31st December

Feeling a little cooler today but still unusually millpond calm for the middle of winter. The day's list contained few surprises although singles of Teal and Great Skua off the Bill were hardly expected given the conditions. Three Common Scoter also passed through there, a Great Spotted Woodpecker roamed about at the Bill, 2 Chiffchaffs were at Sweethill and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane, an Eider remained in Portland Harbour and 300 Mediterranean Gulls and 5 Bar-tailed Godwits were at Ferrybridge; 12 Grey Plovers near the oyster beds at Ferrybridge (a regular spot for them at this time of year) were perhaps doubtfully within the island recording area.

30th December

Another lovely day but another limited array of sightings: 3 each of Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter together with a single Brent Goose passed through off the Bill, 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were at East Weare and 3 Eider were again in Portland Harbour.

Being unable to stick more than a few hours at a time catching up with end of year paperwork/writing the annual report we've taken to having little spells out in the current fine weather meandering around underwatched parts of the island in the hope of bumping into a wintering Wallcreeper/Siberian Accentor/Eastern Black Redstart. Today's excursion took us to East Weare which is about as off the beaten track as you can get - largely because most of it's either out of bounds or tricky to access: after the Royal Navy departed the island the whole of their land holding was sold off for a song to Portland Port who have to this day retained the boundary fences they inherited hundreds of metres to the south of the active harbour facilities...


...aside from some limited light industrial use the area within this fence looks to have some cracking habitat including what by Portland standards qualifies of extensive woodland - goodness knows what must turn up in here at migration times:


Today we didn't manage any better than tape-luring a Long-tailed Tit flock - together with 2 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff - out of the private area and left rather frustrated at not having been able to get nearer to the best looking spots. On getting back to the clifftop the group of introduced British Primitive goats were visible far below:

29th December

A lovely sunny, still day but disappointingly few rewards on the birding front. Nine Brent Geese and 2 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, both the Chiffchaff and Siberian Chiffchaff were again at Avalanche Road and 32 Oystercatchers, 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 2 Goosanders and an Eider were at Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour.

Red-breasted Merganser at Ferrybridge this morning © Debby Saunders:


28th December

A brisker easterly saw a little more action off the Bill where the first Great Skua of the month lingered and 15 Red-throated Divers, 13 Brent Geese and 2 Common Scoter passed through; other reports from the day included a Chiffchaff at Southwell, 10 Redwings at Avalanche Road and 210 Dark-bellied Brents, 8 Goosanders, 2 Pale-bellied Brents and singles of Eider and Guillemot at Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour.

Belated moth news of a False Codling Moth Cryptophlebia leucotreta - the first record for Portland - found indoors at Easton on Christmas Day.

The dip in night-time temperatures has seen moth interest fizzle out so it was a surprise when Ken Dolbear brought us out an unidentified micro that he'd potted from the inside of a window in his house at Easton on Christmas Day. We had a vague memory of seeing photographs of something similar that was new for Dorset back in the summer and a quick check revealed it was indeed the same species - a False Codling Moth. This Afrotropical species has in the past been known as an occasional import on various fruit and other produce although latterly it's begun to appear from time to time (as in the case of the first Dorset record) in moth-traps; Ken tells us that he's had oranges in the house over the Christmas period so it's a good bet that they're the source of this specimen:



27th December

In conditions that were clear and still enough that there was frost on the ground at dawn the only noteworthy reports were of 20 Common Scoter and 3 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill and 14 Bar-tailed Godwits, 13 Goosander, 2 Mallards and a rather unseasonable Black-tailed Godwit at Ferrybridge.

The Ferrybridge Bar-tailed Godwit flock that arrived back in the middle of the autumn has dwindled a little as time's gone on but there are still more there than we can ever remember seeing before in mid-winter © Pete Saunders:


This morning's Black-tailed Godwit was a bit of a mid-winter oddity there © Debby Saunders:

26th December

Better coverage on a lovely bright Boxing Day. One of the Black Brants showed up again at Ferrybridge where 200 Mediterranean Gull were settled; the 13 Goosanders, along with 2 Eider, were also about in Portland Harbour. Random wandering around the middle of the island came up with 12 Redwings and a Chiffchaff at Avalanche Road and another Chiffchaff at the Grove Stadium. Following a couple of windier days Kittiwake numbers off the Bill had built up to over 300.

