Trip reports
Group Weekend in Portland, Dorset
Friday, 1 May 2009
23 people joined Derrick for the weekend The group assembled at the hotel in time for dinner on Friday 1st May. Prior to arrival some of the group had visited the New Forest where species seen included Dartford Warbler, Hobby, Woodcock, Redstart, Curlew, Grey Wagtail, and Raven. Others, on their journeys saw Red Kite (over the M25) and Bullfinch. On Portland various group members found their way to two major rarities: Collared Flycatcher and Eastern Bonnelli's Warbler, succeeding in seeing one or both of these - a good start to the weekend. The dining room at the Heights has spectacular views of Weymouth Bay and Chesil Bank, however we were rather dismayed as the scene became shrouded in a heavy mist, and we wondered what the morning would bring.
Saturday morning dawned clear with no sign of the mist and the early risers set off for Portland Bill at 6:00am. A good number of local specialities were seen: Guillemot, Razorbill, Fulmar, Kittiwake, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Shag and Rock Pipit. A Pomarine Skua was a bonus. We returned to the hotel for breakfast and then boarded our coach for a trip to Durlston Country Park and the RSPB Reserve at Arne. At Durlston those who had not made the early morning trip were able to catch up with most of the seabirds they had missed. A few people spotted a Peregrine disappearing out of sight. A variety of warblers were seen and heard, and a Wheatear was seen well. Moving on to Arne a short stop was made at Swanage station, the first steam train to run from London to Swanage since 1967 was due to arrive. It was a magnificent sight. On arrival at Arne we were met by two members of RSPB staff who led walks to areas not generally accessible to the public. Dartford Warblers and Hobby were seen and one group saw a distant Spoonbill. Sika Deer were also seen. The return journey was a little eventful. Half way up the hill on Portland the coach broke down. Fortunately a local bus pulled up at a bus stop behind us and we were able to transfer to it to complete our journey in plenty of time for our evening meal. In contrast to Friday evening, the view from the dining room was of a spectacular sunset.
Sunday again saw some of us outside the hotel at 6:00am. We revisited "the Bill" seeing most of the species from Saturday with the addition of a Whimbrel which flew in off the sea and caused considerable excitement. Breakfast over we set off in our cars for the RSPB Reserve at Radipole Lake. Initially the weather was cloudy but we enjoyed some spells of warm sunshine throughout the day. We were delighted that Sue Knight (a former committee member who now lives in Dorset) and her husband Graham were able to join us for the morning. We split into two groups led by Phil Blatcher (thanks for this Phil) and Derrick. Before leaving the car park we had very close views of a male Hooded Merganser, we would love to think it is truly wild but it's origins are rather doubtful! Around the reserve the warblers were much in evidence but we felt there were fewer Cetti's Warblers than on previous visits. A Hobby perched obligingly close to the hide and Marsh Harrier and Lesser Whitethroat were seen by one group. After lunch outside the visitor centre we moved on to the RSPB Reserve at Lodmoor. Here Grasshopper Warbler was heard, Bearded Tit and Common Sandpiper were seen. However, everyone agreed the highlight was a flock of 50+ Whimbrel. Excellent views of them were had by all. The last part of the day was spent at the Chesil Bank. We received an informative talk, by a volunteer at the visitor centre, on the history of the Bank. The sun was now shining brightly but the wind had become quite strong. We managed to see two Little Terns, a speciality of the area, and a nice flock of summer plumaged Dunlin.
Another early start on Monday but this time just a walk across the road to the Tout Quarry. We had hoped to find Raven on the cliffs but this year the pair had nested earlier than usual and the family had moved on. Common Scoters were seen on the sea and a Grey Seal was swimming at the foot of the cliffs. After breakfast and checking out of the hotel the Group set off for "the Bill". Those who got there first saw Great Northern Diver, others were no so fortunate. A walk around "the Bill" again gave those who had not been on the early morning visits a chance to see sea birds again. There were good views of Guillemots, Razorbills and a Shag perched on the cliffs.
Finally we walked over to the Portland Bird Observatory where we were welcomed by the Warden. We were shown a Garden Warbler (which had been ringed previously but had flown into the nets again) "in the hand". Back at the car park our weekend concluded, some people heading for home and other for a few more days holiday.
Species recorded : Great Northern Diver, Little Grebe, Great-crested Grebe, Fulmar, Manx Shearwater, Gannet, Cormorant, Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill, Mute Swan, Canada Goose, Shelduck, Gadwall, Mallard, Shoveler, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Common Scoter, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, Kestrel, Hobby, Peregrine, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Black-tailed Godwit, Whimbrel, Curlew, Common Sandpiper, Turnstone, Pomarine Skua, Black-headed Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Kittiwake, Common Tern, Little Tern, Guillemot, Razorbill, Feral Pigeon, Woodpigeon, Collared Dove, Cuckoo, Swift, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Skylark, Sand Martin, Swallow, House Martin, Meadow Pipit, Rock Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Wren, Dunnock, Robin, Stonechat, Wheatear, Blackbird, Song Thrush (heard), Mistle Thrush, Cetti's Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler (heard), Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Dartford Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler, Bearded Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Coal Tit (heard), Blue Tit, Great Tit, Nuthatch, Magpie, Jackdaw, Rook, Carrion Crow, Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Goldfinch, Linnet and Reed Bunting.
Total: 97 Species
Presumed Escapes : Hooded Merganser, Bahama Pintail
Mammals : Rabbit, Sika Deer, Grey Squirrel, Brown Rat, Grey Seal
Butterflies : Orangetip, Green-veined White, Speckled Wood, Peacock, Common Blue, Large White, Small White, Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell
Dragonflies : Broad-bodied Chaser, Four-spot Chaser, Large Red Damsel
Other : Tiger Beetle
Next year the group will be travelling to Romania, 25th April to 5th May, contact Phil Blatcher for details, using the 'Contact Us' link above.