January 2004

January 31st A wet and windy morning gave way to a drier but stormier afternoon, and the only news was of the Black Brant still at Ferrybridge, 3 Slavonian Grebes and a Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour and 2 Eider and a Common Scoter off the Bill. January 30th Any last vestige of cold weather was swept away by a strengthening south-west wind that brought with it higher temperatures, overcast skies and occasional rain showers. The Black Brant and a single Mediterranean Gull were again at Ferrybridge, 3 Eider were lingering off the Bill and 15 Common Scoter, 6 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua passed through off the Bill.

                                                

   

  Golden Plover - Portland Bill, January 29th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 29th The overnight dusting of snow had precious little effect on birds, with the only new arrivals being 8 Brent Geese, 6 Song Thrushes, 5 Fieldfares and 3 Golden Plovers at the Bill, and 11 Linnets, a Redwing and a Fieldfare at Reap Lane. The 2 Eider remained off the Bill, where 6 Common Scoter and 5 Red-throated Divers also flew past, and 2 Firecrests were in Top Fields at the Bill and later in gardens at Sweethill. January 28th The Black Brant and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were again at Ferrybridge, 2 Eider were still off the Bill and 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest were at Pennsylvania Castle. During a brief blizzard after dark several Golden Plovers were heard calling over Southwell.

                                                

        

  Mediterranean Gull - Ferrybridge, January 27th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 27th The Black Brant was again at Ferrybridge, where 6 Little Egrets and 2 Mediterranean Gulls were also still present. Odds and sods at Portland Harbour included a reappearance of the Sandwich Tern, as well as 6 Great Crested, 3 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, a Great Northern Diver and a Black Redstart. Off the Bill, 2 Eider were still lingering and 2 more Red-throated Divers flew past; on the land there, a solitary Fieldfare was the only indication of any cold weather movement from further afield.

                                                

      

  Black Brant and Dark-bellied Brent Geese - Ferrybridge, January 26th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 26th The Black Brant returned to Ferrybridge today, where there were also 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese. The only other news was of a Black Redstart at Southwell, 3 Common Scoter and 2 Eider settled off the Bill and 10 Red-throated Divers flying past there. January 25th Calm, sunny conditions saw a few birds on the move off the Bill, where 21 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver, 17 Common Scoter, 3 Eider and a Shelduck passed through during the morning. Two Purple Sandpipers were still at the Bill and the wintering Goldcrest remained in the Obs garden. Elsewhere, a Siskin was at the Eight Kings Quarry, Portland Harbour produced 9 Black-necked and a Slavonian Grebe, 3 Great Northern and 3 Red-throated Divers, 3 Eider and a Kingfisher; 2 Mediterranean Gulls were at Ferrybridge, but although the Black Brant remained on the Fleet it hadn't appeared at Ferrybridge by midday. 

   

  

      

  Black Brant - Portland Harbour, January 24th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 24th There was a quality new arrival today in the form of a Black Brant in amongst the Brent Geese at Ferrybridge and along the shore of Portland Harbour; 2 Mediterranean Gulls were also at Ferrybridge. The Bill remained quiet, with just a couple fly-by Red-throated Divers, the resident group of Common Scoter and Eider still offshore and 4 Purple Sandpipers on the shore below the Trinity House obelisk. January 23rd A pre-dawn sighting of a Barn Owl at Weston was a good start to the day, but otherwise the only change was there being just the faintest of hints of spring in the air: a Skylark was in song for the first time at the Bill and a total of 11 Black-headed Gulls trickled up-Channel off the Bill. Seven Common Scoter and 2 Eider remained off the Bill, where a lone Red-throated Diver also flew past; 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were also still at the Bill. January 22nd With rain setting in soon after dawn and persisting throughout the day the only birding possible was some seawatching from the shelter of the Obs; 11 Common Scoter and 2 Eider were settled off the East Cliffs and a single Red-throated Diver flew past.

   

       

  Shag trapped in fishing net and drowned auks being winched onto a fishing boat - Portland Bill, January 17th/18th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 21st More of the same at the Bill, where 4 Red-throated Divers and many thousands of auks passed through offshore, 7 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still lingering off the East Cliffs and 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were on the shore at the Bill. Elsewhere, 190 Brent Geese and 2 Little Egrets were at Ferrybridge and 3 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Slavonian Grebes and a Kingfisher were in Portland Harbour. With so many seabirds off the Bill it is distressing, but perhaps not surprising, that many are being caught as by-catch of fishing operations there.

   

      

  auks - Portland Bill, January 20th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 20th Despite there still being plenty of common seabirds off the Bill - auks, for example, were passing at more than 5000/hour at times during the morning - the only noteworthy fly-by was a single Red-throated Diver. On the land the wintering Water Rail and Goldcrest were both still at the Bill. The only other news was of 7 Black-necked and a Slavonian Grebe and a single Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour.

