January 2003

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

 

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

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

 

          

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

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

 

     

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

         

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

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

 

       

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

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

 

       

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

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

December 2002

December 31st A damp, chilly and uneventful end to the year. Eight Short-eared Owls, 8 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone were at the Bill along with the 30 Common Scoter that remained offshore. Elsewhere, thrush numbers increased at Avalanche Road, with counts of 12 Redwings and 8 Song Thrushes there today, 2 Goldcrests were at Fancy Beach and 5 Yellowhammers at St Georges Church. Portland Harbour produced the usual scatter of divers and grebes, 3 Eider, 2 Common Scoter and a Sandwich Tern. December 30th Not a bad mid-winter list today in much fairer weather. At least 8 Short-eared Owls continued to show well at the Bill where there was also a Fieldfare. Elsewhere on the land there was a Firecrest, a Goldcrest and a Buzzard in the Grove area, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest at Pennsylvania Castle, another Chiffchaff at Weston, 3 Redwings at Avalanche Road and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. The 30 Common Scoter remained off the Bill, but most of the interest off the shore was in Portland Harbour where there were 100+ Red-breasted Mergansers, 7 Mute Swans (an exceptional count for the island), 5 Great Crested, 1 Red-necked and 1 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Great Northern and 3 Black-throated Divers, 2 Eider, 2 Common Scoter, a Grey Heron and a Little Egret. December 29th Unpleasantly damp and murky weather made birding very difficult, and the only news was of 9 Short-eared Owls and a Snipe at the Bill, a Goldcrest at Southwell and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane.

 

      

     Great Northern Diver - Portland Harbour, December 28th 2002 © Martin Cade

  December 28th Most of the news today came from Portland Harbour where a Black Guillemot was a notable new arrival; also there were 9 Black-necked, 7 Slavonian and 2 Red-necked Grebes, 4 Great Northern and 4 Black-throated Divers, 2 Eider, 2 Common Scoter and a Sandwich Tern. Seven Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill, a Siskin appeared there briefly, 25 Common Scoter and an Eider remained settled offshore, and 4 Brent Geese and 2 Red-throated Divers flew past. December 27th Up to 7 Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill, along with 11 Oystercatchers, 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Turnstone. The wintering Common Scoters and an Eider remained offshore and a lone Red-throated Diver flew past there. Elsewhere the only news was of 3 Black-necked and 3 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Common Scoter, a Great Northern Diver and an Eider in Portland Harbour.

 

          

     Purple Sandpiper - Portland Bill, December 26th 2002 © Martin Cade

  December 26th The combination of poor weather and an excess of seasonal spirits meant there was little incentive to get out birding, and the only news was of a couple of Short-eared Owls at the Bill, 25 Common Scoter offshore there and 2 Common Scoter and a Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour. After dark, 2 Purple Sandpipers were trapped and ringed at the Bill. December 25th The only news today was of several Short-eared Owls around the Bill area, 25 Common Scoter still offshore there and a single Red-necked Grebe flying past. December 24th Spring-like weather prompted a few more birders into the field but the only noteworthy new discovery was a lone Firecrest at Culverwell. At least 8 Short-eared Owls and a Black Redstart were still at the Bill, 30 Common Scoter remained offshore and 3 Eider flew past. Portland Harbour was conspicuously unproductive, with 3 Eider and 2 Common Scoter the only worthwhile sightings. December 23rd Not much change today, with 9 Short-eared Owls, 2 Black Redstarts and a Redwing around the Bill area, 30 Common Scoter still offshore there and another Black Redstart at Ferrybridge.  December 22nd Still very mild and overcast, but without the fog of the last couple of days. Eleven Short-eared Owls were counted at the Bill and there were still 2 Black Redstarts there. Off the Bill, an Eider continued to consort with the 40 wintering Common Scoter, and 4 Red-throated and a Black-throated Diver passed through. The only other news came from Portland Harbour, where there were 8 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Black-throated and a single Great Northern Diver, an Eider and a Common Scoter. December 21st Another mild but very damp and foggy day. At least 8 Short-eared Owls were spotted in the gloom at the Bill, an Eider remained offshore there, a Sanderling was at Ferrybridge and a Great Northern Diver was the only noteworthy bird to emerge from the fog at Portland Harbour. December 20th Unfortunately the very mild air that arrived overnight was accompanied by low cloud and heavy rain, and birding was restricted to a short dry slot early in the morning. A very mobile Snow Bunting again appeared overhead several times at the Bill but it couldn't be found on the ground. Also there were 26 Song Thrushes, 8 Short-eared Owls, 3 Redwings and a Water Rail. A Firecrest and several Goldcrests were seen at Easton and a lone Black Redstart was again at Reap Lane. December 19th The only news today came from the Bill, where there were 8 Short-eared Owls, 7 Lapwings and 3 Black Redstarts around the area, 30 Common Scoter still lingering offshore and a lone Teal flying past.

 

     

   Little Egret - Southwell, December 18th 2002 © Pete & Debby Saunders

  December 18th A bitter east wind kept most birds hidden and most birders indoors. A Little Egret was an unusual but brief visitor to a garden pond at Southwell, whilst a Water Rail in the Obs garden - presumably a different individual to the bird already wintering at Culverwell - was another unexpected new arrival. Otherwise there were still at least 5 Short-eared Owls, a Purple Sandpiper and a Turnstone at the Bill, and 38 Common Scoter and an Eider remained offshore there. Three Red-throated Divers and a Brent Goose flew past off the Bill and a single Common Scoter was in Portland Harbour. December 17th An uneventful day. The only reports were of 5 Short-eared Owls, 2 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares in the Bill area, and 26 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers off the Bill itself. December 16th A flighty Snow Bunting overhead a couple of times at the Bill during the morning was a new arrival today. There was otherwise little change anywhere, with 8 Short-eared Owls, 3 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts and a Lapwing at the Bill, and 4 Long-tailed Tits at Southwell, 2 Black Redstarts at Weston and a Coal Tit at Pennsylvania Castle as the pick of the bunch elsewhere. Off the Bill, the 25 Common Scoter and an Eider remained in residence, and a Red-throated Diver and a Velvet Scoter flew past. December 15th Not a lot to report today, with a chilly wind and persistent light rain making birding less than entertaining. Seven Short-eared Owls remained at the Bill, together with 3 Lapwings, 2 Redwings, 2 Fieldfares and a Water Rail. Seawatching there produced just the 25 lingering Common Scoter and a fly-by Red-throated Diver. Elsewhere there were 3 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Black-throated and a Great Northern Diver, an Eider and a Goldeneye in Portland Harbour, and a single Black Redstart at Reap Lane. December 14th Most of the interest today was on the sea, where a strengthening south-east wind got plenty of auks moving off the Bill: around 1000/hour were passing east throughout the morning. Also off there was a good-sized feeding flock containing 300 Herring Gulls, 200 Kittiwakes and 100 Gannets; the regular party of Common Scoter - with a lone Eider still in occasional attendance - also remained offshore. Nine Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill, along with 6 Fieldfares, 3 Redwings, a Lapwing, a Snipe and a Black Redstart. Three Little Egrets were at Ferrybridge. December 13th Calm conditions permitted the first good look at Portland Harbour for several days which produced totals of 9 Great Crested, 4 Black-necked, 3 Red-necked and 2 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Great Northern and a Black-throated Diver, 3 Eider, a Goldeneye and a Kingfisher. At the Bill, 70 Starlings arrived in off the sea, and there were also 30 Song Thrushes, 9 Short-eared Owls, 2 Lapwings, 2 Redwings, a Water Rail, a Black Redstart and a Siskin around the area; additional single Black Redstarts were at Reap Lane and Weston. Off the Bill itself, 4 Eiders were again with the wintering Common Scoters and a lone Red-throated Diver flew past. 

 

          

     Fieldfare - Southwell, December 12th 2002 © Pete & Debby Saunders

  December 12th Quieter, milder weather arrived overnight, although the first couple of hours of the morning were spoilt by some passing heavy showers. An obvious legacy of the cold snap were the total of nearly 70 Song Thrushes scattered around the Bill area, with other left-overs there including 25 Lapwings, 14 Redwings, 2 Golden Plovers, 2 Snipe, a Jack Snipe and a Fieldfare; at least 8 Short-eared Owls were also still in the area. The Common Scoter flock off the Bill continued to attract a few passers-by, with 3 Eider and a Goldeneye settled with them during the morning; a Red-throated Diver and a Grey Plover also flew past there. December 11th It remained heavily overcast and very windy but the temperature had distinctly crept up a few degrees and the short cold spell looked to be on the way out. The Bill area produced more than 30 Song Thrushes, 10 Redwings, 9 Lapwings, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Fieldfares and a Snipe, and there was a single Black Redstart at Reap Lane. The Common Scoter flock off the Bill attracted 3 Velvet Scoters and 3 Eider, but the only birds of note passing through on the sea were a few Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 4 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Red-throated Diver. December 10th Despite it remaining very cold and windy there were fewer birds about today. The Bill area still held plenty of Song Thrushes, 19 Lapwings, 10 Redwings and 3 Fieldfares, as well as the 9 Short-eared Owls and a Black Redstart. A Curlew was grounded at Reap Lane and there was another Black Redstart there. At sea, 4 Eider joined the lingering Common Scoter flock off the Bill, and 50 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 25 Black-headed Gulls, a Red-throated Diver, a Wigeon, a Gadwall and a Tufted Duck passed through there.

 

                

     Ring Ouzel - Southwell, December 9th 2002 © Pete & Debby Saunders

  December 9th With the weather remaining pretty bitter - and made worse today by a strong easterly wind - there were the first signs of cold-weather movement. A surprise new arrival was a Hawfinch seen briefly early in the morning at Southwell; the Ring Ouzel also reappeared in a private garden there. Song Thrushes numbered up to 50 around the southern half of the island, and 30 Lapwings, 25 Redwings, 4 Snipe, 3 Fieldfares, 2 Golden Plovers and a Woodcock were new arrivals at the Bill; a Chiffchaff was also freshly arrived at Avalanche Road. At least 9 Short-eared Owls, 8 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart remained at the Bill. Off the Bill itself, more than 500 Lesser Black-backed Gulls passed through, along with 50 Black-headed Gulls, 12 Teal, 9 Brent Geese, 2 Curlews, a Yellow-legged Gull and a Little Gull; a Slavonian Grebe also lingered offshore there. December 8th With each day getting colder and more miserably grey and damp there are few incentives to spend long in the field. The majority of reports came from the Bill where a Little Auk and a Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea, and the land produced 7 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Redwings, a Snipe, a Black Redstart and a Fieldfare. Elsewhere, there were 2 Chiffchaffs at Weston and 2 Mediterranean Gulls and a Black-throated Diver at Ferrybridge. December 7th A very gloomy, cold day with the only noteworthy new arrivals being 4 Lapwings and a Mistle Thrush at the Bill; long-stayers there included at least 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Black Redstarts, as well as the flock of 30 Common Scoter offshore. The only other reports were of a Woodcock and a Firecrest at Verne Common, and a Black-throated Diver and a Sandwich Tern still at Ferrybridge.

 

        

     Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, December 6th 2002 © Martin Cade

 

November 2002

December 6th	Highlight today was a Ring Ouzel - thought to be the same bird that was seen last week - that spent much of the day in a private garden in Southwell. Under heavily overcast skies there was another flurry of late migrants at the Bill, where 40 Blackbirds, 30 Redwings, 12 Fieldfares and 2 Lapwings passed through; at least 6 Short-eared Owls were also still there. Elsewhere, a Black Redstart was again at Reap Lane. Offshore, more than 500 auks flew east past the Bill.
December 5th	The arrival of a much chillier northerly airflow was the cue for some more late passage today. Typically, thrushes and finches dominated, with 40 Redwings and 20 Fieldfares over Weston, and 50 Chaffinches, 25 Redwings, 7 Siskins, 4 Bullfinches, 3 Fieldfares and 2 Bramblings at the Bill; rather more unexpected was a late pulse of Swallows, with 3 at the Bill and 2 at Ferrybridge. Six Short-eared Owls were still at the Bill, where 3 Red-throated Divers and a Little Gull also passed through on the sea.
December 4th	A Marsh Harrier passing through at the Bill was bird of the day, although it was otherwise a bit of a struggle with just a late Swallow, 4 Short-eared Owls and 2 Fieldfares at the Bill, and 2 Black Redstarts and a Goldcrest at Church Ope Cove. Seawatching produced the lingering flock of Common Scoter off the Bill and 3 Red-throated Divers flying west past there.
December 3rd	The arrival of quieter weather produced a minor flurry of sightings. Three Siskins, a Goldcrest and a Bullfinch were new arrivals at the Bill, where there were still at least 2 Short-eared Owls and a Water Rail about the area; 40 Common Scoter remained offshore there, and 2 Red-throated and Great Northern Diver passed by. Two Black-throated and 2 Great Northern Divers were in Portland Harbour along with a Mute Swan and a Common Scoter, and 7 Little Egrets were at Ferrybridge.
December 2nd	A blast of strong north-westerly winds kept most birders indoors today, and the only news was of 5 Short-eared Owls patrolling the Bill area late in the afternoon and at least 25 Common Scoter still offshore there, 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane and 2 Slavonian Grebes in Portland Harbour.
December 1st	A very slow start to the new month. The only reports were of a lone Black Redstart at Weston, and 7 Wigeon and 4 Red-throated Divers passing through off the Bill.
November 30th	Meagre reward today in damp, dreary weather. Odds and sods at the Bill included 50 Starlings, 20 Goldfinches, 15 Siskins and 10 Chaffinches passing through, and 12 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls, a Redwing, a Black Redstart and a Bullfinch around the area. Two Red-throated Divers passed by offshore and 2 Black-throated Divers were in Portland Harbour.
November 29th	A mild, sunny day that produced another small flurry of late migrants. A Serin over the Obs was the highlight, but there were also another 50 Goldfinches, 25 Chaffinches, 2 Siskins and a Redpoll on the move to the south over the Bill. On the ground there were 2 Short-eared Owls, a Water Rail, a Blackcap and a Bullfinch at the Bill, 3 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane and another 2 at Church Ope Cove, and the Coal Tit still at Wakeham. A Red-throated Diver passed through off the Bill, a Black-throated Diver was at Ferrybridge and a Sandwich Tern again commuted between Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour.
November 28th	A tardy Swallow battled south through the wind and rain at the Bill today, but the land otherwise produced just 3 Short-eared Owls and 3 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill, 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane and a Merlin over Southwell. The Common Scoter flock off the Bill increased to 80 and another Great Skua lingered off there.
November 27th	The return of wind and rain saw all vestiges of late movement on the land grind to a halt, with the only birds of any note being a couple of grounded Redwings and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill, 3 Goldcrests and 2 Siskins at Wakeham and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. A disappointingly quiet seawatch at the Bill produced just a single Great Skua and the 70 resident Common Scoter.
November 26th	After the flurry of interest yesterday, today was a good deal quieter but still produced more than would be expected in late November. At least 100 Goldfinches, along with a few Chaffinches, 3 Reed Buntings and a Siskin, left to the south from the Bill, but the only birds of note on the land there were a Purple Sandpiper, a Turnstone, a Black Redstart and a Chiffchaff. Elsewhere round the island, there were 7 Redwings and 2 Fieldfares at Avalanche Road, 2 Water Rails at Verne Common, 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane, single Chiffchaffs at the Grove and Avalanche Road, and a Blackcap at Pennsylvania Castle. Fifty Common Scoter remained off the Bill, 9 Red-throated Divers passed by there and a single Great Northern Diver was at Portland Harbour.
Ring Ouzel and Blackcap - Southwell and Portland Bill, November 25th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 25th	A much calmer day that produced an unexpected highlight in the form of a very late Ring Ouzel at Avalanche Road, Southwell. Nearby, a Treecreeper visited a private garden at Bown Hill, Southwell, and 2 Swallows were also over the village. New arrivals at the Bill included 8 Siskins, 3 Redwings, 3 Blackcaps, a Fieldfare, a Chiffchaff and a Reed Bunting, whilst 2 of the long-staying Short-eared Owls were also still there. Two Black Redstarts were at Blacknor, and another at Church Ope Cove, a Coal Tit and a Firecrest were at Wakeham, a Blackcap and a Bullfinch were seen at Easton Fire Station and 3 Goldcrests and a Blackcap were at Pennsylvania Castle. Seawatching at the Bill produced just 4 Red-throated and a Great Northern Diver.
November 24th	With the day being punctuated by fewer heavy showers than most recent day, there was just the hint of a few late migrants getting on the move again. At the Bill, 350 Goldfinches, 50 Chaffinches, 40 Starlings and 2 Siskins passed through, and 3 Short-eared Owls, 3 Redwings and 3 Black Redstarts were present around the area. Elsewhere, 2 more Black Redstarts were at Reap Lane and the Coal Tit was still present at Wakeham. Off the Bill, 50 Common Scoter were still present and 4 Red-throated Divers, 2 Brent Geese and a Red-breasted Merganser passed by.
November 23rd	Stragglers at the Bill included a dozen Redwings, a Black Redstart and a Chiffchaff, with 100 Goldfinches also leaving to the south from there; elsewhere, there was a Blackcap at Avalanche Road and a few Goldcrests at Pennsylvania Castle. Two Black-throated and a Red-throated Diver, as well as 2 Velvet Scoter, passed through off the Bill where the flock of 70 Common Scoter remained offshore. Two Great Northern Divers and 2 Common Scoter were in Portland Harbour and a Sandwich Tern was at Ferrybridge.
November 22nd	Another day of heavy showers blown in on a stiff south-westerly wind. Odds and sods on the land included 10 Purple Sandpipers, a Water Rail, a Short-eared Owl and a Chiffchaff at the Bill, and a Merlin and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. Kittiwakes were still passing the Bill in good numbers, but there was otherwise just a single unidentified Diver and the resident flock of Common Scoter off there. A single Sandwich Tern was again in Portland Harbour.
November 21st	In between heavy, blustery showers there were still a few birds to be seen on the land, with 15 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Redwings, 3 Black Redstarts and a Chiffchaff at the Bill, and 2 Blackcaps, a Goldcrest and a Brambling at Southwell. The rarest migrant was a Moorhen that unfortunately killed itself after flying into a window in the Portland Port complex. Seawatching at the Bill produced more than 1000 Kittiwakes, 6 Black-headed Gulls, a Great Skua, a Mediterranean Gull and Little Gull, whilst there was a Bar-tailed Godwit at Ferrybridge and a Black-throated Diver in Portland Harbour,
November 20th	Given suitable weather conditions late migrants continue to trickle through, with today proving no exception. Despite limited coverage the Bill area produced 26 Redwings, 20 Blackbirds, 10 Song Thrushes, 3 Black Redstarts, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Blackcap. The Common Scoter flock offshore again numbered more than 70, with 6 Wigeon, 2 Red-throated Divers and a Black-throated Diver passing by there.
Mediterranean Gull and Little Auk - Ferrybridge, November 19th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 19th	A freshening south-east wind put paid to any meaningful birding on the land, where the only reports were of a couple of Redwings and a Chiffchaff at the Bill and a few Goldcrests at Pennsylvania Castle. Seawatching at the Bill produced just 5 Little Gulls, a Curlew and the resident flock of Common Scoter. A 'wrecked' Little Auk showed well at Ferrybridge, where there were also 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Sandwich Terns and a Little Egret. Click here for news of another exciting new arrival today!
November 18th	The Red-breasted Flycatcher remained at Pennsylvania Castle but new arrivals were thin on the ground. The Bill area produced small numbers of thrushes and finches, 5 Black Redstarts, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Buntings, a Woodcock and a Firecrest, whilst elsewhere there were 5 Black Redstarts at Weston, single Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle and Penn's Weare, and a Coal Tit at Wakeham. The settled flock of 70 Common Scoter remained off the Bill and 5 Red-throated Divers, 4 Sanderling and a Little Gull passed by there. Three Black-necked and a Red-necked Grebe, along with single Red-throated and Black-throated Divers were in Portland Harbour.
Red-breasted Flycatcher - Pennsylvania Castle, November 17th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 17th	A male Red-breasted Flycatcher that showed well at Pennsylvania Castle was the surprise highlight today. Late common migrants continued to show up, with plenty more thrushes and finches passing through at the Bill, where there were also 6 Black Redstarts, 3 Blackcaps, a Short-eared Owl, a Chiffchaff  and a Goldcrest; elsewhere, there were 2 Coal Tits at Pennsylvania Castle. Off the Bill, 19 Red-throated Divers and 9 Velvet Scoters passed through, whilst at least 2 Little Auks lingered close inshore at times during the morning. Five of the Velvet Scoters seen off the Bill were later in Portland Harbour, where there also single Black-throated and Great Northern Divers and a Sandwich Tern.
November 16th	A hint of east in the wind certainly perked things up today, with a good flurry of common migrants at the Bill and one or two oddities elsewhere on the island. A Serin was heard but no seen at Weston early in the morning, and later in the day a Hen Harrier flew over there; elsewhere, a Dartford Warbler was at Suckthumb Quarry and a Coal Tit was again at Wakeham. There was a good northward movement of thrushes at the Bill, with counts of 100 Blackbirds, 90 Redwings, 60 Song Thrushes and 10 Fieldfares, also on the move there were 130 Starlings, 50 Chaffinches, 10 Redpolls, 6 Reed Buntings, 5 Siskins, 2 House Martins, a Lapwing, a Swallow and a Brambling, whilst 7 Black Redstarts, 4 Blackcaps, 2 Goldcrests, a Snipe and a Short-eared Owl were also in the area. At least 50 Common Scoter remained offshore and were joined by 5 Eider for part of the day.
Starling - Portland Bill, November 15th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 15th	Despite an improvement in the weather there was nothing other than a very routine selection of late migrants on the island. Overhead passage at the Bill included 275 Goldfinches leaving to the south and 400 Starlings arriving from the east, whilst the only grounded migrants of note there were 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Black Redstarts and 2 Redwings. Elsewhere, there was another Black Redstart at Church Ope Cove, a Sandwich Tern at Ferrybridge and 3 Great Northern Divers and a Red-necked Grebe in Portland Harbour.
November 14th	A poor day all round, with little seen on the land or sea. Ten Little Gulls and and single Arctic  and Great Skuas lingered in Chesil Cove, and up to 70 Common Scoter lingered off the Bill. In very windy conditions the land produced nothing more than 2 Black Redstarts at both Weston and Reap Lane, and 3 Siskins, 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Redwings and a Bullfinch at the Bill.
November 13th	With the daylight hours providing a window of fair weather between spells of heavy rain before dawn and after dark, there was some hope of a few birds being found. In the event little of note was found on the land and there was only a rather limited passage of late migrants overhead. Counts of visible passage at the Bill included 300 Goldfinches, 175 Linnets, 100 Greenfinches, 50 Chaffinches, 8 Siskins, 7 Stock Doves, 3 Swallows and 3 Redpolls, whilst the only grounded migrants of note there were 4 Redwings, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Black Redstart. Off the Bill, there was large feeding flock of Gannets and Kittiwakes, but the only birds on the move were a Red-throated Diver and a Brent Goose. Elsewhere, the only reports were of 2 Little Gulls and a Little Auk in Chesil Cove.
