Bee Orchid variation - Perryfields, June 2016 © Ken Dolbear
12th June
A change in the weather produced some much needed rain - our bird-friendly crops in the Crown Estate Field and elsewhere were beginning to look pretty parched - but also jazzed up just a little the quality of the seawatching, with 2 Great Skuas, 2 Black-headed Gulls, a Pomarine Skua and a trickle of Manx Shearwaters passing by off the Bill. On the land the Great Spotted Cuckoo lingered on, a Blackcap - yet another seemingly failed breeder - showed up at the Obs and a Spotted Flycatcher was at Easton.
11th June
The presence of the Great Spotted Cuckoo for so long has perhaps deflected attention from a general quality deficiency in a period that's got a pretty decent heritage for rarities, with today certainly not bucking that trend. The only obvious new arrival on the land was yet another Chiffchaff at the Obs, although the late-lingering Short-eared Owl did provide some further interest at the Bill. The sea wasn't a lot better, with 16 Common Scoter, 15 Manx Shearwaters, a Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern the best on offer off the Bill.
On the lepidoptera front the recent plague of Diamond-back Moths - with back-up influxes of Silver Y and Painted Lady - has maybe also masked the general paucity of other routine immigrants and dispersers, particularly with the conditions having looked pretty promising just lately. The overnight moth catch included Diamond-back Moth totals of 375 in one trap at the Grove, 323 in five traps at the Obs and 145 in one traps at Sweethill; a total of 4 more Orange Footman scattered amongst the traps were easily the best of the rest. By day there was a notable count of at least 200 Silver Y on the Slopes at the Bill.
On the lepidoptera front the recent plague of Diamond-back Moths - with back-up influxes of Silver Y and Painted Lady - has maybe also masked the general paucity of other routine immigrants and dispersers, particularly with the conditions having looked pretty promising just lately. The overnight moth catch included Diamond-back Moth totals of 375 in one trap at the Grove, 323 in five traps at the Obs and 145 in one traps at Sweethill; a total of 4 more Orange Footman scattered amongst the traps were easily the best of the rest. By day there was a notable count of at least 200 Silver Y on the Slopes at the Bill.
Lulworth Skipper - Bottomcombe, 11th June 2016 © Ken Dolbear
...Ken tells us that this male - which is the first sighting we've heard of on the island this year - is the first he's recorded at Bottomcombe, which (mainly through Ken's dedicated fieldwork) is turning out to be real butterfly hotspot.
10th June
With the supply of routine migrants having dwindled it was fortunate that the ever-reliable Great Spotted Cuckoo was still about to save the day. An unseasonable Grey Wagtail over the Bill was the only worthwhile newcomer there, where 25 Common Scoter, 11 Manx Shearwaters, 2 Sandwich Terns and a Mediterranean Gull through on the sea filled a few more lines on the list.
Although Diamond-back Moths were still conspicuously numerous by day a rather precipitous drop in numbers in the moth-traps saw example overnight totals of just 136 from the five traps at the Obs and 210 and 55 respectively from the single traps at the Grove and Sweethill; a Delicate was a first for the year at the Obs but other routine immigrants were almost entirely absent.
Although Diamond-back Moths were still conspicuously numerous by day a rather precipitous drop in numbers in the moth-traps saw example overnight totals of just 136 from the five traps at the Obs and 210 and 55 respectively from the single traps at the Grove and Sweethill; a Delicate was a first for the year at the Obs but other routine immigrants were almost entirely absent.
9th June
After the soaring temperatures of recent days a cool, foggy day came as a shock to the system and certainly subdued bird activity. It almost goes without saying that the Great Spotted Cuckoo successfully completed its fourth week in residence, even if it does continue to confound visitors with its unpredictable appearances. The day's list from the Bill otherwise consisted of just 2 Chiffchaffs (1 a new arrival), a Curlew and a very late Short-eared Owl.
Diamond-back Moth numbers increased again, with totals of 900 at the Grove and 563 at Sweethill (both in single traps) the highest counts during the present influx at both sites; the Obs garden total of 1115 from five traps nearly equalled the peak total of 1140 on 2nd June. Other immigrants were almost absent, but amongst the wanderers a total of 5 Orange Footman (2 at the Obs and singles at Weston, the Grove and Fortuneswell) were of note.
Diamond-back Moth numbers increased again, with totals of 900 at the Grove and 563 at Sweethill (both in single traps) the highest counts during the present influx at both sites; the Obs garden total of 1115 from five traps nearly equalled the peak total of 1140 on 2nd June. Other immigrants were almost absent, but amongst the wanderers a total of 5 Orange Footman (2 at the Obs and singles at Weston, the Grove and Fortuneswell) were of note.
Puffin - Portland Bill, 8th June 2016 © Martin King
...sad to relate, but a distant white-faced blob is about as good as it gets this year on the Portland Puffin front: there still haven't been more than singletons recorded this spring/summer and this bird(s) is by no means regular in its appearances.
8th June
The year's first Quail that was flushed from a path edge in Top Fields was a nice back-up for the lingering Great Spotted Cuckoo that continued to provide the rarity interest. Migrant-wise, the Bill area produced a few odds and ends that are now heading both ways: the 6 singing Reed Warblers were surely arriving but the 2 Mediterranean Gulls, 2 Black-headed Gulls and singles of Curlew and Blackcap all looked to be departing (the gulls and Curlew are more or less on cue, whilst evidenced by the presence of a well-formed brood patch the Blackcap was yet another - the sixth in recent days - failed breeder; additional singles of Mediterranean Gull and Black-headed Gull were new in at Ferrybridge.
The immigrant lepidoptera situation hardly changed: Diamond-back Moth numbers did look to have dropped slightly by day, whilst moth-trap totals included 479 in one trap at Sweethill and 750 from five traps at the Obs; Painted Ladies were numerous without being abundant and Silver Ys were very numerous around valerian at dusk but had hardly featured in the moth-traps (just 6 in the Obs traps).
The immigrant lepidoptera situation hardly changed: Diamond-back Moth numbers did look to have dropped slightly by day, whilst moth-trap totals included 479 in one trap at Sweethill and 750 from five traps at the Obs; Painted Ladies were numerous without being abundant and Silver Ys were very numerous around valerian at dusk but had hardly featured in the moth-traps (just 6 in the Obs traps).
7th June
The Great Spotted Cuckoo remained in residence and there was again a thin scatter of common migrants that included 8 Reed Warblers, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Wheatear, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Chaffinch at the Bill.
Lepidoptera immigration remained largely confined to a few common species: Diamond-back Moth were again present in enormous numbers, with moth-trap totals that included 420 in one trap in a garden at Reap Lane and a total of 1040 in the five traps at the Obs; Silver Y totals from the moth-traps included just 3 at the Obs but at dusk dozens were nectaring at Red Valerian in the Obs garden; Painted Ladies increased and were reported in moderate numbers throughout the island.
Lepidoptera immigration remained largely confined to a few common species: Diamond-back Moth were again present in enormous numbers, with moth-trap totals that included 420 in one trap in a garden at Reap Lane and a total of 1040 in the five traps at the Obs; Silver Y totals from the moth-traps included just 3 at the Obs but at dusk dozens were nectaring at Red Valerian in the Obs garden; Painted Ladies increased and were reported in moderate numbers throughout the island.
Common Blue, Large Skipper, Meadow Brown and Painted Lady - Portland, June 2016 © Ken Dolbear
6th June
Not quite the numbers of the last couple of days but still a decent enough little selection of arrivals today. The Great Spotted Cuckoo as usual spiced up proceedings, with a Nightjar flushed in the Bill Quarry easily taking second place in the quality stakes. More routine fare at the Bill included 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Blackcaps, a Sedge Warbler and a Chiffchaff.
On the insect front Diamond-back Moths remained abundant, with plenty of evidence of an ongoing arrival during daylight hours when numbers increased conspicuously; overnight moth-trap totals included 790 from the 5 traps at the Obs. The Painted Lady total increased to perhaps 50 over the island as a whole, whilst Marmalade Hoverflies were much more evident (including 500 or more in the Obs garden) than they have been in recent days. Quality amongst the immigrant moths remained elusive, with 3 Silver Y and singles of Dark Pine Knot-horn and Cream-bordered Green Pea the only obvious non-residents in the Obs traps.
