October 2001

October 31st The first blast of cold north-westerly air of the autumn quietened things right down today. The unidentified Acrocephalus continued to show well at the Obs, but the only scarcer migrants reported from around the island were a Buzzard and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill, and 2 Ring Ouzels at East Weare. Common migrants were very thinly spread, with just a few thrushes and finches grounded, and a several flocks of Wood Pigeons and Stock Doves passing overhead. A lone Purple Sandpiper was at the Bill, and seawatching there produced just 3 unidentified divers and 2 Great Skuas.  October 30th The unidentified Acrocephalus was again at the Obs, the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Pennsylvania Castle, and there was another report of a Pallas's Warbler - this time at Southwell School in the afternoon. Common migrants were a lot less plentiful than in recent days, and the only oddities were 2 Merlins at the Bill, 2 Ring Ouzels at Priory Corner, a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, and Black Redstarts at several sites. As the wind freshened in the afternoon a few seabirds got moving, with totals of 9 Great and an Arctic Skua, and a late Puffin seen off the Bill. October 29th Lots more common migrants and a good selection of rarities today. The unidentified Acrocephalus again showed well at the Obs, the Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Pennsylvania Castle, and a new arrival was a Pallas's Warbler that appeared briefly on the West Cliffs in the afternoon; a good island rarity was a Scaup that showed up off East Weare. Pigeons, thrushes, Goldcrests and finches were again very conspicuous everywhere, along with a selection of other seasonable species including several Merlins, 2 Woodcock and a scatter of Black Redstarts. October 28th The mystery Acrocephalus continued to show well at the Obs, and the Red-breasted Flycatcher was again at Pennsylvania Castle. Thrushes were numerous in good fall conditions at dawn, with counts of 200 Song Thrushes, 150 Blackbirds, 120 Fieldfares, 75 Redwings, 9 Ring Ouzels and a Mistle Thrush from around the island. Wood Pigeons, Goldcrests and a variety of finches were also passing through in good numbers everywhere. Late migrants included Redstart, Whinchat, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler at the Bill. October 27th There was a big improvement in the weather today, but new arrivals were surprisingly few and far between. The mystery Acrocephalus showed well at the Obs (the general consensus among visiting birders is that it is indeed a Blyth's Reed Warbler), and there was also a Red-breasted Flycatcher at Pennsylvania Castle, and a Long-eared Owl reported briefly at the Eight Kings Quarry. Fair numbers of finches were on the move through the morning, but grounded migrants were not at all numerous. Scarcer species included several Black Redstarts around the island and a Firecrest at the Obs, whilst late migrants included Yellow Wagtail, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat at the Bill, and a Spotted Flycatcher at Pennsylvania Castle. October 26th The unidentified Acrocephalus remained on the west side of the Obs garden, although it was very elusive in the strong wind and frequent heavy rain. A new Red-breasted Flycatcher was seen behind the Weston Craft Centre, but the only other new arrival of note on the land was a late Garden Warbler at the Obs. Seawatching improved at the Bill where there were 61 Little Gulls, 24 Great and 14 Arctic Skuas, 3 Sooty Shearwater, and plenty of Gannets and Kittiwakes on the move  

Long-eared Owl - Culverwell, October 25th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 25th With blustery westerly weather again the order of the day there was precious little turnover of migrants. A Grey Phalarope was a new arrival at Chesil Cove, but otherwise the unidentified Acrocephalus remained at the Obs, the roosting Long-eared Owl was again at Culverwell, and the Red-breasted Flycatcher showed well from time to time at Pennsylvania Castle. Common migrants were all in low numbers, and the only scarcer migrants were several Firecrests, Black Redstarts and Merlins dotted around the island. October 24th Strong wind and heavy showers were the order of the day, and the few migrants present were keeping well hidden. At the Bill, the unidentified Acrocephalus was still around the edge of the Obs garden, and the Long-eared Owl was again found at roost in Culverwell. Elsewhere, the Rose-coloured Starling remained at the Grove, where there was also a single Little Egret, and a Red-breasted Flycatcher was a new arrival at Pennsylvania Castle. A few Firecrests remained in the Obs garden, but the only other scarcer migrants reported were 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane. October 23rd With a strong westerly wind blowing all day the mystery Acrocephalus on the edge of the Obs garden proved very elusive and rarely showed well today. This aside, the only rarity seen was the Rose-coloured Starling at the Grove. Numbers of common migrants dropped dramatically, with just a handful of Blackcaps and Goldcrests found in the few sheltered parts of the island. At least 3 Firecrests remained around the Obs garden, and the only other scarcer migrants seen were a Merlin and a Black Redstart at the Bill. A lone Balearic Shearwater passed the Bill in the morning.  

 

unidentified Acrocephalus - Portland Bill, October 22nd 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 22nd The unidentified Acrocephalus, considered by some observers to be a Blyth's Reed Warbler, was still present on the edge of the Obs garden all day. The Rose-coloured Starling also remained at the Grove, and the roosting Long-eared Owl was still at Culverwell. Numbers of common migrants fell somewhat, but there was still plenty about around the island. Scarcer migrants included Merlin, Short-eared Owl and several Firecrests at the Bill, and another Firecrest at Avalanche Road. October 21st More of the same today, with another very good arrival of common migrants and a good selection of scarce migrants and rarities. The Little Bunting and the Rose-coloured Starling remained at the Grove, the Long-eared Owl was still at Culverwell, and there were at least 6 Dartford Warblers scattered around the island. An unidentified Acrocephalus warbler that has been present on the edge of the Obs garden for several days generated some interest after it was reported to be calling like a Blyth's Reed Warbler (this bird has been trapped and examined in the hand but its inconclusive biometrics have prevented a firm identification from being made). Short-eared Owls, Black Redstarts, and Firecrests were again present at several sites, a Great Spotted Woodpecker made a brief visit to the Obs garden, and a Woodcock at Avalanche Road was the first of the autumn. Common migrants were plentiful, with a total of 180 new birds trapped and ringed at the Obs (nearly double the previous highest day total this autumn); Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were more numerous than of late, but there were also still lots of Goldcrests and good numbers of a variety of thrushes and finches. 

