Chris's Country Files: Portland.. too much to type about!

Basically...
Where I start?

I spent the weekend in a old Lighthouse! And in another bit of surrealism, I was the 'non drinker' on a Stag Weekend! (long story).

One of my bestest buddies, Joe, a 'beyond keen' birder, invited me to Portland Bird Observatory for the weekend, to help celebrate his forthcoming marriage, perfectly picked at the start of the Spring migration.

Friday.
Arriving at Joe's on Friday lunchtime we had a quick look at RSPB Lodmoor and picked up a year tick straight away.. Willow Warbler, and were also treated to great views of one of the resident Marsh Harrier.

By 2.p.m we were on Portland and putting our stuff in our rooms. To my immense pleasure I was offered the top bedroom, just below the 'light' room. Awesome... until it came to the stairs and remembering you'd left something in your room!

The views were, as you'd expect - brilliant!

Keen to get going, it wasn't long before we were walking around the Point and surrounding fields.
I haven't visited rocky cliff type areas this year, so I was quickly picking up year ticks.
Razorbill, Gannet, Guillemot, Shag - and back nearer the Obs we spent a while watching the two resident Little Owl in the Quarry. A couple of Swallow completed a good first day as we all sat on the Patio, getting to know each other and swapping stories. It was looking like a great weekend ahead!

Saturday. 6:30 a.m. alarm..

The sunrise was awesome! Spent the morning between the patio, sea watching and down on the point by the Trinity House obelisk next to the new Lighthouse. Always stood near to experts who knew what they were looking at, naturally.

The sea was quiet - for the regulars, but I picked up Red Throated Diver, Black Throated Diver, Fulmar, Common Scoter, Whimbrel and Linnet. Most were quite a way out, making taking pictures harder, but I had a go.

Gannet

Black Throated Diver

Red Throated Diver (honest).

Wheatear

Kestrel near to the new Lighthouse

Razorbill

Fulmar

Shag

Razorbill

Spent the afternoon walking around the Hut Fields next to the Obs, watching newly arrived Wheatear and Swallow, Meadow Pipit and Raven and a few surfers out to sea.

Raven

Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

Wheatear

I was trying to get a better view of what I thought could have been a Whinchat, when this flew in and landed next to me...

Sparrowhawk.

Amazing! Oh, and it was a Stonechat (not a Whin) and disappeared for a long time, hiding.

The evening was spent, fine dining in a local village pub. Bellies aching from all the laughing.

Sunday..
6:25 a.m. alarm call after not getting to bed til Midnight.. Late for me.
I wake up and - a). wonder what that noise was, b). where was it . c) where was I??

Alarm found and it's down to the Patio for a cuppa and to watch the sunrise. Another epic!
The phone pic doesn't do the massive red glowing sun justice.

The wind had shifted to the North and big things were expected. They didn't really materailise, or not by the time I'd left to go home.
The nets at the Obs were still getting Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Blackcap, and then this... A stonking male Redstart.