On the insect front Diamond-back Moths remained abundant, with plenty of evidence of an ongoing arrival during daylight hours when numbers increased conspicuously; overnight moth-trap totals included 790 from the 5 traps at the Obs. The Painted Lady total increased to perhaps 50 over the island as a whole, whilst Marmalade Hoverflies were much more evident (including 500 or more in the Obs garden) than they have been in recent days. Quality amongst the immigrant moths remained elusive, with 3 Silver Y and singles of Dark Pine Knot-horn and Cream-bordered Green Pea the only obvious non-residents in the Obs traps.
5th June
Another nice miscellany of migrants/strays to report today as back-up to the continuing presence of the Great Spotted Cuckoo. The Bill area got the best of the coverage and returned totals of 10 Reed Warblers, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Short-eared Owls and singles of Common Cuckoo, Mistle Thrush, Wheatear, Blackcap and Willow Warbler on the land and 23 Common Scoter, 4 Mute Swans, 3 Mediterranean Gulls and an Arctic Skua through on the sea. Elsewhere, another Spotted Flycatcher passed through at Blacknor, 24 Common Scoter and 3 Sanderling passed through off Chesil and a Curlew Sandpiper was new in at Ferrybridge.
Immigrant moth interest really only concerned Diamond-back Moths, of which there looked to be another surge overnight: individual mv trap totals got up to around the 200 mark with, for example, a total of 946 in the 5 traps in the Obs garden, whilst numbers by day had clearly increased again.
The island still awaits the Painted Lady influx underway elsewhere, with reports today of no more than odd ones and twos at several sites.
Immigrant moth interest really only concerned Diamond-back Moths, of which there looked to be another surge overnight: individual mv trap totals got up to around the 200 mark with, for example, a total of 946 in the 5 traps in the Obs garden, whilst numbers by day had clearly increased again.
The island still awaits the Painted Lady influx underway elsewhere, with reports today of no more than odd ones and twos at several sites.
Mute Swans - Portland Bill, 5th June 2016 © Martin Cade
4th June
Although hardly a big deal in comparison with spring proper, there was another minor arrival of late migrants today under a heavily overcast sky. As usual, the Great Spotted Cuckoo stole the show from the rarity point of view, but the Bill area returned totals of 7 Reed Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 each of Yellow Wagtail, Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, and singles of Common Cuckoo, Redpoll and Chaffinch; an additional particularly odd sight there were the 23 Wood Pigeons that arrived high from the south and carried on northward. The only other reports concerned 10 Common Scoter through off the Bill and a lone Sanderling at Ferrybridge.
Diamond-back Moths again dominated the overnight moth catch, with between 25 and 60 in each mv trap operated at several sites around the island; the overall total from the 5 traps in the Obs garden was 228; other immigrant interest concerned a handful of Rusty-dot Pearl and Silver Y in the various moth-traps and 3 Painted Lady butterflies by day (2 at Southwell and 1 at West Weare).
Diamond-back Moths again dominated the overnight moth catch, with between 25 and 60 in each mv trap operated at several sites around the island; the overall total from the 5 traps in the Obs garden was 228; other immigrant interest concerned a handful of Rusty-dot Pearl and Silver Y in the various moth-traps and 3 Painted Lady butterflies by day (2 at Southwell and 1 at West Weare).
3rd June
An overcast and surprisingly cool morning came up with a small flurry of new arrivals to add some variety to the day-list that continued to be headed by the Great Spotted Cuckoo. The majority of reports came from the Bill area where 2 Common Cuckoos were again lingering and 3 Spotted Flycatchers and singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler, Blackcap and Willow Warbler were all new in. Elsewhere, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and a Whimbrel at Ferrybridge were a tad unseasonable and at least 15 Sandwich Terns were still about there and in Portland Harbour. A lone Arctic Skua through off the Bill was the only seawatch report of note.
Even though their numbers dropped significantly, Diamond-back Moths again made up almost the entirety of the overnight immigrant moth catch, with totals that included 287 at the Obs, 132 at Sweethill, 58 at Reap Lane and 52 at the Grove.
