Birding The Nothe

2000 Bird Report

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Summary of sightings for each species in 2000; 111 species were recorded from The Nothe and Weymouth Bay.

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Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata : Singles on 3rd and 5th Nov and 12 Dec from The Nothe. Weymouth Bay : Singles 8 - 9 Jan and 28 Oct.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : A summer-plumaged bird was in Weymouth Bay from 7 Jun to 5 Jul. Singles also in Jan abd Dec, with 2 in April in Weymouth Bay.

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : Noted on 9 days 1 Jan - 2 Mar, max 3 on 5 Jan. Two on 26 Apr were an unusual spring record, with one lingering off the Stone Pier until 29th. In the late winter period, singles on 28 Oct and 1 Nov.

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : Noted in Weymouth Harbour on 6 days from 15 Feb to 12 Mar, max 4 on 26 Feb and 2 Mar.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Noted 1 Jan - 30 April, and again from 1 Nov. Max 11 on 8 Feb. Monthly maxima as follows

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : Two on 21 Jan.

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis : Weymouth Bay - one between 22 May and 4 Jun.

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : An excellent year. Singles on 24 Apr, 13 & 14 May, 2 June, 14 Aug and 17 Sep, with an unprecedented 3, a record max., on 31 July.

European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus : Two seen a few hundred yards off the Stone Pier in the afternoon of 30 Oct were amongst over 100 'wrecked' in the Weymouth/Portland area afer a severe SW storm in the early hours. (JS). A remarkable 12 were seen in Newton's Cove, with three in Weymouth Bay (Dorset Bird Report).

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : Seen in Weymouth Bay on 10 days from 22 July-28 Sep, with max 6 on 14 Aug. A good showing.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year, monthly maxima as follows:

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted 1 Jan - 26 Apr; one on 2 Jun was unusual; then from 22 Sep. Peaks on 31 Oct and 1 Nov following the storms. Monthly maxima as follows :

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Noted 31 days from 13 Mar to end of the year. Year and record max 7 flying N on 15 Oct.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta : Single on 23 Aug followed by another on 18 Oct, with two over on 22 Oct.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : Single on 27 Apr; 2 on 6 May; singles on 16 Sep and 28 Dec.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla : One roosting in the bay on 10 Mar was the only record in the first part of the year. In December three past the fort on 4 Dec and three in the bay on 31 Dec.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : An excellent series of records in spring 2000, from 28 Mar to 30 May, with pairs lingering along the south rocks and in Newton's Cove, year and record max 9 on 28 Apr.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : At least two pairs successfully bred this year, first ducklings on 29 Apr,but a flock of around 20 were present through the spring. Only one record in September and one in October. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula : 1-2 birds in Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay on several dates in Jan and Dec.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : A good series of records, with up to four, Jan-Mar 2000, so perhaps becoming more regular. One west on 4 Dec.

Osprey Pandion haliaetus : One flying south low over Weymouth Bay towards the Portland breakwaters on a calm overcast morning at 7.35am, 4 Oct. The first record for The Nothe.

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : 8 bird-days. Singles on 9 Feb, 31 Mar, 11 Apr , 7 May, 19 Sep and 21 Oct. Two together on 7 Nov.

Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: One flying north in the early afternoon, 6 Oct, was the first Nothe record. Remarkably, the second also occurredthis year : one north from Portland Harbour towards Weymouth being mobbed by herons, crows and gulls, 27 Dec. Perhaps these will become a more regular feature.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : Two records only - one on 23 Sep, and another on 20 Oct.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : A good showing, with three records - one 30 May, one 1 Aug and one 14 Sep.

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Records show a definite increase since the 70s and 80s. Present almost throughout the year (least in Nov/Dec), with max 9 on 31 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica : A remarkable series of records in 2000 were the first recorded here. Two summer-plumaged males appeared on south rocks, 2 May. These were joined by others, and a max of seven were present on 4th & 5th, the last female leaving on 11th.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : A good series of records in spring 2000, with 29 bird-days on 11 dates from 26 Apr to 2 June, with max four on 29 Apr, 3 - 5 May, and 11 May. Two on 29 Jul are the only summer record.

(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : Two flying west on 13 Mar.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : Spring passage 15 April - 22 May, with 16 bird-days on 12 dates. Return passage from 26 July - 6 Oct, with 13 bird-days on 7 dates, max 5 on 5 Sep.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : Still apparently increasing. Recorded in every month except July, with the last in spring on 7 June, and return from 17 Aug. Max 32 on 14 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows:

Red Knot Calidris canutus : One in summer plumage with Bar-tailed Godwit on south rocks, 3-4 May, with two there 5-6 May.