   

     

  Cormorant - Portland Bill, January 19th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 19th A much quieter day in blustery north-westerlies. Just 3 Red-throated Divers passed the Bill, where the 7 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still lingering offshore. January 18th Another clear, sunny day saw Red-throated Divers on the move in quantity again, with 49 passing the Bill through the day. Four Red-breasted Mergansers also passed through, the group of 7 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still present off the East Cliffs and 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were present at the Bill. The calm conditions allowed a good look at Portland Harbour, where there were 195 Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Wigeon, 2 Eider and single Red-throated and Great Northern Divers. Elsewhere, a Chiffchaff was at Wide Street and at dusk a Woodcock and a Long-eared Owl were seen briefly in flight at Verne Common. January 17th The arrival of quieter weather and clear skies prompted a few birds to get moving off the Bill, where 21 Red-throated Divers, 7 Wigeon and 2 Pintail passed through during the morning; 17 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were also still settled off the East Cliffs. Elsewhere a Firecrest visited a garden at Tilleycombe and at dusk a Long-eared Owl was seen at Verne Common. January 16th The Common Scoter flock increased to 22 off the Bill where the 3 Eider were also still present; a Little Gull also lingered offshore and a Mute Swan flew south. The only other news was of 2 Mute Swans at Ferrybridge.

   

      

  Sandwich Tern - Ferrybridge, January 15th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 15th A Sandwich Tern was again at Ferrybridge in the afternoon but there was otherwise little change, with the group of Common Scoter and Eider still off the Bill and 3 Red-throated Divers passing through there. January 14th The wintering group of Common Scoter and Eider remained off the Bill, where 2 Red-throated Divers also flew past; rather more unexpected was the flock of 100 Starlings that arrived in off the sea at the Bill and carried on northwards. January 13th The only noteworthy birds reported were the group of Common Scoter and Eider still lingering off the Bill. January 12th Another day of extremely little interest. The customary group of Common Scoter and Eider were again off the Bill, where a lone Red-throated Diver also flew past. The only other news was of 2 Black Redstarts at Southwell. January 11th Seven Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained off the Bill, 3 Red-throated Diver flew past there and, in increasingly stormy weather late in the day, an unseasonable Manx Shearwater also flew past. Two Purple Sandpipers were still at the Bill, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Slavonian and a Black-necked Grebe and 2 Common Scoter in Portland Harbour. January 10th Seven Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still off the Bill and 3 Red-throated Divers flew past there. Elsewhere a Sandwich Tern was a good mid-winter sighting at Ferrybridge and there were 6 Black-necked, 2 Slavonian and a Red-necked Grebe, 2 Eider and a Black-throated Diver in Portland Harbour. January 9th Another blustery day with little news to report. Ten Common Scoter, 3 Eider and 2 Purple Sandpipers were still at the Bill, and 6 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, another Eider and a Coot were in Portland Harbour. Some belated news for recent days: evidently a Long-eared Owl has been seen in flight at dusk on several occasions recently at Verne Common; searches by day for the bird at roost have so far drawn a blank. January 8th One of the stormiest days of the winter so far. Five Coots were unexpected visitors to Chesil Cove, where there were also 2 Great Skuas and a Red-throated Diver; 2 more Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill.

   

      

  Common Scoter - Portland Bill, January 7th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 7th Very little change, with 8 Common Scoter and 3 Eider remaining off the Bill, 3 Red-throated Divers flying past there, 3 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Turnstones on the shore at the Bill and a Blackcap again visiting a garden at Southwell. January 6th Wintering birds on the land today included a Blackcap at Southwell and a Goldcrest at the Bill. Three Eider were still off the Bill and 3 Shelducks and a Red-throated Diver flew past there.

   

 

  Queen Mary 2 - Portland Bill, January 5th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 5th A drab, damp day. The only news was from the Bill where there were 2 Purple Sandpipers on the rocks beside the Trinity House obelisk, 5 Common Scoter and 3 Eider lingering offshore, 3 Red-throated Divers flying past and distant views of the new cruise-liner Queen Mary 2 passing up-Channel.

   

     

  Rock Pipits - Portland Bill, January 4th 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 4th A much more pleasant, almost spring-like day. Single Firecrests were found at Verne Common and Southwell but most of the interest was otherwise on the sea, with 11 Red-throated Divers, 2 diver spp and a Pintail flying past off the Bill, and 4 Little Gulls and 3 Eider lingering off there. Elsewhere, 2 Eider were also still in Portland Harour. January 3rd With light rain falling virtually all day there was precious little incentive to spend long in the field. The sea remained busy at the Bill, where auks built up to their highest numbers of the winter - for an hour or so during the morning sample counts exceeded 200/minute; also off there were the lingering group of 8 Common Scoter and 4 Eider, as well as a Red-throated Diver, a Brent Goose and a Mallard that flew past. Six Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones and a Yellowhammer were at the Bill, whilst elsewhere 8 Black-necked and a Slavonian Grebe, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Wigeon, an Eider and the first Goldeneye of the winter were in Portland Harbour, 60 Wigeon flew over the Harbour and a Black Redstart was at Southwell. January 2nd More of the same today. The flock of 8 Common Scoter were still lingering off the Bill where the 3 Eider were joined by a fourth individual, 4 Red-throated Divers also flew past. Four Purple Sandpipers, 2 Turnstones, a Redwing and a Black Redstart were at the Bill, whilst Portland Harbour remained very quiet for the time of year, with just 7 Black-necked and 3 Slavonian Grebes and a single Great Northern Diver on view in the afternoon.

