Birding The Nothe

1983 Bird Report

Summary of sightings for each species in 1983, compiled in 2003. The site was covered all year to 14 Dec, including the first records through the summer.

Any additional records are most welcome - please email them in! If you've arrived straight to this page click here to get to the home page and site navigation.

For the Annual Report Index - click here!

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata : Weymouth Bay one from 1 - 24 Mar with 2 on 1 & 5 Mar. Newton's Cove, one 14 Nov.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay singles 7 dates from 3 Feb-12 Apr. Up to 3 in Dec.

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : Weymouth Bay max 4 on 1 Mar. Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay max 3 on 24 Dec.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : One in the harbour on 10 & 11 Feb.(JDM). One 'at The Nothe' 12 Jan 'was unusual' (!) (DBR)

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : Two at The Nothe on 15 Jan, with one Weymouth Bay on 18 Jan. (DBR)

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Noted 13 Jan - 10 May and 23 Nov - 9 Dec. Max 14 on several dates. Monthly maxima as follows:

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : Two on 2 Feb (JDM). Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay max 6 on 17 Feb and 10+ in late Dec. (DBR)

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : Singles on 28 Apr, 15 & 23 May.

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : Small nos in Weymouth Bay during the summer (DBR).

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present throughout the year. Monthly maxima as follows.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted 1 Jan - 3 May; then from 7 Sep - end of year. Max 6 on 2 Feb. Monthly maxima as follows :

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : 21 bird-days on 13 dates from 13 Jan - 24 Nov, max 5 on 6 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : 34 bird-days on 17 dates, mostly between 15 Nov - 9 Dec. Usually seen in the harbour. Monthly maxima:

Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus : 4W past the Stone Pier on 1 Dec in a Force 5 SE were one of the best surprises of the year. (Given in DBR as 2 Dec in error). The first record for the site.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : Three on 21 Jan was the only record.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : 20W on 12 Oct were the first record for the site.

Common Teal Anas crecca : Two on the remarkable date of 26 July are the only summer record of this species. A pair attempted to breed at Radipole Lake in the same year.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : Noted 11 Feb and 2 Mar, then more or less continuously from 17 Mar - 29 Apr, with pairs also on 11 & 23 May. In autumn one on 1 Sep with 3 on 12 Sep, then up to 3 from 21 Nov - 2 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Eider Somateria mollissima : Two on 2 Feb (JDM). Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay max 4 on 6 Mar & 16 in Dec (DBR).

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay max 10 on 2 Mar & 50 on 13 Nov, with 3 summering late Jun/Jul.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : An unusual summer record of one present in Newton's Cove 26 Jul - 6 Aug (JDM). Occasional records from Weymouth Bay (DBR).

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : Eight single records, on 20 & 26 Jan, 7 Feb, 26 Jul, 27 & 28 Sep, 4 Nov, 1 Dec. with two together on 22 Aug. 10 bird-days.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : Singles on 17 Jan, 22 Mar, 21 Apr, 5 & 9 May, 7 & 21 Jul, 19, 26 & 29 Sep, 8 singles 21 Oct - 14 Nov, and 13 & 14 Dec. 20 bird-days.

(Common) Pheasant Phasianus colchicus : A hen feeding under bushes on 8 November. One of the most unexpected records here - did the bird fly across Weymouth Bay & the harbour, or over the houses from Wyke to get here, or was it 'rescued'?

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra : Singles on 7 dates, 1 Jan - 16 Mar, then 6 bird-days on 4 dates, 16 Nov to 2 Dec. Monthly maxima:

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Present to 17 May, and from 7 Jul. Max 7 on 30 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : One on 7 July.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : One on 1 Jan , then 9 bird-days on 7 dates 28 Feb - 4 May. On return passage one on 17 Aug, then up to 3 birds to 12 Oct, with a single from 31 Oct to end of year.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : Just one on 11 Feb in the early part of the year. then much higher nos from 11 Oct to end of year. Max 14 on 7 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows (includes DBR records):

(Eurasian) Woodcock Scolopax rusticola : One at the Nothe, 13 Nov (DBR)

Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus : One in Weymouth Bay on 14 Sep, in light south-westerly winds (DBR).