 

   

Long-eared Owl & Little Bunting - Culverwell & The Grove, October 20th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 20th Grounded and visible migrants were plentiful today, and there was also a really good variety of scarce migrants and rarities. A Little Bunting was a new arrival at the Grove, where the Rose-coloured Starling was also seen again. The Bill area produced at least 20 Black Redstarts, 15 Firecrests, 3 Woodlarks, 2 Dartford Warblers, a Long-eared and several Short-eared Owls, a Barred Warbler and a Ring Ouzel. Elsewhere there lots more Black Redstarts and Firecrests, 13 Bearded Tits flew over Barleycrates Lane, and another Woodlark was seen over Avalanche Road. Goldcrest was again the most ubiquitous common migrant, but there were good numbers of most of the other expected species everywhere.

 

'eastern' Chiffchaff - Southwell, October 19th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 19th A rather similar day to yesterday, albeit with somewhat lower numbers of common migrants about the island. Goldcrests again dominated, but there was also a good scatter of Stonechats, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and other expected migrants everywhere; late migrants included a Hobby at East Weare and a Willow Warbler at the Bill. An 'eastern' tristis/abietinus Chiffchaff at Avalanche Road was the only rarity reported, whilst scarce migrants included several Merlins, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels and Firecrests. Seawatching at the Bill produced 6 Brent Geese, 4 Common Scoter, a Teal and a Pomarine Skua.

 

Goldcrest - Portland Bill, October 18th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 18th Today saw a good arrival of common migrants, although rarities were conspicuously absent. Goldcrests were in numbers everywhere, with more than 150 counted around the centre and south of the island; other noteworthy counts from these areas included 50 Redwings, 50 Song Thrushes, 30 Blackcaps, 8 Black Redstarts, 5 Firecrests and 2 Ring Ouzels. Finches were plentiful overhead, with counts of 400 Linnets, 250 Goldfinches and 125 Siskins leaving to the south at the Bill in the morning. October 17th The only one of the recent rarities that remained around today was the Rose-coloured Starling that showed up again at the Bill in the morning. A Corncrake was a good find at Tout Quarry but, typically, it was seen by just one fortunate observer. With a strong south-east wind blowing, searching for birds on the land wasn't easy but it was clear that common migrants were trickling through all day; Goldcrests were numerous for the first time this autumn, with more than 50 at the Bill alone. Among the sprinkle of other migrants, oddities included several Merlins, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels and Firecrests, as well as 2 new Bullfinches at the Bill.

 

Little Bunting - Portland Bill, October 16th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 16th Highlights today were a rather skulking and elusive Little Bunting in the weedy field near the Privet Hedge at the Bill, the Red-breasted Flycatcher that remained at Pennsylvania Castle, and the Barred Warbler that was retrapped in the Obs garden. Scarce migrants around the island again included a sprinkle of Merlins, Black Redstarts, Ring Ouzels and Firecrests, but new arrivals were generally thin on the ground. Seawatching at the Bill produced a Leach's Petrel but little else of note. October 15th Despite a wet and windy night many of yesterday's birds had moved on and there were few new arrivals today. Of the recent rarities, only the Red-breasted Flycatcher at Pennsylvania Castle and the Rose-coloured Starling at the Grove were still present. Scarcer migrants included a couple of Merlins at the Bill, Ring Ouzels at the Bill and Barleycrates Lane, a Cetti's Warbler and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill, and Firecrests at several sites. Robins and Chiffchaffs were still present in some numbers, but there was otherwise only a light scatter of common migrants. Seawatching at the Bill produced 4 Eider, 3 Arctic Skuas, 2 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Teal.

 

        

Honey Buzzard & Barred Warbler - Portland Bill, October 14th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 14th The best day of the autumn so far. Highlights were the Dusky Warbler still at Southwell School, single Red-breasted Flycatchers at both Pennsylvania Castle and Easton Fire Station, a Yellow-browed Warbler at Avalanche Road, Southwell, a Barred Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs, and a Honey Buzzard flying south over the island in the morning. Common migrants were numerous everywhere, with the total of 93 new birds ringed at the Obs being easily the highest day total of birds ringed there this autumn. Robins were particularly numerous, with more than 70 at the Bill; other counts from there included 400 alba Wagtails, 70 Redwings, 60 Song Thrushes, 20 Chiffchaffs and 15 Blackcaps. Late migrants included Garden Warblers and Redstarts at several sites, and a Willow Warbler at the Obs, whilst scarcer species included several Black Redstarts and Firecrests, and a single Ring Ouzel. October 13th Another balmy day with plenty more birds. The Red-breasted Flycatcher was still at Pennsylvania Castle, and the Rose-coloured Starling was again at the Grove, but the pick of the new arrivals was a Dusky Warbler at Southwell School in the afternoon. Song Thrushes were conspicuous everywhere early in the morning, with more than 150 at the Bill alone, and numbers of most other migrants also increased markedly, with noteworthy counts from the Bill area of 50 Siskins, 30 Stonechats and 6 Bramblings. Scarcer species on the island included 15 Firecrests, 2 Ring Ouzels, a Hobby, a Great Spotted Woodpecker, a Woodlark and a Dartford Warbler. October 12th Unseasonably warm and sunny weather dominated today, and there was a decent sprinkle of migrants everywhere. The Wryneck remained in and around the Obs garden, single Rose-coloured Starlings (considered by some observers to be different individuals) were at the Bill in the morning and at the Grove later in the day, and there were Red-breasted Flycatchers at Reap Lane briefly in the morning and Pennsylvania Castle in the late afternoon. Visible passage was again very conspicuous at the Bill, but grounded migrants were not particularly plentiful there. Oddities around the island included 2 Merlins and a Firecrest at the Bill, and a Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge. 

