Portland Weekend

Time for our eagerly awaited Portland trip and after a lunchtime pick up by Jono we made it to Portland for late afternoon.

All had been quiet in the Bird Obs so we went for a walk around the Bill.

The most noticeable bird (apart from the many gulls) were Wheatear which I have never seen in such numbers.

Most were female but in striking condition.

A rather showy and again beautifully conditioned Pipit gave us some discussion but we reluctantly decided it was just a Meadow Pipit. We added a Whinchat to the list on a fence near the Obs.

After checking in to our guest house we made the most of the Weymouth pubs and had a rather bland Indian. Later to bed than planned and an early start the next day feeling a tad tired!

On our way to Portland we stopped at Ferrybridge and very little was about wader wise so we headed to the Obs. It was extremely misty so sea watching was pointless and we had been informed that there had been a Hooded Crow at Admiralty Quarry. We did not find it and even went back for a second try later in the day to no avail.

We decided on a quick jaunt to Radipole Lake with highlights being Bearded Tits, large numbers of Cetti's Warblers and a lone Kingfisher.

However, Jono's contact Shaun (a local postman) had Tweeted a Black Guillemot in the sea near Portland Castle. Though it was murky and misty, Shaun arrived and pointed us to the distant bird. Lifer for me so well chuffed though any photos were virtually impossible even with digiscoping on the maximum setting. The photo below is a record shot.

Back up to the bill and the fog had lifted.

A report of a Wryneck on a nearby track saw us quickly walking up the hill opposite the Obs.

A very confiding Kestrel and a distant Buzzard were duly seen before the Wrymeck landed on a nearby barbed wire fence to give us unbelievable close us views.

We walked around the Bill and by now it was very hot and glorious sunshine.

The cliffs gave decent views of Shag and Great Black Backed Gulls.

Although our guest house landlord had made us a small pack lunch we were starving so a delicious crab sandwich at the cafe was a welcome break. We managed some excellent views of Rock Pipit.

A walk back via the Bird Obs quarry gave us the resident Little Owl too.

After a bit of chilling in the room we went out for further libation and a considerably better curry. Not so late to bed and we were up and out at 6.30.

It was cooler and windier but a sunny morning and the Bird Obs was busy.

Sea watching gave Gannet and Jono spotted a Great Skua which was actually a lifer for me when I checked my records!

The Obs Garden and the Quarry were buzzing with birds - loads of Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Spotted Flycatchers. An elusive Yellow Browed Warbler was fleetingly seen.

We popped up to see Joe, the assistant warden, who was riinging birds at Culverwell woods a short walk away. Perfect timing as he had just caught a Tree Pipit and another lifer for me!

A last walk around the Bill gave decent views of Raven and numerous Wheatear and lovely views of the sea and the Bird Obs.

A quick stop at Ferrybridge before our journey home gave a decent number of waders to add to the list.

A number of year listers for Jono and three lifers for me was a brilliant birding trip and. as always, any trip with Jono's company means a very enjoyable time.