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 9 dates from 1 Jan to 22 Apr, 6 Sep and 2 & 3 Nov. No counts available from the Weymouth Bay roost.

Ring-billed Gull Larus delawarensis : Adult Weymouth Bay at least once some time between 21 & 29 Mar (DBR).

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted 22 dates 1 Jan - 16 May, then 2 on 29 Jun, singles on 22 & 23 Aug. Counts were made in the autumn, with max 13 on 18 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows (P = present)

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded almost daily.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : 200 in Weymouth Bay on 14 Dec (DBR).

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily up to 28 Apr, then 11 dates till 24 May, then one 10 Jun , with daily records again from 22 Jun. No counts available from Weymouth Bay.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : Roost peaks of 7 in Weymouth Bay on 15 Jan & 1 Feb . Scattered reports from The Nothe inc a pair displaying on 17 Apr and 3 on 2 May (DBR)

Little Gull Larus minutus : Singles at The Nothe on 16 Feb & 3 Sep, and in Weymouth Bay on 25 Apr (DBR).

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla : Scattered records, but 25 in Newton's Cove on 12 Jan, 52 S in Weymouth Bay on 23 Mar (DBR). Singles off the pier on 8, 10 & 17 Jun (JDM).

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : Noted from 17 Apr - 24 May, max 4 on several dates. Then from 18 Jul - 3 Nov, record max 32 on 27 Sep in fog and calm conditions.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Noted 27 Apr - end June sporadically, then almost continuously July/Aug. Max 4 on several dates. Then noted sporadically, max 18 on 27 Sep along with the Sandwich Tern gathering until the last single on 4 Nov in Newton's Cove, the latest ever recorded at The Nothe.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : Two on 5 May, with a single on 7 Jul were the only records.

Guillemot Uria aalge : Singles on 19 Jan & 15 Feb. Then on 7 dates 18 Oct -14 Dec.

Razorbill Alca torda : 9 bird-days on 6 dates, 17 Jan - 23 Mar, max 2 on several dates. 6 bird-days on 3 dates, 17 Oct - 2 Nov, max 3 on 31 Oct. (JDM) Max 12 in Weymouth Bay on 27 Jan (DBR).

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle : One mainly Portland Harbour 7 Jan - 25 Feb 1983 was also seen in Newton's Cove (DBR)

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia : Present all year.

Stock Dove Columba oenas : 29 bird-days on 13 dates, 25 Mar - 10 Jun - max 4 on several dates. 15 on 14 Nov were the only recorded in autumn.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Record max 300 (flying over in 30 mins!) on 14 Nov along with a lage movement of finches. Monthly maxima as follows :

European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur : Two on 16 May; a good showing in autumn, with 6 bird-days on 5 dates, 13 Sep - 5 Oct, max 2 on 14 Sep.

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : More or less continuously present to 20 Oct, with max 4 on 9 & 23 May. Only 3 bird-days in Nov & Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Cuckoo Cuculus canorus : Singles on 19 Apr and 9 Aug.

Common Swift Apus apus : Noted most days during the summer, from 5 May - 1 Aug. Max 20 on 7 & 8 Jul.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : Just one single on 19 Oct - a poor year.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : One on 28 Mar.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : 5 on 2nd and 2 on 14th Nov.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : Record max 20 on 9 Sep.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : Noted 25 Apr throughout the summer to 4 Nov. Max 65 on 4 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica : Noted 28 Apr throughout the summer to 18 Oct, with a single remarkably late bird on 30 Nov - the latest on record. Max 50 on 12 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows:

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : One imm. on 30 Jun, 2 on 23 Aug, 2 on 18 Sep.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : In the early part of the year, singles on 1 & 26 Jan and 28 Feb.Then a single on 22 Aug was followed by a good series of records: 40 bird-days on 25 dates to 13 Dec, max 3 on several dates.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Present continuously until 23 Mar, and from 8 Sep, with odd singles through the summer. Max 28 on 20 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : One on 4 May. Excellent return passage: a total of 22 on four dates 19-28 August 1983, with max 10 over on 22nd, then one on 7th & two on 28 Sep.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : Present to 20 Jan, with odd birds noted on passage in Mar, Apr & May. Summer records from 24 Jun - 26 Jul presaged a real autumn influx,with birds almost continuously noted from 12 Sep, with good numbers lingering to the end of the year. Max 85 on 4 Oct coinciding with a good Swallow passage. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Present during the winter months. Last in spring on 28 Mar. First in autumn 31 Oct. Many more in the latter part of the year. Max 14 on 23 Nov.

Water Pipit Anthus spinoletta : One in Newton's Cove, 4 Jan (DBR).

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident. Max 13 on 31 Oct, when a real influx continued into November. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident. Max. 12 on 22 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula : Present throughout the year. Not counted.

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris : One on 4 Nov was the only record.

Redwing Turdus iliacus : One on 1 Mar was the only record from the early part of the year. A short passage observed in autumn, with 13 bird-days 10 - 15 Nov, max 5 on 11 Nov.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : More or less continuously present throughout the year, but disappears in Aug and observed much less frequently in early autumn. Max 8 on 20 Jan. Monthly maxima as follows :

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : Singles on 18 Jan, 28 Feb, and an unusual late spring record on 24 May. In autumn, two on 22 Sep and singles on 3 Oct and 14 & 15 Nov. 8 bird-days.

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident. Max 11 on 29 Sep. Monthly maxima:

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros : Recorded Jan - 10 Feb and 14 Nov- end of year. Max 2 on 7 Feb & 17 Nov (DBR - Max 5 in the early part of the year, max 3 in the later part of the year). Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : A f. on 22 Apr; two on 3 May;one on 16 Sep. Four bird-days.

(Common) Stonechat Saxicola torquata : Just one on 31 Oct.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : A m and f on 21 Mar, a m on 9 May; in autumn a late bird on the pier, 14 - 17 Nov, the latest on record.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus : One on 28 & two on 29 Apr - exactly the same pattern as 1982.

(Eurasian) Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus : One on 29 Jun in south scrub was the first record for the site.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : In spring three on 28 Apr and one on 5 May. In autumn 11 bird-days on 8 dates 6 Sep - 11 Oct, max 3 on 29 Sep. 15 bird-days total.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : In spring, singles on 4 dates, 28 Apr - 9 May. In autumn singles on 14 Aug, 13 & 22 Sep, with max 2 on 29 Sep. 9 bird-days total.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : 7 bird-days 22 Apr - 13 May, max 3 on 5 May. A single present 29 jun - 8 Jul was a most unusual summer record. In autumn singles on 20 Sep & 4 Oct, the latter the latest recorded. 14 bird-days in total.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca : Single on 17 May was the first record for the site.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : Spring passage 25 Apr - 13 May , with max 15 on 28 Apr. Return passage 26 Jul - 6 Sep, max 10 on 23 Aug, but no attempt to distinguish from Chiffchaff in the overlap periods.

(Eurasian) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : Up to four regularly present in winter, from 13 Jan - 30 Mar. Then singles on 5 & 8 May. One on 18 Jul was an unusual summer record. Passage noted in Sept with max 14 'Phylloscs' on 16 Sep. The last single noted on 30 Nov. No attempt to distinguish from Willow Warbler in the overlap periods, with 170 Phyllosc bird-days in total for the year.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : An excellent year: in spring, singles on five dates 22 Apr - 9 May. On return passage, singles on 2 & 23 Aug. Seven bird-days total.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : Just four bird-days in spring, with two on 28 and one on 30 Apr, and one on 8 May. A major influx in autumn from 20 Sep - 15 Nov, max 15 on 26 Sep - an astonishing 182 bird-days in autumn.