Dunlin Calidris alpina : One 14 May , 3 on 31 Jul and two more 7 Aug.

Great Skua Catharacta skua : Weymouth Bay : 2-3 on 30 Oct with the Storm-Petrel wreck.

Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus : Weymouth Bay - one on 25 Aug; 1-2 on 9 Oct.

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 6 dates to 24 Mar when a max of 7 recorded. An imm on 1 May was an unusual date. Up to 5 noted on 5 dates from 30 Oct to the end of the year.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year with max of 65 in 80 mins on 31 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows :

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis : Weymouth Bay : one on 28 Oct.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : Noted from 19 Mar to 7 July on 12 dates, max 4 on 24 Mar. Singles on Sep 7 & 21 were the only autumn records. Weymouth Bay : 30+ on 9 Feb

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 17 Mar, then on 8 dates to 12 May. Autumn records daily from 3 July. Weymouth Bay : 5000 on 24 Jan; 6000 on 30 Dec.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : Up to 10 noted in Weymouth Bay.

Franklin's Gull Larus pipixcan: A second-winter bird roosted in Weymouth Bay most nights during its stay in the area, 13 - 19 Feb and 26 Feb - 2 Mar . The third Dorset record.

Little Gull Larus minutus : Weymouth Bay - single 1st-winters on 12, 14 and 17 Feb. Two 1-w on 9 Oct, one ad on 6 Nov; a 1-w on 28 Nov, two on 9 and one on 10 Dec.

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla : A flock of 10 going south on 5 Nov, before a storm hit Weymouth. Weymouth Bay - 15+ on 25 Aug.

Black Tern Chlidonias niger : Weymouth Bay - two on 7 May.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : Noted from 11 Apr to 25 May, then 18 July to 28 Sep, max 16 on 24 Apr. Monthly maxima as follows :

Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli : Weymouth Bay : one on 2 Jun.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Noted 19 Apr to 28 Sep, with juvs from the small breeding colony on Lodmoor swelling the numbers in summer. One juv. caught by an angler on 16 Sep was unhooked and released unharmed! Max 28 on 7 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows:

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : A good showing, noted on 7 dates from 19 April to 22 July. Record max 26 on 12 May.

Guillemot Uria aalge : 19 bird-days. Only three recorded in the early past of the year - two on 1 Jan and one on 28 Feb. An unprecedented summer record of an imm.on 2 - 7 Jun was followed by an excellent series of records in the autumn, with 14 bird-days on 13 dates from 15 Oct - 16 Nov (two on 1 Nov).

Razorbill Alca torda : 26 bird-days. Just two noted in the early part of the year, on 29 Jan and 15 Feb. Then no records until an unprecedented series in late summer, with up to 5 noted on 5 dates, 12 Aug to 5 Sep (max 5 on 14th). A juv. on 17 & 23 Sep was the first I'd noted here. Then 7 bird-days on 6 dates from 5 Oct to 31 Dec (2 on 5 Oct).

Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia : A flock of Feral Pigeons hangs around the MAFF Fish Diseases (CEFAS) labs and Hope Square. Present all year.

Stock Dove Columba oenas : One on 8 May and another on 3 November were the only records.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Continuing to increase, with max 95 on 8 Nov. Numbers steady for much of the year, with slightly lower nos in summer, and an autumn peak. Monthly maxima as follows :

European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur : Two singles in spring, on 8 & 12 May were welcome in view of the general decline of this species. Both in and around the Nothe Chalet garden.

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : Continuing to increase. Numbers peaked in May, with max 9 on 12th & 13th. Probably 3 pairs bred. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Swift Apus apus : Noted from 4 May to 7 Aug, with notable passage and record max of 59 on 22 July.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : Not seen in the early part of the year. A good series of autumn records, with probably the same bird present from 18 Sep to the end of the year (actually noted on 7 dates).

