Dunnock at Downclose, 18 April 2020
Great Northern Diver > common winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Also often seen in Weymouth Bay and passing off Portland.
One or two birds persisted right up to the end of April, with a maximum of four seen on February 11th. Arrived from October 31st with numbers soon building up to ten on November 22nd, all visible from the Trail. Thereafter typically one or two visible to the end of the year.
Black-throated Diver regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Also often seen passing Portland Bill.
One or two seen late February and early March then two on 6th and 22nd December.
Red-throated Diver rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Often off Chesil Beach and passing Portland Bill.
A single bird was seen to fly south-west through the harbour on November 7th. Then several sightings of probably the same bird through November from the trail and around Ferrybridge and Chesil Beach.
Red-throated Diver (from Chesil Beach), 9th November 2020
Little Grebe Some winters found at Smallmouth, common winter visitor to the Fleet.
Present in the Fleet at Ferrybridge from mid November but not seen from the Trail this year.
Slavonian Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour and the Fleet
A single bird on January 11th was the only record this year until the first returning bird arrived on November 27th. This species seems to be preferring the waters of the Fleet in recent years.
Black-necked Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Fewer sightings this year with a maximum of eight seen late February and early March. Present again from November 9th (five birds) building up to nine birds in early December.
Great Crested Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, Weymouth Bay and the Fleet.
Maximum of 20 seen late February and early March. Back in the harbour again from late October with up to ten birds present, mostly in the northern part of the harbour between Bincleaves and Sandsfoot.
Red-necked Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour
No sightings in the first part of the year but one with Great Crested Grebes off the Sailing Club on November 22nd.
Red-necked Grebe (photographed at Lodmoor on 16th November 2020)
Fulmar rare visitor to Portland Harbour. Breeds on Portland.
Several sightings of presumably the same bird around Sandsfoot Castle in April/May. On May 29th the bird spent some time "prospecting" the seaward walls of the Castle almost, but not quite, landing.
Gannet occasional visitor to Portland Harbour. Commonly seen passing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.
One or two birds often visible in the harbour throughout the year, mostly on the windier days.
Gannet from Stone Pier, 22nd August 2020
Cormorant common in Portland Harbour all year and generally off the coast and at Radipole Lake.
Present in small numbers in the harbour all year.
Shag common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A few seen from late October - April, mostly from Smallmouth.
Little Egret regular visitor to Portland Harbour
Very few sightings this year but one flying high over Newstead Road on May 6th was a rare record for that end of the trail.
Grey Heron regular visitor to Portland Harbour
Only three or four sightings this year including one flying over Downclose Estate in mid-November.
Mute Swan occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
Three young swans visited Smallmouth on October 26th.
Juvenile Mute Swans, Smallmouth, 26th October 2020
Brent Goose common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Small flocks of around ten birds seen occasionally in March and November/December. On the low tide of October 18th a record flock of 50 were feeding off Sandsfoot Castle.
Canada Goose rarely recorded, although common at Radipole and possibly nesting on breakwaters on one occasion
Just one record this year.
Shelduck rare visitor to Portland Harbour, possibly nesting on breakwaters
The only record this year was an unprecedented flock of 42 passing west high over the harbour on July 11th. Probably birds on their way to the Bristol Channel to collect with others before moving on to Germany. On May 10th a flock of seven small geese high over the Trail at Wyke Halt may well have been this species, or the trail's first record of Egyptian Geese.
Flock of 42 Shelduck flying west, 11th July 2020
Mallard regular visitor to Portland Harbour
Just one record this year of a pair at the sailing club on April 11th.
Common Scoter rare winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A variable flock present throughout the early part of the year building up to a maximum of six birds in March.
Goosander regular visitor to Portland Harbour most winters
In rough weather on November 1st two flocks of unidentified ducks flying south-west may have been this species.
Red-breasted Merganser common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Up to 45 present early in the year, with returning birds present from mid October, after which no more than 10 seen from the trail until early December when numbers had built up to 50 in the harbour.
Eider regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour
A female and a first-year male regularly seen off Smallmouth up to the end of March.
Red Kite scarce visitor
A unprecedented four Red Kites, in two pairs, were circling over the southern end of the trail on March 26th. Another was seen at the opposite end of the trail on May 10th.
Red Kite over Wyke Halt, 26 March 2020
Buzzard less commonly seen than previously, perhaps 1 pair breeding nearby
Single birds regularly seen over various parts of the trail but no evidence of breeding at Underbarn this year.
Sparrowhawk increasingly common, one pair breeds
Just three sightings in the first half of the year. Two young seen and heard at Rodwell Halt in the first half of August, then individual birds seen often all along the trail to the end of the year.
Juvenile Sparrowhawk, Rodwell Halt, 9 August 2020
Peregrine regular visitor
A handful of sightings scattered throughout the year and from various points along the trail.
Kestrel once a regular visitor, now more scarce
One bird seen regularly from May to November, always near Downclose. A bird over Abbotsbury Road in mid-December was a very unusual record for that end of the trail.
Oystercatcher regularly seen in Portland Harbour all year
Occasionally seen from the southern half of the trail. A pair bred successfully at Ferrybridge.
Bar-tailed Godwit rare visitor
One feeding on the shore at Downclose on May 16th.
Whimbrel occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
Several birds seen late April to early May.
Curlew rare visitor to Portland Harbour
Two were feeding at low tide off Whitehead's Pier on February 27th, one flew over Sandsfoot Halt on November 13th and another flew past Smallmouth on December 1st.
Grey Plover very rare, 2 previous records, heard only
One heard calling at Smallmouth on May 4th.
Knot very rare visitor, no previous records
One feeding at Smallmouth on April 18th.
Redshank very rare, four previous records
One at Smallmouth on October 7th.
Greenshank very rare, no previous records
One heard calling high over Newstead Road on August 27th.
Common Sandpiper regular passage migrant
Two birds seen on two dates in August.
Turnstone very rare, no previous records
A couple of birds at Smallmouth between August 21st and 26th.
Black-headed Gull commonly seen around the trail
Usually a few around Castle Cove Sailing Club or flying across the harbour. Flocks often seen passing over northern end of trail en route to Radipole.
Mediterranean Gull > commonly seen around the trail
An early influx in July saw about a hundred birds, including two juveniles, feeding in a large area of the eastern harbour on July 10th. In autumn and winter seen in large numbers every morning flying west through the harbour towards Ferrybridge, where several hundred birds were often gathered, with a maximum count of 1500 in late November.
Common Gull occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
After a couple of late birds in May, only a handful of sightings October - December, mostly in the gales in early November.
Iceland Gull very rare visitor to Portland Harbour, no previous records
A first-year bird was off Bincleaves on December 6th, visible from Dover Road.
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
Just one record this year.
Great Black-backed Gull common resident in Portland Harbour
Usually 1 or 2 off Sandsfoot and also seen in flight from most parts of the trail. WEBS counts produced similar numbers to last year, with a maximum count of 105 on the breakwaters in March.
Common Tern > common summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Lodmoor
First seen on April 26th, ten days later than last year. Thereafter birds from the Lodmoor colony often seen passing through the harbour en route to Ferrybridge and Chesil Beach.
Sandwich Tern, Smallmouth, 26th April 2020
Sandwich Tern common summer visitor to Portland Harbour
First seen on March 28th then seen regularly up to October. Just one winter record, on February 11th.
Little Tern regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds nearby on Chesil Beach
A few sightings at the southern end of the trail from May 6th onwards.
Little Tern, Smallmouth, 19th May 2020
Razorbill regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Just one sighting this year, on December 22nd.
Guillemot occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Not seen in the harbour this year.
Wood Pigeon, Sandsfoot Halt, 4th April 2020
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 in November.
Stock Dove recently returned after 35 year absence, breeds nearby at Wyke
A bird heard singing from its usual tree at Rodwell Halt on May 16th.
Collared Dove common breeding bird on the trail
Mostly recorded at Downclose and Newstead Road this year. Very scarce through the autumn months.
Collared Dove at Buxton Road, 1st May 2020
Kingfisher occasionally seen in the harbour, formerly more common
Not seen from the trail although seen at several sights around the harbour through the winter.
Swift common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Common over the northern end of the trail from April 30th to early August, with a late record of two on August 26th.
Green Woodpecker occasionally seen or heard
Just one record this year, a bird on a telegraph pole at Wyke Halt on November 22nd.
Great Spotted Woodpecker regularly seen or heard, perhaps 1 pair breeding
Frequently seen and heard all along the trail but particularly around Wyke and Buxton Roads. Heard drumming on just one occasion, at Rodwell Halt on March 26th. A juvenile was on a telegraph pole at Dover Road on July 1st.
Swallow regular spring and autumn passage migrant, occasional breeder
Very few sightings this year outside from the main migration period in late August - September. Also a very late record of two at Smallmouth on December 1st.
Sand Martin infrequent visitor to the trail, recently started breeding nearby at Radipole Lake
Seen once this year during spring migration.
House Martin common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Commonly seen only in the Newstead Road area from Early June to mid October.
Skylark occasional autumn passage migrant, breeds at Ferrybridge just south of the trail
Small numbers seen moving west over the trail on October 5th and 10th.
Rock Pipit regular winter visitor
Just one record this year, at Smallmouth in March.
Meadow Pipit increasingly scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, breeds very close to the southern end of the trail
Just a couple of sightings this year in January and October.
Adult male Grey Wagtail, Rodwell Halt, 30 July 2020
Grey Wagtail common winter visitor
Apart from being absent through December, this increasingly tame bird spent more time than usual in Rodwell Cutting being present from September to February and also on July 30th and August 28th. Flyover migrating birds were seen in late August and September.
Pied Wagtail infrequent visitor, but one pair possibly breeding this year
As last year, the pair breeding under Ferrybridge produced a few sightings at Smallmouth including two youngsters in late July. On March 31st a pair were also seen at Castle Cove Sailing Club. Birds were seen flying over the trail on a number of dates in October and November.
Pied Wagtail, Smallmouth, 22nd April 2020
Yellow Wagtail rare passage migrant, two previous records
One heard flying over Downclose on August 17th.
Wren common breeding bird all along the trail
Common throughout the trail and in song all year.
Dunnock > common breeding bird
Common everywhere, particularly at the southern end. In song from mid November onwards, a month earlier than last year.
Robin common breeding bird, approx. 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Robin, Downclose, 15th August 2020
Stonechat returned as a breeding bird in 2019
No records at all until the last three months of the year, with a maximum count of three birds on December 2nd and 29th.
Wheatear occasional spring and autumn passage migrant
Two spring sightings on April 26th and May 16th, both at Smallmouth. Just one autumn record, in late August.
Blackbird common breeding bird
Commonly seen throughout the year. Two obvious influxes in late September and early November. In song from mid February to early July, with some sub-song heard in early December.
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. An extra pair this year at the extreme southern end, possibly from across the road in the caravan site.
Song Thrush at Wyke Road, 2nd April 2020
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
Just two sightings this year, both in October.
Cetti's Warbler occasional winter visitor
A bird was singing above the Sailing Club through most of April and May.
Reed Warbler occasional spring migrant
Heard singing on a number of dates from April to early June.
Sedge Warbler rare spring migrant, just four records
Heard singing on April 16th and 27th.
Whitethroat regular summer visitor, sometimes breeds
First seen near Newstead Road on April 19th and then a male singing at Wyke Cutting up to the middle of May. A couple more records in August and September but no evidence of breeding this year.
Lesser Whitethroat before 2017 a rare passage migrant
One, possibly two, singing males in Wyke Cutting from April 26th to the end of June. Just one autumn sighting in mid-August, so probably not a successful breeding year on the trail.
Blackcap at Downclose, 18th April 2020
Blackcap common passage and winter visitor, possibly breeds
A definite increase this year with up to five singing males heard from February 27th to the end of July, with an unusual bout of winter singing from a bird at Newstead Road on November 2nd.
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.
Chiffchaff at The Marsh, 21st March 2020
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.
Yellow-browed Warbler rare autumn visitor, two previous records
One heard calling at Rodwell Halt on October 10th.
Goldcrest regular visitor, may breed some years
Seen mostly in the winter months from November to February this year with no records at all during the breeding season.
Firecrest occasional winter visitor
The only definite record this year was one on January 13th.
Spotted Flycatcher rare autumn visitor, one previous record
One at Marsh Road on September 20th.
Long-tailed Tit common resident, may breed
Flocks of up to 15 birds seen throughout the year on all but the most southern parts of the trail.
Coal Tit common resident, approx. 1 pair breeding
Heard singing or calling around Wyke and Buxton Roads regularly throughout the year but only seen on a couple of occasions.
Blue Tit > common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Blue Tit at The Marsh, 21st March 2020
Great Tit common resident, approx. 5 - 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Treecreeper occasional visitor, previously bred
No records this year.
Nuthatch very rare visitor, two previous records
No records this year but one nearby at Bincleaves on a couple of dates in July.
Magpie common resident, probably breeds
Commonly seen throughout the trail this year. A pair at Ilchester Road seemed to have already built a nest on December 10th.
Magpie, Newstead Road, 18th March 2020
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.
Rook previously common visitor
Often seen in winter months around the northern parts of the trail and feeding on the sports field, with up to ten there in October.
Raven regular visitor
The pair bred at Underbarn again this year but only seen in transit along the Trail.
Starling at Wyke Halt, 29th April 2020
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.
House Sparrow, Sandsfoot Halt, 17th February 2020
Chaffinch > common resident and breeding species
A few sightings through the winter and several singing males heard in the summer. Could be as many as five breeding pairs using the trail. A marked overhead passage of birds throughout October and most of November, mostly moving south and west.
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 December.
Goldfinch > common resident
Commonly seen throughout the year, most likely two or three breeding pairs.
Siskin regular autumn passage migrant
After an absence of several years lots of records this year in September and early October. Most birds heard rather than seen.
Linnet common summer visitor and breeding species
At least one breeding pair in Downclose Cutting. Very few sightings outside the breeding season but about ten flying south on November 1st.
Bullfinch scarce, previously a regular winter visitor
Following last year's single record (one heard on May 19th near Hillcrest Road) at least one bird resident in the same area throughout the first half of the year, but very few revords after that.
Crossbill rare passage migrant, two previous records
An adult male flew north at Rodwell Halt on October 13th.
Reed Bunting rare passage migrant, four previous records all about ten years ago
Two records of birds seen or heard flying over in October.
Blue-fronted Amazon, Downclose, 26th August 2020