November 12th	A morning of wind and rain saw a few more birds moving on the sea, with 1000 Kittiwakes, 29 Common Scoter (in addition to the 70 settled birds already present), 4 Great and an Arctic Skua, a Red-throated Diver, a Tufted Duck and a Little Gull passing the Bill. Despite the grim conditions more than 1000 Starlings arrived in off the sea, but the only sightings of note on the land were of 2 Redwings and a Woodcock at the Bill and 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane.
November 11th	Bright and breezy westerly weather got a few migrants on the move overhead but there was still little around on the land. Counts of visible passage at the Bill included 725 Starlings, 700 Goldfinches, 170 Chaffinches, 140 Linnets, 75 Greenfinches, 55 Stock Doves, 17 Skylarks and 7 Swallows, but the only new arrivals of note on the ground there were a couple of Goldcrests that joined the lingering Firecrest in the Obs garden. Elsewhere there were 3 Black Redstarts at Church Ope Cove, a Black Redstart and a Merlin at Reap Lane and a Blackcap at Wakeham. The highlight on the sea was a Little Auk in Chesil Cove during the afternoon, with the Bill producing nothing better than 18 Brent Geese and the settled flock of 55 Common Scoter. Two Black-throated Divers were in Portland Harbour and a lone Wigeon was at Ferrybridge.
November 10th	After a night of continuous heavy rain there were precious few new arrivals on the land but quite a bit of interest on the sea. More than 1500 Kittiwakes passed west off the Bill, with other day-totals there of 67 Little Gulls, 50 Common Scoter, 10 Brent Geese, 7 Red-breasted Mergansers, 4 Fulmars, 4 Dunlin, 4 Turnstones, 2 Arctic and 2 Great Skuas, 1 Black-throated Diver, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Wigeon, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Greenshank and 1 Little Auk. In comparison the land was very quiet, with just 30 Redwings, 20 Swallows, 7 Fieldfares, 2 Black Redstarts, a Blackcap, a Goldcrest and a Firecrest at the Bill, and a brief appearance by a Serin - probably the bird seen earlier in the week at the Bill - at Southwell.
November 9th	The calmest day for a while produced a good variety of migrants although numbers remained on the low side. Among the sprinkle of commoner thrushes and finches at the Bill there were also 26 Swallows, 9 Long-tailed Tits, 6 Purple Sandpipers, 6 Bullfinches, 3 Short-eared Owls, 3 Black Redstarts, a Grey Heron and a Firecrest; similar variety elsewhere included another 8 Black Redstarts around the centre of the island and a very late Willow Warbler at Southwell.. Despite the lack of wind there was a steady passage of Kittiwakes past the Bill, along with 13 Little Gulls, 2 Great Northern and a Red-throated Diver, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Balearic Shearwater, a Brent Goose and a Red-breasted Merganser. Portland Harbour is beginning to produce some typical winter fare, with totals there today of 12 Razorbills, 4 Great Northern and 2 Black-throated Divers, 2 Great Crested, 1 Red-necked and 1 Black-necked Grebe, a Mute Swan and another late Sandwich Tern.
November 8th	Heavy rain and strong winds put the block on any serious birding, and the only new arrival of any note was a lone Pale-bellied Brent Goose amongst the Brent Geese at Ferrybridge. The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen briefly early in the morning at Southwell but there was no sign of the Bluethroat at Church Ope Cove. Odds and sods that did manage to surface around the island included 3 Black Redstarts at both Church Ope Cove and Reap Lane, and 2 Redwings, 2 Firecrests, a Swallow, a Blackcap and a Chiffchaff at the Bill. The sea produced nothing more than the 50 lingering Common Scoter off the Bill.