Even though their numbers dropped significantly, Diamond-back Moths again made up almost the entirety of the overnight immigrant moth catch, with totals that included 287 at the Obs, 132 at Sweethill, 58 at Reap Lane and 52 at the Grove.
2nd June
The day's high point was probably the Great Spotted Cuckoo successfully chalking up its third full week in residence; however, it was also nice to see plenty of Swifts in the air throughout the morning - 300 were counted at one time at the Bill - and the continuing presence of at least 2 Common Cuckoos at the Bill was a welcome reminder of bygone times. New arrivals at the Bill consisted of just a Hobby, a Blackcap (a failed breeder rather than a tardy migrant) and a Spotted Flycatcher; 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler also lingered on there and an Arctic Skua passed by on the sea.
Immigrant moth interest again centred on the large arrival of Diamond-back Moths: 1140 were caught overnight in the five traps run at the Obs and 102 made it into a single trap at the Grove; numbers by day were still high although by the evening when we had a kick around several fields at the Bill there were appreciably fewer about than at the same time yesterday. Although the numbers logged over the last couple of days are very high they aren't actually unprecedented at the Obs, where our record single night total in the traps was c3500 on 26th July 2006.
Storm Petrel - 31st May 2016 © Martin Cade
...we'd quite forgotten that we took a quick bit of phone-video of this bird that was mist-netted at the Bill a couple of nights ago during our second trapping attempt of the season; it would seem that the petrels aren't yet about in any numbers since it took more than three hours over the two sessions before this bird was lured in.
Immigrant moth interest again centred on the large arrival of Diamond-back Moths: 1140 were caught overnight in the five traps run at the Obs and 102 made it into a single trap at the Grove; numbers by day were still high although by the evening when we had a kick around several fields at the Bill there were appreciably fewer about than at the same time yesterday. Although the numbers logged over the last couple of days are very high they aren't actually unprecedented at the Obs, where our record single night total in the traps was c3500 on 26th July 2006.
Storm Petrel - 31st May 2016 © Martin Cade
...we'd quite forgotten that we took a quick bit of phone-video of this bird that was mist-netted at the Bill a couple of nights ago during our second trapping attempt of the season; it would seem that the petrels aren't yet about in any numbers since it took more than three hours over the two sessions before this bird was lured in.
And from today a sound that's very rarely heard at the Bill these days - a singing Cuckoo:
1st June
The heavily overcast sky and frequently brisk north-easterly that were the order of the day prompted Swifts to appear in quantity, with 686 logged on the day-sheet at the Bill and likely well into a four-figure total over the island as a whole - these birds didn't really have the look of active migrants and were presumed to be mainland breeders temporarily displaced by the conditions. On the ground, the Great Spotted Cuckoo was still about and the lingering Common Cuckoo at the Bill was joined by a second individual; 2 Chiffchaffs and a Willow Warbler also lingered on at the Bill, whilst other new arrivals included singles of Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Spotted Flycatcher at the Bill, a Hobby through at Blacknor and 2 each of Sanderling and Dunlin at Ferrybridge. Late commic tern passage saw 29 through off the Bill and 12 through over Chesil, whilst a trickle of Manx Shearwaters and Sandwich Terns, as well as a lone Great Skua, also passed through off the Bill.
The arrival of an immigrant swarm of Diamond-back Moths saw prodigious numbers recorded throughout the island: moth-trap totals included 383 at the Obs (in four traps) and 58 at the Grove (in one trap), but vast numbers - we'd guess at well into the low millions from the numbers seen in sample walks at several sites during the evening - were evident everywhere by day. The only other new immigrant lepidoptera logged were 3 Silver Y in various of the moth-traps and a lone Painted Lady in the Obs garden.
The arrival of an immigrant swarm of Diamond-back Moths saw prodigious numbers recorded throughout the island: moth-trap totals included 383 at the Obs (in four traps) and 58 at the Grove (in one trap), but vast numbers - we'd guess at well into the low millions from the numbers seen in sample walks at several sites during the evening - were evident everywhere by day. The only other new immigrant lepidoptera logged were 3 Silver Y in various of the moth-traps and a lone Painted Lady in the Obs garden.
