Bird report for 2010

December 2010 (53 species) >   
November 2010 (57 species) >   
October 2010 (56 species) >   
September 2010 (41 species) >   
August 2010 (48 species) >   
July 2010 (36 species) >   
June 2010 (35 species) >   
May 2010 (35 species) >   
April 2010 (49 species) >   
March 2010 (46 species) >   
February 2010 (45 species) >   
January 2010 (60 species) >   


Great Northern Diver > common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Up to 3 birds in the harbour from November 15th to March 28th.

Black-throated Diver regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour
1 just off the trail at Underbarn on February 7th and another off Downclose on November 15th.

Little Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Up to 4 in Small Mouth from November to March.

Slavonian Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
1 off Sandsfoot most days from January - March. Seen again from December with a maximum of 4 on the 21st.

Black-necked Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Up to 15 off Downclose Embankment in January/February, the highest number recorded in the harbour for 8 years. Seen again in small numbers from November 28th, with a maximum of 15 on December 28th.

Red-necked Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour
1 off Downclose Embankment on December 2nd.

Great Crested Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Present from November - March with a peak of 25 at the end of February and similar numbers again in December. The first autumn birds were seen on October 29th.

Cormorant common in Portland Harbour all year
Present in the harbour all year and also seen flying over the Weymouth end of the trail.

Shag common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A few in the harbour from October - March, with a lone bird summering at Small Mouth throughout August. An influx of at least 25 after gales on November 13th.

Little Egret regular visitor to Portland Harbour
Seen on and off between Sandsfoot and Small Mouth throughout the year. Also one on the platform at Rodwell Halt on December 27th!

Grey Heron regular visitor to Portland Harbour
Mostly seen at the end of the year flying over the harbour.

Dark-bellied Brent Goose common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Apart from the large flocks often seen flying over Ferrybridge the maximum was a group of 50 birds on February 13th. First autumn birds seen on October 2nd.

Pale-bellied Brent Goose occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A group of 3 birds were investigating the eel-grass beds off Sandsfoot Castle on February 13th.

Shelduck occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
3 over Smallmouth on Jan 9th.

Teal rare, 1 sighting only
An unexpected addition to the list off Downclose Embankment on December 28th.

Mallard regular visitor to Portland Harbour
A pair on the beach below Downclose on January 5th and at Sandsfoot on December 27th.

Gadwall very rare, 1 sighting only
7 off Sandsfoot during the cold snap on Jan 9th.

Tufted Duck rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A flock of 7 at Smallmouth on Jan 9th and flying past Sandsfoot on Jan 24th.

Goldeneye rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour
2 female/immatures off Downclose on January 5th.

Eider occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A female close in off Sandsfoot on March 1st and 3 further out on March 28th. 2 were off Downclose Embankment on November 21st.

Red-breasted Merganser common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
The wintering flock in the harbour was stable at around 50 birds throughout the winter months reaching a peak of at least 100 in mid-March. Last birds seen onApril 15th and the first returners were on November 13th.

Goosander occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour
3 females off Smallmouth on December 21st and 5 at Sandsfoot on December 27th.

Sparrowhawk commonly seen , approx. 1 pair breeding
Odd individuals seen throughout the year all along the trail. On February 15th a pair of male Sparrowhawks were chasing each other round the trees at Rodwell Halt, with one of them finishing off with a short display flight, perhaps indicating a watching female nearby. A very similar sighting of a pair of males on August 17th were presumably young birds.

Kestrel regular visitor
Very scarce this year, with just a handful of sightings in the second half of the year including a juvenile over Chickerell Road on July 26th.

Hobby occasional summer visitor
1 over the very northern end of the trail on August 1st and again over Hillcrest Road on August 10th. A late bird was over Portland Harbour on October 9th.

Peregrine regular visitor
1 over Downclose on April 3rd.

Buzzard commonly seen, approx. 1 pair breeding nearby
1 or 2 seen over Newstead Road throughout the year. One there on July 6th looked fresh enough to have been recently fledged. 1 at Sandsfoot on December 27th.

Marsh Harrier very rare, 1 sighting only
1 off Downclose on July 26th.

Osprey very rare, 1 sighting only
1 over Smallmouth on April 13th.



Oystercatcher regularly seen in Portland Harbour all year
Up to 3 birds occasionally seen between Sandsfoot and Small Mouth throughout the year. 5 flew across the harbour on February 13th.

Lapwing rare winter visitor
2 over Smallmouth on Jan 9th. A hundred or so flying north in the cold weather movement on December 2nd.

Golden Plover rare winter visitor
1 at Smallmouth on Jan 9th. Another heard calling over Newstead Road on November 18th. 2 flew over Downclose Embankment during snowy weather on December 2nd.

Ringed Plover occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
1 at Smallmouth on Jan 9th and 8 nearby on February 13th. Another on December 18th.

Common Sandpiper regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour
1 near Whiteheads Pier on August 10th.

Redshank rare visitor to Portland Harbour
2 on the shore below the Downclose Cutting on August 24th.

Whimbrel regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour
3 at Albert's Bay on April 16th, 2 days earlier than the first sighting last year.

Curlew very rare, 1 sighting only
1 at Whitehead's Pier on April 15th.

Dunlin occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
1 at Smallmouth on Jan 9th and 8 nearby on February 13th. Another on December 18th.

Turnstone occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
1 at Smallmouth on Jan 9th and 8 nearby on February 13th. Another on December 18th.

Black-headed Gull commonly seen around the trail
Commonly seen from all points of the trail throughout the year apart from April - June when they are all in their breeding colonies in Poole Harbour.

Mediterranean Gull >
Throughout the winter months there were usually a few in the harbour around the Sailing Centre or feeding further out. The maximum number recorded in the harbour was 80 off Sandsfoot Castle on October 19th. The last wintering bird was seen on March 9th and the first autumn bird (a juvenile) on August 8th.



Common Gull occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
Surprisingly rare in the harbour with just a few records from October to February.

Herring Gull > common breeding bird around the trail
Common throughout the year and seen from all points of the trail.

Great Black-backed Gull common resident in Portland Harbour
Usually 1 or 2 off Sandsfoot and also seen in flight from most parts of the trail.

Lesser Black-backed Gull occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
2 flying east through Smallmouth on November 28th.

Common Tern > common summer visitor to Portland Harbour
Birds from the Lodmoor colony were seen from late April to early August.

Arctic Tern very rare, 1 sighting only
A first-year bird off Downclose on September 28th.

Sandwich Tern > common summer visitor to Portland Harbour
First seen on March 28th, a week later than last year but the same date as 2008. Westerly gales on March 31st brought at least 10 into Castle Cove. A very late bird was off Sandsfoot Castle on November 2nd.

Little Tern regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour
3 were feeding off Smallmouth on July 26th.

Razorbill common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
First seen in the harbour on October 2nd.

Wood Pigeon common breeding bird on the trail
Common in all parts of the trail apart from the far south.

Collared Dove common breeding bird on the trail
As above, but particularly abundant just north of Wyke Road tunnel where huge quantities of peanuts were put out for them in the winter.

Short-eared Owl rare autumn visitor
One over Downclose on October 10th and again on the 29th. The only previous record was on October 28th 2008.

Swift common breeding bird around the trail
Common over the northern end of the trail from May to the second week of August.

Green Woodpecker regularly seen or heard , approx. 1 pair breeding
1 heard at Rodwell Halt on April 15th and again in September and November.

Great Spotted Woodpecker regularly seen or heard , approx. 1 pair breeding
One heard calling near Newstead Road on April 8th, with regular sightings from September to December.

Skylark regular autumn passage migrant
One singing at Small Mouth on April 8th. Autumn passage started on October 2nd with 2 birds flying east over Downclose. Around 100 flew north east during a cold-weather movement on December 2nd, with another 20 on the 21st.

Woodlark very rare, 1 sighting only
4 flying north-east over Downclose during snowy weather on December 2nd.

Swallow regular spring and autumn passage migrant
First seen on April 8th but scarce after the spring passage had finished, suggesting they did not breed in the area this year. The last bird was seen hurrying south on October 29th.

House Martin common breeding bird around the trail
Common only in the Newstead Road area, with very few records elsewhere. Last seen on Oct 10th.

Meadow Pipit common winter visitor
The first singing bird at Downclose Embankment was heard on March 28th. No evidence of breeding this year.

Rock Pipit common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Occasionally at Small Mouth from September to February.

Grey Wagtail common winter visitor
1 or 2 feeding in the wetter areas of Rodwell Cutting through the winter months, absent from late March to September. Not seen at all during the cold weather in December.

Pied Wagtail common breeding bird around the trail
Seen occasionally flying over the trail throughout the year, apart from the summer mpnths, suggesting they did not breed in the area this year. A large easterly movement on October 9th involved several hundred birds flying east.

Wren common breeding bird , approx. 10 - 20 pairs
Common throughout the trail and in song all year.

Dunnock > common breeding bird , approx. 10 - 20 pairs
Common everywhere, but least seen in Rodwell Cutting. A juvenile was on the Marsh Road embankment on July 6th.

Robin common breeding bird , approx. 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail and the most obvious songster all through the year, apart from a few weeks in mid-summer. Several youngsters seen, particularly around Rodwell.

Black Redstart occasional winter visitor
One near the north end of the trail at Melbury Road on January 5th.

Stonechat regular winter visitor
One or two present at Downclose Embankment in January and again in November.

Wheatear regular spring and autumn passage migrant
First seen at Small Mouth on April 15th.

Blackbird common breeding bird , approx. 10 pairs
Common everywhere all through the year but particularly numerous in October - November. Singing from March to June. A female was collecting food in Rodwell Cutting on April 15th.

Song Thrush common breeding bird , approx. 5 pairs
A few birds of the grey-rumped northern race with the Redwings in the cold weather influx on Jan 9th. Singing birds were noted on the trail in early February right though to late July. A bird was collecting nesting material near Buxton Road bridge on April 12th and 13th.

Redwing regular autumn and winter visitor
A huge influx in the cold weather in January with hundreds in Rodwell Cutting on the 9th. First autumn bird heard on October 9th.

Fieldfare occasional autumn and winter visitor
As above, less numerous than Redwings but visible in small numbers everywhere along the trail and around Weymouth in general on Jan 9th.

Cetti's Warbler occasional winter visitor
One singing very loudly at Sandsfoot Halt on April 3rd.

Dartford Warbler occasional autumn and winter visitor
One at Downclose Embankment on November 21st stayed until December 12th.

Whitethroat common summer visitor, approx. 2 - 5 pairs
2 juveniles in Downclose Cutting on July 6th confirmed that at least one of the several pairs present raised young this year.

Blackcap common breeding and winter visitor, approx. 5 pairs
One near the north end of the trail at Granville Road on January 5th. The first spring birds were on March 28th. Birds were singing right though to early July so presumably breeding took place.

Chiffchaff common breeding and winter visitor, approx. 5 pairs
No wintering birds again this year, with the first spring birds arriving on March 28th. A couple of juveniles near Hillcrest Road on June 21st were my first proof of breeding on the trail. Autumn migration was from September 20th to November 1st.

Willow Warbler common passage migrant
First seen at Downclose on April 8th, a similar date to 2008 but a week later than last year. Autumn migration was from August 2nd to September 20th.



Goldcrest regular winter visitor
A second cold winter in a row reduced records to just a few in the autumn. Up to 5 in the cold weather in December.

Firecrest occasional winter visitor
1 at Newstead Road on December 12th.


Long-tailed Tit common resident, approx. 5 pairs
Common all through the year from Newstead Road to Downclose.

Coal Tit common resident, approx. 1 pair breeding
Seen or heard sporadically around Rodwell throughout the year. A juvenile at Sandsfoot Halt on July 3rd consituted my first proof of breeding on the trail for this species.

Blue Tit > common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.

Great Tit common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.

Treecreeper common resident, probably 1 pair breeding
1 heard at Rodwell Halt on November 15th and 21st.

Magpie common resident, approx. 2 - 5 pairs
Common throughout the trail.

Carrion Crow common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.

Jackdaw > common resident
Can be seen flying over any part of the trail, especially around Newstead Road.

Rook common resident
Mostly seen in the winter from the Marsh Road Embankment feeding on the athletics ground.



Raven regular visitor
A very poor showing this year with just 1 record in the first half of the year when 2 were seen flying just above the trees at Rodwell Halt on February 13th. A lone youngster was over Buxton Road on August 24th and then a group of 4 young birds were seen several times in September.

Starling common resident
Often seen on rooftops mainly around Newstead Road and Downclose.

House Sparrow > common resident
Common throughout the trail.

Chaffinch > common resident
Common throughout the trail, especially around Wyke Road. First song heard at Rodwell on February 13th, 2 weeks later than last year.

Brambling rare autumn passage migrant
One heard over Downclose on November 1st.

Greenfinch common resident
Common throughout the trail, especially around Downclose.

Goldfinch > common resident
Common throughout the trail, although difficult to find in the cold snap in January.

Siskin regular autumn passage migrant
Heard flying over various points along the trail trhoughout October..

Linnet common summer visitor, approx. 2 - 5 pairs
First seen in Downclose Cutting on April 8th, where a family party was seen on July 26th.

Reed Bunting rare autumn passage migrant
One heard near Hillcrest Road on October 10th and another at Downclose Cutting on November 1st.

Bullfinch common resident, approx. 1 pair
A female near Hillcrest Road on January 5th.