Sunday 14 October – Portland Leader Robert Hargreaves

We met at Ferrybridge with misty rain and high winds, and at high tide. Not much to see, except by the Chesil
outlet a small group of waders remained on the few stones still above the water. A few Skylarks called as we
walked down to see them, a couple of Brent Geese stopped on the fleet, but by the time we reached a spot to see
the waders, they had been frightened off by some other birders leaning over the railings right above them. Still
hiding in the seaweed were three Turnstones. Straight to the Bill and first the Observatory, where we were
welcomed by Martin Cade, the warden, and a couple of Kestrels in the gardens, a lot of warblers, mostly
Chiffchaffs, but talk of a Yellow-browed Warbler. Sue was the first to find it and had good views along with a
Willow Warbler. A walk to the quarry revealed Stock Dove, Blackcap and Whitethroat. At the Bill Swallows were
still passing through, Rock and Meadow Pipits, a Wheatear, but seabirds were few, two Gannets, two Auks and
the Shags. On the way back we made a visit to Suckthumb quarry via Thumb Lane. Seemed very dead at first but
we started seeing quite a few birds. Unfortunately, all were silhouettes and flew just out of sight each time, only
Raven being identified. From one of the bushes came singing which none of us could recognize, a mix of many
Warbler songs. Playing it to a local expert on leaving we were advised it was the sub-song of a Blackcap. Unusual!
Deciding not to stop at Ferrybridge on the way back we could see a flock of Brent Geese as we passed. Pulling in
at the pub we counted 82 Brent Geese, which flew off north. Along the edge of the shore were Ringed Plover,
Dunlin, Turnstone, Oystercatcher and a Godwit which turned out to be a Bar-tail. Coffee at Radipole and the
water was high. No sign of yesterday’s Lesser Yellowlegs, unfortunately, it had flown from Weymouth overnight.
But a Snipe was seen on the little island off the café. A walk produced Shoveler and Gadwall, a Great White Egret,
Cetti’s Warbler and House Martin. A last stop at Lodmoor, the biting north-east wind blowing straight in at us,
gave our first Lapwing, Wigeon and some Black-tailed Godwits. Surprisingly, we had 70 different birds over the
day, the unmentioned Mediterranean Gulls seen everywhere. Thanks to the two new members, Sue and Mark, for
accompanying Anne and me around. (Thanks to Robert for leading) Robert Hargreaves