 

    

Red-breasted Flycatcher - Portland Bill, October 11th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 11th A damp, dreary day that for the most part produced little except the Wryneck remaining near the Obs garden, the Rose-coloured Starling still wandering around the Bill area, and a lone Grey Phalarope hanging on at Chesil Cove. However, the arrival of clear skies late in the afternoon produced a small flurry of new arrivals including a Red-breasted Flycatcher that was trapped and ringed at the Obs. Scarce migrants around the island included a Merlin at the Bill,  a Firecrest at the Grove, and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle. Seawatching at the Bill produced 46 Common Scoter and a Sooty Shearwater.  October 10th After the flurry of birds yesterday, today was something of an anticlimax. The Wryneck remained in the Obs garden, the Rose-coloured Starling was again among the roaming Starling flocks in the Bill area, and there were still 2 Grey Phalaropes at Chesil Cove. Visible passage totals included 700 Meadow Pipits, 420 Linnets, 150 alba Wagtails, 140 Greenfinches, 70 Chaffinches and 70 Siskins leaving to the south at the Bill. Grounded migrants were only thinly spread, and included single Firecrests at the Obs, Pennsylvania Castle, Delhi Lane and New Ground. Seawatching at the Bill produced 42 Common Scoter, 2 Brent Geese, a Balearic Shearwater, and single Arctic and Great Skuas; 2 Arctic Terns were also at Chesil Cove. 

 

    

Rose-coloured Starling with Starlings - Portland Bill, October 9th 2001 © Martin Cade

  October 9th The first fine day for some time produced lots of new arrivals. Highlights were a Yellow-browed Warbler and the long-staying Wryneck in the Obs garden, a Rose-coloured Starling around the Bill, and up to 8 Grey Phalaropes in Chesil Cove. Migrants were much more numerous everywhere, with noteworthy counts at the Bill of 200 Siskins and 50 Stonechats. Less common species included 3 Firecrest and a Treecreeper at Pennsylvania Castle, 3 Merlins and a Firecrest at the Bill, and a Ring Ouzel at Reap Lane. October 8th More wind and rain, and a lot more fairly unproductive seawatching. Chesil Cove produced a Leach's Petrel, an Arctic Skua and several terns, including a single Black Tern, whilst nearby the Roseate Tern was again present in and around Portland Harbour. Off the Bill there were 4 Great and an Arctic Skua, 2 Manx Shearwaters, a Great Northern Diver and a Grey Phalarope. Two Sabine's Gulls and a Leach's Petrel also made fleeting visits to Ferrybridge in the morning.

 

    

Black Tern and Roseate Tern - Ferrybridge, October 7th 2001 © Ian Montgomery

  October 7th A really stormy day, with seawatching being the only birding possible. A Grey Phalarope lingered for a while in Chesil Cove, where there was also a Balearic Shearwater and a Great Skua; a fly-by Sabine's Gull was also reported from there. The Bill produced 32 Common Scoter, 4 Great Skuas, 2 Sooty, 2 Manx and a Balearic Shearwater, and there were single Roseate, Arctic and Black Terns at Ferrybridge. October 6th With the strong wind that has dominated the weather for more than a week showing no sign of abating, birding remained both hard work and pretty unproductive. A Sabine's Gull was in Chesil Cove briefly in the morning, but the only other reports from the sea were of 48 Common Scoter, 5 Great Skuas, 3 Brent Geese, a Manx and a Balearic Shearwater, and the first Red-throated Diver of the autumn off the Bill. The long-staying Wryneck reappeared beside the Obs garden, but the only other worthwhile sightings on the land were of 15 Siskins, 4 Merlins, 2 Firecrests and a Hobby at the Bill, and a Firecrest at Barleycrates Lane. Waders at Ferrybridge included 4 Little Stints and a Grey Plover. October 5th A very mobile Richard's Pipit in the Reap Lane/Barleycrates Lane area in the morning, and an elusive Wryneck at the DERA compound at the Bill were new arrivals today, but there was still a general lack of new common migrants everywhere. The Bill area produced plenty of visible passage, but grounded migrants were very sparse; the only oddities were a Merlin, a Hobby and a Firecrest. A Sabine's Gull passed the Bill in the morning, but despite favourable onshore winds the sea came up with nothing else except 35 Common Scoter, a Balearic Shearwater and a lone Brent Goose. A Roseate Tern was at Ferrybridge in the evening, and waders there included several Little Stints. October 4th Little change today, with just a handful of new arrivals on the land, and the long-staying Wryneck again the only rarity reported. Visible passage of hirundines, pipits, wagtails and Linnets continued, but the only scarcer migrants on the land were a Merlin at the Bill and a Ring Ouzel at Avalanche Church. Sea passage remained at a standstill, with just 33 Common Scoter noted off the Bill. October 3rd New arrivals were hardly conspicuous today, and the highlights were the Wryneck that remained in the vicinity of the Obs garden, and the Rose-coloured Starling that showed up again at the Grove in the evening. Fair numbers of hirundines, pipits and wagtails were still on the move, and among them there was an increase in Chaffinch passage; Siskin numbers however fell to just 33. On the ground, there were still 2 Firecrests at the Obs, but few other sightings of note. October 2nd A slight improvement in the weather saw a few more birds appear on the land, and there was a good deal of visible passage through the morning. The long-staying Wryneck surfaced again in and around the Obs garden, and a second individual was reported from the adjacent Hut Fields. The Bill area also produced 135 Siskins, 2 Firecrests, a Merlin and a Ring Ouzel among a sprinkle of commoner migrants. Additional Firecrests were also seen at Southwell School and Pennsylvania Castle. Two Balearic Shearwaters and a single Arctic Skua were the only worthwhile sightings offshore.  October 1st Two Sabine's Gull passed through Chesil Cove early in the morning, but seawatching at the Bill through the day produced nothing more than 6 Great Skuas, 2 Balearic and 2 Sooty Shearwaters, and a lone Arctic Tern. Birds were hard to find on the land in the very strong wind, but odds and sods around the Bill area included 2 Firecrests, 2 Pied and a Spotted Flycatcher, and a single Merlin. Two Little Stints and a Bar-tailed Godwit were at Ferrybridge.

September 2001

September 30th Strong winds and frequent rain made birding difficult throughout the day, and ultimately hampered satisfactory viewing of a new bird for the island, when a first-winter Caspian Gull that had earlier been identified in Weymouth showed up briefly at Ferrybridge in the evening. Seawatching from the Bill was disappointingly unproductive, with totals of just 22 Common Scoter, 5 Balearic, a Sooty and a Manx Shearwater, and 3 Arctic and a Great Skua. On the land, the Wryneck was again at the Bill, where the only other noteworthy sightings were of 2 Pied and a Spotted Flycatcher, and 2 Firecrests still at the Obs.

 

     

Wryneck - Portland Bill, September 29th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 29th The Wryneck was again at the Bill, where it was trapped and ringed at the Obs during the afternoon. Visible passage of hirundines, wagtails, pipits and Siskins was very conspicuous throughout the morning, but the pick of a poor selection of grounded migrants were 2 Firecrests in the Obs garden. Seawatching produced 3 Balearic Shearwaters and a Great Skua off the Bill, and waders at Ferrybridge included 6 Little Stints and a Curlew Sandpiper.  September 28th A Wryneck was a new arrival at the Bill today, but it was not accompanied by any increase in numbers of commoner migrants, all of which remained very thin on the ground everywhere. The selection of less common species around the Bill area included a Buzzard, a Hobby, a Mistle Thrush, a Firecrest and a Treecreeper, whilst the sea came up with nothing better than 4 Balearic Shearwaters lingering offshore in the morning, and 2 Arctic and a Great Skua.

 

    

Richard's Pipit - Portland Bill, September 27th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 27th Common migrants were in very short supply everywhere today, with nothing better around the Bill than a single Turtle Dove and a Firecrest. However, there was some compensation as the day went on with the discovery of a Richard's Pipit in fields beside the West Cliffs to the south of the Southwell Business Park. Seawatching from the Bill produced only 19 Common Scoter and a Balearic Shearwater.

 

    

Cetti's Warbler - Portland Bill, September 26th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 26th The arrival of heavily overcast skies, and later the first significant rainfall for many weeks, promised much but failed to deliver. Common migrants were much less numerous than in recent days, and the only rarity discovered was a Cetti's Warbler at the Obs. Seawatching was also very unproductive, with nothing better off the Bill than 40 Common Scoter, the first 5 Brent Geese of the autumn, and a lone Wigeon. Waders were numerous at Ferrybridge, and included 3 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Golden Plover and a Little Stint. September 25th Yesterday's rarities had all moved on, and the only noteworthy bird to arrive in their place was a Barred Warbler that was discovered in the evening in the Obs Quarry. The Bill area was still very lively with common migrants; hirundines and Meadow Pipits were present in particularly large numbers, whilst oddities included another 36 Siskins passing through, and a Short-eared Owl  around Top Fields. Elsewhere there was a Ring Ouzel at the Grove, and the Rose-coloured Starling was seen there again in the morning.

 

    

Ortolan Bunting and Radde's Warbler - Portland Bill, September 24th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 24th After a week of promising weather and plenty of common migrants, today saw the arrival of several rarities. A Wryneck and a rather mobile Ortolan Bunting were seen at the Bill in the morning, and in the afternoon a Radde's Warbler was trapped and ringed at the Obs. Common migrants were not plentiful but there was lots of variety, including 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Ring Ouzels, the first 2 Redwings of the autumn, a Short-eared Owl, a Turtle Dove and a Grasshopper Warbler. September 23rd After a very clear night, grounded migrants were a lot less conspicuous everywhere today, with nothing more interesting than several Turtle Doves and a Merlin seen. Hirundines were still passing through in large numbers, and other visible migrants included an Osprey leaving to the south over the Bill,  and 2 Little Egrets and a Hobby flying north there. The Rose-coloured Starling was seen at the Grove again in the evening.

 

    

Ring Ouzel - Portland Bill, September 22nd 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 22nd Common migrants continued to pass through in quantity, with counts of most species exceeding those of recent days. Oddities included 24 Siskins, 2 Ring Ouzels, a Merlin and a Woodlark at the Bill, another Ring Ouzel at Barleycrates Lane, and 2 Firecrest at the Verne. In the evening the Rose-coloured Starling also showed up again at the Grove, where it joined Starlings on rooftops in Augusta Close. With so much about on the land it was a surprise that the sea produced the bird of the day in the form of a juvenile Sabine's Gull that lingered off the East Cliffs at the Bill for nearly an hour in the morning; the only other sightings off the Bill were of 63 Common Scoter, 2 Great Crested Grebes and a Great Skua. September 21st Grounded and visible migrants were again numerous. Counts from around the Bill area included 750 Meadow Pipits, 40 Wheatears, 35 Chiffchaffs, 30 Robins, 12 Blackcaps, 6 Redstarts, 5 Spotted and a Pied Flycatcher, 4 Goldcrests and the first Firecrest of the autumn, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, a Hobby and a Turtle Dove; the only really unexpected bird was a lone Jack Snipe that was flushed several times on the Slopes. Seawatching produced 100 Common Scoter and 2 Great Skuas. September 20th Lots more typical mid-autumn fare today. Wheatears, Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps were again present in fair numbers, whilst species such as Wren, Dunnock, Stonechat and Robin are becoming increasingly conspicuous everywhere. The first signs of thrush passage were also noted today, with 2 Ring Ouzels in Top Fields and several migrant Blackbirds and Song Thrushes logged. Three Crossbills were seen briefly near the Windmills at Easton, and other less common migrants reported included 2 Lesser Whitethroats at the Bill, and single Merlin and Turtle Dove at Easton.

