Sightings - Sunday 30th December 2012

Great Skua - 3 past Portland
Whooper Swan - 1 East Stoke
Pink-footed Goose - 1 East Holme
Velvet Scoter - 2 Portland harbour
Black Redstart - Lyme Regis; Portland

Sightings - Saturday 29th December 2012

Great Skua - 9 past Portland, 6 past Durlston, 2 past Branksome Chine
Red-necked Grebe - 2 Mudeford
Hen Harrier - Woolbridge
Firecrest - Buxton Rd, Weymouth
Snow Bunting - Ferrybridge

Sightings - Friday 28th December 2012

Great Northern Diver - 1 Portland, 1 Durlston,
Black-throated Diver - 1 Mudeford
Red-crested Pochard - 2 Sturminster Marshall GP
Egyptian Goose - 2 Near East Holme
Pink-footed Goose - East Holme
Whooper Swan - East Stoke
Spoonbill - 1 Poole Harbour (Rempstone)
Pintail - 4 Longham Lakes
Waxwing - 7 Christchurch briefly
Water Pipit - 1 Longham Lakes, but elusive

Sightings - Thursday 27th December 2012

Pink-footed Goose - 1 still in the Frome Valley from Holme Bridge today.
Pale-bellied Brent - 3 Portland Hbr.
Velvet Scoter - 2 fem. Portland Hbr.
Red-throated Diver - 3 Hengistbury Hd, 1 Durlston CP, 1 Portland Bill
Black-throated Diver - 1 Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 Hengistbury Hd, 1 Portland Hbr.
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Portland Hbr.
Black-necked Grebe - 10 Portland Hbr.
Balearic Shearwater - 1 Portland Bill
Sandwich Tern - 1 Mudeford Quay
Firecrest - 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Snow Bunting - 1 West Bexington

Sightings - Wednesday 26th December 2012

Whooper Swan - 1 Frome Valley on floods east of East Stoke level crossing.
Pink-footed Goose - 1 Frome Valley with greylags below West Holme Manor view from road.
Eider - 1 Portland Hbr off Sandsfoot Castle
Long-tailed Duck - 2 on the Fleet Abbotsbury
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Hbr.
Great Northern Diver - 2 Weymouth Bay, 2 Portland Hbr off Sandsfoot Castle
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Weymouth Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 4 Portland Hbr. off Sandsfoot Castle
Balearic Shearwater - 1 Portland Bill
Avocet - 316 Brownsea Is.
Grey Plover - 213 Brownsea Is.
Snipe - 140 Lodmoor
Yellow-legged Gull - 1ad. Brownsea Is.
Black Guillemot - 1 Portland Hbr.
Water Pipit - 1 Longham Lakes seen to fly off east

Sightings - Monday 24th December 2012

On behalf of Dorset Bird Club I would like to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a great birding New Year.

Pink-footed Goose - 1 still on Rushton Fm (view from West Holme).
Smew - 1 redhead Longham Lake
Red-throated Diver - 20 Hengistbury Hd, 4 Durlston CP, 2 Portland Bill.
Black-throated Diver - 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Great Northern Diver - 2 Mudeford Quay
Balearic Shearwater - 1 Durlston CP.
Gannet - 2,550 Durlston CP.
Kittiwake - c2000 west Portland Bill
Great Skua - 12 Portland Bill, 7 Durlston CP.
Pomarine Skua - 1 Portland Bill
Water Pipit - 1 Longham Lakes
Snow Bunting - 1 West Bexington


Sightings - Sunday 23rd December 2012

Whooper Swan - 1 East Stoke
Pink-footed Goose - 1 West Holme (nr. Rushton Farm)
Pale-bellied Brent - 6 ferrybridge
Eider - 1 off Sandsfoot Castle
Velvet Scoter - 2 off Sandsfoot Castle, 1 Portlaand Bill. 1 Mudeford Quay.
Red-throated Diver - 3 Hengistbury Hd.
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Hbr, 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Great Northern Diver - singles Sandsfoot Castle, Weymouth Bay, Christchurch Bay.
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Sandsfoot Castle
Balearic Shearwater - 1 Past Portland Bill
Red Kite - 3 Sutton Hill
Hen Harrier - 1 Arne
Waxwing, 3 Wool, 1 Swanage
Firecrest - 6 Abbotsbury, 1 Hengistbury, 1 nr Rushton Fm (East Stoke)
Snow Bunting - 1 West Bexington.

Slavonian Grebe - Sandsfoot Castle Portland Harbour © Mike Trew

Great Northern Diver Weymouth Bay (off Lodmoor) © Mike Trew


Sightings - Saturday 22nd December 2012

Few reports today due to the wet weather.

Whooper Swan - 1 Frome Valley view from near West Holme.
Pink-footed Goose - 1 Frome Valley up river from Holme Bridge
Great Northern Diver - 3 Weymouth Bay
Merlin - 1 Wool
Purple Sandpiper - 15+ Christchurch Hbr on Sandspit.
Ruff - 5 Avon Causeway

Sightings - Friday 21st December 2012

Whooper Swan - 1 from  Holme Bridge at East Holme
Pink-footed Goose - 1 from Holme Bridge at East Holme
Red-crested Pochard - 2 at Sturminster Marshall GPs
Scaup - an immature drake at Sturminster Marshall GPs
Eider - 2 in Portland Harbour
Long-tailed Duck -3 still on the Fleet at Abbotsbury, 1 off Shipstal Point
Velvet Scoter - 2 still in Portland Harbour
Smew - a 1st winter female at Longham Lakes
Goosander - 2 Coward's Marsh
Red-throated Diver - 15 past Portland Bill, 2 off Branksome Chine, 1 past Durlston
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 2 by Poole Harbour entrance, 2 Portland Harbour, 1 past Portland Bill, 1 off Shipstal Point
Slavonian Grebe - 3 off Shipstal Point,  2 in Portland Harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 21 in Portland Harbour, 10 South Haven
Great White Egret - 1 on Dorset side of Avon near Matchams
Glossy Ibis - 1 on Dorset side of Avon near Matchams
Marsh Harrier - 1 Coward's Marsh, 1 Abbotsbury
Hen Harrier - a male and a ring-tail at Middlebere
Merlin - 1 at Stanpit
Ruff - 1 Avon Causeway
Green Sandpiper - 1 at Sturminster Marshall GPs
Sandwich Tern - 1 Stanpit
Short-eared Owl - 1 Wyke Down
Water Pipit - 1 at Longham Lakes
Waxwing - 3 near Longfleet Combined School in Poole this morning, (also present the previous afternoon)
Black Redstart - 1 at Portland Bill, 1 at Hengistbury Head
Firecrest - 2 at Hengistbury Head, 1 at Corfe sewage works, 1 Durlston
Snow Bunting - 1 still at Ferrybridge, 1 reappeared at West Bexington

Hen Harrier at Middlebere © Mark Wright







Snow Bunting at West Bexington © Mike Morse
Bar-tailed Godwit on the Fleet © Will Bown

Sightings - Thursday 20th December 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2 in Bowleaze Cove
Scaup - 6 still on the Fleet at Abbotsbury
Long-tailed Duck -3 on the Fleet at Abbotsbury
Red-throated Diver - 4 past Durlston, 1 past Portland Bill, 1 off Branksome Chine
Great Northern Diver - 1 off Branksome Chine
Hen Harrier - 2 males in Poole Harbour over Gigger's Island
Spotted Redshank - 1 still at Fisherman's Bank

Sightings - Wednesday 19th December 2012


Red-throated Diver - 4 past Portland Bill, 2 past Durlston, 1 from Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 past Durlston
Red Kite - 1 over Sutton Waldron
Purple Sandpiper - 24 from Mudeford Quay

Yesterday at Sturminster Marshall Gravel Pits there were 2 Egyptian Geese, 2 drake Red-crested Pochard, an immature drake Scaup and a Green Sandpiper.