A lone White-speck was the only immigrant moth trapped overnight at the Obs.


Despite what seems to have become the now customary pre-New Year departure of many of the Dark-bellied Brents one of the Black Brants put in another appearance at Ferrybridge this morning © Debby Saunders:

25th December

A variety of brent geese accounted for pretty well all of today's news: 28 Dark-bellied Brents passed through off the Bill and 130 Dark-bellied Brents and 3 Pale-bellied Brents were settled at Ferrybridge.

One of the Southwell Barn Owls was putting on a good show again this evening © Pete Saunders: 


24th December

Only very limited coverage again today. Six Brent Geese passed through off the Bill and a lone Goosander was in Portland Harbour.

Singles of Gem and White-speck at the Obs kept the recent run of immigrant moths going.


One of the Southwell Barn Owls this evening © Pete Saunders: 


And last night's Gem:

23rd December

The quiet conditions of the last fortnight were well and truly blown away by the influence of the first decent Atlantic depression for a while that saw the wind freshen right up into gale force by the afternoon. Coverage was very limited, with the only worthwhile reports of 3 Common Scoter through off the Bill with another settled in Portland Harbour and 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart at the Bill.

A lone Pearly Underwing at the Obs was the night's only immigrant moth capture.

22nd December

On a lovely sunny day last gasp island year-ticks weren't at the forefront of anyone's mind so a presumably wintering Treecreeper that appeared out of the woodwork at Pennsylvania Castle was a welcome surprise, 3 Goldcrests and a Chiffchaff were also ensconced there. Elsewhere, 3 Mute Swans passed over at Ferrybridge, a Chiffchaff was still at Southwell, a Black Redstart was at the Bill and a lone Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea there.

A single Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove provided the night's only immigrant moth interest.

In bygone times (1970-71) a Short-toed Treecreeper overwintered at Pennsylvania Castle - sadly, today's bird displayed none of the necessary attributes that might have led us to believe a repeat of that event was on the cards:


Goldcrest numbers this autumn never really took off to the extent that might have been hoped but there are still a handful - like this one at Pennsylvania Castle - lurking about in sheltered wintering spots:


The Ferrybridge Mute Swans © Pete Saunders:

21st December

Today's only real change came from Portland Harbour where the Eiders increased to 10 and a Common Scoter also showed up; 11 Black-necked Grebes, at least 10 Goosanders and 2 Great Northern Divers were also there. A routine list from the Bill included 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart on the land and 10 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver through on the sea, whilst 4 Redwings and a Chiffchaff were at Southwell. Although several visitors were given directions to the Hume's Warbler none retuned with either positive or negative news of it.

The rapid return of mild air saw a Rusty-dot Pearl provide immigrant interest in the Obs moth-traps.

Barn Owls have been a constant presence around the south of the island for several weeks; at the Bill they're active almost exclusively during the hours of darkness but at Southwell they're sporadic visitors after dawn and before dusk - we're not sure whether it's the same individuals that are involved in the two areas © Debby Saunders:

20th December

The onset of some pretty steady rain through the middle of the day restricted coverage to early and late. A few Redwings were still on the move, with 21 over Blacknor and 7 at the Bill, but land sightings otherwise consisted of 2 Black Redstarts at Blacknor and an out of usual range Pheasant at Ferrybridge; there was no news either way on the Hume's Warbler. Despite a continuing dearth of the likes of auks offshore the sea was still worth attention, with 27 Red-throated Divers and 9 Common Scoter through off the Bill; 2 Wigeon also passed through Portland Harbour where the 3 Eider were still present, whilst nearby at Ferrybridge the Goosander tally remained on 13.

19th December

The spell of quiet, calm conditions continued although it feel a little chillier and a band a drizzly rain materialised during the afternoon. The Hume's Warbler lingered on at Avalanche Road but routine looks at the Bill area accounted for most of what other coverage there was: 5 Red-throated Divers and 3 Common Scoter passed through on the sea, whilst likely winterers included 6 Purple Sandpipers and singles of Water Rail, Black Redstart, Chiffchaff and Reed Bunting.

Despite the dip in temperature there were still immigrant moths about, with overnight captures of a Silver Y at the Obs and singles of Diamond-back Moth and Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove.

18th December

For what can often be a pretty uneventful time of year there's been plenty of variety to report just lately, with today proving to be no exception. In completely benign conditions a Puffin through off the Bill was particularly unexpected, with 3 Shelducks also passing by there and a Golden Plover overhead on the land hardly usual. Another 15 Redwings dropped in at the Bill and singles of Black Redstart and Blackcap were new at Southwell. Lingerers still about included the Hume's Warbler at Avalanche Road, 2 Black Redstarts and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Bill, 2 Chiffchaffs at Southwell and 3 Eider in Portland Harbour.

The moth-traps have been coming up with as many surprises as the birding, with a Pale Brindled Beauty at the Grove - the third island record? - the best of the night's catch; 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Diamond-back Moth and a Dark Sword Grass provided the immigrant interest there.


After what's hitherto been a poor year for Eider these three in Portland Harbour (there was a fourth individual with them when they first turned up) have been popular © Pete Saunders:


Kingfishers have been seen frequently along the harbour shore just lately - this one was off Hamm Beach today © Pete Saunders:


Although it seems as though suitable moth-trapping conditions are petering out for a few nights at least last night's Pale Brindled Beauty provided a nice finale for what's been a productive little spell through mid-December:

17th December

The quiet, mild conditions of recent days continued and the Avalanche Road Hume's Warbler and Siberian Chiffchaff attracted a steady trickle of weekend watchers. Tardy new arrivals are still showing up, with a Blackcap at the Obs, a Siskin over Avalanche Road and a scatter of Redwings of note today; an unseasonable movement of 104 Black-headed Gulls past the Bill was also of interest. Winter fare included 8 Purple Sandpipers and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at the Bill, 8 Linnets at Avalanche Road, 3 Goldcrests at Foundry Close 3 Eider in Portland Harbour and a Black Redstart on the harbour shore at Hamm Beach.

The odd few immigrant moths were still showing up, with a Gem at the Obs, a Pearly Underwing at Weston and 2 Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove making up the various trap totals; another December Moth was also at the Grove, where Cypress Carpet and Beaded Chestnut were additions to the unusually long list of resident species trapped around the island in recent nights.

Whilst lacking the extravagant quality of last year's pre-Christmas bonanza, this year's December moth immigration has certainly been worth keeping the traps on for; a Gem at the Obs was an addition to the species tally last night:


...this seemingly unfamiliar beetle (found on the outside of a lit window at the Obs) was also of interest. We don't 'do' coleoptera in any systematic way but it seems from a quick literature search that it might be Oedemera femoralis, which is apparently one of the false blister beetles; one distribution map that we found suggests that the species might even be new for Portland which would be a bit of a turn up:

16th December

No great change in either the birds or weather but plenty enough about to provide pretty decent entertainment for the middle of December. The Hume's Warbler remained on station with a Chiffchaff and a Siberian Chiffchaff also in the Avalanche area; 2 new Chiffchaffs were also at Sweethill where the Great Spotted Woodpecker remained. Redwings featured again: nocturnal passage had been much lighter but daytime sightings included 11 at the Bill, 12 at Southwell and at least 20 at Avalanche. Winterers included 5 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart at the Bill and 13 Goosanders, 7 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Eider in Portland Harbour, whilst the sea came up with 10 Common Scoter and 2 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill.

Two Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove were the night's only immigrant moth captures.


