Portland: Spring Migrants with Ian Waite

It was 7 a.m. and the rain was lashing down. A cold East wind was blowing. The foghorn on the lighthouse, whilst deafening us, was doing its best to guide the Spring migrants to land. They struggled above the wind and the waves to the welcome shelter of rock and scrub. We left the sheltered overhang of the Cafe and made for the Pulpit Rock area. A bedraggled Wheatear flitted in front of us and soon our list had two Puffins, Razorbill and Gannets.

A quick trip to Ferrybridge to warm up and to see what was about as the tide went out. Can you imagine the day getting wetter and wetter yet at the same time better and better? Yet another overhang to shelter under and a wonderful chance for us to perfect our wader I.D. as they were there – almost in touching distance. Two Whimbrel, a flock of Dunlin in summer plumage – almost as golden as Golden Plover. A small flock of Ringed Plover, Sanderling and Knot. Little, Common and Sandwich Tern, so elegant and graceful and just overhead. Red-breasted Mergansers bobbed in the distance. We spent some time willing an ailing Wheatear to fly. It would rise in the air, flapping its wings only to sink to the shingle exhausted. A telescope revealed it to be a paper bag tethered to a string!

Now the sun was coming out and the rain easing. Back to Portland Bill to scan the fields and scrub on our way to the Observatory. We had Fieldfare and Reed Warbler on our list now which the Observatory hadn’t seen. As Ian said, “When can you see Linnet, Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Stonechat, Willow Warbler and Blackcap all in one small patch of scrub?” I forgot to mention that all this time a Marsh Harrier was soaring around us overhead – the sun catching the gold feathering on its shoulders. House Martins and Swallows were now coming in fast.

Still escorted by the Harrier we made our way to the Observatory, where we had permission to eat our sandwiches. Kindly chaps, draped in cloth bags, were releasing newly ringed arrivals and educating us with amazing facts. A tiny female Reed Warbler had made the journey from England to Africa and back at least 12 times, and as it stays here only a few months to breed, is more an African bird than a British one! It will defend its territory in the scrub of Africa, we were told. The bird’s beaks and wings were wiped for pollen to help to identify the route taken. Eucalyptus pollen was found suggesting Morocco or Spain. (So does this mean that a tiny Warbler in search of Pollen Beetles will be pollinating the plants? Seems to me, yes, but you may tell me otherwise.). The tiny Willow Warbler gazed at us with its bright dark eyes as it was explained to us that the wing was slightly longer than the Chiffchaff’s as it had further to fly. Wonderful close up views of male and female Blackcap and, lastly, a feisty Reed Warbler, which gave a good peck to the restraining thumb and a loud squawk of protest before being released.

With our Marsh Harrier still overhead we left the Observatory and went up over the fields, almost immediately finding a Ring Ouzel. Now Wheatears galore, and great joy – in a field with some horses an impeccable Pied Flycatcher. It flitted from hedge to tape fence as if working out which was his best side to show to us. Both sides were marvellous and we admired him for some time. Next on the list was not so obliging – it was ‘now you see me now you don’t’ with the Redstart. She hopped about an old tractor and eventually we left her and made our way down past the Cliffs – now good views of Fulmar and Shag. The day was complete and perfect. We left the chance of an elusive male Smew at Lodmoor and made our way home, trying to choose our favourite moment. Thanks to Ian there were so many it was difficult to say – but we saw at least 53 species during this excellent day.