My twice-yearly pilgrimage to the Portland Bird Observatory with Mick Thompson is always a highlight, and this trip from 19-22 September 2025, was no exception.
Day One: A Warm Welcome
We arrived early on Friday morning, and the sight of hirundines streaming down Chesil Beach at Ferrybridge was a clear sign of what was to come. After the long drive, we headed straight for Culverwell to help local ringer Mark "Slasher" Cutts. The weather was surprisingly warm and humid for late September, which seemed to encourage a continuous southbound flow of hirundines and pipits. By the end of the day, an estimated 10,000 hirundines had passed through.
Our morning ringing session was incredibly productive, with 58 birds caught. The majority were Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, but we also got our hands on a good mix of others, including Swallows, Grey Wagtails, Meadow Pipits, Lesser Whitethroats, Whitethroats, and a Stonechat. While we were busy, an Osprey glided overhead, heading south toward the Bill. A walk around the south of the island later in the day gave us great views of numerous Wheatears and an early Dartford Warbler. We even tried our luck for owls at the Verne in the evening with Jim’s "magic tape lure," but they remained just out of reach.
Day Two: Wind and Rain
Saturday brought a colder, breezier change. We were back at Culverwell, but the winds picked up quickly and forced us to close the nets by 10 a.m. Still, we managed to ring 48 birds, again mostly Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, but with some Willow Warblers, Meadow Pipits, and Grey Wagtails mixed in. In the afternoon, we moved to the Observatory Garden, where we caught more Chiffchaffs, along with a Reed Warbler and a Spotted Flycatcher, before the rain and heavy winds stopped play completely.
Day Three: An Unexpected Visitor
Sunday was another day of ringing at Culverwell with similar species as before. The afternoon brought the most excitement, though, when a shout of “swift!” went up from the Obs patio. We were seawatching at the time, and only one person with binoculars was quick enough to confirm it was an Alpine Swift. Unfortunately, it headed northeast before anyone in the ringing shed or kitchen had a chance to see it. A great bird for those who were lucky enough to get a glimpse!
Day Four: A Grand Finale
Our plan was to head off by 10 a.m. on Monday, so we weren't expecting much. However, the cold northeasterly winds had other ideas. They pushed a large number of Chiffchaffs, Meadow Pipits, and a small group of Firecrests into our nets. With so many birds arriving, Mick went to support Mark at Culverwell, and I joined a team of Cornish ringers in the Obs garden. By the time we left, we had added Sedge Warblers and more Firecrests to our totals, with well over 200 birds rung for the day.
It was a busy but incredibly rewarding few days. Between us, Mick and I ringed over 200 birds of a great variety. The supporting cast included Passenger and Convolvulus Moths and a Bluefin Tuna that was spotted offshore. We'll be back in the spring!
Alex P.
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