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus : JDM: Two left over from the autumn 1982 influx were present into February, with max 4 on 11 Feb, then none until an unusual spring passage bird on 25 Apr, the latest spring record for the county that year. 19 bird-days on 11 dates. In the autumn, two arrived after the Goldcrest influx - 8 bird-days on 5 dates, 14 Nov - 7 Dec. A total of 24 bird-days.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : 9 bird-days from 3 May - 24 Jun; 25 bird-days from 23 Aug - 29 Sep. Max 6 on 22 Sep. Total of 34 bird-days.

(European) Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : No spring records; one 22 Aug, with 2 on 28 Aug. 3 bird-days.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus: A flock of 4 on 20 Oct.

Marsh Tit Parus palustris : One on 27 Apr was an excellent and unexpected record of this normally sedentary species that is very scarce in the Weymouth area. The first record for the site (and still the only record in 2003!).

Coal Tit Parus ater : A flock of three on 12 Oct was the first record for the site.

Great Tit Parus major : Only recorded sporadically, with none in Jul & Aug. Monthly maxima, with no of days recorded in brackets:

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus : Resident. Max 14 on 19 Oct. Monthly maxima:

(Black-billed) Magpie Pica pica : One on 9 June was the only record until 7 Sep when two heralded an autumn influx, and a continuous presence until 2 Dec. Max 7 with a passerine fall on 22 Sep. Monthly maxima:

(Eurasian) Jackdaw Corvus monedula : Two on 20 & 26 Jan were followed by two on 18 May, with no spring passage noted this year. A good autumn passage started with an influx associated with a passerine (mainly Goldcrest) fall on 26 Sep, followed by a gap in Oct, then another influx with another major fall on 4 Nov, with birds recorded to 8 Dec. An autumn total of 133 bird-days on 18 dates, the bulk in Nov. Max 28 on 24 Nov. Monthly maxima :

Rook Corvus frugilegus : Two on 8 May were the only recorded in the first part of the year. Then a rather similar pattern to Jackdaw, with an autumn influx in lower nos, the bulk in Nov. Max 20 on 10 Nov, a day of vis. mig. 72 bird-days in total on 13 dates. Monthly maxima:

Carrion Crow Corvus corone : Resident, with no evidence of spring and autumn gatherings. Max 8 on 26 Sep, the same day as the Jackdaw max and a Goldcrest fall. Monthly maxima:

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris : Resident breeding species. Not counted.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella: One over on 4 Nov and two over the harbour on 10 Nov were the first records from the site.

(European) Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs : Resident. Fairly consistent counts throughout the year, though lowest in spring, but with an excellent late autumn passage. Max 140 on 14 Nov with a superb movement of finches and pigeons. Monthly maxima :

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla : None in the early year. An excellent showing in Nov with 11 bird-days on 4 dates 2 - 17 Nov, record max 6 on 15th. Lastly a single on 9 Dec. 12 bird-days in total.

(European) Greenfinch Carduelis chloris : Resident breeding species with numbers swelled in late summer by juvs. Max 40 on 6 Aug. Monthly maxima :

(European) Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis : Sporadic records during the winter but mainly present during the spring and summer. May have bred - a juv. seen on 1 Jul. Autumn passage, with max 35 on 28 Sep, a day of vis. mig. Monthly maxima:

(Eurasian) Linnet Carduelis cannabina : One on 21 Mar, two on 10 May and one on 24 May were the only spring records. In autumn max 22 on 6 Oct, two on 2 Nov and two on 14 Nov. 30 bird-days.

(Eurasian) Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula : A pair on 5 May - the first record for the site.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus : Resident breeding bird. Not counted.