Diamond-back Moth - Portland Bill, 1st June 2016 © Max Hellicar
The Neil Arnold Memorial Fund
The Neil Arnold Memorial Fund
We hadn't intended to jump the gun when earlier in the year we announced the establishment of The Neil Arnold Memorial Fund but inevitably the administrative formalities required took longer than expected to complete. However, we're pleased to announce that the fund is now a UK registered charity in its own right, it has its own bank account to which donations may be made and it is now able to accept applications from young people (up to the age of 21) for support.
Initially the fund will provide financial support for young people wishing to visit Portland Bird Observatory, but as further funding becomes available it is anticipated that its remit will be broadened to encompass visits to any accredited UK bird observatory. Support will be available for all or part of the transport and accommodation costs incurred and potential applicants are invited to contact the warden at PBO to discuss their application.
31st May
The beginning of the end of the recent dry and increasingly warm spell saw the Great Spotted Cuckoo linger on (today largely at Reap Lane) and a handful of new arrivals show up. Swifts trickled in off the sea all morning, with more than 100 through at the Bill, whilst 2 Sand Martins, 2 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Heron and a Tree Pipit were also of note overhead there. On the ground, the Common Cuckoo stayed for another day at the Bill, where newcomers included 2 Willow Warblers and 2 Spotted Flycatchers; the migrant wader tally at Ferrybridge consisted of 8 Sanderling and 6 Dunlin.
30th May
Precious little change in either the weather or the birding, with the Great Spotted Cuckoo (which was mostly at the Bill today) still the star attraction. The odd few late migrants continued to show up, with a new Black Redstart and the lingering Cuckoo the best on offer at the Bill where 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Reed Warblers and singles of Sand Martin (amongst a trickle of Swifts, Swallows and House Martins), Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher made up the rest of the tally. Routine fare through on the sea there included a few Manx Shearwaters, 5 Common Scoter and 4 Sandwich Terns; a settled Puffin off Pulpit Rock was also of note (there still haven't been any reports of more than a single individual this spring, and this bird - if it is always the same individual - is seen by no means daily).
Orange-tip and Blue-tailed Damselfly - Bottomcombe and Easton, 30th May 2016 © Ken Dolbear
29th May
Warm and sunny again today with a fresh northerly breeze a feature throughout. It was another two cuckoo day, with the Great Spotted Cuckoo again roaming between Reap Lane and the Strips, and a Common Cuckoo showing up at the Bill; the day's other new arrivals consisted of 2 Spotted Flycatchers grounded at the Bill, a Hobby through there and a light but steady arrival of Swallows, House Martins and c100 Swifts. The only report from the sea was of 33 Common Scoter through off the Bill.
The overnight immigrant moth tally wasn't worth mentioning but singles of Tawny-barred Angle and Spruce Carpet at the Obs did provide a little evidence of dispersal from the mainland.
The overnight immigrant moth tally wasn't worth mentioning but singles of Tawny-barred Angle and Spruce Carpet at the Obs did provide a little evidence of dispersal from the mainland.
Kestrel and House Martin - Portland Bill and Southwell, May 2016 Simon Craft (Kestrel) and Martin King (House Martin)
28th May
Although the fog that rolled in yesterday evening soon cleared after dawn to reveal a day of lovely warm sunshine it likely prevented most overflying night migrants having any idea they could have made landfall as there were few routine new arrivals. The Great Spotted Cuckoo continued to entertain from time to time and 2 Serins that made a series of short visits to the Obs either side of midday were welcome, but new arrivals at the Bill otherwise consisted of 3 Reed Warblers, 3 Chiffchaffs and a Yellow Wagtail, with a Common Cuckoo at Reap Lane the only addition elsewhere.
Although immigrant moth numbers didn't match those of yesterday a Pearly Underwing at the Grove was of note, as were 2 Red Admiral butterflies caught overnight in the Obs traps.
Although immigrant moth numbers didn't match those of yesterday a Pearly Underwing at the Grove was of note, as were 2 Red Admiral butterflies caught overnight in the Obs traps.
Serin - Portland Bill, 28th May 2016 © Martin Cade
27th May
The Great Spotted Cuckoo got stuck into its third week in residence and, by maintaining its habit of holing up unseen for long periods, again caused as much pain as it did pleasure. An early evening Honey Buzzard in off the sea at the Bill was a nice first for the year, whilst the day's tally of common migrants there was full of variety even if the numbers were nothing to shout about. Hirundines and Swifts trickled through overhead but on the ground only Reed Warbler (5), Chiffchaff (3) and Yellow Wagtail (2) were in anything other than singles; the ones list included Grey Heron, Turnstone, Grey Wagtail, Wheatear, Blackcap, Garden Warbler and Willow Warbler. Seawatching at the Bill came up with no more than 9 Common Scoter and 4 Canada Geese.
A small arrival of common immigrant moths saw combined totals of 4 each of Diamond-back Moth and Silver Y, and 2 Rusty-dot Pearl logged at three sites at the Bill, Reap Lane and Weston.
A small arrival of common immigrant moths saw combined totals of 4 each of Diamond-back Moth and Silver Y, and 2 Rusty-dot Pearl logged at three sites at the Bill, Reap Lane and Weston.
26th May
It was pretty hard work to get much reward from today, with few new arrivals and the Great Spotted Cuckoo proving harder to find than at any time during its stay (it wasn't first spotted until late in the afternoon). A continuing trickle of passing hirundines aside, 2 Chiffchaffs, a Willow Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher were the only obvious new arrivals at the Bill; 3 commic terns and 2 Common Scoter were also all that could be mustered from the sea there. Elsewhere there were 5 Sanderling, a Grey Plover and a Wheatear at Ferrybridge.
Small Heath butterfly was on the wing for the first time this year at several sites.
Small Heath butterfly was on the wing for the first time this year at several sites.
Great Spotted Cuckoo and Ravens - Reap Lane and West Cliffs, 25th and 24th May 2016 © Paul Ward (GSCuckoo) and Sean Foote (Ravens)
25th May
A reminder that there's an In Focus field event at the Obs between 10am and 4pm this Saturday, 28th May.
A keen easterly breeze that finally died right away towards evening kept it feeling surprisingly cool for a sunny late May day. Bird-wise, the Great Spotted Cuckoo was more cooperative than in recent days and entertained all-comers for the best part of the day at Reap Lane. Some movement was still afoot on all fronts, with a Long-tailed Skua - along with 53 Common Scoter, 6 commic terns, 4 Sanderling, a Great Northern Diver and a Dunlin - through off the Bill the best of the day's crop. Visible passage continued, with Swifts featuring more conspicuously than of late amongst the pulses of Swallows and House Martins: the total of 50 through at the Bill wouldn't ordinarily be anything to shout about but reflects the dreadful numbers logged there so far this spring. There was nothing in quantity on the ground, but 11 Dunlin and 9 Sanderling at Ferrybridge and 3 Chiffchaffs, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, and singles of Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and an extremely late Goldcrest at the Bill were all of note.
Gannet - Portland Bill, 25th May 2016 © Lorne Bissell
...a couple of images perfectly illustrating the hazards of marine litter for wildlife; this hapless Gannet was bobbing about quite close off Pulpit Rock this afternoon - we can only hope that it drifts into Chesil Cove and comes ashore where there'd be a chance it could be caught and the offending item removed.
And a couple of Obs garden butterflies from yesterday; Holly Blues look to be having a good year, with plenty flittering about the hedges at the moment (photo © Ken Dolbear):
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..and Red Admiral numbers seem to have consolidated, with plenty around since they arrived earlier in the month (photo © Joe Stockwell joe-stockwell.blogspot):
24th May
Although the Great Spotted Cuckoo attracted all the attention of the visitors there were still enough migrants about to make it well worth covering as much ground as possible. The Bill area came up with totals of 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 3 each of Yellow Wagtail, Reed Warbler and Blackcap, 2 each of Whimbrel and Chiffchaff, and singles of Marsh Harrier, Ringed Plover, Curlew and Wheatear; elsewhere another Hobby passed through at Blacknor and 3 Sanderling were at Ferrybridge. Although precious little systematic attention was given to the sea 3 Arctic Skuas were noticed passing through at various times off the Bill.
Marsh Harrier and Great Spotted Cuckoo - Portland Bill, 24th May 2016 © Martin Cade (Marsh Harrier) and Steve Gantlett cleybirds (Great Spotted Cuckoo)
23rd May
The Great Spotted Cuckoo gave folk the run-around again today but did eventually give itself up to the majority of the still steady stream of admirers it's attracting. Another minor flurry of late migrants at the Bill included 10 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 Reed Warblers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Chiffchaffs and a Wheatear on the ground and a light passage of Swallows and House Martins overhead; a lone Hobby also passed through at Blacknor. A Balearic Shearwater through off the Bill was the only bird of note on the sea.
22nd May
The Great Spotted Cuckoo has been proving trickier to catch up with in recent days, but it continued to surface in a seemingly ever more unpredictable fashion anywhere between the Obs and Reap Lane. Another little arrival of tardy migrants included 5 Chiffchaffs, 3 Reed Warblers, 2 Spotted Flycatchers and singles of Turtle Dove, Yellow Wagtail, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Siskin at the Bill, whilst odds and ends still on the move out to sea there included 9 Common Scoter, 3 each of Arctic Skua and Great Skua, and a single Great Northern Diver.
Turtle Dove - Portland Bill, 22nd May 2016 © Martin Cade
And when we downloaded this Turtle Dove sequence we realised there was quite a bit of video we hadn't even got round to looking at of the Great Spotted Cuckoo on its first visit to the Obs garden last Sunday so we've edited together a bit of that as a little memory of the event:
...as this was an Obs garden tick we thought that for a bit of fun we ought to tot up the all-time 'in and from' the Obs list. There are a few records from before our time that we're not sure about - we'll have to check with old-stagers like Beryl Clafton and Grahame Walbridge to ascertain whether the likes of Rough-legged Buzzard and Upland Sandpiper were actually seen from the Obs - and we haven't included a few dodgy 'imports/relocateds' such as Scops Owl and Desert Warbler, but it seems like the total's currently on at least 304. We can't think where in the UK there'd be a garden with a total to match that but we're sure someone will let us know pretty sharpish if there is.
21st May
Any day with a Great Spotted Cuckoo residing on the island shouldn't be written off, but it has to be said that there were few other reasons for cheer with drizzle and low cloud a nuisance throughout the morning and bucketing rain preventing any meaningful fieldwork during the afternoon. The cuckoo aside, land observations consisted of just 2 Chiffchaffs, a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher at the Bill, whilst seawatching came up with a trickle of Manx Shearwaters, 5 Arctic Skuas, 2 Great Skuas and a Little Egret through off the Bill and a Great Northern Diver through off Chesil.
Skylark - Portland Bill, 20th May 2016 © Simon Craft
Also today, courtesy of Dr Martin Collinson at the University of Aberdeen, we received confirmation that this chiffchaff trapped at the Obs on 26th April was indeed a Siberian Chiffchaff (to be completely accurate, since it was the mtDNA from a feather sample that was analysed, its mother was a Siberian Chiffchaff); as we mentioned at the time, there was nothing in the plumage, moult or wing formula to suggest it wasn't a Siberian Chiffchaff, but since it wasn't heard to call it was good to get confirmation in another way that we weren't barking up the wrong tree:
20th May
The Great Spotted Cuckoo entered its second week in residence, today largely remaining at Reap Lane although late in the day it did wander as far as Top Fields. New arrivals at the Bill consisted of just 3 Spotted Flycatchers, 2 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Wheatears, a Turtle Dove and a Chiffchaff on the ground and a light passage of mainly Swallows overhead, whilst another Turtle Dove lingered for a second day at Southwell. The sea was well-watched but didn't come up with much more than 2 Great Northern Divers and singles of Arctic Skua and Great Skua through off the Bill.
Great Spotted Cuckoo - Reap Lane, 20th May 2016 © Mike Trew
And a bit of catching up with photos we've been sent in the last few days. We'd forgotten to mention a few new for the year butterflies that are now on the wing, amongst which have been Dingy Skipper and Common Blue; Ken Dolbear kindly sent through photos of both from Bottomcombe (on 15th and 14th May respectively):
These two Sanderling were settled on the rocks at the Bill on 15th May (photo from Ann & Noel Hand):
...and the Ravens have been a real nuisance at the Bill auk colony where they've been filching Guillemot eggs for the last fortnight (photo from James Phillips on 15th May):
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