April 2003

 

 Golden Oriole - Portland Bill, April 30th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 30th A Serin - presumably the bird seen yesterday - flew over the Obs garden twice during the morning, but bird of the day was a Golden Oriole that showed up first at Culverwell and eventually settled in Top Fields. Common migrants in the Bill area included 30 Wheatears, 4 Whinchats, a Redstart, a Sedge Warbler, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Redpoll, whilst elsewhere there were 3 Spotted Flycatchers and a Wood Warbler at Verne Common; the resident Red-legged Partridge was also seen again at Southwell. Seawatching at the Bill produced 21 Whimbrel, 15 Common Scoter, 5 Pomarine, 2 Arctic and 2 Great Skuas, a Great Northern Diver and a Bar-tailed Godwit, whilst a lone Little Gull was the only bird of note at Chesil Cove. April 29th Best of the few new arrivals today was a Serin that roamed the Bill area for a while during the morning but was never seen settled. Common migrants were only thinly spread again, with the best being a couple of Turtle Doves and the first 2 Spotted Flycatchers of the year at the Bill. The sea went some way towards redeeming the poor show on the land, with totals of 27 Common Scoter, 27 Whimbrel, 4 Great, 4 Pomarine and an Arctic Skua, 3 Red-throated Divers and an Eider past the Bill during the morning. Eight Sanderling were at Ferrybridge and an Arctic Skua flew overhead there. April 28th Despite some unseasonably stormy weather there was a small arrival of new migrants in the Bill area, including 20 Wheatears, 10 Willow Warblers, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Garden Warblers, 3 Whinchats, 3 Redstarts, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Merlin, a Yellow Wagtail and a White Wagtail; 85 Swifts and a Little Egret also overflew there, another Little Egret flew over at Chesil Cove and the long-staying Reed Bunting was still at Southwell. Seawatching was not as productive as hoped, with the pick of a mearge bunch being 16 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic, 2 Great and a Pomarine Skua at the Bill, and an Arctic Skua at Chesil Cove. Waders at Ferrybridge included 25 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Sanderling. April 27th Although Swallows were again on the move in some quantity there was no change at all in the dismal grounded migrant situation, with 2 Turtle Doves being not only the most interesting but also just about the only birds in the Bill area. The sea continued to provide a little interest, with 12 Manx Shearwaters, 6 Arctic and a Pomarine Skua, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver off the Bill, and 14 Eider, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Black-throated Diver off Chesil Cove. April 26th Grounded migrants remained at a premium, with a lone Turtle Dove at the Bill being the only interesting sighting amongst ones and twos of the commoner species; Swallows passed overhead in fair numbers and a single Hobby flew north at the Bill. Seawatching was hardly riveting, with totals at the Bill of just 17 Whimbrel, 5 Pomarine, 4 Arctic and 3 Great Skuas, 2 Black-throated, 1 Red-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Manx Shearwaters and a Bar-tailed Godwit; Chesil Beach produced 77 Whimbrel and a lot more terns, including 33 passing Little Terns, and a Pomarine and an Arctic Skua. Elsewhere there were 3 Sanderling at Ferrybridge and a Slavonian Grebe in Portland Harbour. April 25th A couple of hours of dry weather at dawn permitted a reasonable check of the Bill area but conditions soon deteriorated and the rest of the day was a washout. Three Turtle Doves and a Reed Bunting were at Southwell and a lone Pied Flycatcher passed through on the West Cliffs, but commoner migrants were otherwise all but absent. Seawatching at the Bill produced 52 Common Scoter, 46 Whimbrel, 3 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, 3 Black Terns, a Velvet Scoter and a Bar-tailed Godwit; a similar selection of birds off Chesil Beach included higher counts of 221 Bar-tailed Godwits and 77 Whimbrel.

 

 

 Turtle Dove - Southwell, April 24th 2003 © Debby Saunders

  April 24th The first substantial rainfall for a month or so prompted hopes of a flurry of grounded migrants but in the event little of note was found. The Bill area produced a few Sylvia warblers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whinchats, a Short-eared Owl, a Turtle Dove, a Redstart and a Pied Flycatcher but little else on the ground. Passage along the West Cliffs was stronger than expected, with 170 Swallows and a good variety of other species counted in an hour during the morning. Seawatching at the Bill produced 318 commic terns, 61 Whimbrel, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Great and 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, and a Bar-tailed Godwit.

 

                             

 Hoopoe - Portland Bill, April 23rd 2003 © John Hurst

  April 23rd A much more obliging Hoopoe was bird of the day today; it was found in roadside fields at Culverwell early in the morning but later settled well in Top Fields where it remained until dusk. After another clear night grounded common migrants were few and far between, with the best being a Cuckoo at the Bill, a Turtle Dove at the Grove, a Lesser Redpoll at Tout Quarry and a few Whinchats dotted around. A shift in wind direction back to the east saw visible passage pick up again along the West Cliffs, where Swifts, hirundines, pipits, wagtails, Wheatears and finches passed through in quantity all morning; a Hobby and a Merlin also passed through elsewhere. Sea passage died a death, with totals at the Bill of just 44 Common Scoter, 43 Whimbrel, 2 Sandwich Terns, a Grey Plover and an Arctic Skua. April 22nd Despite a promising start, with a Hoopoe seen soon after first light, it was a much quieter day on the island. Unfortunately the Hoopoe proved very mobile and gave birders the run-around as it moved north between the first sighting at Cheyne and the last at the Verne. Common migrants were very thin on the ground, with the best being the odd Redstart here and there, 2 Turtle Doves in Top Fields and a wandering Buzzard; Swallows passed through in some quantity and a couple more presumed migrant Buzzards passed quickly north.  Seawatching produced 110 Bar-tailed Godwits, 17 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Terns, 6 Whimbrel, 4 Arctic, 2 Pomarine and 1 Great Skua, 2 Red-throated Divers and a Manx Shearwater at the Bill, and 61 Common Scoter, 34 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic and a Great Skua off Chesil Beach.

 

    

 Serin - Portland Bill, April 21st 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 21st A shift in wind direction to a warmer south-westerly finally did the trick today and migrants were much more numerous everywhere. Birds of the day were a Serin that was trapped and ringed at the Obs during the morning and a Wryneck that showed up at Southwell in the afternoon. Among the common migrants, Lesser Whitethroats at the Verne and the Bill, and Wood Warblers at the Verne and Weston were additions to the year list. The Verne area also produced 4 Pied Flycatchers, a Ring Ouzel and good numbers of Sylvias, another Pied Flycatcher was at Southwell and there was a good sprinkle of commoner migrants everywhere. Sea passage picked up well, with the highlights being 80 Manx Shearwaters, 58 commic terns, 8 Arctic, 4 Pomarine and 3 Great Skuas, and 5 Red-throated Divers off the Bill, and 100 commic terns, 11 Arctic, 3 Great and 1 Pomarine Skua, 3 Black-throated Divers, 2 Little Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull off Chesil Beach. Thirteen Bar-tailed Godwits were pick of the waders at Ferrybridge. April 20th Predominantly overcast skies again with the chilly wind remaining firmly in the east. At the Bill there was a small influx of 20 Whinchats, but it otherwise remained quiet with totals of just 30 Willow Warblers, 20 Wheatears, 4 Tree Pipits, 4 Whitethroats, 4 Garden Warblers, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Yellow Wagtails, 3 Redstarts, 2 Redpolls, a Cuckoo, a Robin, a Firecrest and a Yellowhammer; Swallows trickled through all day and 3 Swifts also passed through. Elsewhere the only news was of a Hobby over Barleycrates Lane. The sea provided just 5 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Common Scoter and a Whimbrel. April 19th A much quieter day with the balmy conditions of recent days replaced by a cold north-east wind and a veil of heavy cloud that swept in during the morning. Visible movement and sea passage slowed to a trickle, whilst  grounded migrants were thin on the ground as well as being hard to get to grips with in the strong wind. Cuckoo and Garden Warbler were both additions to the year list at the Bill, where there were also 50 Willow Warblers, 20 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps, and single Tree Pipit, Redstart, Whinchat, Fieldfare, Whitethroat and Firecrest; a lone Redpoll overhead at Barleycrates Lane was the only worthwhile sighting elsewhere. Odds and sods on the sea at the Bill included 36 Sandwich Terns, 13 Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, an Arctic Skua and a Manx Shearwater, whilst Chesil Beach provided 61 Black-headed Gulls, 33 Sandwich, 5 Little and 2 Common Terns, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Dunlin, 2 Turnstones and a Red-breasted Merganser. Finally, 2 Little Terns and a Mediterranean Gull were at Ferrybridge.