Sightings - Tuesday 18th December 2012

Scaup - 6 on the Fleet at Abbotsbury
Eider - 1 in Studland Bay
Long-tailed Duck -2 on the Fleet at Abbotsbury
Velvet Scoter - 2 still in Portland Harbour
Red-throated Diver - 21 past Portland Bill, 7 past Hengistbury Head, 4 past Durlston
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 5 in Portland Harbour, 2 in Brand's Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 in Newton's Cove, 2 in Studland Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 41 in Studland Bay, 18 in Portland Harbour, 11 in Brand's Bay
Bittern - 1 at Hengistbury Head
Marsh Harrier - 3 at Swineham
Purple Sandpiper - 1 at Hengistbury Head
Jack Snipe - 1 at Swineham
Little Gull - 1 off Durlston
Waxwing - 1 briefly at Portland Bird Obs
Firecrest - 1 at Durlston, 1 at Swineham

Bittern at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy

Sightings - Monday 17th December 2012

Velvet Scoter - 2 Portland Harbour
Goldeneye - 2 Cowards Marsh
Goosander - 2 Cowards Marsh
Great Northern Diver - 1 Arne, 1 Ferrybridge, 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Portland Bill
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Hengistbury Head
Red-Necked Grebe - 1 Arne
Spoonbill - 16 Arne
Marsh Harrier - 1 Wick Hams
Grey Plover - 22 Stanpit
Knot - 1 Stanpit
Sanderling  - 6 Hengistbury Head sandspit, 1 Stanpit
Purple Sandpiper -     14 Hengistbury Head sandspit
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Waxwing - 1 Arne
Black Redstart - 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Portland Bill lighthouse
Firecrest - 2 Durlston CP, 3 Hengistbury Head
Brambling - 1 Durlston, 2 Hengistbury, 1 Portland Bill
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge



Bittern at Lodmoor © Adrian Dunk
















Snow Bunting at Ferrybridge © Will Bown

Sightings - Sunday 16th December 2012

Barnacle Goose - 2 Todber
Velvet Scoter - 2 Portland Harbour
Long-Tailed Duck - 2 Abbotsbury
Black-Throated Diver - 1 settled off Hengistbury Head, 1 past Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 2 Portland Harbour
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Portland Harbour
Red-Necked Grebe - 1 Swineham
Hen Harrier - 1 Durlston Head
Marsh Harrier - 1 Swineham
Golden Plover - 8 Mudeford Quay
Grey Plover - 7 Christchurch Harbour
Jack Snipe - 1 Herbury Gore, 1 Priory Marsh
Purple Sandpiper - 14 Hengistbury Head
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Short-eared Owl - 1 Ferrybridge
Waxwing - 3 Tolpuddle
Water Pipit - 1 Ferrybridge
Black Redstart - 1 Portland Castle, 1 The Nothe, 2 Newton's Cove
Firecrest - 11 Abbotsbury Gardens, 2 Durlston CP
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Wyke Down
Brambling - 1 Blandford, 1 Portland Bill
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge

Sightings - Saturday 15th December 2012

Common Scoter - 100 Mudeford Quay
Red-Throated Diver - 21 Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 2 Mudeford Quay
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail Middlebere, 1 male Swineham
Marsh Harrier - 2 Swineham
Golden Plover - 300+ Winterborne Stickland
Arctic Skua - 1 Mudeford Quay
Short-eared Owl - 2 Wyke Down
Waxwing - 2 Tolpuddle
Black Redstart - 1 Sherborne School
Firecrest - 1 Durlston


Hen Harrier at Middlebere © Aidan Brown

Sightings - Friday 14th December 2012

Red-Throated Diver - 2 Durlston, 1 Mudeford Quay
Grey Plover  - 37 Shell Bay
Purple Sandpiper - 3 Mudeford Quay, 5 Sandbanks
Sanderling - 6 Sandbanks, 22 Shell Bay
Green Sandpiper - 1 Lytchett Bay.
Great Skua - 1 Durlston

Sightings - Thursday 13th December 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 3 on the Fleet near Abbotsbury Swannery
Velvet Scoter - 1 past Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 2 past Durlston
Hen Harrier - 1 near Swanworth Quarry, Worth Matravers
Purple Sandpiper - 4 at Hengistbury Head
Jack Snipe - 1 at Swineham
Grey Phalarope - 1 flew over The Run at Christchurch Harbour
Waxwing - 14 in the Tescos car park near Bournemouth Hospital, 3 at Tolpuddle, 1 at central Portland

Sightings - Wednesday 12th December 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 3 on the Fleet near Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 9 at Abbotsbury Swannery
Eider - 2 past Hengistbury Head
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Hengistbury Head
Great Northern Diver - 2 off Hengistbury Head, 1 in Poole Harbour
Spoonbill - 15 at Holes Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 at Hartland Moor/Middlebere
Purple Sandpiper - 16 at Hengistbury Head/Mudeford Quay
Common Sandpiper - 1 at Holes Bay
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland Bill
Water Pipit - 1 at Stanpit Marsh
Waxwing - 3 at Tolpuddle, on north side of main road through village

Waxwing at Tolpuddle © Paul Wilkins
Hen Harrier at Middlebere © Ian Ballam

Sightings - Tuesday 11th December 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 3 on the Fleet near Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 1 at Sturminster Marshall GPs
Eider - 2 past Portland Bill
Spoonbill - 13 at Holes Bay
Hen Harrier - 2 at Middlebere
Purple Sandpiper - 3 at Sandbanks, 1 at Portland Bill
Common Sandpiper - 1 at Holes Bay
Waxwing - 5 at Tolpuddle
Great Grey Shrike - 1 at Middlebere

Waxwing at Tolpuddle © Julian Francis



Sightings - Monday 10th December 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 3 on the Fleet, just east of Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 6+ at Abbotsbury Swannery
Spoonbill - 15 in Holes Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 at Arne
Great Bustard - 1 (from the Salisbury Plain reintroduction scheme) flew over Portland
Purple Sandpiper - 2 at Lyme Regis
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland
Waxwing - 2 at Two Riversmeet, Christchurch
Firecrest - 2 Memorial Park, Broadstone, 1 Hengistbury Head
Great Grey Shrike - 1 at Morden Bog
Snow Bunting - 1 flew over Portland

Great Bustard at Portland Bill © Will Bown

Purple Sandpiper at Lyme Regis © Tom Kennedy

Sightings - Sunday 9th December 2012

Red-throated Diver - 8 past Portland Bill
Black-throated Diver - 1 Hengisbury Head
Spoonbill - 7 Holes Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 41 Studland Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Studland Bay
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - 1 Longham Lakes
Little Gull - 1 Hengistbury Head
Water Pipit - 1 Lodmoor
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Firecrest -  1 Durlston
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge, 1 West Bexington

Sightings - Saturday 8th December 2012

Scaup - 6 The Fleet Abbotsbuty
Long-tailed Duck - 3 The Fleet Abbotsbury
Common Scoter - 120 off Hengistbury Head
Velvet Scoter - 1 Overcombe Weymouth Bay
Goosander - 1 Butterstreet Cove, The Fleet
Marsh Harrier - 2 Middlebere
Hen Harrier  - 3 Middlebere
Spoonbill - 7 Holes Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 51 Studland Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Studland Bay
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - 1 Longham Lakes
Knot - 27 Brand's Bay
Northern Wheatear - 1 West Bay
Black Redstart - 1 West Bay, 1 Durlston, 2 Weston
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Firecrest - 6 Abbotsbury
Waxwing - 5 Christchurch, 2 Weston, 1 Wyke Regis
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge

Sightings - Friday 7th December 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury
Scaup - 5 Abbotsbury
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Durlston
Spoonbill -15 Holes Bay
Bittern - 2 Lodmoor
WHITE-RUMPED SANDPIPER - 1 Longham Lakes
Water Pipit - 1 Lodmoor
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Firecrest - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge, 1 West Bexington





















Snow Bunting at Ferrybridge © Mike Spicer

Sightings - Thursday 6th December 2012

Red-throated Diver - 13 past Portland Bill
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury
Scaup - 9 Abbotsbury
Marsh Harrier - 2 Swineham
Black-necked Grebe - 49 Studland Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Studland Bay
Spoonbill - 15 Holes Bay
Spotted Redshank - 3 Holes Bay
Golden Plover - 150 Winterborne Strickland
Short-eared Owl - 1 Upton Heath
Firecrest - 1 Poole
Snow Bunting - 1 Ferrybridge

Sightings - Wednesday 5th December 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1, Portland
Red-necked Grebe - 1, Portland Harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 1, Hengistbury
Spoonbill - 9, Holes Bay
Avocet - 103, Holes Bay
Common Sandpiper - 1, Holes Bay
Marsh Harrier - 2, Swineham
Short-eared Owl - 1, Arne Moors
Black Redstart - 1 Sherborne School; 1 Portland (E. Cliffs)
Waxwing - 1, Durslton; 1 Soutbourne; 1 Moordown
Firecrest - 1, Portland; 1 Portland

Sightings - Tuesday 4th December 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1, Bowleaze Cove
Scaup - 1, Sturminster Marshall GPs
Red-crested Pochard - 2 Sturminster Marshall GPs
Goosander - 1, Lodmoor
Red-necked Grebe - 1, Portland Harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 16, Portland Harbour
Slavonian Grebe - 1, Portland Harbour
Bittern - 1, Lodmoor
Avocet - 74 Holes Bay
Golden Plover - 6-700, Maiden's Castle
White-rumped Sandpiper - 1, Longham Lakes
Little Gull - 1, Hengistbury Head
Merlin - 1, Arne
Marsh Harrier - 1, Arne; 1 Studland; 1 Lodmoor
Short-eared Owl - 1, Durlston
Great Grey Shrike - 1, Morden Bog
Snow Bunting - 1, Durlston

White-rumped Sandpiper at Longham Lakes © Alan Hayden

Great Grey Shrike at Morden Bog © Ian Ballam

Sightings - Monday 3rd December 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2, Christchurch Harbour
Spoonbill - 14, Arne
Spotted Redshank - 1, Christchurch Harbour
White-rumped Sandpiper - 1, Longham Lakes
Short-eared Owl - 1, Wareham Channel
Great Grey Shrike - 1, Morden Bog
Firecrest - 1, Creekmoor Ponds; 1, Durlston

Sightings - Saturday 1st December 2012

Slavonian Grebe - 1 Branksome Chine
Long-tailed Duck - 2 Abbotsbury
Hen Harrier - 1 Hurn
White-rumped sandpiper - 1 Longham Lakes
Great White Egret - 1 Hengistbury
Bittern - 1 Radipole
Waxwing - 1 Portland
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Coombe Heath
Firecrest - 2 Osmington Mills
Black Redstart - 1 The Nothe
Water Pipit - 3 Radipole; 1 Lodmoor


Black redstart, The Nothe (c) Will Bown

  

Sightings - Friday 30th November 2012

Great Northern Diver - 10 Portland harbour; 6 Durlston
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 14 Portland harbour
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury
Scaup - 1w drake at Sturminster Marshall GPs; 8 Abbotsbury
Red-crested Pochard - 2 Sturminster Marshall GPs
Black Guillemot - 1 Portland harbour
White-rumped Sandpiper - 1 Longham Lakes
Dusky Warbler - 1 West Bexington
Hen Harrier - ringtail Poole harbour
Bittern - 1 Holes Bay
Sand Martin - 1 West Bexington
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Coombe Heath
Waxwing - 1 flew over Lodmoor; 1 Elwell Fruit Farm, Waytown



Dusky warbler, West Bexington, (c) Mike Morse

Sightings - Thursday 29th November 2012

Black-throated Diver - 1 West Bexington
Great Northern Diver - 1 West Bexington; 1 Portland harbour; 1 Poole harbour
Red-throated Diver - 7 Portland Bill
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 12 Portland harbour
Goosander - 1 Swineham
Spoonbill - 13 Shipstal Point, Arne
Marsh Harrier - 4 Swineham
Siberian Chiffchaff - 2 Radipole
Water Pipit - 3 Radipole
Waxwing - 3 Weymouth FC car park
Black Redstart - 1 The Nothe
Hawfinch - 3 Durlston
Snow Bunting - 1 Durlston

Sightings - Wednesday 28th November 2012

Red-throated Diver - 5 Portland
Great Northern Diver - 4 Portland harbour
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland harbour
Ruddy Shelduck - 2 Middlebere
Marsh Harrier - 1 Middlebere; 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 Portland
White Stork - 4 reported flying over Bournemouth Eastcliff at 10.12am
Great White Egret - 1 Stanpit
Spoonbill - 13 Holes Bay
Short-eared Owl - 1 Portland
Waxwing - 1 Portland
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Black Redstart - 1 Portland; 2 Eastcliff Gardens, Bournemouth; 1 Hengistbury Head


Great white egret, Stanpit (c) Chris Roughley

Sightings - Tuesday 27th November 2012

Scaup - 1 Sturminster Marshall GP
Red-necked Grebe -  1 Portland Harbour
Marsh Harrier - 2 West Bexington
Green Sandpiper - 8 Sturminster Marshall GP
Purple Sandpiper - 9 Hengistbury Head
Kittiwake - 1 Longham Lakes
Great Skua - 1 past Durlston
Swallow - 1 Cogden Beach West Bexington
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Firecrest - 2 Durlston, 2 Pennysylvania Castle Portland

Sightings - Monday 26th November 2012

Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Durlston
Merlin - 1 Portland Bill, 1 Ridge
Little Gull - 1 past Dulston
Pomarine Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston
Waxwing - 1 Portland Obs
Firecrest - 2 Durlston

Sightings - Sunday 25th November 2012

Eider - 1 Portland Hbr off Sandsfoot Castle
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Portland Hbr off Sandsfoot Castle
Common Scoter - 40 on sea Hengistbury Hd.
Great Northern Diver - 6 Portland Hbr, 2 Mudeford Quay, 2 Poole Hbr, 1 Portland Bill, 1 Middle Beach Studland,
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland Hbr.
Black-necked Grebe - 47 Poole Hbr & Bay, 4 Portland Hbr.
Spoonbill - 9 Wareham Channel
Purple Sandpiper - 8 on groynes Hengistbury Hd.
Grey Phalarope - 1 Mudeford Quay
Sandwich Tern - 2 South Haven
Black Redstart - 1 fem.type Hengistbury Bury Hd, 1 male Southborne Prominade
Firecrest - 5 Abbotsbury Gdns, 4 Hengistbury Hd, 2 Pennsylvania Castle, 2 Durlston CP.

