Storm at Newton's Cove, 18th October 2023
Great Northern Diver > common winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Also often seen in Weymouth Bay and passing off Portland.
Hardly any sightings at all in the first part of the year concluding what has been the quietest winter for this species for a long time. The autumn was quite different though with an influx of birds in stormy weather in the first days of November including several summer-plumaged adults. Two to four birds remained to the end of the year.
Black-throated Diver regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour. Also often seen passing Portland Bill.
The only record this year was a single bird off Sandsfoot on December 6th.
Little Grebe Some winters found at Smallmouth, common winter visitor to the Fleet. Breeds at Radipole and Lodmoor.
No sightings at all for the fourth year running, although one was seen on November 19th in the southern end of the harbour under pontoons at the Sailing Academy.
Slavonian Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour and the Fleet
The only record this year was a distant bird off Sandsfoot on December 6th.
Black-necked Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Very few sightings at the start of the year from January 6th to March 18th, apart from January 22nd when twelve were seen. In the second half of the year the first sighting was of three birds on November 21st, exactly the same date as last year.
Great Crested Grebe common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, Weymouth Bay and the Fleet.
Very few seen at the start of the year but up to eight seen regularly from the start of November.
Red-necked Grebe regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, also seen in Weymouth Bay.
One on January 6th off Sandsfoot.
Fulmar rare visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds on Portland.
One on April 23rd, six days later than last year's single sightling.
Gannet occasional visitor to Portland Harbour, commonly seen in Weymouth Bay and passing Chesil Beach and Portland Bill.
A scattering of records this year with mostly single adults seen in March, August and October followed by a few more in the November storms.
Cormorant common in Portland Harbour all year, breeds on Gad Cliff, 13 miles to the east.
Numbers continue to increase with fishing flocks of up to 50 birds seen in January and November.
Cormorant at Weymouth Harbour, 6th October 2023
Shag common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds b at Portland Bill.
A count of 20 birds in January was by far the largest number seen this year.
Little Egret regular visitor to Portland Harbour, common nearby in the Fleet.
Very rarely seen from the trail this year although there were ten at Sandsfoot Castle on November 29th
Little Egrets and Grey Heron at Sandsfoot, 29th November 2023
Grey Heron regular visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Nottington, 3. miles to the north
Mostly seen away from the trail this year with one or two birds often on the shore at Underbarn.
Mute Swan occasional visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds nearby at Radipole and Lodmoor.
The only record this year was of a group of birds from Radipole flying over the northern end of the trail.
Brent Goose common winter visitor to Portland Harbour, thousands winter nearby on the Fleet.
Very few seen at the start of the year but then three seen arriving from the east on September 26th and then a handful of birds often seen off Bincleaves. A flock of 30 in Newton's Cove in bad weather in early December was exceptional.
Canada Goose rarely recorded, although common at Radipole/Lodmoor and possibly nesting on breakwaters
A flock of 40 or so flying around the far end of the Bincleaves Breakwater on June 3rd was by far the largest number I have ever seen in the harbour.
Shelduck rare visitor to Portland Harbour although common elsewhere, probably one or two pairs nesting on breakwaters.
Just two records this year, a pair in flight at Smallmouth on April 27th and another pair over the northern end of the trail on November 29th.
Mallard regular visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds Radipole/Lodmoor.
For the third year in a row a pair were at the sailing club on one date in April.
Common Scoter occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour, commonly seen off Portland Bill and Chesil Beach.
A flock of four females were seen in Newton's Cove and in the harbour on a couple of dates in January. A single female was off Downclose on December 12th.
Goosander regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour
Not seen from the trail this year but two females were at Newton's Cove on November 29th.
Red-breasted Merganser common winter visitor to Portland Harbour and the Fleet, rare elsewhere.
Peaked at 55 birds seen in early March, a similar situation to last year but a month earlier. Returning birds seen from November 3rd (Nov 4th last year) but then only a handful of birds seen for the rest of the year.
Eider regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, rarely seen elsewhere locally.
Up to five birds seen at the start of the year decreasing to a single bird on April 23rd. None seen at the end of the year.
Buzzard variable presence with perhaps 1 pair breeding nearby
Just a single bird seen this year, at Wyke Halt on November 12th.
Buzzard at Radipole, 25th May 2023
Sparrowhawk increasingly common, one pair usually breeds
A bird was seen nest-building on several dates in April/May but a sighting of three birds in September was the only other evidence of breeding.
Peregrine regular visitor, several pairs breed locally
Just three sightings this year; one at Smallmouth on April 23rd and at the other end of the trail on May 13th and December 19th.
Hobby rare summer visitor, often seen nearby at Radipole, may breed locally
One over Abbotsbury Road on May 9th was the first seen on the trail in over 10 years.
Kestrel once a regular visitor now more scarce, common locally
Single birds were seen on several dates between April and November, all in the southern part of the trail.
Oystercatcher regularly seen in Portland Harbour all year
A pair at Smallmouth looked as if they might breed but no young were seen.
Oystercatcher in Portland Harbour, 25th May 2023
Whimbrel regular spring passage migrant
Just one record this year of a bird heard near Downclose on May 7th.
Curlew infrequent winter visitor, mostly to Underbarn
Two flying over the Sailing Club on two dates in February and October with another heard on March 5th.
Arctic Skua rare visitor with just one or two previous sightings
One flying west through the harbour in windy weather on October 13th.
Black-headed Gull commonly seen around the trail
A normal presence this year.
Mediterranean Gull > commonly seen around the trail
Largest numbers seen in January and December mornings when hundreds may be seen flying west through the harbour after leaving the roost in Weymouth Bay.
Common Gull occasional visitor to Portland Harbour
A few seen at the start of the year only.
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 although often seen elsewhere
No sightings this year from the trail although occasionally seen nearby in the harbour.
Great Black-backed Gull common breeding resident in Portland Harbour
Usually 1 or 2 off Sandsfoot as usual.
Great Black-backed Gull at Weymouth Harbour, 6th October 2023
Common Tern > common summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Lodmoor
With the demise of the Lodmoor colony due to bird flu the only record this year was of a couple of birds in early June.
Sandwich Tern common summer visitor to Portland Harbour
Twelve on March 26th were the first of the year, the highest count until August 4th when a flock of fifteen birds flew through Smallmouth. Late birds were seen on October 5th and November 12th.
Little Tern regular summer visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds nearby on Chesil Beach
Seen at the southern end of the trail from April 23rd onwards, with ten on May 7th and fifteen on July 3rd.
Guillemot occasional winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Just one record on January 9th when a flock of 4 auks, probably Guillemots, were seen flying south through the harbour.
Razorbill regular winter visitor to Portland Harbour, breeds at Portland Bill
Just one record on December 31st.
Cuckoo one previous record
One heard over Newstead Road on April 11th.
Wood Pigeon common breeding bird on the trail
Common in all parts of the trail. A number of large flocks (thousands?) seen on several dates in the first half of November.
Stock Dove regular visitor, breeds nearby at Wyke
A male singing loudly at Wyke Halt on July 9th was the most recent of a series of near-annual occurences:
2022 June 2nd
2021 May
2020 May 16th
2018 March & June
2017 February 18th & April 29th
2016 August 4th & October 2nd
2015 September 9th & 12th
1980 May 5th
Collared Dove common breeding bird on the trail
This year mostly recorded at Newstead Road.
Tawny Owl very occasionally heard in the northern part of the trail
One heard calling during the night of October 2nd near the northern end of the trail, the first definite record since 2015.
Green Woodpecker occasionally seen or heard
One heard near Hillcrest Road on February 19th and August 6th.
Great Spotted Woodpecker regularly seen or heard, perhaps 1 pair breeding
Fewer records this year, all in the first half of the year and at Rodwell apart from one at Downclose on July 3rd.
Ring-necked Parrakeet one previous record
One heard over Newstead Road on December 18th.
Swift common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Common over the northern end of the trail from mid May to early August but perhaps fewer than last year.
Swallow regular spring and autumn passage migrant, occasional breeder
Hardly seen at all this year outside of September when hundreds were seen flying south on 3rd and 26th.
House Martin common breeding bird around the northern end of the trail
Seen only in the Newstead Road area where they were precent most days from April 10th to the second week of October.
Skylark occasional autumn passage migrant, breeds just south of the trail
One heard over Downclose on October 5th.
Rock Pipit regular winter visitor, possibly breeds at Ferrybridge
One heard at Smallmouth on November 12th.
Meadow Pipit increasingly scarce winter visitor and passage migrant, breeds just south of the trail
Southerly passage noted on September 26th, the only records this year.
Grey Wagtail previously common winter resident
Heard on three occasions in the last quarter of the year.
Pied Wagtail infrequent visitor, but one pair possibly breeding this year
Again regular sightings of a male at Smallmouth suggests that they may have bred on or very near the trail this year. Apart from this just a handful of sightings.
Pied Wagtail at Weymouth Harbour, 6th October 2023
Wren common breeding bird all along the trail
Common throughout the trail and in song all year apart from late September.
Dunnock > common breeding bird
Seen throughout the trail. In song from the start of the year to the end of August.
Robin common breeding bird, approx. 10 pairs
Common throughout the trail and heard singing every day except for a few weeks in July.
Stonechat returned briefly as a breeding bird in 2019/20
A handful of sightings in October and November.
Blackbird common breeding bird
Commonly seen throughout the year with an obvious influx in the second week of November. In song from March to July. Young birds seen in May and June.
Song Thrush common breeding bird , approx. 2 pairs
Very few records this year, and only between December and February.
Fieldfare rare winter visitor
An early bird was seen feeding with Blackbirds near the Marsh playing field on October 6th.
Redwing regular autumn and winter visitor
Again just 2 records this year with single birds seen on January 30th and November 12th, both in the northern part of the trail.
Sedge Warbler rare spring migrant, seven previous records
Just one record in late April.
Sedge Warbler at Radipole, 2nd July 2023
Whitethroat regular summer visitor, sometimes breeds
First seen on April 27th then a male singing in Wyke Cutting throughout May. Again no evidence of breeding.
Lesser Whitethroat regularly seen between 2017 and 2021
For the second year no records at all.
Blackcap common passage and winter visitor, breeds most years
Three or four breeding pairs this year with at least two birds over-wintering. Heard singing every day from late April to the end of July. A juvenile seen near The Marsh on July 3rd.
Garden Warbler rare spring migrant, three previous records
One at Wyke Halt on August 6th.
Chiffchaff common summer and winter visitor, probably breeds
One or two present throughout the year with three or four pairs breeding between Marsh Road and Downclose. Three juveniles seen near The Marsh on July 3rd. Single wintering birds seen in February and December.
Willow Warbler common passage migrant
Seen in spring on May 2nd and in autumn on several dates from early August to September 3rd.
Goldcrest regular visitor, may breed
Singing heard at Buxton Road heard on several dates between March and May. Otherwise seen on a few dates in January and October/November.
Firecrest occasional winter visitor
A very brief view of a bird at Sandsfoot Halt on February 27th and a much better view of one near Dover Road on November 17th.
Spotted Flycatcher rare migrant, just four previous records
One seen in flight at Wyke Halt on May 21st.
Long-tailed Tit common resident, may breed
Small flocks seen throughout the year on all parts of the trail including at Smallmouth on November 17th. A flock of 15 at Newstead Road on December 26th was by far the largest flock seen.
Coal Tit previously common resident, breeding nearby
Heard singing on two dates only at Granville Road in January and Old Castle Road in April. One calling near Buxton Road on December 31st.
Blue Tit > common resident, at least 5 pairs
Seen most days throughout the trail.
Great Tit common resident, at least 5 pairs
Common throughout the trail.
Magpie common resident, probably breeds
Commonly seen throughout the trail, although no evidence of breeding this year. An abandoned nest was built near Asda in the previous Autumn was dismantled by Rooks during March and used for their own nests.
Magpies at Radipole, 20th May 2023
Carrion Crow common resident, 3-5 pairs
Common throughout the trail. Two young seen in July at the two extreme ends of the trail. A pair near Asda had their nest taken over by a pair of Rooks in late Feb - early March.
Jackdaw > common resident
Seen flying over every day especially in the northern half of the trail.
Rook variably common visitor
Six or seven nests occupied this year above Asda, the same site as last year. At least two fledglings seen in June.
Raven regular visitor, often breeds nearby at Bincleaves
Again no sightings of young this year, although a pair were at the nest site early in the year.
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 Drive.
Chaffinch > common resident and breeding species
Relatively scarce this year with singing only heard in the Old Castle Road area. One or two wintering near the Marsh playing fields.
Greenfinch common resident
Two or three breeding pairs, around Downclose and Wyke Halt. Unusually several birds often seen in Smallmouth and further south at Ferrybridge.
Goldfinch > common resident
Commonly seen throughout the year, most likely breeding near Sudan Road and Chickerell Road. A juv seen at Wyke Hakt on August 4th.
Siskin regular autumn passage migrant
One heard over Downclost on October 5th.
Linnet common summer visitor and breeding species
Singing in Wyke Cutting from April to July, with probably one breeding pair. A party of 30 at Smallmouth on October 13th.