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : One 26 July was the only record.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : The usual autumn records, but in low numbers : just 6 bird-days on 4 dates from 30 Sep to 26 Oct. Max 3 on 17 Oct.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : No spring records. Return from 18 July to 30 Sep - 8 bird-days on 4 dates, max 4 on 25 Aug.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : Noted from 9 April to 19 Oct, mostly on passge. Spring max 10 on 27 Apr. Record max 162 in 90 mins noted on 23 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica : Noted from 27 April to30 Sep. Present throughout the summer, with an autumn passage closely folowing Swallow records. Seen gathering mud for nests but does not breed within the recording area. Spring max 15 on May 22nd & 30th. Autumn max 43 in 90 mins on 22 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : Only seen in the second half of the year, when there was an excellent series of records. Noted from25 Aug to 5 Nov, on 27 dates, with 80 bird-days. Max 12 flying over on 11 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Noted throughout the year. Probably two pairs bred. Numbers increase during the winter, but most during autumn passage, with max 40 on 17 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba : Two spring records - one 13th and one 26th May.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : One on 30 Sep in the Liddell Hut sycamores was the only record.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : Present off and on from Sep - May, with the usual autumn passge. Max 51 flying W on 17 Sep, and one summer record of 2 on 26 July. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Resident breeding species. Maxima usually autumn and winter, suggesting a few non-breeders present during that time, although they may just be more difficult to see during the summer! Juvs seen on 18 July. 14 counted going to roost on the harbour wall, 21 Sep. Max 15 on 24 Sep and 18 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident, breeds. 10 singing males counted on 16 April. Max count 18 on 22 Oct. High autumn counts show possible Oct/Nov passage. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident, breeds. 3 singing males counted on 22 April, but this is surely an underestimate. No obvious change in records through the year. Juvs seen on 18 July. Slightly higher autumn counts indicate autumn passage Oct/Nov. Max. count 19 on 3 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula : Resident, breeds. Max 27 on 22 Oct. Nos in May & June swelled by juvs. Small autumn passage in Oct/Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

Redwing Turdus iliacus : A very poor year : just one single on 23 Oct.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : Resident, breeds (c 2 pairs). Nos in May & July swelled by juvs. Autumn passage not noticeable; numbers as usual highest during the winter - max 9 on 3 Feb ( note 10 seen Dec 31 1999!) Monthly maxima as follows :

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : Two spring (late winter) and three autumn records : 28 Feb, 13 Mar; 23 Sep, 21 & 31 Oct.

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident, breeds (c 5 pairs). First young 26 Mar. Autumn passage mainly Sept/Oct. Max count 34 on 4 Oct.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros : In the early part of the year, 13 bird-days , on 9 dates from 9 Jan to 13 Mar, max 3 (m & 2f/i)on 8 Feb. In autumn, 7 bird-days on 4 dates from 6 Nov to 31 Dec, max 3 (f/i) on 31 Dec. (but no recording 16 Nov to 27 Dec when a peak might be expected).

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : Two in spring , the earliest on record a male 19 Apr, followed by a fem, on 29th. Singles on 5 dates in autumn - a male on 11th & 12th Sep followed by fem/imms on 13th, 16th, & 25th.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra : Just one record - a fem on 5 May.

(Common) Stonechat Saxicola torquata : 4 bird-days. A pair on 27 Feb, with the female there the next day. A fem on 16 Nov.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : An excellent series of records, starting with the earliest recorded on 12 Mar., noted 4 dates to 22nd, with 3 on 13th. Then a gap until 24 April, when noted 6 dates to 7 May, record max 4 on 29 Apr. Total 17 bird-days in spring. Noted again from 17 Aug to 16 Oct on 13 dates, max 4 on 30 Sep, a total of 21autumn bird-days, giving a record 38 bird-days in total.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus : Two records - one on 7 May, and one on return passage on 17 Aug.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : Noted virtually throughout the year, from 1 Jan to 3 Nov (and again in early Jan 2001). Possibly bred in the area this year, with a male noted on 7 June, and a juv on 26 July. In the early part of the year noted on 3 dates, 1 Jan, 21 Jan & 3 Feb. A singing male on 9 Mar possibly heralded the spring passage, with records on 14 dates to 3 May, max 5 on 9 April. A male on 22 May and 7 June indicated possible breeding, with juvs noted on 4 dates from 26 July to 11 Sep. Then noted on 5 dates to 3 Nov. A record total of 38 bird-days.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : Excellent spring passage, with 21 bird-days.Noted on 13 dates from 24 April - 13 May 2000, with continuous presence 5-13 May, when a pair was seen displaying and apparently carrying nesting material. However, there was no sign of them after that date. Max 3 on 1 and 6 May. In autumn, 7 bird-days, on 5 dates from 17 Sep to 28 Oct, when max. 3 were present.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : Excellent spring passage, with 13 bird-days on 7 dates from 24 Apr to 13 May. Max 4 on 29 Apr. In autumn, 2 bird-days on 29 & 30 Sep.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca : One record - a single on 31 July.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : Noted from 10 Apr, the earliest recorded, to 11 May, with 46 bird-days on 13 dates. Max 20 on 19 Apr. On return passage noted from 22 July, when 2 birds seen feeding a juv. - presumably having bred not too far away. Then 64 bird-days on 18 dates until 22 Sep. An intriguing report of one on 4 Dec would be the latest date recorded.

