Blackbird, Newstead Road, 23rd November 2021
Great Northern Diver > common winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Also often seen in Weymouth Bay and passing off Portland.
A very poor year for this species, although up to four birds were present in Weymouth Harbour from January to March. In Portland Harbour they were completely absent at the start of the year until gales at the end of January produced at least five birds on February 1st. Then no more sightings until a single bird turned up on March 13th. This was the last one seen until December 11th when two turned up off Sandsfoot. No more were seen this year.
Great Northern Diver, Stone Pier, 16th March 2021
The only sightings this year were one or two birds in January.
Red-throated Diver rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Often off Chesil Beach and passing Portland Bill.
No sightings this year although one or two birds were in the Fleet near Ferrybridge at the start of January.
Little Grebe Some winters found at Smallmouth, common winter visitor to the Fleet. Breeds at Radipole and Lodmoor.
No sightings at all for the second year running. This year there were none in the Fleet either, although still plenty at Radipole.
Slavonian Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour and the Fleet
A single bird was with Black-necks on December 11th and 24th, the only one seen this year.
Black-necked Grebe, Smallmouth, 22nd February 2021
A good start to the year with up to fifteen seen from January to March. Present again from November 13th with six to eight birds present until the end of the year.
Great Crested Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, Weymouth Bay and the Fleet.
A typical showing this year with a maximum count of 20 birds in January. Back in the harbour again from November 13th.
Red-necked Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, also seen in Weymouth Bay.
A single bird was seen on January 1st and 30th, the only sightings this year.
Fulmar rare visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds on Portland.
Just one sighting this year, of a single bird out in the Harbour with Gannets on May 24th.
Gannet occasional visitor to Portland Harbour, commonly seen in Weymouth Bay and passing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.
Just a couple of sightings in the first half of the year. Then a remarkable record on October 19th when a juvenile bird flew east low over the rooftops of Doncaster Road.
Cormorant common in Portland Harbour all year, breeds on Gad Cliff, 13 miles to the east.
Present in small numbers in the harbour all year, then on December 4th an unusually large flock of about 50 were fishing off Downclose with mergansers. Presumably the same flock was also seen in Weymouth Bay.
Shag common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds b at Portland Bill.
Just a handful of sightings, mostly in January and February.
Little Egret regular visitor to Portland Harbour, common nearby in the Fleet.
A few sightings this year from June to December.
Grey Heron regular visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Nottington, 3 miles to the north
Only a handful of sightings this year, although a flock of ten or more birds appeared to be summering on the northern breakwaters, not visible from the trail.
Mute Swan occasional visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds nearby at Radipole and Lodmoor.
No records this year.
Brent Goose common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, thousands winter nearby on the Fleet.
The majority of sightings were at the start and end of the year and involved a group of three birds that frequented the far northern corner of the Harbour at Bincleaves, not visible from the trail.
Canada Goose rarely recorded, although common at Radipole/Lodmoor and possibly nesting on breakwaters
No records this year.
Shelduck rare visitor to Portland Harbour although common elsewhere, possibly one or two pairs nesting on breakwaters.
Just one record this year involving a single bird that flew over Smallmouth on February 5th.
Mallard regular visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds Radipole/Lodmoor.
Just one record this year of three birds at the sailing club late in May.
Common Scoter rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour, commonly seen off Portland Bill and Chesil Beach.
Just one record this year of a single drake on March 13th.
Goosander regular visitor to Portland Harbour most winters, rarely seen anywhere else locally.
Just one record this year of a redhead close inshore on November 11th.
Red-breasted Merganser common winter visitor to Portland Harbour and the Fleet, rare elsewhere.
Up to 50 present early and late in the year, a very similar situation to last year.
Eider regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, rarely seen elsewhere locally.
No records this year, for the first time since 2011.
Osprey scarce passage migrant
Single birds seen high over the northern end of the trail on March 21st and 29th.
Red Kite scarce visitor
No records from the trail this year although several seen nearby.
Buzzard variable presence with perhaps 1 pair breeding nearby
Seen occasionally over various parts of the trail with a single bird frequently seen or more often heard near Wyke Road in November - December. Again no evidence of breeding at Underbarn this year.
Sparrowhawk increasingly common, one pair breeds
Even more common than last year, with multliple sightings most days especially in the second half of the year. Only heard once at Rodwell Halt, on August 7th.
Peregrine regular visitor, several pairs breed locally
Only seen from the trail on a handful of occasions but present locally throughout the year. A young bird was seen on August 7th hunting over Sudan Road.
Kestrel once a regular visitor now more scarce, common locally
One bird was present near the sailing club for a few days in mid-April.
Merlin, 19th October 2021
A female bird was watched for several minutes hunting along the shoreline at the southern end of the trail on October 19th.
Oystercatcher regularly seen in Portland Harbour all year
Only occasionally seen this year, mostly from the southern half of the trail. Fot the second year running a pair bred successfully at Ferrybridge.
Whimbrel regular spring passage migrant
Groups of two and three birds seen on April 23rd and 25th.
Sanderling very rare visitor, no previous records
A flock of four birds flew across the harbour on May 9th.
Redshank very rare, five previous records
One at Smallmouth on July 16th.
Common Sandpiper regular passage migrant
No birds seen this year.
Black-headed Gull commonly seen around the trail
Usually a few present but a flock of several hundred birds feeding in the Harbour on October 19th was unusual.
Mediterranean Gull > commonly seen around the trail
No notable records this year but seen regularly in all months of the year apart from June-July.
Common Gull occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
Jusy a few birds seen in January, March and October, usually in bad weather.
Herring Gull > common breeding bird
Common throughout the year and seen from all points of the trail.
Lesser Black-backed Gull rare visitor to Portland Harbour although often seen elsewhere
Just one record, as last year.
Great Black-backed Gull common breeding resident in Portland Harbour
Usually 1 or 2 off Sandsfoot and also seen in flight from most parts of the trail. A group of 25+ birds out in the Harbour on December 24th was unusual.
Common Tern > common summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Lodmoor
First seen in early May, once again about ten days later than the previous year. Thereafter a few birds from the Lodmoor colony oseen passing through the harbour en route to Ferrybridge and Chesil Beach. No autumn records.
Sandwich Tern, Ferrybridge, 23rd April 2021
Sandwich Tern common summer visitor to Portland Harbour
First seen on the very early date of March 17th then seen regularly up to October.
Little Tern regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds nearby on Chesil Beach
A few sightings at the southern end of the trail from April 25th onwards.
Razorbill regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Sightings this year were confined to January and December, including four on December 9th and 3 on December 26th.
Guillemot occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Not seen in the harbour this year.
Wood Pigeon common breeding bird on the trail
Common in all parts of the trail. A number of large flocks (hundreds) seen on several dates from mid October to early November, all heading west.
Stock Dove recently returned after 35 year absence, breeds nearby at Wyke
As last year a bird put in a brief appearance at Rodwell Halt in May.
Collared Dove, Buxton Road, 15th May 2021
Collared Dove common breeding bird on the trail
Again mostly recorded at Downclose and Newstead Road. Very scarce through the autumn months.
Kingfisher occasionally seen in the harbour, formerly more common
Not seen from the trail this year although seen several times in Weymouth harbour through the winter.
Tawny Owl probably a regular visitor to the trail, breeds nearby
Recorded indirectly near Chickerell Road on a couple of occasions in January and December when Blackbirds were found mobbing something in an ivy-covered tree. A brief owl call may have been heard from the tree on November 13th when it was disturbed by a Buzzard.
Ring-necked Parrakeet very rare visitor, no previous records
One flew over Wyke Road on January 22nd.
Green Woodpecker occasionally seen or heard
Two records this year, on January 8th and August 2nd.
Great Spotted Woodpecker regularly seen or heard, perhaps 1 pair breeding
Heard drumming on a number of occasions in January, April and June.
Swift common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Common over the northern end of the trail from May 8th to early August.
Swallow regular spring and autumn passage migrant, occasional breeder
Recorded between April 18th and October 19th, mostly towards the southern end of the trail. Maximum southerly movements seen on several dates in late August and early September.
Sand Martin infrequent visitor to the trail, recently started breeding nearby at Radipole Lake
A few recorded flying north with Swallows on April 18th.
House Martin common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Commonly seen only in the Newstead Road area from mid May to mid September.
Skylark occasional autumn passage migrant, breeds at Ferrybridge just south of the trail
Not recorded at all this year, although still plentiful just a few hundred yards to the south at Ferrybridge.
Rock Pipit regular winter visitor, possibly breeds at Ferrybridge
No records this year, but one or two often present at Ferrybridge where they may have attempted to breed.
Meadow Pipit increasingly scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, breeds very close to the southern end of the trail
Seen only during passage in March and October.
Grey Wagtail common winter visitor
For the first time since 2007 there was no wintering bird at Rodwell. Most records this year involved calls from birds overhead, particularly at the northern end of the trail around Newstead Road.
Pied Wagtail infrequent visitor, but one pair possibly breeding this year
Very few records year apart from one or two seen/heard flying over the trail October-December. Once again two or three pairs bred in the Ferrybridge area.
Pied Wagtail, Stone Pier, 7th December 2021
Wren common breeding bird all along the trail
Common throughout the trail and in song all year apart from a few days in December.
Dunnock > common breeding bird
Common everywhere, particularly at the southern end. In song from December to August, with some song heard in October.
Robin common breeding bird, approx. 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Stonechat returned as a breeding bird in 2019
Several records at the beginning and end of the year, but no evidence of breeding.
Wheatear occasional spring and autumn passage migrant
No records this year, although one or two pairs present nearby on Chesil Beach.
Black Redstart scarce winter visitor
Not seen actually on the trail this year but just south of the trail on a couple of occasions in March and December.
Blackbird common breeding bird
Commonly seen throughout the year. Two obvious influxes in January and November. In song from late January to early July, with some sub-song heard in October.
Song Thrush common breeding bird , approx. 3 pairs
One or two birds in song from the start of the year up to the end of June. No young seen this year.
Fieldfare rare winter visitor
Just one record this year, an unusually early bird near the Outdoor Education Centre on October 18th.
Redwing regular autumn and winter visitor
Several records in January and December, with a flock of fifteen on January 7th and six in early December.
Cetti's Warbler occasional winter visitor, has summered
Only heard on two occasions this year, on February 5th and May 6th.
Reed Warbler occasional spring migrant
No records this year.
Sedge Warbler rare spring migrant, just four previous records
Heard singing on April 25th and May 9th.
Whitethroat regular summer visitor, sometimes breeds
First seen near Newstead Road on the very late date of May 8th and then very few records until a female was seen carrying food at Wyke Cutting on June 13th.
Lesser Whitethroat before 2017 a rare passage migrant
One singing male in Wyke Cutting from April 30th and through May and June.
Blackcap, 25th April 2021
Probably four breeding oairs this year. Heard singing every day from March to August with the quiet winter song heard from the regulat wintering bird at Newstead Road in January-February and again in December when it was seen to be a male.
Garden Warbler rare spring migrant, just two previous records
One with the Wood Warbler at Sudan Road on May 9th.
Whitethroat
Arrived late this year on May 8th but then very few sightings and no evidence of breeding until a female was seen carrying food in Wyke Cutting on June 13th.
Singing Chiffchaff at Marsh Road, 19th July 2021
Chiffchaff common summer and winter visitor, probably breeds
A bird seen on February 12th may or may not have been an early migrant. After that seen or heard most days from March to mid November.
Willow Warbler common passage migrant
Spring birds seen from March 29th and but just a few autumn records in August to early September. An adult seen carrying a feather on July 16th at The Marsh, where a bird had been singing through April and May and may well have been breeding there.
Wood Warbler rare spring visitor, one previous record
One in song at Sudan Road on May 9th, probably the year's highlight.
Goldcrest regular visitor, may breed
Seen or heard sporadically throughout the year with four seen eatly December.
Firecrest occasional winter visitor
Just one record this year, on January 30th.
Spotted Flycatcher rare migrant, just two previous records
One with the Wood Warbler at Sudan Road on May 9th.
Long-tailed Tit common resident, may breed
Small flocks of up to 10 birds seen throughout the year on all but the most southern parts of the trail.
Coal Tit common resident, breeding nearby
Heard singing between Marsh and Buxton Roads occasionally but only once in the breeding season. Probably not breeding on the trail but presumably breeding nearby at Bincleaves.
Blue Tit, Marsh Road, 15th May 2021
Blue Tit > common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Great Tit common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Jay, 13th November 2021
Jay occasional visitor
A remarkable number of sightings this year starting on October 21st, mostly involving single birds apart from two seen high over Newstead Road in November.
Magpie common resident, probably breeds
Commonly seen throughout the trail.
Carrion Crow common resident, approx. 5 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Jackdaw > common resident
Can be seen flying over any part of the trail, but especially around Newstead Road. Feeding flocks on the playing field reached fifty birds in February and August.
Rook nests, 10th April 2021
Rook variably common visitor
Two pairs nested near the Outdoor Education Centre for the first time on the trai, with both nests occupied throughout April. One very young fledgling seen begging for food in early June. Otherwise often seen in winter months around the northern parts of the trail and feeding on the sports field, with up to 14 there in November.
Raven regular visitor, breeds nearby at Bincleaves
Many sightings, especially in the first half of the year and in the southern half of the trail.
Starling common resident
Particularly evident around Dover Road and Newstead Road.
House Sparrow > common resident
Common throughout the trail, with concentrations at Ilchester Road, Newstead Road, Hillcrest Road, Dover Road, Osprey Road and Whiteheads Close.
Chaffinch > common resident and breeding species
Heard singing from February to August. Perhaps five breeding pairs but often very hard to see.
Greenfinch common resident
Two or three breeding pairs, around Downclose and Wyke Halt. Evident for most of the year but largely absent from August to October.
Goldfinch > common resident
Commonly seen throughout the year, most likely two or three breeding pairs.
Siskin regular autumn passage migrant
Just a couple of records this year in October.
Linnet common summer visitor and breeding species
Present in Wyke Cutting from May to July, with at least one breeding pair. Very few sightings outside the breeding season, with none at all in the first half of the year.
Bullfinch scarce, previously a regular winter visitor
Not seen this year.
Brambling rare passage migrant, two previous records
A single call heard near Buxton Road on November 12th, almost exactly the same date as the last record in 2019.