Bluethroat - Church Ope Cove, November 7th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 7th	Interest was maintained today with the discovery of a Bluethroat on the beach at Church Ope Cove; the Yellow-browed Warbler was also still present in private gardens at Southwell. The majority of new arrivals were otherwise overflying migrants, with counts at the Bill including 380 Wood Pigeons, 200 Stock Doves, 150 Goldfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 13 Swallows, 10 Siskins, a Golden Plover, a Dunlin, a Snipe and a Bearded Tit. New arrivals were sparser on the ground, although there were still 4 Black Redstarts, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl and a Chiffchaff at the Bill, a Coal Tit at Wakeham and a sprinkle of Black Redstarts, Chiffchaffs and crests dotted around the centre of the island. Small numbers of Common Gulls and a single Little Gull trickled west past the Bill and there were 3 Sandwich Terns in Portland Harbour.
Yellow-browed Warbler - Southwell, November 6th 2002 © Pete and Debby Saunders
November 6th	A Yellow-browed Warbler in a private garden at Southwell was an unexpected new arrival today, but it otherwise remained rather quiet everywhere. The Bill area produced 60 Redwings, 8 Swallows, 4 Siskins, 2 Fieldfares, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Blackcaps, 2 Chiffchaffs, 2 Firecrests and a Short-eared Owl, whilst a similar range of species elsewhere also included the late Willow Warbler still present at Pennsylvania Castle.
November 5th	Just a light sprinkle of common migrants today. Among the small numbers of thrushes and finches at the Bill, there were also 6 Purple Sandpipers, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Black Redstarts, 4 Goldcrests, 2 Lapwings, 2 Swallows, 2 Blackcaps and 2 Firecrests; overhead passage consisted of little more than 84 Stock Doves moving south. Elsewhere there were 4 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane and a Coal Tit at Wakeham. Seawatching at the Bill produced just a Black-throated Diver and 50 settled Common Scoter.
Long-tailed Tit - Portland Bill, November 4th 2002 © Martin Cade
November 4th	In much improved weather conditions there were a few more birds to see, although grounded migrants remained pretty sparse. The majority of movement at the Bill was of southerly passage overhead, with counts including 250 Goldfinches, 200 Linnets, 50 Skylarks, 24 Siskins, 19 Swallows, 10 Reed Buntings, 6 House Martins and 4 Bullfinches. On the ground there, 15 Long-tailed Tits were new arrivals, at least 6 Short-eared Owls and 3 Firecrests  were still present and the Serin appeared once during the afternoon. Elsewhere, there were 18 Black Redstarts scattered around the centre of the island, 2 Sandwich Terns at Ferrybridge, a Mistle Thrush and a Coal Tit at Wakeham and several Firecrests at Southwell and Wakeham.
November 3rd	The wind remained strong all day although any rain was restricted to occasional heavy showers. New grounded migrants were thin on the ground, but Goldfinches in particular were on the move overhead in good numbers, with more than 1000 leaving to the south from the Bill. Sheltered places still held a few Chiffchaffs and crests, the Willow Warbler remained at Pennsylvania Castle, a Serin, presumably the bird seen twice in recent days, appeared again briefly at the Bill and 3 Short-eared Owls were still there. Late migrants included 12 Swallows and 3 House Martins at the Bill and a Sandwich Tern at Ferrybridge. Two Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe were again in Portland Harbour.
Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, November 2nd 2002 © James Lees

Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

November 2nd

Another day of dismal wet and windy weather. A few new thrushes and finches were in evidence at the Bill, where there were also 11 Short-eared Owls (one of which was trapped and ringed), 3 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest. Elsewhere there were 5 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane, 2 Firecrests at Avalanche Road and 10 Goldcrests, 4 Chiffchaffs, 3 Blackcaps and the lingering late Willow Warbler at Pennsylvania Castle.

November 1st

A pretty miserable start to the new month, with strong wind and heavy rain spoiling any birding on the land. A few thrushes and finches trickled through, a late Wheatear was at Ferrybridge and a flurry of new Goldcrests joined the few left-over Firecrests remaining in sheltered spots at the Bill and Southwell; a brief Serin at the Bill in the morning was the only noteworthy rarity on the land. In between the showers, seawatching at the Bill produced 42 Common Scoter, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Brent Geese, 2 Pomarine, an Arctic and a Great Skua, a Sooty and a Manx Shearwater, a Wigeon and a Tufted Duck.