Sightings - Saturday 24th November 2012

Common Scoter - 60 Mudeford Quay
Red-throated Diver - 1 Mudeford Quay, 1 Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 6 Portland Hbr.
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland Hbr.
Black-necked Grebe - 11 Portland Hbr.
Spoonbill - 15 Arne
Merlin - 1 Eggardon Hill
Purple Sandpiper - 2 Christchurch Hbr (on the sandspit)
Sandwich Tern - 4 Mudeford Quay
Little Auk - 1 past Portland Bill
Firecrest - 1 Hengistbury Hd (Wick)

Sightings - Friday 23rd November 2012

Scaup - 1 imm/drake Sturminster Marshall GP.
Red-throated Diver - 2 Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 6 Portland Hbr, 4 Poole Bay, 3 Poole Hbr, 3 Weymouth Bay
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Portland Hbr, 1 Porland Bill.
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Studland
Black-necked Grebe - 52 Poole Hbr & bay, 11 Portland Hbr.
Bittern - 1 Lodmoor
Marsh Harrier - 1 Lodmoor
Water Rail - 3 Portland Bill
Purple Sandpiper - 2 Sandbanks (Haven grions), 1 Portland Bill
Spotted Redshank - 1 Upton CP.
Woodlark - 1 Durlston CP.
Swallow - 1 Late individual Durlston CP.
Black Redstart - 2 Nothe Fort, 1 Durlston CP.
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Serin - 1 over Portland Bill
Crossbill - 6 Durlston CP.
Snow Bunting - 2 West Bexington, 1 over Durlston CP.

Pale Common Buzzard - Higher Charminster © Derek Fowler

Sightings - Thursday 22nd November 2012

Velvet Scoter - 3 Mudeford Quay, 3 Durlston CP
Red-throated Diver - 2 Durlston CP, 1 Swanage Bay, 1 Portland Bill, 1 Mudiford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 Portland Bill
Goshawk - 1 Lodmoor
Purple Sandpiper - 22 Christchurch Hbr.
Little Gull - 1 Durlston CP.
Sandwich Tern - 4 South Haven
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston CP.
Firecrest - 2 Durlston CP.


Sightings - Wednesday 21st November 2012

Velvet Scoter - 1 past Portland Bill
Pintail - 80 Avon Causeway
Storm Petrel - 3 past Durlston Head
Black-tailed Godwit - 650 Avon Causeway
Jack Snipe - 2 Lodmoor
Little Gull - 1 Durlston
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Firecrest - 1 Durlston
Snow Bunting - 2 on beach at west end of Mere West Bexington


















Great Grey Shrike at Morden Bog © Ian Ballam


Sightings - Tuesday 20th November 2012

Goosander - 2 Studland Bay
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Durlston
Knot - 12 South Haven
Purple Sandpiper - 5 North Haven
Great Skua - 1 Mudeford Quay
Pomarine Skua - probable past West Bexington
Little Gull - 5 West Bexington, 3 Chesil Cove, 2 Studland Bay, 1 Mudeford Quay
Firecrest - 1 Durlston, 2 Pennslyvania Castle
Snow Bunting - 2 on the beach by the Mere West Bexington


 
Purple Sandpiper North Haven copyright Paul Morton

Sightings - Monday 19th November 2012

Scaup - 6 still at Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-throated Diver - 5 past Portland Bill, 2 past Durlston, 1 past West Bexington, 1 past Mudeford Quay
Black-throated Diver - 2 past Portland Bill
Great Northern Diver - 3 in Weymouth Bay, 1 past Durlston
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Merlin - 1 at Durlston, 1 at Morden Bog, 1 over Sunnyside Farm, Ridge
Little Gull - 2 past Mudeford Quay, 1 in Weymouth Bay
Black Redstart - 1 at Portland (Blacknor)
Firecrest - 3 at Durlston, 1 at Portland (Easton), 1 at Arne
Snow Bunting - 2 still near the mere at West Bexington

Firecrest at Arne © Steven Carey


Snow Buntings at West Bexington © Mike Morse

Sightings - Sunday 18th November 2012

Mandarin Duck - 1 at Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-crested Pochard - 1 drake at Stanpit
Stellar's Eider - 1 reported past Portland Bill
Long-tailed Duck - 1 at Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 off Shipstal Point
Bittern - 1 at Lodmoor
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Lodmoor
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail near Martinstown, 1 ringtail at Arne
Merlin - 1 at Durlston, 1 at Brownsea Island, 1 at Hengistbury Head
Great Bustard - 1, presumably from the reintroduction scheme, flew over the sea past Durlston
Purple Sandpiper - 4 at Hengistbury Head
Jack Snipe - 1 at Stanpit
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland Bill
Swallow - 1 or 2 over Upway, 1 at Durlston
Black Redstart - 2 at Portland Bill, 1 at Seatown, 2 at Durlston, 1 near Kimmeridge
Dusky Warbler - 1 in Winspit Valley
Siberian Chiffchaff -  a possible at Radipole
Firecrest - 7 in Abbotsbury Gardens,  4 at Durlston, 3 at Hengistbury Head, at least 2 at Arne,  1 at Radipole
Great Grey Shrike - 1 still at Morden Bog
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Portland Bill


Little Owl at Winterborne Stickland © Will Bown

Sightings - Saturday 17th November 2012

Black Brant - 1 at Ferrybridge
Scaup - 9 at Abbotsbury Swannery
Bittern - 1 at Lodmoor, 1 Hengistbury Head
Marsh Harrier - 1 at Middlebere, 1 Lodmoor
Swallow - a couple of late birds reported today at Lodmoor and Hengistbury Head
Water Pipit - 1 at Lodmoor
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 in a Durlston garden, 1 probable at Swineham
Firecrest - 2 at Arne, 1 Radipole, 1 Ferrybridge (on the north side of the bridge)
Great Grey Shrike - 1 at Morden Bog
Serin - 1 trapped & ringed at Portland Bill
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Hengistbury Head

Late news from yesterday ; a Black Redstart and a probable Black-throated Diver at West Bexington

Sightings - Friday 16th November 2012

Black Brant - 1 at Ferrybridge
Red-necked Grebe - 2 past Mudeford Quay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 past Mudeford Quay
Bittern - 1 at Lodmoor
Spoonbill - 6 in Poole Harbour
Purple Sandpiper - 1 by Haven Hotel, Poole Harbour
Green Sandpiper - 7 at Sturminster Marshall GPs
Little Gull - 1 adult off Mudeford Quay
Black Redstart - 2 at Haylands,Portland
Firecrest - 2 at Verne Common Portland, 1 Portland Bill

Sightings - Thursday 15th November 2012

Great Northern Diver - 1 past Portland Bill
Black-necked Grebe - 12 in Studland Bay
Pomarine Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Hoopoe - 1 at Portland Castle
Water Pipit - 1 at Durlston
Ring Ouzel - 1 at Durlston
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 at Durlston
Hawfinch - 1 at Durlston
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Penn's Weare, Portland

Sightings - Wednesday 14th November 2012

Black Brant - 1 at Ferrybridge
Spoonbill - 11 at Arne
Hen Harrier - 1 at Rylands Barn Farm, Martinstown
Merlin - singles at Portland Bill, Barleycrates Lane and Hengistbury Head
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Durlston
Dusky Warbler - 1 still at Portland Castle
Pallas's Warbler - 1 briefly along the path past the Naval Cemetery at Verne Common
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 at Durlston
Great Grey Shrike - 1 at Morden Bog
Snow Bunting - 1 flew along the beach at West Bexington

Sightings - Tuesday 13th November 2012

Black Brant - 1 at Butterstreet Cove
Red-crested Pochard - 1 at Swineham GPs
Velvet Scoter - 1 past Durlston
Hen Harrier - 1 at Wyke Down
Merlin - 1 at Monkey Jump, 1 over Christchurch
Jack Snipe - 1 at Stanpit Marsh
Little Gull - 1 off Hengistbury Head
Dusky Warbler - 1 at Portland Castle this afternoon, though elusive
Great Grey Shrike - 1 at Morden Bog
Snow Bunting - 1 on the beach by the mere at West Bexington

Great Grey Shrike at Morden Bog © Ian Ballam

Sightings - Monday 12th November 2012

Little to report in today's constant drizzle...

Merlin - 1 at Portland Bill
Sandwich Tern - 1 at Studland Bay
Firecrest - 3 at Durlston

Sightings - Sunday 11th November 2012

Red-Crested Pochard - 1 Swineham
Red-Necked Grebe - 1 Portland Harbour
Hen Harrier - 1 Hengistbury
Marsh Harrier - 1 Hengistbury
Merlin - 1 Durlston, 1 Middlebere, 1 Morden Bog
Grey Plover  - 10 Stanpit
Woodcock - 1 reported Durlston
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Swallow - 5+ Durlston
House Martin - 2 Durlston
Black Redstart - 2+ Durlston, 1 Hammoon, 1 Portland (Blacknor)
Wheatear - 3 Poole Harbour (Holes Bay)
Ring Ouzel - 1 Durlston
Firecrest - 8 Abbotsbury, 2 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury, 2 Portland (Pennsylvania Castle), 2+ Rushcombe, 2 Upton CP.
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog



Wheatear at Holes Bay © David Wareham

















Great Grey Shrike at Morden Bog  © Will Bown

Sightings - Saturday 10th November 2012

Red-crested Pochard - 1 Swineham
Goosander - 6 Swineham
Marsh Harrier - 3 seen from Swineham, 1 Wick
Merlin - 1 Wick
Great Skua - 1 Portland Bill
Grey Plover  - 14 Stanpit
Purple Sandpiper - 13 Hengistbury groynes
Short-Eared Owl - 1 Durlston
Swallow - 46 Durlston, 4 Hengistbury
House Martin - 2 Durlston
Black Redstart - 3 Portland
Firecrest - 6 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury, 1 Stanpit
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Hawfinch - 1 Durlston



Sightings - Friday 9th November 2012

Scaup - 2 Stanpit
Velvet Scoter - 2 Mudeford Quay
Marsh Harrier - 2 Lodmoor, 1 Radipole
Pomarine Skua - 2 Portland Bill
Great Skua - 2 Portland Bill
Yellow-Legged Gull - 1 Brands Bay
Grey Plover  - 16 Brands Bay
Golden Plover - 100+ Beaminster Down (since Monday), 515 Maiden Castle
Knot - 2 Brands Bay
Green Sandpiper - 1 Lodmoor, 1 Poole Harbour Houseboats
Little Gull - 2 Hengistbury
Swallow - 2 Weymouth (The Nothe)
Whinchat - 1 Radipole
Firecrest - 2 Hengistbury
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Hawfinch - 3 Durlston

Late news:  Hen Harrier near Broadmayne yesterday

Sightings - Thursday 8th November 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1 Brands Bay
Scaup - 2 Swineham GPs.
Red-Crested Pochard - 1 male, Swineham GPs.
Velvet Scoter - 3 Hengistbury
Marsh Harrier - 1 Cowards Marsh, 1 Stanpit, 2 Swineham GPs
Grey Plover  - 10 Stanpit
Little Stint - 1 Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Green Sandpiper - 1 Cowards Marsh
Little Gull - 6 Hengistbury, 2 West Bexington
Swallow - 18 Durlston, 1 Stanpit, 3 Weymouth (Southill)
House Martin - 1 Durlston
Chiffchaff - 2 Longham Lakes
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Hengistbury
Firecrest - 2 Hengistbury
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Morden Bog
Snow Bunting - 2 West Bexington
Hybrid Hooded x Carrion Crow - 1 probable at Abbotsbury

Late news:  Snow Bunting at Hengistbury yesterday.


  

Sightings - Wednesday 7th November 2012

Long-tailed Duck - 1, Abbotsbury
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2, Brands Bay
Red-throated Diver - 1, East Bexington
Bittern - 1, Radipole; 1 East Bexington
Spoonbill - 3, Middlebere
Golden Plover - 200, Maiden Castle
Greenshank - 1, Middlebere; 1 Brands Bay
Little Gull - 2, West Bexington
Pomarine Skua - 1, Portland
Marsh Harrier - 1, Middlebere
Swallow - 1, Peveril Point; 4 East Bexington; 12 Durlston
House Martin - 1, Hengistbury
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1, Hengistbury
Black Redstart - 1, Dorchester (Poundbury, near Little Waitrose); 1 Durlston
Great Grey Shrike - 1, Morden Bog (near Decoy Pond)
Snow Bunting - 2, West Bexington
Lapland Bunting - 1, Portland


Great Grey Shrike, Morden.  Copyright Ian Ballam


Snow Buntings, West Bexington.  Copyright Mike Morse

Sightings - Tuesday 6th November 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2, Christchurch Harbour
Black Brant - 1, Baiter
Goosander - 3, Muedford Quay
Ruddy Shelduck - 2, Middlebere
Black-necked Grebe - 29 Middle beach, Studland
Slavonian Grebe - 1, Middle beach, Studland
Bittern - 1, Hatch Pond
Corncrake - 1, possible Durlston
Little Stint - 1, Christchurch Harbour
Goshawk - 1, Southdown Avenue (Weymouth)
Short-eared Owl - 1, Portland; 1 Weymouth
Woodpigeon - 16200 Christchurch Harbour; 2500 Durlston; c.1200 E. Bexington; c.1100 Lytchett; 47,902 over Poole
House Martin - 1, Hengistbury
Swallow - 1, Hengistbury; 1 Langton Matravers
Willow Warbler - 1, East Bexington
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1, Hengistbury
Firecrest - 1, in private garden, Poole
Ring Ouzel - 1, Portland
Waxwing - 1, Worth Matravers
Black Redstart - 1, Eastcliff
Crossbill - 4, Durlston; 3 over Poole
Hawfinch - 2 over Poole
Lapland Bunting - 1, Hengistbury; 1 Portland
Snow Bunting - 1, West Bexington; 1 East Bexington


Ruddy Shelducks, Middlebere.  Copyright Dominic Greves.

Sightings - Monday 5th November 2012

Finches, woodpigeons and some thrushes on the move this morning at coastal sites, with some notable counts from Hengistbury in particular

Scaup - 1, Abbotsbury
Goosander - 1, River Avon (at Christchurch)
Purple Heron - 1, Radipole
Spoonbill - 1, Stanpit; 10 Arne; 3 Brownsea
Green Sandpiper - notable count of 6 at Sturminster Marshall
Golden Plover - 2, Durlston
Goshawk - 1 (probable) West Compton
Merlin - 1, Hengistbury
Hen Harrier - 1, Abbotsbury
Short-eared Owl - 1, Hengistbury
Woodpigeon - 17500 past Hengistbury 0900-1100; 750 Durlston; 378 South Haven (0725-1055)
Swallow - 4, Hengistbury; 3 Durlston; 1 South Haven
Firecrest - 1, Portland; 1 Hengistbury
Ring Ouzel - 1, Hengistbury
Black Redstart - 1, White Nothe; 1 Bovington Camp; 1 Durlston; 6 Portland
Brambling - count of 238 at Hengistbury; 23 South Haven
Redpoll - 110, Hengistbury; 12 Durlston
Crossbill - 1, Hengistbury
Snow Bunting - 1, Swineham
Lapland Bunting - 1, Portland


Purple Heron at Radipole.  Copyright Chris Patrick

Sightings - Sunday 4th November 2012

Ruddy Shelduck - 1, Brownsea
Black-necked Grebe - 37, Studland
Slavonian Grebe - 2, Studland
Red-throated Diver - 1, Studland
Bittern - 1, Lodmoor
Purple Sandpiper - 6, Mudeford Quay
Merlin - 1, Brownsea; 1 Durlston
Hen Harrier - 1, Lodmoor and 1 Rylands Farm
Short-eared Owl - 1, Ferrybridge; 1 Hartland Moor
Swallow - 1, Lytchett Bay
Yellow-browed Warbler- 2, Hengsitbury; 1 Durlston
Pallas' Warbler - 1, (probable) Durlston
Firecrest - 1, Hengistbury; 2 Portland (including one originally ringed at Heligoland in Germany); 3 Studland
Black Redstart - 14, Portland; 1 Worth Matravers


Bar-tailed Godwits, Holes Bay.  Copyright Simon Johnson

Sightings - Saturday November 3rd 2012

Great Northern Diver - 1 Studland Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 22 Studland Bay
Black Brant - 1 Ferrybridge
Spoonbill - 1 Christchurch harbour; 2 Holes Bay
Bittern - 1 Lodmoor
Common Scoter - 50 Hengistbury Head
Great Skua - 1 Portland Bill
Hoopoe - 1 reported at Godlingstone Heath, Studland

Sightings - Friday November 2nd 2012

Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit; 16 Brownsea
Black Brant - 1 Lynch Cove, The Fleet
Great Northern Diver - 1 Studland Bay; 1 past Portland
Slavonian Grebe - Studland Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 12-15 Studland Bay
Merlin - 1 Hengistbury
Marsh Harrier - 1 Hengistbury
Purple Sandpiper - 2 Peveril Point, Swanage
Starlings - Roost of 20-30,000 showing in the afternoon at Lodmoor
Hawfinch - 1 Durlston
Black Redstart - 2 Portland
Firecrest - 1 Portland; 1 Hengistbury Head; 11 Abbotsbury

  

Sightings - Thursday 1st November 2012

(Pale bellied) Brent Geese - 8 Durlston, 4 Brownsea
Purple Heron - 1 juvenile at Radipole again
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 West Bexington
Long-eared Owl - 1 Durlston
House Martin - 3 Longham Lakes
Ring Ouzel - 4 Portland; 1 Durlston
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Dorchester hospital
Snow Bunting - 1 West Bexington
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Stanpit
Brambling - 2 in a Ferndown garden


Sightings - Wednesday 31st October 2012

The weather across the county was a bit of a nightmare today, appropriate for Halloween. Few birds were reported.

Black Brant - 2 Ferrybridge
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit
Purple Sandpiper - 1 Brownsea (2 or 3 The Cobb, Lyme Regis yesterday)
Grey Phalarope - 1 Charmouth briefly
Little Gull - 12 Hengistbury
Snow Bunting - 1 Hengistbury
Barred Warbler - 1 Stanpit briefly
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Durlston
Firecrest - 9 Durlston


  

Sightings - Tuesday 30th October 2012

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 Ferrybridge
Black Brant - 2 pos. 3 Ferrybridge
Black-necked Grebe - 33 Knowl Beach, 2 Brownsea Channel
Sponnbill - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Purple Sandpiper - 3 Portland Bill, 2-3 Lyme Cobb
Grey Phalarope - 1 off Portland Bill
Mediterranean Gull - 176 Ferrybridge
Bee-eater - 1 imm. Durlston CP.
Water Pipit - 1 Priory Marsh
Black Redstart - 8 Portland Bill
Ring Ouzel - 5 Durlston CP.
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 Bridport garden since 26th.
Firecrest - 10 Abbotsbury Tropical Gardens, 3 Durlston CP.
Cont. Coal Tit - 1 Durlston CP.
Brambling - 53 Durlston CP, 5 Bryanston, 1 with Chaffinch Portland Castle
Bullfinch - 25 Durlston CP.
Hawfinch - 4 Durlston CP
Tree sparrow - 2 Durlston CP.

Redshank - Bramble Bush Bay © Will Bown

Sightings - Monday 29th October 2012

Pink-footed Goose - 1 with Brent Ferrybridge
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 6 Ferrybridge
Black Brant - 2 Ferrybridge
Scaup - 9 Abbotsbury Swannery
Long-tailed Duck - Weymouth Bay
Red-throated Diver - 4 Hengistbury Head, 1 Durlston
Manx Shearwater - 2 Portland Bill
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 West Bexington
Little Gull - 4 Hengistbury Head
Arctic Tern - 1 Hengistbury Head
Bee-eater - 1 Swanage near Belvedere Road
Black Redstart - 4 Blacknor, Weston, 2 Portland Bill, 1 Ferndown, 1 Hengistbury Head
Whitethroat - 1 Durlston
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Castle Wood, Durlston




Sightings - Sunday 28th October 2012

Egyptian Goose - 11 over Christchurch Hbr.
Scaup - 9 today at Abbotsbury Swannery
Long-tailed Duck - 1 past Hengistbury Hd.
Velvet Scoter - 14 past Hengistbury Hd, 3 Portland Bill, 1 Durlston CP.
Red-throated Diver - 3 Hengistbury Hd.
Great Northern Diver - 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Slavonian Grebe - 2 off Hengistbury Hd, 2 Shell Bay
Spoonbill - 2 Fitzworth, 1 Christchurch Hbr.
Golden Plover - 40+ Tarrant Rushton airfield.
Green Sandpiper - 1 Lodmoor
Merlin - 1 Durlston CP.
Bee-eater - 1 Belvedre Rd, Swanage at 15:50hrs and by the Pier at dusk.
Black Redstart - 3 Easton Portland, 2 Tarrant Rushton airfield, 2 Durlston CP.
Ring Ouzel - 1 Durlston CP. 
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Radipole Lake
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 Easton Portland
Corn Bunting - 30+ Tarrant Rushton airfield

There was a little Vis mig as follows.
Woodpigeon - 11,500 Hengistbury Hd, 7400 Durlston CP, 250 South Haven
Stock Dove - 230 Hengistbury Hd, 90 Durlston CP.
Swallow - 9 Durlston CP.
House Martin 5 Durlston CP, 2 Hengistbury Hd
Yellow Wagtail - 1 late individual Hengistbury Hd.
Goldfinch - 750 Durlston CP.
Siskin - 250 Durlston CP.
Twite - 1 Durlston CP.
 Lesser Redpoll - 68 Durlston CP, 19 Hengistbury Hd.
Crossbill - 3 Durlston CP.

Brent Geese - Holton Lee © Rex Bale




Sightings - Saturday 27th October 2012

Mandarin - 28 Sutton Waldron, 1 past Durlston CP.
Scaup - 6 Abbotsbury Swannery
Egyptian Vulture - 1 probable over North Portland
Marsh Harrier - 1 Christchurch Hbr.
Common Crane - 3 seen in flight along the Ridgeway
Little Stint - 1 Christchurch Hbr.
Long-eared Owl - 1 Portland Bird Obs garden
Short-eared Owl - 3 Hengistbury Hd.  
Desert Wheatear - female reported West Lulworth Army Camp (No Access)
Barred Warbler - 1 reported south end of Top Field Portland.
Siberian Chiffchaff - pos. Ladymead Portland
Firecrest - 3 Durlston CP, 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Daurian Shrike - still Portland Bill near Culverwell
Lapland Bunting - 1 Hengistbury Hd, 1 north Southdown Ridge.

Todays Vis mig
Sparrowhawk - 9 Hengistbury Hd
Common Buzzard - 8 Hengistbury Hd
Merlin - 2 Hengistbury Hd
Stock Dove - 155 Durlston CP, 130 Hengistbury Hd.
Woodpigeon - 20,000 Southdown Ridge, 19,600 Durlston CP, 15,100 East Bexington,12,000 Hengistbury Hd.
Swallow - 36 Hengistbury Hd, 17 Durlston CP, 12 East Bexington
House Martin - 12 East Bexington, 8 Hengistbury Hd, 8 Durlston CP.
Woodlark - 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Skylark - 112 Hengistbury Hd, 110 Durlston CP.
Meadow Pipit - 106 Hengistbury Hd, 65 Durlston CP.
Alba Wagtail - 110 Durlston CP, 59 Hengistbury Hd.
Ring Ouzel - 1 north Scrubs Stanpit Marsh, 1 St Georges Quarry Portland
Chaffinch - 1420 Durlston CP, 530 Hengistbury Hd, 350 East Bexington
Brambling - 45 Durlston CP, 35 Hengistbury Hd, 3 East Bexington
Goldfinch - 1860 Durlston CP, 650 Hengistbury Hd.
Siskin - 210 Durlston CP, 125 Hengistbury Hd.
Linnet - 720 Durlston CP, 230 Hengistbury Hd.
Lesser Redpoll - 87 Hengistbury Hd, 32 Durlston CP, 4 East Bexington

Daurian Shrike - Portland Bill © Aidan Brown
Daurian Shrike - Portland Bill © Mike Trew







Sightings - Friday 26th October 2012

Portland appears the place to be at the moment..

Short-eared Owl - 1, Durlston
Golden Plover - 3, Hengistbury
Great Skua - 3, Hengistbury
Pechora Pipit - 1, Portland (a tentative record late in the day, not re-found)
Olive-backed Pipit - 1 possible fly-over, Portland (Wakeham)
Subalpine Warbler - 1, Portland (Weston Road)
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1, Hengistbury
Wood Warbler - 1, Portland (Avalanche Road)
Ring Ouzel - 1, Durlston; 1 Hengistbury
Daurian Shrike - 1, Portland (Top Fields)
Siberian Stonechat - 1 Portland (Culverwell; trapped and ringed today)

Sightings - Thursday 25th October 2012


Velvet Scoter - 3, Hengistbury
Glossy Ibis - 1, Hengistbury
Spoonbill - 1, Stanpit
Stone Curlew - 1, Hengistbury Head
Jack Snipe - 5, Hengistbury
Little Gull - 1, Hengistbury
Arctic Skua - 1, Hengsitbury
Long-eared Owl - 2, Portland
Woodlark - 2 flyovers, Hengistbury; 1, Durlston
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1, Portland; 1 Abbotsbury
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1, Portland (Wakeham)
Firecrest - 3, Hengistbury
Ring Ouzel - 1, Durslton
Black Redstart - widely reported including Ferndown, Portland (8), Winspit, Durlston, Bridging Camp
Siberian Stonechat - 1, Portland
Daurian Shrike - 1, Portland
Hawfinch - 1, Durlston

Sightings - Wednesday 24th October 2012

Eider - 11, Hengistbury
Slavonian Grebe - 1, Studland
Black-necked Grebe - 14, Studland
Spoonbill - 1, Stanpit
Little Stint - 1 Christchurch Harbour
Ruff - 1, Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1, Stanpit
Woodcock - 1, Hengistbury Head
Merlin - 1, West Bexington; 1 Durlston; 1 Hengsitbury
Short-eared Owl - 1, Hengistbury; 8 Portland
Long-eared Owl - 1, Portland
Woodlark - 2 flyovers, Studland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1, Hengistbury
Firecrest - 1, Winspit; 2 Arne; 2 Durlston
Black Redstart - 5, Winspit; 1 Middlebere; 2 West Bexington; 1 Lodmoor; 5+ Durlston; 25+ Portland; 1 Hengistbury
Daurian Shrike - 1, Portland for second day
Ring Ouzel - 3 Winspit; 4+ Durlston; 1 Portland Castle
Hawfinch - flyovers at Studland and Durlston (2)
Snow Bunting - 1, Hengistbury

Also belated news from a private garden on Portland where a Pale-legged or Sakhalin leaf warbler was present on Monday.  This will be a first for the Britain and Ireland.  Further details and a photograph can be found by following links on the Portland Observatory website

Sightings - Tuesday 23rd October 2012

Highlight of the day was a Daurian Shrike at Portland.  Migration watchers recorded very impressive thrush and starling movements, for example more than 1400 Song Thrushes and Redwing were counted moving over Lytchett this morning - a site record. 

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1, Ferrybridge
Jack Snipe - 1, West Bexington
Wryneck - 1, Portland (Top Fields)
Bearded Tit - 2, West Bexington
Daurian Shrike - 1, Portland (Culverwell: images of this bird can be seen here)
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1, Portland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2, Portland (Southwell)
Ring Ouzel - 10 at Durlston; singles at Hengistbury and Portland Castle
Black Redstart - 4, Hengistbury; 1 Durlston; 6 Winspit; 2 West Bexinton; 1 Kingston
Whinchat - 1, Winspit; 1 West Bexington

Sightings - Monday 22nd October 2012

Scaup - 1 Stanpit
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Hengistbury
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Hengistbury
Red-Throated Diver - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Hobby - 1 Hengistbury Head
Grey Plover  - 4 Christchurch Harbour
Golden Plover - 1 Christchurch Harbour
Sanderling - 1 Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Greenshank - 1 Christchurch Harbour
Little Gull - 2 Longham Lakes
Wheatear - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head
Black Redstart - 2 Bowleaze Cove, 1 Durlston, 2 Hengistbury Head
Ring Ouzel - 6 Durlston
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Bowleaze Cove
Firecrest - 2 Durlston 1 Easton, 2 Morden Bog

Late news:  There is a report of a Glossy Ibis over Middlebere yesterday.

Sightings - Sunday 21st October 2012

Scaup - 1 Stanpit
Great Northern Diver - 1 past Portland
Red-Throated Diver - 1 Portland Bill
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Portland Bill
Hobby - 1 Longham Lakes
Ruff - 1 Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Common Sandpiper - 1 Lodmoor
Whinchat - 1 Reap Lane (Portland)
Redstart - 1 Easton (Portland)
Black Redstart - 1 Hengistbury Head, 3 Portland Bill
Ring Ouzel - 4+ Christchurch Harbour, 1 West Bexington
Lesser Whitethroat - 1 Verne Common (Portland)
Barred Warbler - 1 Culverwell (Portland)
Subalpine Warbler - 1 Avalanche Road (Portland) (also present yesterday - apologies for this omission)
Lapland Bunting - 1 Portland Bill

Sightings - Saturday 20th October 2012



Scaup - 1 Stanpit
Black-Throated Diver - 1 past Hengistbury
Red-Throated Diver - 1 Portland Bill, 2 Weymouth Bay
Purple Heron - the juvenile remains at Radipole.
Spoonbill - 2 Brownsea, 1 Stanpit
Merlin - 1 Brownsea Island
Grey Plover - 11 Brownsea, 4 Stanpit
Knot - 4 Brownsea
Spotted Redshank - 9 Brownsea, 1 Stanpit
Sanderling - 1 Stanpit
Common Sandpiper - 1 Lodmoor
Greenshank - 15 Brownsea
Wryneck - 1 Southwell (Portland)
Ring-Necked Parakeet - 11 Swanage
Ring Ouzel - 2 Portland (Southwell and Broadcroft Quarry)
Barred Warbler - 1 Culverwell (Portland)
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Poole Park

Firecrest - 12+ Abbotsbury, 1 Brownsea, 1 Hengistbury, 2+ Portland


Sightings - Friday 19th October 2012

Great Crested Grebe - 1 with recently-hatched juvenile at Hatch Pond
Balearic Shearwater - 1 Portland Bill
Purple Heron - the juvenile remains at Radipole.
Spoonbill - 12 Brownsea, 1 Stanpit
Marsh Harrier - 2 Bestwall
Merlin - 1 Hengistbury, 1 Portland Bill
Grey Plover - 8 Stanpit
Ruff - 1 Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Greenshank - 1 Stanpit, 1 heard Swineham
Little Auk - 1 Portland Bill
Short-Eared Owl - 1 Portland Bill
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker - 1 Durlston
Pied Wagtail - 363 roosting at Hatch Pond
Meadow Pipit - 285 Hengistbury
Whinchat - 1 Portland Bill
Ring Ouzel - 5 Durlston, 1 West Weare (Portland)
Barred Warbler - 1 Portland Bill
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 reported Poole Park
Chiffchaff - many newly-arrived at Hengistbury
Goldcrest - many newly-arrived at Hengistbury
Firecrest - 2+ Durlston, 1 Hengistbury, 6 Portland Bill, 2 Easton (Portland)
Linnet - a large movement this morning, with at least 11000 east over Durlston and 2225 over Hengistbury
Goldfinch - also on the move; 3000+ Durlston, 405 Hengistbury

Sightings - Thursday 18th October 2012

Black Brant - 2 on the Fleet at Chickerell
Red-throated Diver - 1 past Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 past Chesil Cove, 1 off Mudeford Quay
Sooty Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Balearic Shearwater - 4 past Portland Bill, 2 past Durlston
Bittern - 1 at Radipole RSPB
Purple Heron - a juvenile again at Radipole RSPB
Spoonbill - 1 on Brownsea lagoon, 8 at Shipstal (Arne), 1 Stanpit Marsh
Hen Harrier - 1 Keysworth
Merlin - 1 at Durlston, 1 Keysworth
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Pomarine Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Arctic Skua - 1 past Durlston
Great Skua - 2 past Durlston, 2 past Portland Bill
Little Gull - 1 past Chesil Cove, 1 past Durlston
Short-eared Owl - 1 at Portland Bill
Woodlark - 2 over Durlston
Ring Ouzel - 1 at Durlston
Firecrest - 2 at Portland Bill, 1 Pennsylvania Castle,  1 at Durlston
Coal Tit - 1 Continental race at Easton Portland
Brambling - 7 over Durlston
Goldfinch - 1981 over Durlston
Siskin - 1202 over Durlston
Linnet - 1921 over Durlston
Crossbill - 26 over Durlston
Hawfinch - 1 over Durlston

Late news from yesterday : 8 Spotted Redshank at Holes Bay

Sightings - Wednesday 17th October 2012

Red-throated Diver - 1 past Portland Bill
Black-throated Diver - 1 past Mudeford Quay
Black-necked Grebe - 11 from Middle Beach Studland, 1 off Mudeford Quay
Sooty Shearwater - 1 past Mudeford Quay
Manx Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Balearic Shearwater - 2 past Mudeford Quay
Spoonbill - 1 on Stanpit Marsh
Merlin - 1 by A35 near Askerswell, 1 at Portland Bill
Arctic Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Great Skua - 3 past Portland Bill
Sabine's Gull - 1 in Chesil Cove, later seen passing Portland Bill
Brambling - a few over Durlston with other finches

Sightings - Tuesday 16th October 2012

Scaup - 2 at Abbotsbury Swannery
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Durlston
Purple Heron - a juvenile at Radipole RSPB
Spoonbill -  18 on Brownsea Island lagoon,  1 on Stanpit Marsh
Merlin - 1 at Portland Bill, 1 at Durlston
Hobby - 1 at Durlston
Knot - 4 on Brownsea Island lagoon
Spotted Redshank - 13 on Brownsea Island lagoon
Great Skua - 2 past Portland Bill
Caspian Gull - a 1st winter reported in Holes Bay
Short-eared Owl - 2 at Portland Bill
Barred Warbler - 1 still at Culverwell Portland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 at Durlston
Firecrest - 1 at Durlston, 1 Grove Point Portland
Brambling - 1 at Durlston

Sightings - Monday 15th October 2012


Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Durlston, 1 past Portland Bill
Spoonbill - 1 on Stanpit Marsh
Marsh Harrier - 1 over Christchurch Harbour
Merlin - 2 at Portland Bill, 1 at Durlston
Hobby - 1 at Durlston
Ruff - 2 Stanpit Marsh
Snipe - 165 flushed by rising tide off East Marsh Stanpit
Spotted Redshank - 1 still at Stanpit Marsh
Arctic Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Great Skua - 1 past Portland Bill
Short-eared Owl - 1 Portland Bill
Woodlark - 1 over Avalanche Road Portland, 1 Durlston
Ring Ouzel - 2 trapped at Portland Bird Observatory
Barred Warbler - 1 still at Culverwell Portland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Easton Portland
Firecrest - 2 at Durlston, 2 Portland Bill,  1 South Haven
Brambling - 16 at Durlston
Mealy Redpoll - 1 at Wick with 5 Lesser Redpoll
Crossbill - 6 at Durlston

Sightings - Sunday 14th October 2012

Egyptian Goose - 31 Avon Causeway
Pink-footed Goose - 1 over Avon Causeway
Marsh Harrier - 1 Wareham Channel area
Hen Harrier - 2 Wareham Channel area
Merlin - 2 Wareham Channel area
Spoonbill - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Water Pipit - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Wryneck - 1 Top Fields Portland
Ring Ouzel - 1 Ballard Down, 10 West Weare Portland
Subalpine Warbler - 1 Avalanche Road hump 
Barred Warbler - 1 Culverwell Portland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Portland Heights, 1 Alalanche Road hump
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 private area Clouds Hill, the Fleet
Firecrest - 5 Abbotsbury, 1 Stoborough




Sightings - Saturday 13th October 2012

Spoonbill – 16 Middlebere, 17 Brownsea Island lagoon
White Stork – 4 over Lodmoor
Honey Buzzard – 1 over Durlston
Merlin - 1 Durlston, 1 Hengistbury Head

Hobby – 1 Stanpit Marsh
Redshank – 166 Brand’s Bay
Spotted Redshank – 9 Brownsea Island lagoon
Arctic Skua – 1 past Durlston
Woodlark - 1 over Durlston

Wryneck  - 1 East Bexington
Common Redstart - 1 Durlston
Black Redstart - 1 Durlston
Barred Warbler - 1 ringed at Durlston, seen later
Blyth’s Reed Warber – 1 reported near Chafey’s Roundabout, Radipole
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2 North Scrubs Stanpit Marsh, 1 Eight King’s Quarry Portland, 1 Southwell, 1 Portland Heights Hotel
Firecrest - 1 Durlston, 1 Eight Kings Quarry, 2 Portland Bill, 10 Abbotsbury Tropical Gardens, 1 South Haven, 2 Hengistbury Head
Greenfinch – 205 over East Bexington

Tree Sparrow – 3 over Durlston
Chaffinch - 1115 over Durlston
















Barred Warbler at Durlston copyright Simon Breeze