 

 

 Little Owls - Portland Bill, April 18th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 18th The north and west of the island was the place to be today, with plenty of visible passage along the West Cliffs, a sprinkle of grounded migrants in the Verne Common area and the best of the seawatching off Chesil Beach. Northward passage was very strong along the length of the West Cliffs; Meadow Pipits, Goldfinches and Linnets dominated, but there were also plenty of hirundines, Yellow Wagtails and Tree Pipits, as well as oddities such as a couple of Redpolls. The Verne Common area produced more than 20 Whitethroats, 4 Ring Ouzels and a Buzzard, and another 2 Ring Ouzels were at Grove Point. Elsewhere the thin scatter of grounded birds included several Redstarts and Whinchats on the west side, a Reed Warbler at Reap Lane and single Grey Plover, Nightingale, Fieldfare and Pied Flycatcher at the Bill. Seawatching produced 56 Black-headed Gulls, 13 Little Gulls, 5 Red-throated Divers and a variety of terns and waders off Chesil Beach, but little more than 2 Arctic Skuas and a lone Red-throated Diver off the Bill.

 

 

 Nightingale - Portland Bill, April 17th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 17th Three year-ticks today in the form of a Hobby in off the sea at the Bill, a Nightingale trapped and ringed at the Obs and a Pied Flycatcher at Southwell School, but common migrants otherwise remained extremely thin on the ground. A flurry of birds between Reap Lane and Tout Quarry, where there were 14 Wheatears, 7 Whitethroats, 6 Redstarts, a White Wagtail, a Yellow Wagtail, a Whinchat and a Blackcap, was not replicated at the Bill, where there were just a few Wheatears and Willow Warblers, a Redstart, a Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap. With the wind still in the east  there was plenty more visible passage along the West Cliffs, where more than 750 Goldfinches, as well as plenty of hirundines, pipits, wagtails and Linnets were logged. The sea remained fairly quiet, with the Bill producing 40 Sandwich and 18 commic Terns, 36 Common Scoter, 25 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin, 2 Shoveler, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Red-throated Diver and a Bar-tailed Godwit. April 16th A day of clear blue skies, hot sunshine and even fewer birds than yesterday! One or two Whitethroats appeared back on territory around the island, but new arrivals at the Bill were restricted to a handful of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, 3 Wheatears, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Bullfinches, a Robin and a Redstart. Hirundines, pipits, wagtails and finches trickled overhead all morning but no particularly noteworthy counts were reported anywhere. Interest dwindled on the sea, with morning watches at the Bill producing just 96 Common Scoter, 17 commic terns, 6 Whimbrel, 2 Manx Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua. April 15th Plenty of warm sunshine and less wind than in recent days but still extremely little reward for the many birders tempted into the field, with a pitiful selection of grounded migrants, a meagre overhead passage and a rather lean seawatch. Highlights on the land were the first Whitethroat and Reed Warbler of the year at Southwell and the Obs respectively, 5 Yellow Wagtails at Weston, 4 Song Thrushes at Avalanche Road, a late Brent Goose at Ferrybridge, and 6 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Robins, 2 Goldcrests and a Tree Pipit at the Bill. An hour-long count of visible passage on the West Cliffs provided totals of 168 Linnets, 64 Goldfinches, 28 Swallows, 22 Meadow Pipits, 2 Yellow Wagtails and a Sand Martin. Seawatching at the Bill produced 102 Sandwich Terns, 40 Common Scoter, 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Arctic Skuas, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Whimbrel. April 14th An Osprey and a Marsh Harrier arrived in off the sea at the Bill late in the afternoon, and a Turtle Dove at the Bill and a Swift over New Ground were both rather early, but otherwise the day was something of a repeat of yesterday, with a fair sea passage but next to nothing on the land. Grounded migrants in the Bill area consisted of nothing more than a handful of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, 2 Redstarts, a Grey Heron, a Sedge Warbler and a Blackcap. Visible passage was a little more conspicuous than in recent days, with a two hour sample count on the West Cliffs producing 375 Linnets, 126 Meadow Pipits, 54 Swallows, 31 Goldfinches, 6 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow and 2 alba Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs and 2 Greenfinches. Morning seawatching at the Bill provided totals of 150 Bar-tailed Godwits, 56 Sandwich, 34 commic, 3 Little and 1 Black Tern, 48 Whimbrel, 14 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver, 6 Arctic, 1 Great and 1 Pomarine Skua, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers and 1 Manx Shearwater. Finally, a Red-legged Partridge was seen near Culverwell. April 13th Despite promising-looking cloudy and damp conditions virtually no new grounded migrants arrived, and it was left to the sea to again salvage the day. A few hirundines trickled in off the sea all day, but the only noteworthy new migrant on the land was a Grasshopper Warbler at Weston Corner. The sea was busy throughout the morning, with totals at the Bill of 600 Gannets, 107 Common and 3 Velvet Scoter, 30 Sandwich, 27 commic, 15 Common and an Arctic Tern, 25 Arctic, 3 Great and a Pomarine Skua, 14 Whimbrel, 5 Red-throated Divers, 3 Manx Shearwaters, a Shelduck and a Mediterranean Gull.  April 12th Yesterday's faint promise was not maintained and there was precious little to be found anywhere. Grounded migrants around the Bill area included 10 Wheatears, 5 Chiffchaffs, a Water Rail, a Lapwing, a Yellow Wagtail, a Black Redstart and a Bullfinch, whilst the trickle of movement overhead included 50 Swallows, 10 Sand Martins and 5 House Martins. Seawatching there produced 180 Common Scoter, 9 Eider, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua, whilst a watch off Chesil Beach produced the first Little Tern of the spring, as well as 124 Common Scoter, 5 Sandwich Terns, 2 Brent Geese, 1 Red-throated Diver and 1 Arctic Skua. April 11th Just a hint of a little more movement today with the first small flurry of grounded commoner migrants of the week. The Bill area provided totals of 70 Wheatears, 40 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 7 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Redstarts, a Merlin, a Tree Pipit, a Black Redstart and a Goldcrest; visible passage was limited to a trickle of Swallows and Linnets. The only reports from elsewhere were of a Redwing and a Reed Bunting at Suckthumb Quarry. Seawatching was less productive than in recent days, with 82 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers, an Arctic Skua and a Whimbrel logged at the Bill. April 10th A reappearance by the Serin and a trickle of movement offshore salvaged a day when migration otherwise remained at a standstill, with even visible passage drying up completely. The Serin showed up once in the Obs garden and three times in flight near the Bill during the morning, but the only other birds of note on the land were 4 Purple Sandpipers, a Redshank, a Merlin and a Black Redstart in the Bill area. Seawatching at the Bill produced 170 Common and 2 Velvet Scoter, 8 Whimbrel, 3 Red-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver, 3 Great and 1 Arctic Skua and 2 Sandwich Terns.

 

 

 Serin - Portland Bill, April 9th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 9th There was no repeat of yesterday's excitement, although the first Serin of the spring - a drab female that appeared twice in the Obs garden during the morning - and an overflying Goosander at the Bill were decent highlights on a day when grounded migrants were again all but absent. Small numbers of migrants were still on the move overhead, with 30 Wheatears, a Merlin, a Tree Pipit and a Redpoll seen amongst the trickle of Meadow Pipits, hirundines and finches moving north along the West Cliffs. The only birds of note on the ground were the first Whinchat of the spring, and single Redstart and Black Redstart at the Bill. Interest was maintained on the sea, with watches from the Bill producing 156 Common and 10 Velvet Scoter, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Common Tern. April 8th Spring finally sprung to life just after midday when a Black Kite arrived in off the sea at the Bill; unfortunately it didn't linger and left quickly to north up the West Cliffs. Further searches for it proved futile, with the only reward being a Hen Harrier that was spotted flying west across the island at Southwell; this bird also passed straight through, being seen shortly afterwards off Chesil Cove before finally making landfall again to the north of Ferrybridge. Visible passage was again quite strong, with 327 Linnets, 104 Meadow Pipits, 34 Goldfinches, 28 Swallows, 4 Wheatears, 3 Sand Martins, 2 alba wagtails, a House Martin, a Willow Warbler and a Greenfinch moving north along the West Cliffs in a two hour sample count during the morning. Grounded migrants were almost non-existent, with the best being single Redwings at the Bill and Barleycrates Lane, a Bullfinch in Top Fields and a Long-tailed Tit near the Obs. The rest of the interest was on the sea, where another up-Channel movement off the Bill provided totals of 230 Common and 16 Velvet Scoter, 8 commic and 4 Sandwich Terns, 4 Red-throated Divers, 4 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Garganey, an Eider and an Arctic Skua.  April 7th A strong and unpleasantly chilly easterly wind had sprung up overnight and spoilt an otherwise fine and sunny day. Passage on the land slowed still further, with only 4 Wheatears, 3 Chiffchaffs, a Water Rail, a Black Redstart and a Siskin found in the Bill area. A few visible migrants were still on the move however, with a two hour count on the West Cliffs producing 143 Linnets, 55 Goldfinches, 40 Meadow Pipits, 4 alba wagtails, a Whimbrel, a Swallow, a Sand Martin and a Greenfinch flying north. Off the Bill, another 325 Common Scoter passed through, along with a steady passage of Common Gulls, 6 Oystercatchers, 6 Whimbrel, 3 Red-throated Divers, the first 2 commic terns of the spring, an Arctic Skua and a lone Sandwich Tern.

 

    

 Raven and Yellowhammer - north Portland, April 6th 2003 © Charlie Moores and Mary Snell

  April 6th Quiet anticyclonic conditions again, but with cloud cover maintained for most of the day. Migrants were surprisingly thin on the ground, with the Bill area providing little more than 40 Willow Warblers, 10 Chiffchaffs, 10 Wheatears, 6 Purple Sandpipers, a Mallard, a Water Rail, a Grey Plover, a Black Redstart, a Bullfinch and a Reed Bunting. An hour-long count of visible passage on the West Cliffs revealed 145 Linnets, 50 Meadow Pipits, 13 Swallows and 8 Sand Martins passing north; a few other hirundines were logged passing through elsewhere as well. The best birds at other island sites were an Osprey over north Portland and Ferrybridge late in the afternoon, a Ring Ouzel at Suckthumb Quarry and a Redwing at Barleycrates Lane. Offshore, a small up-Channel passage of Common Scoter in the morning provided counts of 186 off the Bill and 133 off Chesil Beach; further totals at these sites included 44 Black-headed Gulls, 11 Velvet Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, a Shoveler and an Eider off the Bill, and the same 11 Velvet Scoter, 3 Red-breasted Mergansers, 2 Sanderling, a Red-throated Diver and an Eider off Chesil. An evening watch off Chesil provided a further 51 Common and 6 Velvet Scoter, as well as 8 Shoveler.

 

 

 Redstart - Portland Bill, April 5th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 5th Something of a repeat of yesterday, although heavier cloud cover early in the morning dropped proportionately more common migrants. Bird of the day was an Osprey that arrived in off the sea over the Bill in the morning. Willow Warblers remained by far the most numerous species, with more than 100 in the Bill area alone; also there were 25 Wheatears, 10 Swallows, 10 Chiffchaffs, 8 Song Thrushes, 5 Blackcaps, 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Redstarts, a Grey Plover, a Sand Martin, a Black Redstart, a Ring Ouzel and a Goldcrest. Elsewhere there was a Buzzard over the centre and north of the island again, and another Black Redstart at Reap Lane. Seawatching at the Bill produced 55 Common Scoter, 14 Sandwich Terns, 3 Red-throated Divers and the regular 3 Puffins.

 

 

 Grey Plover - Portland Bill, April 4th 2003 © Martin Cade

  April 4th A little cloud cover at dawn prompted a few Willow Warblers to drop in, but as skies cleared the rest of the day was notable only for balmy summer-like warmth. More than 50 Willow Warbler passed rapidly through the Obs garden soon after dawn, but the only other migrants around the Bill area were 20 Wheatears, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Swallows, a Merlin, a Grey Plover, a Black Redstart, a Ring Ouzel, a Sand Martin, a Goldcrest and yet another new Bullfinch (the eighth individual of this minor Bill-rarity to be trapped and ringed at the Obs so far). Elsewhere, Barleycrates Lane continued its good run of island year-ticks by providing the first Sedge Warbler of the spring. In light offshore winds the sea remained quiet, with just 35 Common Scoter, 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Shelduck and a Sandwich Tern passing the Bill during the morning. April 3rd A much more pleasant day, but no sign of passage picking up again. The majority of common migrants at the Bill seemed to be left-overs from recent days: among the small numbers of Wheatears, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Goldcrests, there were single Ring Ouzel, Black Redstart, Blackcap and Bullfinch; visible passage consisted of no more than a few Linnets, 2 Swallows and a Yellow Wagtail. Elsewhere the only birds of note were 3 Buzzards soaring over the centre of the island. Morning seawatching at the Bill produced just 2 Common Scoter. April 2nd In chilly north-westerlies, with frequent showers through the morning, most of the interest today was on the sea. Watches at the Bill produced the first Arctic Skua of the spring, along with 7 Common and a Velvet Scoter, 4 Manx Shearwaters, 3 Puffins, a Red-throated Diver and a Sandwich Tern; 6 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were also on the rocks at the Bill-tip. On the land there were a handful of Wheatears, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, as well as a Ring Ouzel and a Blackcap. Two Sandwich Terns were at Ferrybridge. April 1st Yesterday's Hoopoe(s) couldn't be found and the bird of the day was another Osprey that passed though along the east side of the island during the morning. In blustery westerlies and frequent showers there was not much to be found on the land: among small numbers of Wheatears, Chiffchaffs, Willow Warblers and Goldcrests, there were a couple of Mallards, a Ring Ouzel and a Reed Bunting at the Bill, and another Reed Bunting at Weston. Off the Bill, 2 Manx Shearwaters were the first of the year and 22 Common Scoter, 14 Eider, 7 Red-throated Divers and 3 Curlews passed by; a flock of 21 Cormorants also arrived from the south and a Red-breasted Merganser was settled off the East Cliffs.

March 2003

 

 

 Hoopoe - Wakeham, March 31st 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 31st Highlight today was a series of sightings of Hoopoes; there was some uncertainty whether one very mobile bird did a round of the island, or two or three individuals were involved, but reports came from the Wakeham and Pennsylvania Castle area in the morning and again late afternoon, at Verne Common Estate at midday and at Grove Road early in the afternoon. Another good first for the year was an Osprey that flew over the Church Ope/Mermaid area during the morning. After a very clear night there was no repeat of the good numbers of common migrants seen yesterday, although variety wasn't too bad. The Bill area hosted a handful of all the expected species, along with 2 Bullfinches, a Lapwing and a Ring Ouzel, whilst a Tree Pipit passed over at Barleycrates Lane and 3 Redstarts were seen around the centre of the island. Seawatching at the Bill produced just 17 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and a Whimbrel.

