It's all happening at the Portland Bird Observatory, first up the Hoopoe re-appeared this morning and just before 9:00am a Wryneck has put in an appearance. And here I was stuck at home waiting for the builder to turn up. Disaster!!!
Fortunately I managed to get away around 10:30am and it was off to the Obs. First things first and that was to say hello to Martin Cade the warden here. Secondly it was to join the Obs (long overdue) and thirdly to have a scout around for the Hoopoe and Wryneck.
As it transpired the Wryneck had made its way up to Culverwell and possibly beyond, whilst the Hoopoe was flitting about in the Obs Garden and then the field next to it. Fortunately I managed two sightings of the Hoopoe as it took off in the Obs garden and also of a Common Redstart.
Also about were Blackcap, Common Whitethroat and lots of Swallows.
Below is a lovely shot of the Hoopoe on Twitter photographed by Martin Cade.
Hoopoe still about but v skittish & mobile - ranging around Obs/Culverwell/Higher Light area; jammed one view of it settled at the Obs: pic.twitter.com/WGBBjiUxAz— Martin Cade (@PortlandBirdObs) September 4, 2017
In the Portland Birds Obs quarry lots of Common Whitethroat and a few Blackcaps.
A female Kestrel on the cliff overlooking the sea at the back of the Obs.......
.............where there was also very vocal Great Black-backed Gull.
Birds recorded: Cormorant, Kestrel, Herring Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, 1 Hoopoe, Skylark, Swallow, 1 Grey Wagtail, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Common Whitethroat, Blackcap, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Raven, House Sparrow, Linnet and Goldfinch.
Butterflies Recorded: Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Small Tortoishell, Large White and Peacock