Little Hadham Birding: Portland Bill Trip 29.03.11

A super day was had at Portland Bill on Tuesday 29th March. Travelling down on the Monday evening with Gary we arrived at the bird observatory around 8pm and after a chinese meal and a few pints in the 8 Kings we settled down in the lighthouse before an early start. Rising at 5a.m we wandered down to The Bill in darkenss before first light gave us skylark, cormorant and shag. A purple sandpiper entertained us before we headed off to West Cliffs. En route a few wheatears and black redstarts were observed but due to the weather conditions (warm, dry and still) the hoped for migrants didn't show. From the cliffs we watched 1000 guillemots in rafts along with razorbills. A few kittiwakes and fulmars mingled with the great black backed and herring gulls. After a while we headed back to see what was about in the observatory garden; not a lot so off to Radipole Lake and Lodmoor RSPB Reserves. Once we had negotiated the jam that was Weymouth we wandered around Radipole. Plenty of chiffchaff and willow warblers along with the regular water fowl. However, a hooded merganser near the centre was a highlight. This bird has been present for 3 years and still the status remains unknown. It may well be a vagrant from North America as when it first arrived it was cautious and remained in a storm drain. Now it comes to bread and fights with the mallards. A super bird to see.

Off to Lodmoor and several black tailed godwits in summer plumage was a highlight. A solitary bullfinch and grey plover increased our day list before we headed back to Portland for our second attempt to find the hoopoe in the quarry. No luck so back to the Obs to catch up wuth anything new. No good news so down to The Bill where the sea was quiet before we finished off with a wander to the cliffs and over The Common to the Admiralty Fence. 2 rock pipits were our last tick before the journey home. An excellent day with 70 species recorded during the whole day.

Photos from the top: