Dorset - Portland - A Couple of Days on the Island!

Birding of Portland is hard work and needs a concerted effort to search the different habitats that cover the island. Our first stop was at Ferrybridge where a Grey Phalarope had spent a couple of days giving crippling views to onlookers. We weren’t as fortunate and neglected to check the sea before moving onto the island! Needless to say the bird spent the morning on the sea between Lidl’s and the Skate park!

A Pale Bellied Brent Goose was our best offering from Ferrybridge. A couple of small flocks of Dark Bellied geese flew over as we were sifting through the shorebirds. These included a Knot, Bar-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher.

A Sandwich Tern pitched up resting in amongst the gulls.

A good number up to 17 Ring Ouzel were recorded around Suckthumb Quarry/Thumb Lane. Birds were heard chacking in the bushes but it was not until late on the first day that we connected with this species.

Bird of the two days was a Red-breasted Flycatcher which was found down by the huts in front of the observatory garden. The bird was mobile but Pete managed to see it before the bird made its way back into the Observatory gardens. We staked out the Obs Quarry and then sacrificed ourselves as the bird was ringed during our visit to Daniels (No lunch time opening!) then Codfathers to have lunch! 

I spent the afternoon staking this bird out with Gerry Hayman (purbeckpilrgim) eventually getting good but short views as it was harangued by Wren and Robin in the trees! There are some fantastic pictures on the Observatory website here.

The rest of the time was spent kicking bushes and occasionally peering out to sea! It was good to catch up with the band of local birders, Nick Bond (Naturetrek), Roger Hewitt and Paul Rendell and his wife.

I stopped off at Lodmoor on the way home just in case a Bittern decided to put in a flight appearance. Squeeling Water Rail and four Great White Egrets were the product of this stop!

I am looking to kit out my new wheels which will enable me to camp on Portland which will save a forty minute drive or two!