With perseverance the Hume's Warbler offered slightly better photo opportunities today © Mark Eggleton:



...and © Mike Trew:


And we managed a little bit of scene-setting video of it (...it does seem to be a past master at remaining just behind the first layer of branches and leaves wherever it's gleaning!):


The Siberian Chiffchaff also put in at least one appearance at Avalanche Road © Mike Trew:



Finally, Portland Harbour provided a Cormorant with ideas beyond its capabilities and the now seemingly well-settled Goosanders © Pete Saunders:


15th December


It was with great sadness that we learnt today of the death earlier this week of Max Seaford. Following National Service in the Royal Navy, Max embarked on a successful career in local banking that saw him move to within easy reach of Portland; he became a stalwart supporter of the Obs, including acting as honorary auditor and, after retirement, as a long-serving committee member. Max was a great character who didn't take himself, birding or life in general too seriously; he - and his seemingly endless supply of usually irreverent reminiscences, anecdotes and jokes - will be missed by all. We extend our sincere condolences to Max's family.



On a very dreary but again mild day the Hume's Warbler continued to entertain in the Avalanche Road area. A strong overnight passage of southbound Redwings resulted in fair numbers being grounded for a while after dawn, when 55 were at the Bill, at least 60 at Avalanche Road and 94 at the Craft Centre. Four Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, a Black Redstart was still at Blacknor and 8 Goosander remained in Portland Harbour.

Despite seemingly favourable conditions immigrant moth interest remained pretty minimal, consisting of just a Silver Y at the Obs and 2 Rusty-dot Pearl at the Grove.

The Hume's Warbler ranged a little more widely today but although often vocal it rarely afforded prolonged views in the dreary conditions:



Finally, thanks to Mike Trew for sending us through some more photos from yesterday morning at Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour:



14th December

December sprung a nice surprise today with the discovery of a Hume's Warbler at Avalanche Road, where a presumed Siberian Chiffchaff was also present. A few thrushes - including a Fieldfare over Blacknor and Redwings at the Bill (4) and Sweethill (15) - put in appearances, whilst single Chiffchaffs at the Obs and Blacknor were also new arrivals; additionally, 2 Blackcaps, a Chiffchaff and a Goldcrest were at Pennsylvania Castle. The only other reports were of singles of Brent Goose and Common Scoter through off the Bill.

What immigrant moth promise there was rather evaporated under a night sky that was so bright with the full moon that the moth-traps scarcely stood a chance of attracting anything; 3 Rusty-dot Pearls were the only captures at the Obs.

We hesitate to claim that the Hume's Warbler was a new arrival since we're not at all sure that anyone's birded the Avalanche Hump area for the last month! It was rarely really showy...




...but it did give itself away at regular intervals with decent bouts of calling:



We were somewhat distracted by the Hume's Warbler when the presumed Siberian Chiffchaff popped up quite close to it - the latter didn't call but it looked to be OK for a tristis in the flesh even if that might not be conveyed in our quick snap of it:

13th December

Ferrybridge and Portland Harbour provided most of the day's interest, at the former notably with a second Black Brant joining the individual that's been present throughout the winter; 5 Pale-bellied Brents were also there, whilst 8 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Eider and 3 Great Northern Divers were in the harbour. Three new Redwings dropped in at the Bill where both wintering Water Rails were still about and a Great Northern Diver passed through on the sea; elsewhere, a Chiffchaff was at Sweethill.

Despite promising looking conditions singles of Rusty-dot Pearl and Silver Y were the only immigrants that made it into the Obs moth-traps.

The two Black Brants © Debby Saunders:


Although there was a no-show on the rare immigrant front there was a little interest amongst the rest of the overnight moth catch; late singles of Brick and Black Rustic were of note at the Obs where a Mottled Umber was the pick of the catch - island records of this species are only just about annual:


A December Moth - only the fifth island record - was the best of the catch at the Grove:

12th December

An unexpectedly fulsome list from what started out as an uninspiringly dreary and drizzly but very mild day. New arrivals included 2 Blackcaps and a few extra Blackbirds at the Bill, 2 Redwings and a Fieldfare at Southwell, 8 more Redwings north over Blacknor and 4 Eider in Portland Harbour; the Goosander tally at Ferrybridge also crept up to what looks to be an island-record total of 16. As often, Ferrybridge returned the best of the numbers including 1500 Dark-bellied Brents, 2 Pale-bellied Brents, the Black Brant and 16 Bar-tailed Godwits; winterers dotted about elsewhere included 28 Linnets, 5 Turnstones and 2 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Sweethill and a Black Redstart at Blacknor. The sea remained conspicuously empty of the customary mid-winter quantities of auks and the like but 7 Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver did pass through off the Bill.

The milder air didn't arrive until late in the night and immigrant moth interest consisted of just 1 Silver Y at the Obs.


Despite the late date it was hard to believe that the Blackcaps were anything other than freshly arrived (central European?) migrants - both appeared within a few minutes of each other and were the first Blackcaps logged at the Obs for more than three weeks:


11th December

Fine, sunny conditions were welcome and saw a late Swallow put in a brief appearance over Weston Street; a few birds also got moving offshore, where 16 Brent Geese, 15 Common Scoter and 6 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill. Winterers making the list included 11 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Great Northern Divers in Portland Harbour and a Water Rail at the Bill.

Yesterday's Red-throated Diver at Smallmouth © Pete Saunders:


10th December

With rain holding of for much longer than forecast there was ample opportunity for quite decent coverage today. Not surprisingly so late in the year, new arrivals were few but did include 2 Redwings at the Bill and another 14 at Foundry Close. The Portland Harbour Goosanders topped at least 14, with 6 Black-necked Grebes, a Red-throated Diver and a Great Northern Diver also there. Two Common Scoter and a Red-throated Diver passed through off the Bill.

Immigrant moths included 2 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Pearly Underwing and a Silver Y at the Obs and a White-speck at Sweethill.

9th December

Apologies for the lack of recent updates: although we'd intended to keep things going whilst we were away this proved not to be possible - we will try and cobble together a summary of what's been happening to post in the next couple of days.

The day's only worthwhile bird sighting was of a single Red-throated Diver through off the Bill.

Obs immigrant moths: 1 Rusty-dot Pearl and 1 White-speck.

21st November

Bearing in mind the unbirdable lashing rain and wind that was a feature for the best part of the day there were some decent birds on offer on the odd occasions it was possible to watch from shelter or venture outside. A Caspian Gull that showed up towards dusk amongst the storm-driven Great Black-backs below Culverwell was the pick of the new arrivals, with 3 Blackcaps and a Redwing also new in at the Bill and the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat and a Chiffchaff still about there; offshore, Kittiwakes looked to be on the move in some numbers whenever the sea was visible. The Barn Owl was again at Southwell at dawn and 22 Bar-tailed Godwits, 6 Pale-bellied Brents, the Black Brant and a Knot were at Ferrybridge.

A lone Rusty-dot Pearl provided the only immigrant interest amongst the handful of resident moths that made it into the Obs traps overnight.

Both the Barn Owl and Black Brant put on decent shows during the morning © Pete Saunders:



Unfortunately the Caspian Gull was discovered right at the end of the day when the light was failing and it was only possible to get some really long range record shots of it...



...and it chose to fly off just as it started belting down with rain for the umpteenth time:

20th November

The wild weather associated with the overnight passage of Storm Angus proved to be short-lived and in increasing benign conditions during daylight hours there was a fair scatter of worthwhile sightings. The Ferrybridge Goosanders had increased to 13 and further coverage there and at Portland Harbour came up with a fly-by Long-tailed Duck, 9 Black-necked Grebes, at least 4 Great Northern Divers and a Short-eared Owl. The improving conditions came too late for many late migrants to get moving at the Bill where a few flocks of Goldfinches headed south and a new Chiffchaff showed up on the ground; the Siberian Lesser Whitethroat and 5 Purple Sandpipers were also still about and a Red-throated Diver passed through on the sea. Elsewhere there was a Black Redstart at Chesil Cove, 2 Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle and a scatter of presumably wintering Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in other areas of cover.

Barn Owls have been quite regular at dusk at the Bill just lately and one was on patrol at dawn today at Southwell © Pete Saunders:


The Ferrybridge Goosanders seem to getting more confiding as they settle in © Debby Saunders:


...and this Long-tailed Duck was a nice fly-by there this morning © Pete Saunders: