaucous Gull - Ferrybridge, December 26th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 26th

On another day of very little coverage a Glaucous Gull at Ferrybridge was the pick of the sightings; at least 19 Mediterranean Gulls and 12 Little Egrets were also still there. Elsewhere there were 2 Black Redstarts at Mutton Cove, 2 Common Buzzards, a Purple Sandpiper and a Blackcap at the Bill and a single Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea off the Bill.

December 25th

As might be expected, very little to report today. At least 15 Little Egrets and 12 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge, the Blackcap was again the Obs garden and after dark a Barn Owl was watched hunting beside the Beach Road in the vicinity of the oil tanks. 

   

 

  Udea ferrugalis - Portland Bill, December 24th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 24th

The overcast, quiet conditions of recent days continued. The Mediterranean Gull count at Ferrybridge increased to 21, but there was otherwise little change with 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Redwing and a Blackcap still at the Bill and 20 Common Scoter and an Eider still settled offshore there.

After an immigrant-free few weeks in the Obs garden moth-traps the capture of a single Udea ferrugalis was a minor surprise last night.

December 23rd

The Mediterranean Gull total at Ferrybridge continues to increase, with 15 present there today. Nearby in Portland Harbour there were 6 Common Scoter, 5 Great Northern, 1 Red-throated and 1 Black-throated Diver and 4 Black-necked and 1 Slavonian Grebe. Two Common Buzzards, a Redshank and a Blackcap remained at the Bill, where 40 Common Scoter and an Eider were still settled offshore.

December 22nd

The Bill area produced 5 Turnstones, 2 Common Buzzards, a Purple Sandpiper, a Redshank and a Blackcap on the land and an Eider settled offshore, whilst elsewhere there Chiffchaffs at Southwell (2) and Weston, a Goldcrest at Easton and 13 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge.

December 21st

Very little to report today. A Chiffchaff was a new arrival in the Obs garden, where the Common Buzzard and Blackcap were also still present. Elsewhere there was a Dartford Warbler at Broadcroft Quarry and 4 Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour. 

Late news for yesterday: a Red Admiral was on the wing at Fortuneswell.

December 20th

More pleasant weather but no change in the birding. A new Siskin passed through at the Bill where a Common Buzzard, a Water Rail and a Blackcap were all still present; 60 Common Scoter also remained offshore and a single Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea. The only news from elsewhere was of additional Common Buzzards at the Grove (3) and Cheyne.

Late news for yesterday: a Short-eared Owl was seen at the Bill at dusk.

December 19th

Despite very fine weather - cloudless skies and nothing more than a gentle breeze all day - bird interest was at a premium. The Bill area produced 20 Song Thrushes, 2 Common Buzzards, a Water Rail, a Chiffchaff, a Blackcap and a Yellowhammer, with 2 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver passing through on the sea. Reports from elsewhere included 11 Little Egrets at Ferrybridge, 3 Black-necked Grebes in Portland Harbour, 4 Goldcrests and a Green Woodpecker at Pennsylvania Castle and 2 Chiffchaffs at Bumpers Lane.

A Red Admiral was on the wing at Southwell.

December 18th

A fairly routine assortment of sightings today, with 2 Snipe, 2 Bullfinches, a Common Buzzard and a Blackcap at the Bill, where 4 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser passed through on the sea and 90 Common Scoter and 4 Eider were settled offshore. Elsewhere there were 8 Mediterranean Gulls and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge and 5 Common Scoter, 4 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver and 3 Black-necked  and 3 Slavonian Grebes in Portland Harbour.

December 17th

Late newcomers today included 2 Snipe, a Brambling and a Bullfinch at the Bill, where 2 Common Buzzards and a Blackcap were still present on the land and 60 Common Scoter were still offshore; a single Red-throated Diver was the only bird of note passing through on the sea. Portland Harbour held 4 Black-necked Grebes, a Black-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver, whilst after dark a Barn Owl was seen beside the Beach Road in the vicinity of the oil tanks.

December 16th

Precious little coverage today. Five Purple Sandpipers were at the Bill, the Blackcap remained in the Obs garden and 60 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still off East Cliffs at the Bill.

Late news for yesterday: a Dartford Warbler was at Southwell.

   

  

 

  Blackcap and Eiders - Portland Bill, December 15th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 15th

A Dartford Warbler was a good winter find at Kingbarrow Quarry but the only other new arrivals of note were 3 Eider off East Cliffs at the Bill and a Blackcap in the Obs garden; 4 different Common Buzzards were still around the island (2 at Southwell and singles at the Bill and the Grove), 30 Common Scoter were still off the Bill, a Chiffchaff was still in a garden at Reap Lane and a single Purple Sandpiper was at the Bill.

Late news for yesterday: a Chiffchaff was in a garden at Reap Lane.

   

     

  Common Buzzards - Portland Bill, December 14th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 14th

The only reports were from the Bill, where there were 2 Common Buzzards, 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Redwing and a Fieldfare on the land and 20 Common Scoter settled offshore.

December 13th

Late migrants at the Bill included 8 Fieldfares, 4 Redwings, 3 Lapwings, 2 Snipe and a Siskin; the Common Buzzard was also still present there, whilst a count of 85 Greenfinches was a good winter total for the Bill. At least 50 Common Scoter were still settled offshore, a single Eider lingered there for a while and 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 2 Red-throated Divers also passed through on the sea.

   

           

  Common Buzzard - Portland Bill, December 12th 2005 © Martin Cade

  December 12th

A very different day to yesterday with overcast skies and a brisk north-east wind making it feel unpleasantly chilly. A Common Buzzard spent much of the afternoon settled in the Obs garden and adjacent hut fields (at least three different individuals have been seen on the island in recent days) but the only other new arrivals at the Bill were a handful of Song Thrushes and Redwings. The wintering flock of Common Scoter remained off the Bill, where auks were offshore in higher numbers than recently (1000+ in the first hour of daylight) and 2 Red-throated Divers, a Brent Goose and a Shelduck also passed through.

Late news for yesterday: a Red Admiral was on the wing at Southwell.

December 11th

Despite spring-like cloudless skies and warm sunshine the bird list for today had a distinctly early winter-ish flavour, with the Bill area producing 18 Fieldfares, 4 Snipe, 2 Bramblings, a Grey Heron, a Common Buzzard, a Water Rail, a Lapwing, a Mistle Thrush, a Chiffchaff and a Redpoll.

The mild weather tempted a Small Tortoiseshell on to the wing at Fortuneswell.

December 10th

A pleasantly mild and still day. Three Fieldfares, a Snipe, a Woodcock and a Bullfinch were the most noteworthy new arrivals at the Bill, where the wintering Common Scoter flock remained offshore and a single Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea. Portland Harbour produced 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Slavonian Grebes.

In promisingly mild conditions overnight the only faintly interesting capture in the Obs garden moth-traps was a single late Turnip Moth.

Late news for yesterday: a Little Auk was off Castletown in Portland Harbour.

December 9th

New arrivals at the Bill included 15 Chaffinches, 2 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares, along with 150 Starlings that arrived in off the sea and continued northwards. The touch of east in the breeze was enough to get a few things moving on the sea, with 13 Wigeon, 9 Red-throated Divers, 3 Teal and 3 Velvet Scoter passing through off the Bill, where 90 Common Scoter and another single Teal were settled offshore. Elsewhere there were 5 Goldcrests at Pennsylvania Castle, a Black Redstart at Portland Castle, 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge and 4 Great Northern Divers, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe in Portland Harbour.

December 8th

Very little coverage today. The only sightings of any note were of the wintering flock of Common Scoter still off East Cliffs and the Black Redstart still at the Bill.

December 7th

Action on the land petered out, with a Blackcap, a Siskin and a Reed Bunting being the only new arrivals of note at the Bill where another long-staying Blackcap and a Black Redstart were also still present. Seawatching at the Bill produced 12 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver, 4 Eider, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and a Teal along with 88 settled Common Scoter (but no sign of the Velvet Scoter with them today).

A party of about 9 Bottle-nosed Dolphins were off the Bill all day.

December 6th

Fair weather allowed for plenty of coverage today. Pick of the sightings from around the island were of 3 Siskins, 2 Snipe, a Redwing, a Black Redstart, a Blackcap, a Chiffchaff and a Redpoll at the Bill, 4 Goldcrests, the long-staying Green Woodpecker, a Chiffchaff and a Siskin at Pennsylvania Castle, a Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting at Weston and a Siskin at Easton. Sixty Common and a Velvet Scoter remained off the Bill where 6 Red-throated Divers, 7 Pintail and a Great Northern Diver passed through, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-necked Grebes and a Slavonian Grebe were in Portland Harbour and 4 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge.

December 5th

Despite the late date migrants remained on the move in small numbers. The Bill area provided totals of 15 Song Thrushes, 15 Chaffinches, 7 Siskins, 2 Bullfinches, a Goldcrest and a Redpoll, whilst elsewhere there were 5 Goldcrests, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Bullfinches, a Blackcap and a Siskin at Pennsylvania Castle and 3 Fieldfares and a Bullfinch near the windmills at Easton. Eighty Common Scoter, a Velvet Scoter and a Mediterranean Gull lingered off the Bill where 4 Red-throated Divers, a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe also passed through.

Red Admirals were again on the wing in the Obs garden.

December 4th

In much calmer conditions a little late passage got going again at the Bill where 20 Chaffinches, 10 Song Thrushes, 4 Bramblings, 3 Redpolls, 2 Bullfinches, a Snipe and a Reed Bunting were new arrivals; 6 Purple Sandpipers and a Blackcap were also still present there. The wintering scoter flock, including the single Velvet Scoter, remained off East Cliffs and singles of Red-throated and Great Northern Diver passed through on the sea. Portland Harbour produced 2 Red-necked, a Slavonian and a Little Grebe, 2 Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter and a Mediterranean Gull.

A single Red Admiral was on the wing in the Obs garden.

December 3rd

Still quite windy with occasional heavy showers but nothing like as severe as yesterday. Two Red-throated Divers and a Pomarine Skua passed through off the Bill where 80 Common and a Velvet Scoter were still settled offshore. Two Mediterranean Gulls and a Little Gull were lingering in Chesil Cove and 3 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers, a Little Grebe and a Common Scoter were in Portland Harbour. The only news from the land was of a Black Redstart at Chesil Cove and a Blackcap still in the Obs garden.

Late news for yesterday: a Little Auk passed through at Chesil Cove.

   

   

      

      

     Arctic Skua, Pale-bellied Brent Goose and Red-necked Grebes - Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour, December 2nd 2005 © Peter Saunders (Arctic Skua and Pale-bellied Brent Goose) and Martin Cade (Red-necked Grebes)

  December 2nd

Another very stormy day with winds apparently gusting to 70-80mph during the afternoon. A single Red-necked Grebe passed through off the Bill where Kittiwakes were the only commoner seabirds on the move in any quantity; the settled flock of 60 Common Scoter remained offshore but there was no sign of the Velvet Scoter there. The only news from the land was of 2 Bullfinches in the Obs garden. Elsewhere, Ferrybridge produced 1150 Dark-bellied and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Great Northern Diver, along with 2 Kittiwakes and an Arctic Skua that passed overhead, whilst nearby in Portland Harbour there were 2 Red-necked Grebes, 2 Common Scoter and a Slavonian Grebe.

Late news for yesterday: a Black Redstart was still at Chesil Cove.

December 1st

The first stormy day for several weeks. The only news was of seawatching at the Bill where a Red-throated Diver and a Pomarine Skua passed through and Fulmars, Gannets, Kittiwakes and auks were also on the move in good numbers; 60 Common and a single Velvet Scoter were still settled offshore.

There was a good mammal sighting last night when a Badger was watched at close range on the road verge between Southwell and Pennsylvania Castle shortly before midnight; Badgers are apparently still resident in places in the north of the island but sightings elsewhere are extremely infrequent.

In calm and quite mild conditions early last night Epiphyas postvittana, Crocidosema plebejana, Pearly Underwing (1) and Angle Shades were caught in the Obs garden moth-traps.