www.portlandbirdobs.com/2026/03/6th-march.html
06.03.2026 23:38
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Not sure it's made the national news services but there's a Red-rumped Swallow at the north end of Radipole - where Weymouth Way crosses the River Wey. Found by James Lowther.
Spring springing into life:
www.portlandbirdobs.com/2026/02/16th-24th-february.html
A surefire migrant: a pollened Chiffchaff just shown up in the Obs garden; also a Marsh Harrier overhead a while ago
Could it have been a Marsh Harrier, Mark? - we've recently had a male Marsh Harrier arrive from the north over the Obs, leave out to sea but then about turn and head back up East Cliffs.
Two positives: one of the first days this year when the weather's nice enough to hang the washing out and there's a new migrant in - a Firecrest trapped at the Obs
At least 5 Little Gulls feeding around the sewer outfall off Chesil this afternoon; also saw Charlie Richards who rpts that yesterday there were 12 Little Gulls at Chesil Cove.
At least 3 Little Gulls lingering this afternoon right along the surf line in Chesil Cove
Silver Y, 18th January
Mottled Grey, 17th January
More migrant moth activity: 2 Silver Ys trapped overnight at the Obs; yesterday a rather early Mottled Grey the pick of the what few residents are on the wing at the moment
Not sure what these Redwings are up to in the current benign conditions: we've had some at the Obs this morning and last night the nocmig recorder logged 152 calls (scattered right through the night) overhead here
Red Admiral, 16th January 2026
Turnip Moth, 15th January 2026
Some lepidoptera interest in the Obs garden: first butterfly of the year - a Red Admiral - on the wing just now; yesterday, the first presumed migrant moth of the year - a Turnip - from the moth-traps
3 Little Gulls lingering with the feeding flock of Kittiwakes off the Bill this afternoon
Also 28 White-fronts east over Lodmoor and off along the Purbecks this afternoon - only seen going away from me so ID uncertain until I checked the photos later
Painted Lady on the wing in the Obs garden just now
adult Little Gull lingering amongst the gull flock not far off East Cliffs at the Bill (flock's currently just north of the Obs)
Pearly Underwing
Still the odd migrant moth showing up at the Obs - last night's tally from the moth-traps singles of Rusty-dot Pearl and Pearly Underwing
Red Admiral, 13th December 2025
Calm night saw a mini flurry of migrant moths at the Obs: 4 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Turnip and a Silver Y + a late Radford's Flame Shoulder. This mrng a Red Admiral on the wing at the Obs (yesterday, there was another Painted Lady there).
Serin heard briefly over the Obs this morning but no further sign
News from local residents of 2 Yellow-browed Warblers this morning in a private garden at Wakeham
Pallas's Warbler just trapped in the Crown Estate Field
Siberian Chiffchaff. Such difficult birds to photograph and get the colour tones right!
Bearing mind the number of rare phylloscs elsewhere, a single Siberian Chiffchaff was perhaps a measly return from the Bill mist-nets today. 30 birds ringed in total, with 4 Redpolls and another Black Redstart the best of the rest.
Crimson Speckled currently settled in the Crown Estate Field
Siberian Chiffchaff
Siberian Chiffchaff trapped in the Crown Estate Field; Snow Bunting still in the East Cliff Quarries up towards Southwell.