   

      

  Eider - Portland Bill, January 1st 2004 © Martin Cade

  January 1st 2004 Most of the usual mid-winter suspects were on view to keep the many day-listers out-and-about around the island happy. In blustery north-westerlies the good numbers of common seabirds feeding off the Bill had a Great Skua in attendance for a while, the flock of 8 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still lingering offshore and 4 Red-throated Divers flew past. Four Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart were at the Bill, 4 Black-necked and 4 Slavonian Grebes, an Eider and a Great Northern Diver were in Portland Harbour and a Black Redstart was still at Portland Castle.

December 2003

December 31st A surprisingly busy end to the year with a chilly easterly breeze being the cue for some movement offshore and a couple of interesting late arrivals on the land. Seawatching at the Bill produced 33 Wigeon, 13 Red-throated Divers, 10 Common Scoter, 4 Mallard, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, a Teal, a Gadwall, a Pintail, a Tufted Duck and a Little Gull; 8 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were also still lingering offshore. A Blackcap and a Siskin were new arrivals at the Obs and there were still fair numbers of Song Thrushes, 2 Black Redstarts and a Snipe at the Bill. An Eider was in Portland Harbour, a Black Redstart was still at Portland Castle and 9 Little Egrets were at Ferrybridge. December 30th Quieter weather today allowed the southern half of the island to be checked more thoroughly than of late. Notable sightings included 2 Goldcrests and a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, a Black Redstart and a Redwing at Barleycrates Lane, a Chiffchaff at Weston, a Fieldfare at Avalanche Road and 4 Purple Sandpipers and a Redwing at the Bill; there was also a distinct influx of Song Thrushes, with 44 counted between the Bill and Weston/Easton. Twelve Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained off the Bill, where 5 Red-throated Divers also flew past; another 2 Red-throated Divers flew over Portland Harbour and there were 2 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. December 29th Another wet and windy day that offered few chances to venture outdoors. Nine Purple Sandpipers were at the Bill, where 17 Common Scoter remained offshore and a lone Red-throated Diver flew past. Elsewhere, a Black Redstart was at Southwell.

   

 

  Shag - Portland Bill, December 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 28th The flock of Common Scoter and Eider were still off the Bill, where 2 Red-throated Divers and a Teal also passed through.

   

      

  Great Skua - Portland Bill, December 27th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 27th A succession of heavy, squally showers of rain and hail meant that seawatching was again the only birding worth any effort. Two Great Skuas passed through off the Bill and another 1 or 2 were seen at Chesil Cove. The flock of 15 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still lingering off the Bill and 10 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Turnstones were on the shore below the East Cliffs. A lone Eider was in Portland Harbour. December 26th Highlight today was a Little Auk settled in Chesil Cove for a while during the morning. The only other news was of 17 Common Scoter and 3 Eider off the Bill and the wintering Black Redstart still on the East Cliffs at the Bill. December 25th The flock of 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained off the Bill where there were also very large numbers of Gannets, gulls and auks feeding distantly offshore - presumably being attracted by shoaling sprats which have apparently become abundant in the area lately.

   

   

  Kittiwake - Portland Bill, December 24th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 24th The only news today was of 14 Common Scoter and 3 Eider settled off the Bill and 2 fly-by Red-throated Divers there. December 23rd The flock of 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider were still off the Bill, where 7 Red-throated Divers and 3 Velvet Scoters also passed through. Portland Harbour was a little busier than of late, producing totals of 7 Black-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 2 Eider and a Kingfisher. Single wintering Black Redstarts were at the Bill and on the Harbour shore. December 22nd More of the same today. Four Song Thrushes and a Redwing were at the Bill, a Red-throated Diver passed through and 11 Common Scoter and 3 Eider remained lingering offshore there, and Portland Harbour produced 6 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Eider and a Great Northern Diver. December 21st Eight Common Scoter were still lingering off the Bill, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Brent Geese passed through there and the wintering Black Redstart remained along the East Cliffs at the Bill. December 20th Very little to report today in wet and windy weather. Ten Common Scoter and 3 Eider were lingering off the Bill, a Great Skua was at Chesil Cove and a Black Redstart visited a garden at Southwell. December 19th Typical fare today, with the Bill area producing 2 Siskins, a Water Rail, a Snipe, a Black Redstart and a Redwing; a total of 11 Stonechats were found between the Bill and Tout Quarry, and another 2 Black Redstarts were at Blacknor. Six Common Scoter and 3 Eider were again off the Bill and a single Black-throated Diver was in Portland Harbour.

   

 

  Great Northern Diver - Portland Bill, December 18th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 18th A pleasantly mild and sunny day that at least made seeing nothing particularly out of the ordinary quite enjoyable. Odds and sods at the Bill included 80 Starlings moving north, a Water Rail, a Snipe and a Firecrest, whilst elsewhere there were 3 Goldcrests and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle and a Chiffchaff at Weston. A Red-throated Diver passed through off the Bill, where a Mediterranean Gull was also lingering, and a Great Northern Diver flew south high over the West Cliffs. December 17th The only news today was of 15 Song Thrushes at the Bill, a Firecrest at Culverwell and 3 Red-throated Divers passing on the sea off the Bill. December 16th New arrivals today included 350 Starlings, a dozen Song Thrushes and a Blackcap at the Bill and 16 Chaffinches at Southwell; presumed winterers included 6 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill, a few Redwings at Southwell and single Goldcrests at the Bill and Southwell, whilst a Barn Owl seen before dawn at Wide Street was perhaps the individual that has been seen from time in recent months both there and on the Beach Road. Seawatching at the Bill produced 18 Common Scoter, 10 Red-throated Divers, 3 Eider and 2 Brent Geese. December 15th Still, clear mornings continue to produce a handful of late migrants, with 20 Goldfinches, 3 Brambling, a Redwing and a Fieldfare passing overhead at the Bill this morning. Single wintering Black Redstarts were also still at the Bill and Portland Castle, and 2 Great Northern Divers were in Portland Harbour  

After an autumn spent at PBO, James Lees is now in Canada - click here for James's new website chronicling his birding adventures there.

 

December 14th Despite a big improvement in the weather there was still little to be seen around the island. The 8 Common Scoter and single Eider were still off the Bill where 2 Red-throated Divers also flew past. Elsewhere a Velvet Scoter was a new arrival in Portland Harbour, where there also 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Common Scoter and an Eider. December 13th Same weather, same birds. The 8 Common Scoter and single Eider were still off the Bill and the lone Redwing was still in the Obs garden. The only news from elsewhere was of a single Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour. December 12th Damp, dismal weather saw to it that there were hardly any birders in the field. The only news was of a solitary Redwing in the Obs garden and 8 Common Scoter and an Eider lingering off the Bill.

   

   

  Turnstone - Portland Bill, December 11th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 11th Just a few snippets of news from the Bill today, where there were 8 Purple Sandpipers, a Turnstone and a Redwing on the land and 3 Red-throated Divers past on the sea. December 10th A pleasantly mild and bright day that produced a handful of late migrants, with new arrivals at the Bill including 20 Song Thrushes, 10 Chaffinches, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Siskins, a Redwing and a Brambling; a lone Red-throated Diver was the only worthwhile sighting on the sea there. Odds and sods elsewhere included 3 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour, 8 Little Egrets and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge and a Black Redstart at Portland Harbour Sailing Academy. December 9th Very little to report again today. A Black Redstart was a new arrival at the Bill where there otherwise just a few Song Thrushes and the wintering Goldcrest; an Eider and a Little Gull were the only noteworthy birds on the sea there. December 8th Another dull, chilly and windy day. The only news came from the Bill area, where there were 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Lapwings, 2 Snipe, a Water Rail, a Black Redstart, a Redwing and a Goldcrest on the land, and 3 Eider and 2 Red-throated Divers passing through on the sea. December 7th A blasting easterly wind prevented any serious birding other than seawatching at the Bill, where 16 Teal, 2 Wigeon, a Red-throated Diver, a Shelduck, a Red-breasted Merganser and a Snipe passed through. The only other news was of a Golden Plover and a Redwing on the land at the Bill, and 600 Dark-bellied and a lone Pale-bellied Brent Goose at Ferrybridge.

   

   

  Fieldfare - Portland Bill, December 6th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 6th There was another small flurry of late migrants at the Bill today, including 12 Chaffinches, 6 Fieldfares, 5 Redwings, a Golden Plover, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest, a Redpoll and a Yellowhammer.

   

   

  Pink-footed Geese - Southwell, December 5th 2003 © Martin Cade

  December 5th A dreary, cold day that produced a good island rarity in the form of 3 Pink-footed Geese: a lone individual flew north over the Bill soon after dawn, whilst later in the morning 2 birds together passed overhead at the Bill and Southwell before leaving to the west. New arrivals in the Bill area included 10 Redwings, 5 Lapwings, 3 Snipe and 3 Fieldfares; seawatching there produced 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua. A flock of 18 Eider were new arrivals in Portland Harbour, where there were also 80 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Northern Diver and a Common Scoter.  December 4th Thrushes were still on the move at the Bill where 45 Redwings, 20 Song Thrushes, 15 Blackbirds, 3 Fieldfares and a Mistle Thrush passed through during the morning; a Blackcap, a Goldcrest and a Siskin were also new arrivals there. Offshore, Gannets and Kittiwakes were feeding in good numbers, whilst more than 1000 auks, 7 Brent Geese, 6 Velvet Scoters, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Wigeon also passed through. December 3rd Clear weather in the morning saw a few more late migrants pass through at the Bill, where there were 20 Chaffinches, 19 Redwings, 10 Song Thrushes, 5 Fieldfares, 2 Bramblings, 2 Siskins, a Blackcap and a Goldcrest. The only news from other sites was of a Blackcap and a Goldcrest at Wakeham. December 2nd Despite the return of quieter weather there was little to report again today. Small numbers of Redwings were scattered around the south of the island, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Blackcaps and a Chiffchaff were still at Pennsylvania Castle, another lone Goldcrest was at Avalanche Road and a there was a Black Redstart at Southwell. Two Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill and a Mediterranean Gull was at Ferrybridge. December 1st A dismal start to December with heavy rain throughout the morning and the drier afternoon spoilt by a raw north-east wind. The only news from round the island was of 3 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge, 6 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill and 4 Redwings and a Goldcrest in the Obs garden.

November 2003

November 30th No sign again today of either the Yellow-browed Warbler or the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat. A Lapland Bunting flew north at the Bill but the only movement of late common migrants there involved a few Chaffinches and a Redpoll passing overhead; a lone Blackcap was still in the Obs garden. Elsewhere there was a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle and a Chiffchaff at Easton. Nine Common Scoter, 3 Red-throated Divers and 2 Red-necked Grebes passed through off the Bill and a Little Auk was reported briefly in Portland Harbour.  November 29th Only a handful of birders braved the wind and rain this morning and, not surprisingly, they drew a blank with both the Yellow-browed Warbler and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat. The only other news was of 7 Goldcrests and a Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Great Skua passing through off Chesil Cove and 3 Common Scoter lingering off the Bill.

   

            

  Long-eared Owl - Portland Bill, November 28th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 28th A Long-eared Owl showed well at the Bill for a while during the morning after it had been watched flying in off the sea, but new arrivals there otherwise consisted of just 250 Starlings also arriving in off the sea and a Golden Plover. Long-stayers still around included the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton, the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell, and 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Black Redstart and a Blackcap at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill produced 17 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser.

   

   

  Blackcap - Portland Bill, November 27th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 27th The Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell were both still present today. The sprinkle of birds in the Bill area included 6 Bramblings, 5 Redpolls, 5 Siskins, 3 Fieldfares, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Water Rails (including a new individual in the Obs garden), 2 Goldcrests, a Merlin, a Black Redstart and a Reed Bunting, as well as 100 Starlings arriving in off the sea. Elsewhere there were 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 Firecrests and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, a good count for the winter of 38 Pied and a Grey Wagtail on Church Ope beach and 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese at Ferrybridge. November 26th Very little change today, with both the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell still present and a Siberian Chiffchaff seen again at Wakeham. Five Redwings and 4 Fieldfares at Avalanche Road were probably new arrivals, but the Black Redstart at the Bill and the scatter of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests in sheltered spots between Southwell and Easton were all likely to be lingering on from previous days. Eight Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers passed through on the sea at the Bill. November 25th Despite the continuing presence of both the Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell it is looking like autumn interest is fizzling out as increasingly frequent Atlantic depressions sweep wind and rain across the island. The only additional news today was of a Firecrest and a Treecreeper still at Pennsylvania Castle, and 18 Common Scoter and 2 Brent Geese passing through on the sea at the Bill.

   

   

  Yellow-browed Warbler - Easton, November 24th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 24th The weather finally took a turn for the better enabling most areas of the island to be looked at pretty thoroughly. The Yellow-browed Warbler at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat at Southwell both showed well, a Siberian Chiffchaff was at Wakeham and there were further single 'eastern' Chiffchaffs at both Wakeham and Easton. The trickle of thrushes and finches passing overhead at the Bill included 7 Bramblings, 2 Redpolls and 2 Siskins, whilst grounded migrants/winterers there included 4 Black Redstarts, 3 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests and a Water Rail. Suitable sites elsewhere around the island still held a few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests, and another Black Redstart was at Weston. Finally, seawatching at the Bill produced 7 Brent Geese and a Red-throated Diver. November 23rd Another day of unrelenting rain. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained in the Pennsylvania Castle area and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell. Despite the grim weather it was apparent that there were plenty of late migrants on the move, with thrushes in particular passing overhead at the Bill throughout the morning. Seawatching at the Bill produced little more than a single Great Skua. November 22nd Day-long wet weather made meaningful birding a lost cause everywhere today. The presumed Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Pennsylvania Castle although it afforded only occasional brief views and the continued presence there of an elusive Yellow-browed Warbler further confused matters; a late Garden Warbler, an 'eastern' Chiffchaff, a Treecreeper and a few Blackcaps and 'crests were also there. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Easton and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell but there was no sign of any Pallas's Warblers today. November 21st The excellent run of birds continued today with new Pallas's Warblers at both Avalanche Road and Pennsylvania Castle and, in the fading light of the last hour of the day, a presumed Hume's Yellow-browed Warbler discovered at Pennsylvania Castle; in addition, the Yellow-browed Warblers remained at Easton and Pennsylvania Castle, the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was still at Southwell, a Lapland Bunting passed through at the Bill and there were several Firecrests scattered around the island. Common migrant arrivals included surprising numbers of new Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in all suitable sites and a trickle of thrushes and finches overhead everywhere. 

   

         

  Yellow-browed Warbler - Easton, November 20th 2003 © James Lees

  November 20th Quality new arrivals today were confined to Easton where a Pallas's Warbler was seen briefly early in the morning and a Yellow-browed Warbler showed well for much of the day; another Yellow-browed Warbler and a Continental Coal Tit at Pennsylvania Castle were both perhaps individuals that had been in the area for some days. There was little evidence of an arrival of new commoner migrants, although fair numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and 'crests were lingering on in sheltered spots throughout the island. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Arctic Skuas lingering amongst good numbers of Gannets and gulls. After dark, a Barn Owl was seen hunting alongside the Portland Beach Road near the oil tanks.

   

   

  'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat - Southwell, November 19th 2003 © James Lees

  November 19th The 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat remained at Southwell where it was trapped and ringed and found to conform closest to the form halimodendri (click here for more pictures and biometrics). Starlings were still on the move, with another 1600 counted heading north over the Bill, a few finches and a lone Swallow passed through in the opposite direction, but the only noteworthy new birds on the ground were 3 Blackcaps at the Bill; long-stayers still around included 4 Firecrests between the Bill and Easton, a Water Rail at Culverwell and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle. 

   

   

  Pallas's Warbler - Southwell, November 18th 2003 © Debby Saunders

  November 18th The rarities keep coming, with a Pallas's Warbler at Southwell being the latest addition to the already impressive November tally. The 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat was also seen again at Southwell, single Merlins were at Easton and Portland Harbour, and at least 7 Firecrests were found in sheltered spots around the south of the island. New common migrants were few and far between, with the only noteworthy movement being of a few Starlings that trickled in off the sea at the Bill.  November 17th Late migrant interest dwindled as the fine weather of the weekend gave way once more to wet and windy south-westerlies. At the Bill, the wintering Firecrest remained at the Obs, but the only evidence of new arrivals were a few grounded thrushes and 500 Starlings that arrived in off the sea; elsewhere the Pennsylvania Castle area still harboured the long-staying Treecreeper and a few Chiffchaffs and 'crests. Offshore, a lone Sooty Shearwater lingered off the Bill throughout the morning.

   

  

        

  'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat and Yellow-browed Warbler - Southwell and Portland Bill, November 16th 2003 © Adrian Webb (top) and Martin Cade (bottom two)

  November 16th Lots to see again today, with plenty of visible passage overhead, a few new grounded migrants and a selection of new and lingering rarities. On the rarity front a Yellow-browed Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs was additional to the singles that remained at both Pennsylvania Castle and Portland Castle, and the 'eastern' Lesser Whitethroat also remained at Southwell. Scarcer migrants included a few Black Redstarts and Firecrests scattered around, 3 Woodlarks over Barleycrates Lane, a Merlin at Weston, a Woodcock at Wakeham, a Continental Coal Tit and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, and a Snow Bunting over the Bill. Grounded commoner migrants included several new Blackcaps and Goldcrests, whilst a strong movement of at least 175 Bramblings was the pick of visible passage over the south of the island, where 800 Wood Pigeons, 175 Stock Doves and 5 Mistle Thrushes also passed through along with plenty of other thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings. Finally, seawatching at the Bill produced 3 Red-breasted Mergansers , a Black-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua, and the Little Gull was still at Ferrybridge. November 15th The return of fair weather saw another pulse of late passage but also produced a most peculiar selection of unseasonable sightings. Most unexpected of all was a fly-by tern off the Bill that was considered by its observers to be a Caspian Tern; seawatching there also produced a Great Northern Diver, a Balearic Shearwater, a Red-breasted Merganser and an Arctic Skua. On the land, sheltered spots in the Pennsylvania Castle/Wakeham area still held a few Chiffchaffs and 'crests, as well as a Garden Warbler, a Willow Warbler and a Treecreeper. At the Bill most of the movement was of fly-over thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings, although 600 Wood Pigeons also passed overhead. Elsewhere the Yellow-browed Warbler showed up again at Portland Castle, a Serin was seen briefly at Weston, a Lesser Whitethroat was in private gardens at Southwell (the same individual that was first seen there several days ago and seemingly a bird of the one the eastern forms) and there were single Mediterranean and Little Gulls at Ferrybridge.

   

  

  Chesil Cove - November 14th 2003 © James Lees

  November 14th A very stormy day that saw most attention fixed on the sea. A Sabine's Gull passed through off the Bill and one or more Grey Phalaropes were seen a couple of times in Chesil Cove, but the only other reports were of a single Red-throated Diver passing the Bill and 3 Mediterranean Gulls, a Little Gull and an Eider lingering in Chesil Cove. The land was all but unbirdable, although the shelter of Pennsylvania Castle produced a Yellow-browed Warbler (perhaps the same as the bird seen a couple of days ago at nearby Wakeham), a Treecreeper, a Brambling and a Siskin.

   

                

  Yellow-browed Warbler and Long-tailed Tit - Avalanche Road, November 13th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 13th Yet another new Yellow-browed Warbler that dropped in at Avalanche Road was bird of the day today. The sparse selection of grounded commoner migrants included 3 Black Redstarts at Weston and 2 Blackcaps at the Bill, whilst long-stayers included a Merlin and a Firecrest still at the Bill. Overhead passage was dominated by finches, with 220 Chaffinches, 110 Goldfinches and 22 Bramblings passing through at the Bill. Elsewhere there were 300 Brent Geese, 70 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Little Grebes, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and 3 Little Egrets at Ferrybridge, and a Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe and an Eider in Portland Harbour. November 12th Skies cleared today giving late migrants a chance to get moving again. New Yellow-browed Warblers showed up at Wakeham and Portland Castle, a Serin paid a brief visit to the Obs garden and a Continental Coal Tit was another surprise newcomer there. Chaffinches and Starlings were conspicuous overhead, with the selection of other visible migrants including 10 Bramblings and 6 Redpolls over the Bill. On the ground there were 3 new Blackcaps and 2 new Goldcrests at the Obs but few other indications of much in the way of new arrivals. Seawatching at the Bill produced 28 Common Scoter, 11 Brent Geese and a single Great Skua. November 11th A dull, damp day that for a change produced nothing of particular note. The Firecrest count dropped to less than 10, Black Redstarts numbered just 4 and the only other scarcer migrants reported were 2 Mistle Thrushes and a Woodcock at the Bill. Among the commoner migrants there were noteworthy counts of 40 Fieldfares at Reap Lane and 14 Bramblings at the Bill but, although Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were still about in some numbers in the remaining well-leaved spots and the late Wheatear was still at Reap Lane, most other species were present in only very small numbers. 

   

               

  Serin - Portland Bill, November 10th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 10th The good birds keep coming, with another Dusky Warbler seen early in the morning at Reap Lane and a Serin seen - and later trapped and ringed - in and around the Obs garden. The Yellow-browed Warbler was still at Southwell, whilst scarcer migrants included about 20 Firecrests and 10 Black Redstarts dotted around the island, 2 Short-eared Owls at the Bill and another at Reap Lane, a Merlin at the Bill, a Woodcock at Avalanche Road and a Corn Bunting at Reap Lane. Commoner migrants included a good scatter of new Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, a few over-flying thrushes, finches and Reed Buntings, a late Wheatear at Reap Lane and yesterday's Lesser Whitethroat still at Southwell.

   

           

       

  Dusky Warbler - Portland Bill, November 9th 2003 © James Lees/Martin Cade

  November 9th November goes from strength to strength, with a Dusky Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs in the morning being the latest addition to the list of quality birds recorded around the island this month. A Yellow-browed Warbler at Southwell was thought likely to be the individual first seen there three days ago but a late Lesser Whitethroat at the same site and a Pallas's Warbler at Verne Common were certainly new arrivals. Thrushes and finches once again made up the bulk of common migrant passage, but there were also several new Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests at the Bill. Other oddities around the island included 5 Firecrests, 2 Long-tailed Tits and a Woodcock at the Bill, and several more Firecrests scattered elsewhere. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Skuas, a Brent Goose and a Little Gull, whilst one of the first looks at Portland Harbour this winter revealed the presence of 3 Black-necked and a Great Crested Grebe, a Great Northern Diver and a Shelduck.

   

        

  Wood Pigeons - Portland Bill, November 8th 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 8th Heavily overcast skies and a raw south-east wind made birding very difficult all day. Thrushes, Starlings and finches were again on the move in fair quantity although the highlight of the overhead passage were the 1500 or more Wood Pigeons that arrived in off the sea at the Bill during the morning. Scarcer species were hard to come by but did still include at least 11 Firecrests in the few sheltered spots, 2 or 3 Long-tailed Tits between the Bill and Southwell, 2 Black Redstarts at Southwell and a Merlin at the Bill. The sea produced a few surprises, with totals at the Bill of 246 Common Gulls, 28 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Red-breasted Mergansers, 6 Wigeon, 5 Common Scoter, 4 Brent Geese, 4 Greylag Geese, 4 Teal, 4 Dunlin, 1 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Little Auk. November 7th One of the Pallas's Warblers remained at the Obs but in clear weather and a strengthening easterly wind it was a much quieter day than yesterday. Thrushes were about in some numbers at dawn but didn't linger and later in the morning more than 1000 Starlings trickled in off the sea, but new common migrants were otherwise thin on the ground. Oddities included 7 Firecrests scattered around the south of the island, a Water Rail, a Short-eared Owl, a Black Redstart and a Corn Bunting at the Bill, a Moorhen, a Black Redstart and a Corn Bunting at Barleycrates Lane and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle.

   

     

  Pallas's Warblers and Red-breasted Flycatcher - Portland Bill and Perryfields, November 6th 2003 © James Lees and Martin Cade

  November 6th The combination of mild, southerly winds and a weak weather front overhead at dawn looked likely to deliver the goods and in the event certainly didn't disappoint. Yesterday's Pallas's Warbler remained at the Obs where it was joined by a second individual that was also trapped and ringed; also new today were an elusive Red-breasted Flycatcher in the Pennsylvania Castle/Perryfields area and a Yellow-browed Warbler at Southwell. Commoner migrants arrived in quantity, with counts at the Bill including 120 Skylarks, 100 Redwings, 100 Blackbirds, 70 Song Thrushes, 25 Goldcrests, 13 Black Redstarts, 7 Blackcaps, 7 Firecrests, 5 Siskins, 4 Fieldfares, 3 Mistle Thrushes, 3 Chiffchaffs and 3 Bramblings. Elsewhere there were good numbers of new Goldcrests everywhere, along with 4 Firecrests at Avalanche Road, a Woodcock at Old Hill and a Woodlark over Barleycrates Lane. The sea again provided a little interest, with 5 Eider, 4 Shelduck, 3 Wigeon, 2 Little Gulls, a Great Northern Diver and a Red-breasted Merganser passing through off the Bill.

   

  

  Pallas's Warbler - Portland Bill, November 5th 2003 © James Lees

  November 5th Overhead passage all but dried up today but there was plenty of interest on the land where quite a few new arrivals showed throughout the day. At the Bill, a few thrushes and finches passed overhead, and 8 Goldcrests, 6 Blackcaps, 5 Firecrests, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Merlin were scattered about on the land; the highlight wasn't found until late in the afternoon when a Pallas's Warbler was trapped and ringed at the Obs. Elsewhere there were a couple more Firecrests at Avalanche Road, 2 more Black Redstarts at Bowers Quarry and a britannicus Coal Tit at Weston; another interesting discovery was of a Merlin picked up dead on the road at Victoria Square that proved on examination in the hand to be of the Icelandic subspecies subaesalon (thought to be the first confirmed record for Portland). The sea continued to provide some interest, with 25 Common Scoter, 12 Little Gulls, 2 Red-throated Divers and single Arctic and Great Skuas passing the Bill. November 4th The return of calmer weather saw plenty of late migrants get moving again. Counts of visible passage at the Bill produced totals of 900 Goldfinches, 500 Linnets, 100 Chaffinches, 75 Meadow Pipits, 60 Greenfinches, 30 alba Wagtails, 15 Bramblings, 3 Grey Wagtails, 2 Siskins, 2 Redpolls, 2 Swallows, a Reed Bunting and a Mistle Thrush. Grounded migrants were much more sparsely spread, with 60 Redwings at the Bill leaving before sunrise and nothing better than 2 Firecrests and a Merlin seen there later in the day. The sea produced a trickle of westward passage all day, with 8 Little Gulls, 2 Mediterranean Gulls, a Red-throated Diver, a Pintail and single Arctic and Great Skuas passing through off the Bill.

   

    

 Red-breasted Goose and Little Auk - Ferrybridge and Portland Bill, November 3rd 2003 © Martin Cade and James Lees

  November 3rd There was excitement for a while in the morning when a Red-breasted Goose joined the Brent Goose flock at Ferrybridge; unfortunately, when the bird finally emerged out onto the mud it was found to be sporting a blue plastic ring, and further enquiries revealed it to be an escaped bird that had been present in the Abbotsbury area for several weeks. After a very stormy night there was still plenty to be seen offshore; Chesil Cove produced 600 Black-headed Gulls, 10 or more Little Auks, a Storm Petrel, a Little Gull and a report of a Grey Phalarope, whilst at the Bill there were more than 1000 Kittiwakes, single Great and Arctic Skuas, and a Little Auk that lingered off the East Cliffs all afternoon. The Merlin and the Firecrest were still at the Bill, where 4 Swallows also passed through.

   

                   

  Little Auks - Chesil Cove, November 2nd 2003 © James Lees

  November 2nd The first good south-westerly blow for a long time saw attention switch to the sea. Off the Bill there were 13 Common Scoter, the first dozen returning Fulmars of the winter, 5 Arctic and 4 Great Skuas, 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Little Auks, single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters, a Storm Petrel and a Red-breasted Merganser. At least 15 Little Auks also passed through at Chesil Cove, where 3 lingered for a while in the afternoon (although one was later killed by a Great Black-backed Gull); a Red-throated Diver and an Arctic Skua also passed through there. A Little Gull, a Yellow-legged Gull and a Knot were new arrivals at Ferrybridge, where the Black Brant was again present with 200 Brent Geese and the 4 Bar-tailed Godwits were still present. The only news from the land was of 2 Purple Sandpipers, a Merlin and a Firecrest still at the Bill.

 

   

            

 Black Brant - Ferrybridge, November 1st 2003 © Martin Cade

  November 1st The Black Brant that joined the wintering flock of Brent Geese on the Fleet a couple of weeks ago showed up at Ferrybridge for the first time during the morning; also there were 4 Bar-tailed Godwits. In very clear conditions there was a good deal of northward passage of Redwings, Fieldfares, Starlings, Bramblings, Redpolls and Reed Buntings over the south of the island, where a lone Lapland Bunting also passed through. New grounded migrants were thin on the ground, but did include an additional Firecrest that joined the 2 birds already present at the Bill; 3 Purple Sandpipers, a Merlin and a Black Redstart were the only other minor highlights there, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Short-eared Owls at Barleycrates Lane and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle. Seawatching at the Bill produced 2 Great and an Arctic Skua, a Black-throated Diver and a Mediterranean Gull.