 

    

 Firecrest and Ring Ouzel - Portland Bill, March 30th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 30th Heavily overcast skies and a chilly north-east wind led to the best arrival of grounded migrants so far this spring; as skies cleared later in the morning there was also a substantial overhead passage of visible migrants. A Dartford Warbler near the Higher Lighthouse was the best of the grounded birds, with the Bill area otherwise producing 75 Wheatears, 70 Willow Warblers, 70 Chiffchaffs, 25 Redwings, 20 Blackcaps, 15 Goldcrests, 6 Robins, 6 Black Redstarts, 4 Fieldfares, 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Redstarts, 2 Bullfinches and single Mistle Thrush, Firecrest and Reed Bunting. Good numbers of Meadow Pipits and alba wagtails, as well as a few hirundines and a Buzzard, passed overhead. A third Puffin joined the 2 birds already present off the Bill, where 37 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Terns, 3 Red-throated Divers, a Great Crested Grebe and a Shoveler also passed by. March 29th The lean spell continued, with little more than a hint of new arrivals around the island. A Ring Ouzel at Verne Common was the bird of the day, 2 Fieldfares were at Reap Lane and the Bill area chipped in with 20 Wheatears, 8 Chiffchaffs, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Black Redstarts, a Golden Plover, a Ringed Plover, a Redwing, a Siskin and a Redpoll. Poor visibility hampered seawatching and the only reports were of a lone Sandwich Tern passing the Bill, and 38 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers and 3 Sandwich Terns off Chesil Beach. A Sanderling and a Curlew were at Ferrybridge.

 

  

 Black Redstart - Portland Bill, March 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 28th The arrival of heavy cloud cover and the first showers of rain for more than a fortnight ought to have heralded a flurry of migrants but in the event did no more than put a stop to the visible passage recorded in recent days. The Bill area hosted nothing more than 7 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Wheatears, 6 Chiffchaffs, 3 Robins, a Yellow Wagtail, a Redwing, a Black Redstart and a Willow Warbler; elsewhere the only bird of note on the land was a Fieldfare at Barleycrates Lane. Seawatching at the Bill produced 5 Common Scoter, 4 Red-throated Divers and 2 Mediterranean Gulls, and there was a most unusual report of a Puffin in Portland Harbour. March 27th Another clear day with a fresh easterly breeze; grounded migrants were few and far between but visible passage was again conspicuous. A two hour watch on the West Cliffs provided totals of 240 Meadow Pipits, 175 Linnets, 11 Goldfinches, 8 Wheatears, 7 Sand Martins, 6 alba wagtails, 2 Collared Doves, a Chiffchaff, a Chaffinch and a Redpoll passing through. Paltry totals of settled birds around the Bill area included 5 Wheatears, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts, a Blackcap and a Rook. Oddities elsewhere included a Ring Ouzel at Tout Quarry, a Black Redstart at Barleycrates Lane and a Siskin at Avalanche Road. Off the Bill, Puffins increased to 2, and 38 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and a Shoveler passed through.

 

  

 Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler - Portland Bill, March 26th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 26th The first 6 Willow Warblers of the year arrived at the Bill in the morning along with a small flurry of Wheatears and Chiffchaffs. However, the main thrust of passage involved visible migrants on the move along the West Cliffs, where a three hour watch produced totals of 1075 Meadow Pipits, 305 Linnets, 18 Wheatears, 14 Sand Martins, 9 alba wagtails, 7 Goldfinches, 3 Swallows, a House Martin, a Redwing, a Chiffchaff and a Chaffinch. Other news from the island was of a fly-over Yellow Wagtail at Barleycrates Lane, a Black Redstart and a Lesser Redpoll at Tout Quarry, and a Sandwich Tern at Ferrybridge. March 25th Thick fog at dawn soon gave way to another warm, summer-like day. A mini fall of common migrants in the Barleycrates Lane area included the first Redstart of the spring, as well as a Black Redstart and a few Wheatears, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests. Unfortunately there was little evidence of grounded new arrivals elsewhere, with the Bill area producing just 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Swallows, 2 Wheatears, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest; an hour-long sample count of visible passage on the West Cliffs revealed 90 Meadow Pipits, 13 Linnets, 4 Sand Martins and 3 Wheatears passing through. Lingering winterers at the Bill included 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Short-eared Owl. March 24th A subtle shift from an easterly to a westerly bias in the wind direction did nothing to improve the number of migrants about, and the total of just 3 birds trapped and ringed all day at the Obs was an entirely accurate reflection of the dearth of birds everywhere. Among the ones and twos of common species at the Bill, the only only faintly interesting scarcities were 2 Black Redstarts and a Bullfinch. Seawatching at the Bill was hampered by very hazy conditions, but 13 Common Scoter, 6 Sandwich Terns, 5 Red-throated Divers, a Mediterranean Gull and a Little Gull were logged passing through. March 23rd Visible passage picked up today but there were still very few grounded migrants on view. A two hour sample count of northward passage on the West Cliffs produced totals of 660 Meadow Pipits, 76 Linnets, 23 alba wagtails, 8 Sand Martins, 2 Wheatears and 2 Goldfinches; several more Sand Martins and 2 Swallows also passed overhead elsewhere at the Bill and along Chesil Beach. The highlight on the ground was the first Ring Ousel of the spring at the Bill, where there were also a handful of Wheatears and Chiffchaffs, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Bullfinches, a Merlin and a Blackcap. A passing Greylag Goose was a good record off the Bill, where 27 Common and 5 Velvet Scoter, 2 unidentified divers and a Sandwich Tern also passed through, whilst a lone Puffin lingering close inshore during the morning constituted the first report there since last weekend. The first seawatch off Chesil Beach this spring produced 17 Teal, 14 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Sandwich Terns.

 

    

 Black Redstart - Portland Bill, March 22nd 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 22nd A very quiet day with fair weather continuing to dominate. Common migrants were few and far between, with most species reduced to just odd ones and twos everywhere. Interest was provided by 4 Black Redstarts at the Bill and another at Priory Corner, a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill, a Curlew at Ferrybridge and a lone Red-throated Diver passing by on the sea off the Bill.

 

    

 Merlin and Chaffinch - Portland Bill, March 21st 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 21st A veil of cloud overhead at dawn promised to have dropped a few more migrants, but in the event there were a good deal fewer birds about than yesterday. Wheatears and Blackcaps dominated, with 30 and 15 respectively at the Bill; also there were single-figure totals of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest, 4 Redwings, 3 Black Redstarts, a Buzzard, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Grey Wagtail, a Fieldfare and a Bullfinch. Three Velvet Scoter were the highlight on the sea, where there were otherwise just 14 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers. The only news from elsewhere was of a Black Redstart at Tout Quarry and a Sandwich Tern at Ferrybridge. March 20th Despite the clear, moonlit night there were fair numbers of birds about throughout the morning, with totals for the Bill area of 50 Wheatears, 30 Chiffchaffs, 30 Goldcrests, 2 White Wagtails, 3 Bullfinches, 2 Siskins, a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl, a Swallow, a Black Redstart, a Rook and a Yellowhammer. Among the sprinkle of birds elsewhere there was a Buzzard over Easton, another Black Redstart at Tout Quarry and another Siskin at the Grove. The only news from the sea was of 3 Red-throated Divers past the Bill. March 19th More fine, settled weather but fewer birds. The Bill area produced 10 Wheatears, 4 Short-eared Owls, 4 Song Thrushes, 4 Chiffchaffs, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Redwings, a White Wagtail, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Siskin, a Bullfinch and a Yellowhammer, as well as another steady passage of Meadow Pipits and alba wagtails overhead. Seawatching there produced 6 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver, and a single Sandwich Tern. March 18th A slight improvement in numbers if not variety today. A small flurry of migrants at the Bill provided counts of 30 Wheatears, 25 Chiffchaffs, 10 Goldcrests, a Grey Wagtail, a Redwing, a Fieldfare and a Blackcap on the ground, and a steady passage of Meadow Pipits and alba wagtails overhead; 2 Short-eared Owls also still remained there. The sea remained pretty quiet, with totals of just 22 Common Scoter, 8 Black-headed Gulls, 5 Red-throated Divers and a Red-breasted Merganser past the Bill.

 

 Kestrel - Portland Bill, March 17th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 17th Weather-wise, the best day of the year so far but migrants remained in short supply. The Bill area produced 10 Wheatears, 3 Goldcrests, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Golden Plover, a Water Rail, a Sand Martin, a Blackcap and a Bullfinch, whilst elsewhere there were just a handful of Wheatears. A lone Red-throated Diver was the only worthwhile sighting on the sea. March 16th Another bright and breezy day with a fair bit of visible passage overhead and a light sprinkle of migrants on the ground. Earlier than usual migrants included a Whimbrel passing through at Blacknor and 2 Blackcaps in the Obs garden. Wheatears were scattered everywhere in small numbers, whilst other grounded birds included 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Goldcrests, a Black Redstart and a Bullfinch at the Bill, and 2 White Wagtails at Blacknor. A Short-eared Owl remained at the Bill and a Red-legged Partridge was a surprise find at Southwell (unfortunately it was in the same area that 2 Chukars were present last year, and so seems likely to have been released there rather than wandered from the mainland). Seawatching at the Bill produced 14 Common Scoter, 5 Curlews, 3 Red-throated and 2 unidentified divers, and a Black-headed Gull, and a Great Northern Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were in Portland Harbour. March 15th Very little change in the weather or the birds. Visible passage was again conspicuous, with a sample hour-long count in the morning producing 290 Meadow Pipits, 25 alba wagtails 18 Linnets and a Chiffchaff passing north along the West Cliffs at the Bill. Grounded migrants included 6 Goldcrests, 4 Wheatears, 3 Black Redstarts, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Bullfinch at the Bill, and another Black Redstart at Nichodemus Knob; a single Short-eared Owl was also still at the Bill. On the sea, the first Puffin of the spring was the highlight at the Bill, where otherwise 10 Common Scoter, 4 Shoveler, 4 Black-headed Gulls and a Red-throated Diver passed through. March 14th Clear skies and a stiff easterly wind are usually good conditions for logging visible passage up the West Cliffs in the spring, and today proved no exception with totals of nearly 600 Meadow Pipits, 27 Linnets, 25 alba wagtails and 4 Wheatears passing through during mid-morning and early afternoon watches. Grounded migrants were present in small numbers but proved hard to get to grips with around the windswept Bill area; counts there included 8 Goldcrests, 7 Wheatears, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Bullfinch. A lone Red-throated Diver was the only noteworthy sighting on the sea. March 13th Birding was hard work today in a strong and cold east wind. The Bill area produced 5 Wheatears, 4 Black Redstarts, 3 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Goldcrests, a Short-eared Owl and a Redwing, whilst elsewhere there was a Reed Bunting at Wide Street, a White Wagtail and a Wheatear at Blacknor and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. Seawatching provided just 30 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver off the Bill. March 12th Another small flurry of migrants around the Bill area included 8 Wheatears, 5 Bullfinches, 4 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Merlin, a White Wagtail and a Firecrest, as well as a trickle of alba wagtails and Meadow Pipits passing overhead; a lone Short-eared Owl was also still present there. March 11th The first Firecrests of the spring - singles at Culverwell and Southwell - were the highlights today; also at the Bill were 8 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Goldcrests, a Black Redstart and a Redwing on the land, and single Red-throated and Black-throated Divers on the sea. Elsewhere there was a Sandwich Tern at Ferrybridge and a Chiffchaff at Avalanche Road.

 

   

 Skylark - Portland Bill, March 10th 2003 © Mick Rogers

  March 10th The only news today was from the Bill, where there were 8 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, a Turnstone, a Short-eared Owl and a Black Redstart on the land, and 12 Brent Geese, 2 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver past on the sea.

 

        

 

 Wheatear and Chiffchaffs (note the pollen encrustation on the forehead of the right hand Chiffchaff) - Portland Bill, March 9th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 9th Much more to report today. New arrivals included 15 Stonechats, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Wheatears, a Merlin and a Snipe at the Bill, 4 Wheatears and 3 Sand Martins at Verne Common, and another Wheatear and a Black Redstart at Ferrybridge. The sea provided 17 Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Black-headed Gull and a Sandwich Tern off the Bill, and another Mediterranean Gull at Chesil Cove. Three Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver were in Portland Harbour. March 8th Dreary, blustery weather made birding a less than enticing proposition today, and the only news was of a Wheatear, a Black Redstart, a Redwing and a Chiffchaff on the land at the Bill, 5 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver passing on the sea there, another Black Redstart at Reap Lane and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge.  

 

   

 Wheatear - Portland Bill, March 7th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 7th Inevitably, the first Wheatear of the spring at the Bill - rather surprisingly a female - chose not to arrive in the fine weather yesterday but in really grim wet and windy conditions today. Also new today were single Chiffchaffs at the Bill and Pound Piece, and a Grey Wagtail and a Blackcap at Southwell. Four Purple Sandpipers, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Turnstone were still at the Bill, and 130 Gannets, 2 Mallard and and a lone Common Scoter passed through on the sea.

 

 Long-tailed Tits - Portland Bill, March 6th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 6th A pleasantly sunny and mild day with a few more migrants appearing. At the Bill, a few Meadow Pipits and alba wagtails trickled through overhead, 10 Stonechats, a Black Redstart and a Chiffchaff were new on the land, 3 Carrion Crows arrived in off the sea and the first Sandwich Tern and 2 Red-throated Divers passed up-Channel. Also still there were 9 Purple Sandpipers and a Short-eared Owl, whilst a flock of 6 Long-tailed Tits in the Obs garden were perhaps the same group that were seen there several days ago. Elsewhere there were 4 Redwings at Avalanche Road. March 5th A few early migrants again today in the continuing mild and damp weather. The first Chiffchaff of the spring was at Weston, whilst other new arrivals included single Golden Plover, Fieldfare and Black Redstart at the Bill and a trickle of Meadow Pipits arriving in off the sea (with more than 100 grounded at the Bill by the late afternoon). Three Short-eared Owls also remained at the Bill. Off the Bill, 15 Common Scoter, 12 Black-headed Gulls, 4 Red-throated Divers and an Eider passed through.

 

    

 Sparrowhawk - Portland Bill, March 4th 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 4th Scant reward today despite the arrival of a promising-looking mild south-westerly airflow. Yesterday's Goldcrest remained in the Obs garden, where a couple of new Wrens were the only overnight arrivals; elsewhere, a Black Redstart was new arrival at Southwell. Five Purple Sandpipers and 2 Short-eared Owls remained at the Bill, where 5 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver flew past on the sea.