 

    

Osprey - Portland Bill, September 19th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 19th Heavily overcast skies saw to it that there was less movement today. Chiffchaffs still numbered up to 60 at the Bill, and Blackcaps increased to 30 there, but most other species were only sparsely scattered. Despite the unsuitable conditions, hirundines continued to pass through in good numbers all day, and late in the afternoon an Osprey arrived in off the sea at the Bill and settled for a few minutes on the East Cliffs before continuing northwards. After going missing for a day the Rose-coloured Starling showed up again at the Grove in the afternoon.  September 18th More of the same today, despite the northeast wind having increased to nearly gale force overnight. The days ringing total at the Obs exceeded 50 for only the third time this autumn, and overall totals for the Bill area included 100 Chiffchaffs, 50 Wheatears, 20 Goldcrests, 15 Siskins, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Whitethroats, 10 Blackcaps and 10 Spotted Flycatchers, as well as lower numbers of a good variety of other common migrants. Visible passage was a little lighter, but there were still plenty of hirundines and pipits on the move. Seawatching revealed nothing more than 25 Common Scoter, a Great Skua and an Arctic Tern. 

 

    

Manx Shearwater - Portland Bill, September 17th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 17th After a lull of three weeks, autumn passage is really getting going again. Clear skies and a brisk northeast wind were perfect for visible passage, and totals at the Bill included 5000 Swallows, 1500 House Martins, 1000 Meadow Pipits and 80 Siskins. Grounded migrants, especially Chiffchaffs, were a lot more numerous than of late, and most were also very much on the move and had filtered away northwards by the afternoon. In contrast the sea remained very quiet, with the Bill producing just 34 Common Scoter, 5 Sandwich Terns and 2 Arctic Skuas. The Rose-coloured Starling remained in the Grove area, but the most unexpected bird of the day was a Manx Shearwater that was brought into the Obs after being found grounded near the Bill lighthouse; it was released successfully later in the day. September 16th There was plenty of passage again today, although, like yesterday, most of it involved visible movement of hirundines, pipits, wagtails and Siskins, whilst grounded migrants were not at all numerous. Seawatching at the Bill produced 11 Sandwich Terns, 7 Great Skuas  and 4 Common Scoter. As in recent days, the Rose-coloured Starling at the Grove was absent until the evening when it showed well with Starlings before leaving - presumably to roost - towards the YOI. September 15th Grounded migrants were hardly conspicuous today, although there was plenty of visible passage during the morning. Hirundines, pipits and wagtails left the Bill in large numbers, and another 35 Siskins were logged. The sea came up with nothing better than 24 Common Scoter, a Balearic Shearwater and single Arctic and Great Skuas, and among the waders at Ferrybridge the only oddities were 2 Knot and a Curlew Sandpiper. The Rose-coloured Starling was again seen at the Grove in the evening.

 

    

Wryneck and Rose-coloured Starling,  September 14th 2001 © Martin Cade and Mary Snell

  September 14th The arrival of more settled weather brought with it a small flurry of new migrants. The highlight was a Wryneck at the Bill that showed occasionally around the Hut Fields and was later trapped and ringed in the Obs garden. Among the commoner migrants the most noteworthy movement was of 40 Siskins passing overhead at the Bill during the morning. The Rose-coloured Starling was still present in the Grove area but remained generally rather elusive. With the breeze still in the northwest, seawatching at the Bill produced just a lone Balearic Shearwater.  September 13th The windy weather continued all day but there was little reward for plenty of seawatching, with the Bill producing just 20 Common Scoter, 13 Great and 3 Arctic Skuas, 7 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 commic Terns. The only bird of note on the land was again the Rose-coloured Starling that showed on several occasions at the Grove. September 12th The first stormy day of the autumn proved rather an anticlimax as the wind failed to back much further than due west. Seawatching at the Bill produced 21 Common Scoter, 7 Balearic, 4 Sooty and a Manx Shearwater, and 6 Arctic and 6 Great Skuas. Despite the weather, there was a little visible passage of pipits, wagtails and hirundines leaving the Bill, but the land itself was otherwise very quiet. The Rose-coloured Starling could not be found for most of the day, but in the early evening it was seen again on rooftops in Victoria Road at the Grove. September 11th Not too much change today, with the Rose-coloured Starling in the Grove area again the highlight. Migrants were rather thinly scattered everywhere, with the only oddities being a Merlin, 2 Grey Plovers and 2 Grasshopper Warblers at the Bill. Despite the wind remaining an unfavourable northwesterly, there was more on the sea, with a total of 21 Common Scoter, 14 Arctic and a Great Skua, and 4 Balearic Shearwaters off the Bill. Waders were again quite numerous at Ferrybridge, and  included 3 Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Sanderling and 2 Knot.

 

    

Great Spotted Woodpecker - Portland Bill, September 10th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 10th The Rose-coloured Starling continued to be seen in the Grove area throughout the day. After a very clear night, grounded migrants were not particularly numerous anywhere, although there was a good deal of visible passage of pipits and wagtails early in the day, and hirundines later on, as well as the first 8 Siskins of the autumn. A Great Spotted Woodpecker was an unusual visitor to the Obs garden, and a Honey Buzzard was reported flying over the Bill area in the early afternoon. Waders at Ferrybridge included 2 Knot and a Curlew Sandpiper. September 9th The Grove area again played host to the Rose-coloured Starling, although it remained frustratingly elusive and mobile for much of the day. Migrants were a good deal more numerous everywhere, with the Bill area producing counts including 90 Yellow Wagtails, 35 Wheatears, 20 Grey Wagtails, 20 Willow Warblers, 20 Chiffchaffs and 10 Tree Pipits. Meadow Pipits were also on the move for the first time this autumn, with more than 100 passing north up the West Cliffs during the morning. The northwest wind continued to spoil seawatching, with the Bill producing just 2 Balearic Shearwaters, and 2 Arctic and a Great Skua. September 8th The Rose-coloured Starling eventually showed up in the evening when it was found with Starlings on rooftops near the YOI at the Grove. With the wind still in the northwest, passage of common migrants remained pretty much at a standstill, with, for example, not a single bird trapped at the Obs all morning. seawatching was hardly any better, with just 7 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skuas off the Bill.

 

    

Rose-coloured Starling - Portland Heights, September 7th 2001 © Martin Cade

  September 7th The rarity-free start to the month ended today when a juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was found with Starlings at Portland Heights during the early afternoon; it showed well there for a short while before flying off towards the Grove, where it was seen once more later in the day. Unfortunately common migrant numbers scarcely improved at all, with the Bill area producing just 14 Wheatears, 10 Chiffchaffs, 4 Willow Warblers, 4 Yellow Wagtails, 1 Whinchat, 1 Garden Warbler and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. Seawatching was no better in the stiff northwest wind, with only 6 Balearic Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua off the Bill. September 6th Yesterday's hint of an upturn in passage was not sustained, and there was very little to show for efforts today. The Bill area mustered just a handful of common migrants, with only Wheatear reaching double figures. The sea was scarcely better, with totals of only 17 Common Scoter, 10 commic Terns and a Great Skua off the Bill. September 5th Passage on the land and sea picked up a little today, although there was still a lot less around than there ought to be in early September. The Bill area produced small numbers of most of the expected migrants, including a lone Turtle Dove; 4 Redshanks were the only slightly unusual visitors. The sea produced 52 Common Scoter, 7 Manx and a Sooty Shearwater, and 7 Arctic and 3 Great Skuas. September 4th With clear skies at dawn there was a some visible passage of Ringed Plovers, Tree Pipits and Grey Wagtails over the Bill, but migrants on the ground remained pretty sparse, with the only oddity being a lone Golden Plover. Late in the afternoon a surprise flurry of new arrivals saw a few Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers, a Pied Flycatcher and, most unexpectedly, a Barred Warbler arrive in the Obs garden. Seawatching provided just 2 Great Skuas and a Little Gull off the Bill, and waders at Ferrybridge included a single Knot. September 3rd Little change to report today. Migrants remain only very sparsely scattered, with no noteworthy counts anywhere; a lone Reed Warbler was the only migrant trapped at the Obs. With the wind stuck firmly in the northwest the sea was also quiet, with the Bill producing just single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters, and a Great Skua. September 2nd Despite promising weather conditions today was especially dismal. There was just the thinnest scatter of birds across the island, and not a single migrant was trapped and ringed at the Obs; the only oddity reported was a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Bill. The sea produced a little more, with single Sooty and Balearic Shearwaters, and 3 Arctic Skuas past the Bill. September 1st The Melodious Warbler at Barleycrates Lane was again the highlight, although there was a slight improvement in common migrant numbers. The Bill area produced a fair sprinkle of birds, including 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Merlin and a Cuckoo, and there were 10 Sanderling and 2 Knot among plenty of commoner waders at Ferrybridge.

August 2001

August 31st A much cooler autumnal day, with frequent showers and a blustery north-westerly wind - unfortunately not the weather likely to produce much in the way of migrants, rarities or sea passage. The Melodious Warbler was still at Barleycrates Lane, although it remains rather elusive for most of the day. Common migrants were thin on the ground everywhere, and the only seabird of any note was a lone Manx Shearwater off the Bill.

 

    

Melodious Warbler - Barleycrates Lane, August 30th 2001 © Terry Baker

  August 30th All good things come to an end, and today saw not only a drying up of the flow of common migrants, but also a mass clear-out of all the rarities seen yesterday. Fortunately, there was some compensation with the discovery of an elusive Melodious Warbler at Barleycrates Lane; a ringtail Montagu's Harrier also passed south over the island in the afternoon. Among the common migrants, only Wheatears were relatively numerous, although a handful of all the other expected species were to be found with a little searching. Oddities included Cuckoos at both Reap Lane and the Bill, single Merlin and Treecreeper at the Bill, the first 12 Wigeon of the autumn passing the Bill, and 2 Little Stints at Ferrybridge. August 29th Scarce migrants dominated again today: the Red-backed Shrike remained at Culverwell, the Barred Warbler was still at Barleycrates Lane, and Wrynecks stole the show with a total of 5 reported from around the island (2 at Southwell, 1 at Watery Lane, 1 in Top Fields and 1 around the Hut Fields). In comparison, there was only a modest sprinkle of most of the commoner migrants, although oddities included a Little Ringed Plover at Weston, a Nightjar at the Bill, and a Cuckoo and a Merlin at the Bill; the first migrant Chiffchaff and Goldcrest of the autumn were also at the Bill.

 

    

Red-backed Shrike - Portland Bill, August 28th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 28th Evening update. New arrivals today included a Red-backed Shrike at Culverwell and a Barred Warbler at Barleycrates Lane, with the Wryneck that remained around the Bill making a good trio of scarce migrants on the island. After two good days for commoner migrants, numbers were somewhat reduced everywhere although the same good selection of species were still to be found. August 27th Despite a complete change to clear skies and warm sunshine there were still lots of birds to be seen on the island. The highlights were Wrynecks at Southwell, the Bill and the Verne, and a Melodious Warbler still in the Obs garden, although just as unusual for Portland was a Treecreeper seen briefly at the Obs. Migrant numbers were on a par with yesterday, although there was evidence of birds on the move all day, and it may be that overall totals were actually rather higher; sample counts at the Bill included 300 Wheatears, 200 Willow Warblers, 30 Spotted and 15 Pied Flycatchers, and 20 Redstarts.

 

   

Raven - Grove Point, August 26th 2001 © Mary Snell

  August 26th Grey skies, occasional drizzly rain and a brisk north-east wind promised much, and in the event delivered the best fall of the autumn so far. Migrants were numerous everywhere, and all-island counts included 1000 House Martins, 500 Swallows, 500 Wheatears, 300 Willow Warblers, 200 Yellow Wagtails, 75 Spotted Flycatchers and 30 Pied Flycatchers, with all the other expected species present in lower numbers. Scarcer migrants included Hobby, Merlin and Black-tailed Godwit at the Bill, Wood Warbler at Southwell, Marsh Harrier in off the sea at the Bill, and Osprey south over Verne Common. Rarities included one very elusive Melodious Warbler still around the Obs, and new Wrynecks at Southwell and Easton.  

 

   

Melodious Warbler and Willow Warbler- Portland Bill, August 25th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 25th A milestone was reached at midday when another Melodious Warbler was trapped and ringed in the Obs garden - the 100th Melodious Warbler ringed at PBO. Yesterday's Melodious Warbler was also still present in and around the Obs garden, and both individuals were seen together at times during the morning. All the expected common migrants were again present around the island, with higher counts including 120 Wheatears, 100 Yellow Wagtails, 30 Whinchats and 25 Spotted Flycatchers at the Bill, and 40 Spotted Flycatchers at the Verne. Oddities included Green Sandpiper, Nightjar and Nightingale at the Bill, and Hobby over Southwell.

 

   

Melodious Warbler - Portland Bill, August 24th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 24th Bird of the day was another new Melodious Warbler that was trapped and ringed at the Obs in the early afternoon, after having been seen in the Obs Quarry in the morning. A decent variety of common migrants remained around the island, although numbers were generally on the low side; the only oddities were a Merlin, a Purple Sandpiper and a Nightingale at the Bill. The sea was also still fairly quiet, with the best birds being 2 Arctic Skuas and a Balearic Shearwater off the Bill. August 23rd Migrants were a lot more numerous today, although - as often happens in the autumn - the Bill area was the poor relation and the highest counts were made around the middle of the island. Totals for all sites included 60 Yellow and 2 Blue-headed Wagtails, 40 Pied and 10 Spotted Flycatchers, 30 Tree Pipits, 10 Redstarts, a Little Ringed Plover, a Turtle Dove and a Nightingale. The sea remained very quiet, with watches from the Bill producing nothing more than 6 Manx Shearwaters and a Great Skua.

 

   

Sparrowhawk - Portland Bill, August 22nd 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 22nd Despite promising conditions, with overcast skies and drizzle at dawn, there was no upturn in migrant numbers. The Bill area held 20 Wheatears, 7 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Whinchats, a Tree Pipit, a Yellow Wagtail, a Nightingale and a Garden Warbler, whilst seawatching there produced just single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters, and Arctic Skua. August 21st A surprise today was the retrapping at the Obs of the Melodious Warbler that was first seen early last week, but had not then been reported for five days - it remained highly elusive and was not seen again after release back into the Obs garden. Sand Martins and Swifts passed through in fair numbers all day, but migrants were otherwise in remarkably low numbers everywhere, with just 20 Wheatears, 9 Tree Pipits, 5 Willow Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Whinchat, a Redstart and a Garden Warbler at the Bill. The sea produced a couple of Little Egrets off the West Cliffs, as well as 4 Balearic and 3 Manx Shearwaters, a Storm Petrel and a Black Tern off the Bill. August 20th A repeat of yesterday, with around 100 Wheatears at the Bill, but few other migrants in any numbers. The Bill area also held, for example, only 25 Willow Warblers, 15 Yellow Wagtails and 5 Tree Pipits, along with oddities such as a Merlin, a Cuckoo and a Grasshopper Warbler. Elsewhere on the island, the highlight was a lone Ring-necked Parakeet flying north up the West Cliffs in the morning. August 19th Most of the expected common migrants were logged today, but the only species in any numbers was Wheatear: the Bill area held 95, and there were smaller numbers at most other sites. Oddities around the island included both Little Ringed Plover and Greenshank at the Bill. Seawatching from the Bill produced 12 Black and 2 Arctic Terns, 8 Balearic and 4 Manx Shearwaters, and single Arctic and Great Skuas.  August 18th A dramatic change in the weather, with plenty of heavy rain showers throughout the day, dropped a few unexpected birds around the island. Migrants remained generally sparse at the Bill, where there 60 Wheatears and 20 Willow Warblers, but otherwise just a Hobby, a Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail. Elsewhere, there were single Redstart and Pied Flycatcher at Weston, and a good numbers of waders at Ferrybridge included 6 Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 2 Knot and a Little Stint. Waders also passed on the sea at the Bill, where there were 31 Whimbrel, 15 Dunlin, 2 Ringed Plover and a Greenshank, along with 250 Gannets, 34 Common Scoter, a Balearic Shearwater, and single Arctic and Great Skuas.  August 17th Little change today, with only the thinnest scatter of migrants about the island. The Bill area held 25 Wheatears, 20 Willow Warblers, 2 Tree Pipits, a Yellow Wagtail and a Lesser Whitethroat, and as the day went on more than 100 Sand Martins gathered over the area. Three Balearic Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua passed on the sea. August 16th Autumn migrants may be on the move at the moment, but they're certainly not stopping in quantity at Portland. Grounded migrants at the Bill today totalled no more than 30 Wheatears, 25 Willow Warblers, 3 Whinchats and 2 Tree Pipits, although there were signs of more Swallows passing through as the day went on. With a distinct autumnal chill in the air it was perhaps fitting that the first Merlin also passed through at the Bill. The sea produced 15 Common Scoter and 3 Balearic Shearwaters, and the only other noteworthy sighting was of a Curlew Sandpiper at Ferrybridge in the evening. August 15th Yesterday's Melodious Warbler was retrapped at the Obs during the morning, and in the afternoon another individual was seen at Avalanche Road, Southwell. Commoner migrants around the Bill included 20 Willow Warblers, 15 Wheatears, 2 Tree Pipits, a Whimbrel, a Whinchat, a Blackcap and a Pied Flycatcher. The sea was hardly any better, with totals at the Bill of just 11 Common Scoter, a Manx Shearwater, an Arctic Skua and a Great Skua.

 

 

Melodious Warbler - Portland Bill, August 14th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 14th A new Melodious Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs in the morning was the highlight today. Migrants were otherwise pretty sparse, with just 20 Willow Warblers, 18 Wheatears, a Grey Wagtail, a Redstart, a Blackcap and a Lesser Whitethroat around the Bill area. Four Balearic and 2 Manx Shearwaters were the only noteworthy seabirds noted off the Bill. August 13th Another extremely quiet day. Migrants at the Bill totalled just 25 Wheatears, 6 Willow Warblers, a Mediterranean Gull and a Whimbrel, whilst seawatching there produced only a Great Crested Grebe and a Black-headed Gull. August 12th The Black-headed Bunting could not be found today, and the Bill area produced nothing better than 30 Wheatears, 6 Willow Warblers, a Greenshank, a Purple Sandpiper and a Common Sandpiper. With a fresh south-west wind blowing there was some hope of passage offshore, but in the event seawatching at the Bill produced only 25 Common Scoter, 6 Manx and a Sooty Shearwater, 2 Great Skuas and 2 Sandwich Terns.

 

   

Black-headed Bunting - Portland Bill, August 11th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 11th New in today was a male Black-headed Bunting that was discovered near the Lower Admiralty at 10am and then spent the rest of the day in or near the Obs garden; it proved to be frustratingly elusive and spent long periods hidden from view in trees on the edge of the Obs garden. The Bunting aside, it was a rather quiet day with nothing more than a Snipe and a few Willow Warblers and Wheatears around the Bill area. The sea produced just 10 Manx and 5 Balearic Shearwaters, 4 Eider, 2 Tufted Ducks and an Arctic Skua. 

 

Willow Warbler - Portland Bill, August 10th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 10th The return of calmer weather got a few more migrants moving, with counts from the Bill area of 50 Wheatears, 40 Willow Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, 2 new Robins, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Garden Warbler. The sea was much quieter than of late, with the Bill producing just a few Manx and 2 Balearic Shearwaters, and 2 Arctic Skuas. August 9th With passage still at a standstill on the land it was the sea that provided virtually all the worthwhile sightings again today, with watches from the Bill producing 600 Manx and 14 Balearic Shearwaters, and 2 Arctic and a Great Skua. The only noteworthy reports from the land were of 10 Willow Warblers, a Little Egret and a Green Sandpiper at the Bill.

 

Dunlin - Ferrybridge, August 8th 2001 © Martin Cade

  August 8th The wind remained rather strong and it was only persistent seawatching that provided much reward today. Day totals from the Bill included 33 Manx, 4 Balearic and 2 Sooty Shearwaters, 15 Common Scoter, 4 Sanderling, a Whimbrel, and single Arctic and Great Skuas. The only migrants around the Bill area were a handful of Willow Warblers and a lone Garden Warbler. Waders at Ferrybridge included 200 Dunlin, 140 Ringed Plover, 10 Sanderling, a Knot and a Curlew, and there was also a Mediterranean Gull there. August 7th Very little to report today. Despite a favourably strong south-west wind, seawatching at the Bill has produced only 3 Balearic Shearwaters and a lone Common Scoter. The land has been no better, with just a small arrival of Willow Warblers and Wheatears around the Bill. August 6th With a brisk westerly wind blowing all day, most of the interest was on the sea. Watches from the Bill produced 23 Common Scoter, 11 Balearic and 2 Manx Shearwaters, 4 Arctic and 2 Great Skuas, 2 Greenshank, 2 Common Terns and a Teal. Migrants remained sparse around the Bill area, with just single Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat among a sprinkle of Willow Warblers. August 5th The Melodious Warbler again showed from time to time during the morning, and in the early evening it was finally trapped and ringed in the Obs garden. The migrant situation was otherwise unchanged, with Wheatears and Willow Warblers the only species in any numbers; oddities included a Little Egret and a Green Woodpecker at the Bill. The sea continued to produce Balearic Shearwaters, although the day total fell to only 13 off the Bill.  August 4th After being missed for a day, the Melodious Warbler made another couple of brief visits to the Obs garden during the morning, but there were then no more sightings of it before the end of the day. The Bill area also produced 30 Willow Warblers, 10 Wheatears and single Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Garden Warbler, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat. A freshening wind promised more sea passage off the Bill, but in the event there was little improvement on recent days, with totals for the day of 46 Common Scoter, 23 Balearic and 4 Manx Shearwaters, and a single Teal. August 3rd The sea produced most of the interest today, with totals at the Bill of 31 Common Scoter, 26 Balearic and 14 Manx Shearwaters, a Bar-tailed Godwit, and an Arctic and a Great Skua. Migrants were still fairly thin on the ground at the Bill, but included 25 Willow Warblers, 10 Wheatears, 2 Garden Warblers, a Reed Warbler and a Sedge Warbler. August 2nd The Melodious Warbler remained at the Bill, although it was still extremely elusive and showed just once in the Obs garden at midday. Migrants at the Bill included 25 Willow Warblers and 10 Wheatears, whilst seawatching there produced 11 Balearic Shearwaters and 11 Common Scoter. August 1st The Melodious Warbler proved even more elusive today, with just one sighting of it in the Obs garden for a few minutes in the early evening. Willow Warblers and Wheatears remain the only passerines passing through in any numbers, with around 40 of the former and 15 of the latter at the Bill today. Seawatching at the Bill produced 24 Common Scoter, 18 Balearic Shearwaters, 7 Black-headed Gulls, 3 Sandwich Terns and a Great Skua. In the evening more than 500 Dunlin were counted at Ferrybridge.