14th December 2014

An early morning start got us to the Portland Bird Observatory by 0815 hrs, where the long-staying Barred Warbler soon appeared and started feeding at close range on some apples that had been put out. We also had at least 1 red-throated diver and a few gannets out on the sea.

Next stop was Portland Castle to look for the female eider, which wasn't showing, however we had fairly good views of the wintering Black Guillemot, as well as the usual great-northern divers and mergansers. We recieved a tip-off that 3 of the Eider were showing off Weymouth Marina, so we drove down there and very quickly located the 3 birds towards Sandsfoot castle. Whilst watching them 2 common scoters flew across my scope view which headed off towards portland. Also present were another 2 great-northen divers.

2 female Eiders

1st winter male Eider

Our final stop of the day was at redcliff point, just east of Weymouth where another group of birders were already watching the Richard's Pipit. The bird eventually flew up in the air, allowing us to hear the call and make out the much longer tail than the many meadow pipits also present.

Not a bad morning all in all!