 

    

 Goldcrest - Portland Bill, March 3rd 2003 © Martin Cade

  March 3rd In fair weather early in the day the first Goldcrest of the spring was in the Obs garden, 7 Purple Sandpipiers were at the Bill and 7 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver passed through offshore. Rain swept in later in the morning and the rest of the day was a washout. March 2nd A little more early spring movement today with the arrival of 6 Long-tailed Tits, a Rook and a Bullfinch at the Bill; 7 Purple Sandpipers and a single Short-eared Owl were also still there. The only other news was of 2 Red-throated Divers and a Brent Goose passing through off the Bill. March 1st All the news today came from the Bill area where there were 7 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls and a Water Rail on the land, and 9 Common Scoter, 8 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver on the sea.  

February 2003

February 28th Before heavy rain in the morning there were 2 Short-eared Owls, a Little Egret, a Little Owl,1 Black and 1 Red-throated Diver around the Bill area, plus 8 Black-headed Gulls and a good passage of Gannets. In the afternoon in brighter weather 9 Purple Sandpipers and 1 Turnstone showed well at the Bill. Elsewhere, a Reed Bunting was in a garden at the Grove. February 27th   A warmer day with patchy rain in the morning and early mist in the afternoon. Around the Bill there were 4 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Stonechats, 3 Short-eared Owls and 3 Little Owls. The Top Fields produced a Golden Plover and 7 Song Thrushes. Elsewhere the was a Chaffinch and 5 Redwings. There was a report of a male Hen Harrier around the Higher Osprey during the late morning. Later at the Bill there were 28 Linnets and a Redshank.    February 26th A slightly warmer morning turned to a cold, overcast afternoon with few birds of note. There were 7 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill tip and up to 3 Short-eared Owls in the fields north of the Observatory. Elsewhere on Portland there were 5 Song Thrushes and a single Redwing. 34 Dark-bellied Brent Geese were at Ferrybridge and there were 4 Red-throated Divers past the Bill. A single Water Rail showed briefly in the Observatory garden.    February 25th Another day with late morning sunshine followed by cloud and a cold SE wind in the afternoon. A few more birdwatchers produced records of 3 Short-eared Owls around the Bill Fields. Sea-watching resulted in 1 Common Scoter and 1 Red-throated Diver. There were 11 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill tip and elsewhere 5 Lapwings in off the sea, 6 Song Thrushes in the Top Fields and 14 Redwings in the horse paddocks near the Hump.    February 24th A pleasant middle to a day but the wind turned cold from the SE and produced few birds and very few bird watchers. At the Bill there were 8 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Short-eared Owls. Elsewhere there was a Little Owl, 2 Ravens and a Rook. At 16.10, 30+ Grey Geese, thought to be Pink-footed, flew high across the Bill and out towards the North West. February 23rd A much more pleasant day but the only news so far is from the Bill, where there have been 7 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls and a Turnstone on the land, and 11 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Divers passing through on the sea. February 22nd A potentially promising day that was spoilt by a strong and chilly south-east wind that had sprung up overnight. Not too many birders ventured out, and those that did found just 4 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Short-eared Owls at the Bill.  February 21st A mild southerly breeze and unbroken sunshine got a few birds on the move again, with 13 Stonechats counted along the West Cliffs between the Bill and Barleycrates Lane (where there have been only 3-4 all winter), and a lone Redshank showing up at the Bill. At least 3  Short-eared Owls, 2 Water Rails and a Mistle Thrush remained at the Bill, whilst elsewhere there were 8 Redwings, 6 Fieldfares and a Black Redstart were at Barleycrates Lane February 20th A much more pleasant day with a hint of warmth in the air for the time this week. The sea provided most of the interest, with the highlight being the reappearance of a Sooty Shearwater off the Bill for most of the morning; a little up-Channel movement was also recorded there, with 33 Wigeon, 8 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Red-breasted Merganser passing through. Otherwise things remained pretty static, with 3 Short-eared Owls, a Redwing, a Fieldfare and a Mistle Thrush at the Bill, and 4 Black-necked and a Red-necked Grebe in Portland Harbour. February 19th An even windier day with the same few birds seen as in recent days. The Bill area produced 3 Short-eared Owls, a Mistle Thrush and a Redwing on the land, and a single Red-throated Diver passing through on the sea. Elsewhere there were still 8 Redwings and 6 Fieldfares at Southwell. February 18th The strong and very cold east wind continued unabated, and new arrivals were few and far between. Three Short-eared Owls and a Mistle Thrush remained at the Bill, whilst elsewhere there were 8 Redwings and 6 Fieldfares at Reap Lane, a Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge and 8 Black-necked Grebes and a Black-throated Diver in Portland Harbour. After dark, a grey goose heard calling over the Obs was considered to be a Bean Goose by an observer very familiar with the call of that species. February 17th Not much change in the weather or the birds. Thrushes were quite conspicuous, with 35 Song Thrushes, 11 Redwings, 5 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush scattered around the south of the island, but the only other worthwhile sightings on the land were of a Water Rail and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill, and 3 Lapwings at Reap Lane. Ten Common Scoter remained off the Bill and 2 Red-throated Divers flew past there. February 16th Not much incentive to get out today, with overcast skies and a raw east wind blowing. The only news was from the Bill area, where there were 7 Fieldfares, 3 Short-eared Owls, a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Bullfinch on the land, and a couple of Red-throated Divers past on the sea. February 15th The Mistle Thrush and the Bullfinch were still at the Bill, where 3 Short-eared Owls were also present. Seven Red-throated Divers flew past off the Bill, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane, a Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge and 7 Black-necked Grebes in Portland Harbour. February 14th After the flurry of interest yesterday, today was quieter. A Mistle Thrush was a new arrival at the Bill, where Song Thrushes also increased to 15; another Bullfinch also showed up in the Obs garden. Two Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill, whilst 5 Ravens overhead there were perhaps part of the flock of 6 seen earlier in the week at Verne Common. Elsewhere there were 10 Redwings at Reap Lane and a Lapwing at Weston. The only seawatching news was of 14 Common Scoter settled off the Bill and a Red-throated Diver passing by there.

 

      

 Woodlark - Avalanche Road, February 13th 2003 © Martin Cade

  February 13th Spring really does seem to be arriving. A Woodlark was a new arrival at Avalanche Road during the morning, where, remarkably, it was joined by a second individual during the afternoon. Also new in today were 4 Fieldfares at the Bill and another 2 at Avalanche Road, a Lapwing at the Bill and 48 Meadow Pipits at the Windmills (where there have been only 10 or so all winter). Purple Sandpiper numbers increased to 12 at the Bill, 2 Short-eared Owls were also there, whilst elsewhere there were 9 Redwings and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. February 12th Another hint of spring today with the arrival of a Bullfinch in the Obs garden. Eight Purple Sandpipers, 4 Short-eared Owls and 2 Redwings were also at the Bill, and a Red-throated Diver flew past on the sea there. Six Ravens were at Verne Common (the highest count on the island this winter), whilst Portland Harbour produced 9 Black-necked, 4 Great Crested and a Slavonian Grebe, and a single Common Scoter. February 11th A damp, misty day that provided some unexpected new arrivals. At the Bill, Short-eared Owl numbers increased to 7, whilst at Reap Lane the wintering Black Redstart was joined by a second individual. The only news otherwise was of 11 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill, a Red-throated Diver and a Shelduck passing through there, and 6 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks at the Bill-tip. February 10th Just a handful of typical winter sightings today. Six Purple Sandpipers, 4 Short-eared Owls and a Redwing were at the Bill, a Red-throated and an unidentified Diver flew past on the sea there and 2 more Redwings were at Avalanche Road.

 

     

 Sooty Shearwater - Portland Bill, February 9th 2003 © Martin Cade

  February 9th A Sooty Shearwater, presumably the same individual that was seen last weekend, lingered around the tide-race off the Bill for much of the morning; 2 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver also passed through off there. Eight Purple Sandpipers were on the rocks at the Bill and at least 3 Short-eared Owls were still in the area.  February 8th Auks remained very numerous off the Bill, where another 6 Red-throated Divers also passed through. Four Short-eared Owls and 3 Purple Sandpipers were on the land at the Bill, and the only other news was of 2 Slavonian Grebes, a Red-necked Grebe and an Eider in Portland Harbour. February 7th Not much change today. Six Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, where auks still numbered in the thousands and the flock of wintering Common Scoter was still present. Four Short-eared Owls were again in the Bill area, whilst Redwings included 6 at the Windmills and 2 at the Bill. Portland Harbour remains rather quiet, with totals today of 5 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 3 Mute Swans, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Common Scoter. February 6th The first damp, dreary day for a while. Twenty Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, where the 25 wintering Common Scoter were also still present. Limited birding on the land produced just 14 Linnets, 2 Redwings and a Short-eared Owl around the Bill area, and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane.

 

   

 Short-eared Owls - Portland Bill, February 5th 2003 © Martin Cade

  February 5th Inevitably, yesterday's report of the apparent demise of the Short-eared Owls proved unduly pessimistic - today, 4 showed very well at the Bill all afternoon! Otherwise the only news was of 11 Redwings at Reap Lane and another 2 at the Bill, single Black Redstarts at St Georges Church and Reap Lane, and a Goldcrest at Weston Street. February 4th Fine weather got a few more birders into the field, and there were a few snippets of interest to report. At the Bill, Short-eared Owl numbers have been dwindling of late, and only a single bird could be found today; also there were 19 Skylarks (the highest count of the winter) and a lone Redwing. Elsewhere on the island, a Coal Tit in song at Wakeham was presumably the individual seen in that area last autumn, 2 Redwings, a Fieldfare and a Black Redstart were at Southwell and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and 2 Mute Swans were at Ferrybridge. February 3rd Once again, the only news was from the Bill area, where seawatching produced 5 fly-by Red-throated Divers and the flock of 25 wintering Common Scoter, and there were 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Redwing on the land. February 2nd A good mid-winter sighting today in the form of a Sooty Shearwater that lingered for more than an hour with the feeding flocks of Gannets, gulls and auks off the Bill during the morning. Four Red-throated Divers passed through there, along with a dozen Common Scoter that appeared to be additional birds to the small wintering flock already present. The only news otherwise was of a couple of Short-eared Owls still at the Bill. February 1st A slow start to the new month. The only news was from the Bill, where there were 25 Song Thrushes, 2 Short-eared Owls and a Lapwing on the land, and 20 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Divers on the sea.

January 2003

January 31st There was another minor flurry of cold weather refugees today, with 40 Song Thrushes, 13 Lapwings, 10 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares and a Golden Plover at the Bill and Reap Lane. A Firecrest was seen at Easton, 3 Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill and 2 Red-throated Divers flew past on the sea there. January 30th The raw northerly wind, together with a brief flurry of snow in the morning, prompted a few thrushes to get on the move: the Bill and Reap Lane hosted 30 Song Thrushes and 7 Redwings. Auks were very conspicuous off the Bill, with more than 5000/hour passing east during the morning, a lone Red-throated Divers passed by there, at least 2 Short-eared Owls were at the Bill and a Black Redstart was at Southwell. January 29th Despite it being a day of unbroken sunshine, the chilly north-west wind kept most birders indoors and it was left to 3 Short-eared Owls on view from the Obs during the afternoon to save the day. January 28th A blast of cold north-westerlies certainly put paid to any thoughts of spring today, and the only news was of 4 Short-eared Owls at the Bill and a Goldcrest at Pennsylvania Castle.

 

 

 Common Scoter - Portland Bill, January 27th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 27th A fine spring-like day with Skylarks in full song for the first time this year. The Slavonian Grebe was still close inshore near the Bill, the 25 Common Scoter remained off the East Cliffs and at least 4 Short-eared Owls were showing well over the fields at the Bill. Elsewhere on the island there were 3 Redwings at Avalanche Road, the Goldcrest was still at Weston Street and there was a good mid-winter count of 34 Pied and 2 Grey Wagtails at Church Ope Cove.

 

 

 Slavonian Grebe - Portland Bill, January 26th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 26th The sea continued to provide a few birds, with 6 Red-throated Divers and large numbers of auks passing off the Bill; the resident Common Scoter flock was still present there and a Slavonian Grebe that lingered close inshore throughout the morning along the East Cliffs was also noteworthy. Nine Purple Sandpipers and 5 Short-eared Owls were still on the land at the Bill, and a Goldcrest was found at Weston Street. The 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese remained at Ferrybridge, and 6 Slavonian Grebes and 3 Eider were in Portland Harbour;  January 25th Not much change today. Five Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, several Short-eared Owls remained in the Bill area, the 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were at Ferrybridge and there were 3 Eider, 2 Common Scoter and a handful of divers and grebes in Portland Harbour. January 24th Six Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, where the 25 Common Scoter were still present and large numbers of auks continued to linger offshore. On the land, 2 Short-eared Owls were at the Bill and single Black Redstarts were at both Reap Lane and Ferrybridge. The 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and the Sandwich Tern reappeared at Ferrybridge, a Mediterranean Gull was there, and Portland Harbour produced 6 Black-necked, a Slavonian and a Red-necked Grebe, 3 Eider and a Common Scoter. January 23rd At least 5 Short-eared Owls were making the most of the sunny, mild and calm weather at the Bill, but otherwise all there was to show for plenty of effort were the 25 Common Scoter off the Bill itself, 2 Chiffchaffs at Easton and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane.

 

 

 House Sparrow - Portland Bill, January 22nd 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 22nd A pleasantly dry and bright day with some surprising new arrivals reported around the island. At the Bill a Merlin was seen along with at least 4 Short-eared Owls; a Great Skua passed through on the sea, and the 25 Common Scoter were still offshore. Elsewhere, a Brambling passed over at Avalanche Road, and there were 2 Redwings there and another 6 at the Windmills. Four wintering Goldcrests were at East Weare and Pennsylvania Castle, and 2 Great Northern Divers were in Portland Harbour.

 

          

Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, January 21st 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 21st Plenty of commoner seabirds, particularly auks, remained off the Bill, together with the 25 wintering Common Scoter and a couple of fly-by Red-throated Divers. The only birds of note on the land were 6 Short-eared Owls at the Bill. January 20th Little birding was possible in wet and windy weather throughout the morning and middle of the day. In clearer weather late in the afternoon 5 Short-eared Owls were again showing well at the Bill.

 

     

Razorbills - Portland Bill, January 19th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 19th Large number of auks and other common seabirds remained off the Bill, but the only other news was of 9 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Short-eared Owls and a Turnstone on the land there. January 18th Large numbers of commoner seabirds remained off the Bill, with an estimated 10000 auks being a particularly dramatic spectacle. A Red-throated Diver also passed through on the sea, and 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Short-eared Owl were on the land there. Portland Harbour was still fairly quiet, with 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 3 Eiders and a Red-necked Grebe seen from Portland Castle today; nearby, there was a Great Northern Diver and a Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge.

 

       

     Great Black-backed Gull - Portland Bill, January 17th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 17th A stormy morning saw large numbers of Gannets, gulls and auks gathered in an impressive feeding melee off the Bill; the 25 Common Scoter were also still offshore, and a Red-throated Diver and a Great Skua passed through. In better weather during the afternoon at least 3 Short-eared Owls were showing well at the Bill.

 

       

     Surf Scoter - Portland Bill, January 16th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 16th The unexpected bird of the day today was a first-winter Surf Scoter that flew west past the Bill late in the afternoon; also past there were 1 Red-throated, 1 Black-throated and 1 Great Northern Diver. On the land there were 4 Short-eared Owls, a Redwing and a Reed Bunting at the Bill, 3 more Redwings at the Windmills, and a Grey Wagtail and a Chiffchaff at Church Ope Cove. January 15th Just a few snippets from the Bill today, where there 9 Purple Sandpipers and 4 Short-eared Owls on the land, and 5 Red-throated Divers and a Velvet Scoter past on the sea. January 14th Not a great deal to report. Nine Song Thrushes, a Short-eared Owl and a wintering flock of 26 Linnets were at the Bill; the 25 Common Scoter also remained offshore there. Counts at Ferrybridge included 90 Dunlin, 65 Ringed Plovers, 5 Mute Swans, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Little Egret, a Sanderling and a Bar-tailed Godwit. January 13th Interest dwindled as mild westerly weather returned. The only news was from the Bill, where there were 24 Song Thrushes, 10 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Chaffinches, a Water Rail, a Turnstone and a Redwing. January 12th Less on the land today but a few birds seemed to be returning to Portland Harbour. Virtually all of the cold weather birds had moved on from the Bill area, where there were just 23 Song Thrushes, 9 Redwings, 5 Short-eared Owls and a Water Rail; single Red-throated and Great Northern Divers flew past on the sea there. Counts at Portland Harbour included 11 Black-necked, 3 Great Crested and a Slavonian Grebe, 8 Black-throated and 2 Great Northern Divers, 3 Eider and 2 Common Scoter, whilst another Great Northern Diver was nearby at Ferrybridge.

 

       

     Purple Sandpiper and Turnstone - Portland Bill, January 11th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 11th Fair variety without any particular highlights today. The Bill area produced 25 Song Thrushes, 11 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Short-eared Owls, 3 Lapwings, 3 Redwings, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Fieldfares, a Ringed Plover and a Turnstone. The only other noteworthy bird on the land was a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. Seawatching at the Bill provided more than 3000 auks, 6 Red-throated Divers and 2 Shelducks flying past, as well as the 35 Common Scoter still lingering offshore. The recent cold spell seems to have done nothing for Portland Harbour, where all that could be found were 120 Red-breasted Mergansers, 5 Eider, 3 Black-necked, 2 Slavonian and a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Grey Herons and a Great Northern Diver. The Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge had increased to 4, and there was also an exceptional count of 20 Mute Swans there. January 10th   A little less cold today and fewer birds around. The only news was from the Bill area, where there were 50 Song Thrushes, 6 Snipe, 5 Short-eared Owls, 4 Lapwings, 3 Golden Plovers, 2 Redwings and a Water Rail; 4 Red-throated Divers passed through offshore and the flock of 30 Common Scoter reappeared after going missing for a couple of days.

 

       

     Lapwing - Portland Bill, January 9th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 9th More typical cold weather birds today, with 60 Song Thrushes, 36 Golden Plovers, 15 Snipe, 10 Lapwings, 6 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares at the Bill; 6 Short-eared Owls remained on view there, and 13 Red-throated Divers flew past offshore. January 8th Another very cold and windy day, albeit rather brighter and drier than yesterday. Little Egret numbers have been steadily increasing at Ferrybridge in recent days - presumably as feeding areas inland have become frozen - and today there were at least 31 there. Plovers and thrushes have also begun to arrive around the island, with 130 Lapwings, 40 Song Thrushes, 30 Golden Plovers, 10 Redwings and a Fieldfare grounded or passing overhead at the Bill alone; also there were 9 Snipe and 5 Short-eared Owls. Five Eider and 2 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill and the 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still at Ferrybridge. January 7th Those foolhardy enough to venture out today were treated to frequent sleet and snow showers driven in on a vicious south-easterly gale - not surprisingly, quality observations were at a premium. The only sign of cold weather movement was a flock of 12 Golden Plovers on the Chesil Beach at Ferrybridge, whilst the only other birds of note on the land were a single Short-eared Owl at the Bill and a Black Redstart at Ferrybridge. Thirty Common Scoter remained off the Bill, where 6 Eider also flew past. Seven more Common Scoter and 2 more Eider were in Portland Harbour, where there were also ones and twos of most of the regular divers and grebes. The 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese were still at Ferrybridge.

 

       

     Pale-bellied Brent Geese - Ferrybridge, January 6th 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 6th The Common Scoter flock off the Bill increased to 50 but there was not so much on the move offshore today, with just 4 Red-throated Divers and 3 Eider passing the Bill. A small influx of Song Thrushes at the Bill resulted in a count of 26 around part of the area, and also there were 4 Short-eared Owls, a Golden Plover and a Redwing. Two Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a Mediterranean Gull were at Ferrybridge. 

 

         

     Little Egrets and Mediterranean Gull - Ferrybridge, January 5th 2003 © Charlie Moores

  January 5th Another substantial passage of 77 Red-throated Divers off the Bill was the highlight today; also past there were 28 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Velvet Scoters, 2 Brent Geese and a Red-breasted Merganser. Six Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill and a Black Redstart was again at Reap Lane. Sightings from Ferrybridge included at least 25 Little Egrets on view between there and the Wyke Bridging Camp, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Grey Plover, a Curlew, a Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern. January 4th With ice on the puddles and a raw north-east breeze sweeping the island, conditions were less than pleasant but there was still plenty to see. Off the Bill another 51 Red-throated Divers passed through, along with 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese, a Shelduck and a Mallard; the resident flock of 30 Common Scoter were also still present. Five Short-eared Owls were still showing well at the Bill, with another 2 also now present at Reap Lane. Odds and sods otherwise on the land included a Golden Plover and a Redwing at the Bill, another 4 Redwings at Barleycrates Lane and a Buzzard over Fortuneswell. Portland Harbour produced 6 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 11 Great Crested, 7 Slavonian, 4 Black-necked and 2 Red-necked Grebes, 8 Razorbills, 2 Common Scoter and a Guillemot, whilst another Black-throated Diver was at Ferrybridge.

 

       

     Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, January 3rd 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 3rd The first really nice day of the year got more people into the field and there was plenty to see. The sea provided most of the interest at the Bill, with 39 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver, 25 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Velvet Scoter, a Great Crested Grebe, a Brent Goose and a Great Skua passing through, and the flock of 30 Common Scoter still settled offshore. On the land there, Short-eared Owls were constantly on view around the fields and 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were on the rocks at the Bill itself. Elsewhere there were 4 Redwings and a Black Redstart at Weston, a Blackcap at Church Ope Cove and a scatter of divers and grebes in Portland Harbour. January 2nd After another wet night the day itself was drier, although a strengthening north-west wind hindered birding everywhere. The Short-eared Owls continued to show at the Bill, but there was little else of note on the land. Seawatching at the Bill produced just 2 Red-throated Divers and the settled flock of 30 Common Scoter; over 100 Black-headed Gulls were feeding in Chesil Cove but there was no passage of note there. Elsewhere there were 3 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 3 Slavonian and a Black-necked Grebe, 3 Eider and 2 Common Scoter in Portland Harbour, 6 Mute Swans at Ferrybridge and a Merlin near Pennsylvania Castle.

 

       

     Turnstone - Portland Bill, January 1st 2003 © Martin Cade

  January 1st Wet and windy weather failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the many day-listers out and about around the area today. They were treated to a good show by up to 9 Short-eared Owls at the Bill; also there were 7 Purple Sandpipers, a Water Rail, a Golden Plover, a Turnstone and a newly arrived Blackcap in the Obs garden. Seawatching there was unexpectedly productive, with a Storm Petrel and a Great Skua seen amongst the fair numbers of Gannets, Kittiwakes and auks on the move; the 30 Common Scoter were also still offshore. Elsewhere there were 3 Eider and small numbers of divers and grebes  in Portland Harbour, and a lone Black Redstart was again at Reap Lane. After dark, there was a cracking start to the ringing year when a Turnstone - the first ever ringed at the Obs - and a Purple Sandpiper were trapped at the Bill.