(Eurasian) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : Noted from 15 Jan to 16 Nov (with one on 1 Jan 2001). Main spring passage 7 Feb to 9 Apr, with odd singing birds until 8 May. Main autumn passage from 11 Sep to 20 Oct. Spring max 7 on13 Mar. Autumn max 15 on 17 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows:

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : Just one record - one 2 May in Liddell Hut sycamores.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : Present to 15 Apr and again from 29 July. Absent during the breeding season. Spring passage about the same time as Chiffchaff, with max 6 on 10 Mar. Good autumn passage, with record max 16 on 17 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus : Just two records - one on 17 and one on 28 Oct.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : 5 bird-days on 3 dates from 6 - 14 May 2000, max 3 on 14 May. Suspected breeding here or nearby - with a family and 2/3 juvs present 22 July - 7 Aug 2000. Then 6 bird-days on 5 dates from 23 Aug to 30 Sep.

(European) Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : One 12 Sep was the only record.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus : A wintering flock present from 27 Dec 1999 to 6 Mar 2000. A pair then stayed and were seen to attend a nest until 13 May, but the success was not proved. There was a final single on 30 May. A flock seen from 15 Oct until the end of the year, with record max count 16 on 10 Nov. Monthly maxima :

Coal Tit Parus ater : One continuously present 3 July to 21 October was unexpected: the first recorded in summer, and the longest-stayer ever recorded. It reappeared 1 Jan 2001.

Great Tit Parus major : A resident breeding species. Max 10 on 23 Jan. Birds feeding young on 22 July. Monthly maxima :

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus : A resident breeding species - some nesting in lamp posts and car park signs. Numbers fairly consistent throughout the year, with post-breeding peaks. Max 19 on 7 Aug. Monthly maxima:

(Black-billed) Magpie Pica pica : Present to 9 Mar, and from 7 June, with the odd record in May. As usual most in autumn, but also evidence of a spring passage, with 5 on 9 March. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Jackdaw Corvus monedula : Pairs noted in spring on 15 Mar and 9,10 and 12 May, and a single on 2 June. In autumn, 12 flying NE on 22 Oct was the only record.

Rook Corvus frugilegus : In spring, just 2 on 1 May. In autumn, pairs seen on 25 Sep, 17 & 21 Oct.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone : Breeding resident with noisy gatherings. Max 20 on 26 Feb, 10 Mar, 23 Oct and 10 Nov. At least 3 pairs nested. Monthly maxima :

Common Raven Corvus corax : 12 bird-days from 9 Jan to 4 Oct, max 4 over on 4 Oct. A pair displayed and landed on the fort on 27 Jan .

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris : Resident breeding species, with many pairs nesting on the Nothe Fort. Large post-breeding flocks, with max 214 on 12 Aug. Monthly maxima :

(European) Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs : Resident breeding species. Juvs noted in summer, when a max of 29 seen on 18 July. Not much evidence of autumn passage this year, and very scarce towards the end of the year. Monthly maxima :

(European) Greenfinch Carduelis chloris : Resident breeding species. During the autumn and winter birds roost in the scrub, particularly when the south side is sheltered. Nestbuilding noted early June, and juvs seen in July. Not much autumn passage, but numbers in the roost high in late autumn, with record max 107 counted flying out of the roost on 7 Nov. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Siskin Carduelis spinus : One on 28 April is the only spring record to date. In autumn, passage migrants noted on 7 dates from 6 Oct to 3 Nov, with 17 bird-days, max 6 on 22 Oct.

(European) Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis : No evidence of breeding this year. Indistinct spring passage, and very few in autumn, although the max of 24 was noted on 5 Oct. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Linnet Carduelis cannabina : Suspected of breeding - present all summer and frequenting bushes on the Nothe Fort walls. Present almost continuously from 28 Mar to 17 Aug, and thereafter sporadically until 4 Nov. Max 10 on 15 Apr, 26 & 29 July. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula : A fem/imm on 17 Oct was only the second record.

House Sparrow Passer domesticus : Resident breeding bird, with many pairs nexting in the Nothe Fort itself, and several in houses on site and nearby. One of the most difficult species to count, with flocks often skulking in dense cover. The best bet is to count them when flocks are feeding actively around the cafes, but this usually happens on busy summer days when it is useless for everything else! Maxima regularly come out around 40, with record max so far 45 on 2 June. Monthly maxima: