Birding The Nothe

2001 Bird Report

Summary of sightings for each species in 2001 - 114 species were recorded from The Nothe and Weymouth Bay in 2001, three higher than in 2000.

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Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata : Reported singles on 18, 25 & 29 Mar, and 23 & 27 Dec.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : Two in Weymouth Bay in March.

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : Very similar to last year's showing. Noted on 8 days 13 Jan - 7 Apr, max 2 on 13 Jan and 21 Feb. One on 24 and 25 Apr mirrored last year's unusual spring record. In the late winter period, singles on 11 Oct and 23 - 26 Dec. Bird Report Maxima from Weymouth Bay :

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : A single in Weymouth Harbour on 1 Jan with 2 on 28 Jan. A poor year.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Fewer than last year, but a welcome influx in late Dec. Noted 6 Jan - 10 April, and again from 24 Dec. Max 8 on 6 Feb. Monthly maxima as follows:

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : Singles reported from Weymouth Bay on 1 Jan, 11 Feb, 3, 27 & 29 Nov, and 25 Dec.

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : An excellent four (my highest total from The Nothe since Feb 1982) in Weymouth Bay on 22 Mar with one still there on 29 Mar. Bird Report Maxima from Weymouth Bay :

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis : Reported singles from Weymouth Bay in Mar, Sep, and Dec.

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : Just one in spring on 28 Apr and two on 25 Aug were the only records.

Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus: A group of six feeding amongst Herring Gulls off the Stone Pier on the morning of 3 July were part of a record influx of these off Dorset. An excellent first record for The Nothe, and one of the bird highlights of the year.

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : Seen in Weymouth Bay on 7 days from 11 Jun to 27 Jul, with max 4 on 3 July. Earlier dates than last year, and not as many. Bird Report Max 11 on 18 Aug.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year, monthly maxima as follows. Very similar numbers to last year, except for the record max of 25 on 25 Oct.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted 6 Jan - 29 Apr; one on 2 Jun was unusual; then from 26 Aug. Max 13 on 20 Jan. More than last year early on, but unusually low nos during the later part of the year. Monthly maxima as follows :

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Noted on 9 dates: on 1 Jan, then not again until 4 June, and not after 28 Sep, when there was a year max of three. However locals tell me that they regularly feed in the evenings.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta : Singles on 14 and 28 Oct , with a two-day stayer feeding on the south rockpools on 9 & 10 Dec.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : A poor year. A single on 27 Dec was the only record.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla : Nine on passage in the bay on 23 Apr was the only record from the early part of the year. Three went by on 15 Oct, with another in Newton's Cove on 10 Dec.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : The usual spring influx, with records on 6 dates from 6 Apr to 18 May, max four on 11 May.

Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : 175 reported flying over Weymouth Bay on 1 Dec.

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : At least three broods of ducklings, on 7 and 29 Apr,and a very late brood on 24 July. The flock of around 20 were present throughout the early winter and spring again, with numbers building up earlier than in 2000. More autumn records this year, with the last on 29 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Eider Somateria mollissima : One reported in Weymouth Bay on 25 Feb. An imm. drake in Weymouth Bay from 24 - 30 Dec.

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : A fem./imm on 22 Mar and an ad.drake on 27 Dec in Weymouth Bay. Bird Report Maxima from Portland Harbour/Weymouth Bay :

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : Not so good this year, with a pair seen on just five dates, 18 Feb - 21 Mar.

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : A good year, with 12 bird-days, a couple of lingering birds ( 1 an imm.,18-23 Feb, and adult male 25-27 Aug) and several records of perched birds.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : A male perched on the north side trees on 15 Aug was the only record - a declining species here.

(Eurasian) Hobby Falco subbuteo : One heading north into Weymouth on 29 Apr was the first record for The Nothe.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : In contrast with Kestrel, increasing, with 7 bird-days this year from 11 Feb to 21 Oct.

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Not as many as last year, but breeding display noted on 4 Jun, with max 8 on 3 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Greater) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula : An unprecedented summer record on 27 July, and an almost equally unusual record on 22 Oct were encouraging sightings of what is usually a cold-weather species here.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : An average showing in spring, with 17 bird-days on 5 dates from 23 Apr to 14 May , with max six on 23 Apr. An excellent series of return passage records, with 9 bird-days on 7 dates from 24 Jul to 29 Aug, max 3 on 24 Jul.

Common Redshank Tringa totanus : One on 4 June, and another on 22 Aug, both flying over.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : Spring passage poor, with two on 24 April and one on 11 May. Return passage also fairly poor, from 26 July - 6 Oct, with 8 bird-days on 6 dates, max 2 on 22 and 25 Aug. 11 bird-days in total.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : The flock still present in good numbers but not always as faithful to the site - Weymouth beach often proved more attractive this year. A good max of 30 on 23 Feb, but numbers slow to build in the autumn. Recorded in every month except June and July, with the last in spring on 21 May, and return from 15 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows:

10 in Newton's Cove reported on 27 Jan.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago : One flying north on 24 Sep was the first recorded since 1989.

Dunlin Calidris alpina : One on 27 Jul with a flock of eight past the pier on 26 Aug. One on 31 Dec was an unusual non-cold weather winter record.

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 4 dates to 21 Mar. Up to 4 (on 27 Dec) noted on 5 dates from 19 Oct to the end of the year. Bird Report - 1000+ in Weymouth Bay in Jan, Feb and Dec.

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year with max 15 on 21 Mar. Juvs from nearby breeding colony noted on 14 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows :

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily.

Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis: Singles reported in Weymouth Bay on 5 Apr and 1 Dec.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : Noted from 13 Mar to 25 July on 7 dates, all singles.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 22 Mar, then just one on 7 Apr.. Autumn records daily from 4 July. Bird Report Maxima from Weymouth Bay 5000+ on 19 Feb; 4500 on 24 Dec.

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : A 1st-w was in Newton's Cove during gales on 7 Oct. Bird Report Maxima from Weymouth Bay:

Little Gull Larus minutus: Bird Report - 1st-w on 6 Feb; one on 17 Oct; 1st-w on 21 Oct, all Weymouth Bay.

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: Reports from Weymouth Bay - 4 on 17 Jul, 1 on 18 Aug, 2 on 17 Oct, 3 on 1 Dec.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : Noted from 31 Mar to 18 May, then 3 July to 30 Oct, max 17 on 23 Apr. Juvs first noted on 13 July. Monthly maxima as follows :

Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli : One reported in Weymouth Bay on 26 May.

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Noted 27 Apr to 10 Oct, with juvs from the small breeding colony on Lodmoor swelling the numbers in summer. Max 32 on 14 July, with juvs noted from 24 July. Monthly maxima as follows:

Bird Report maxima in Weymouth Bay - 15 on 1 May, 60 on 26 May, the latter a record max.

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea : Juv off the Stone Pier on 9 Oct 2001.

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : An excellent spring passage, with record max 44 on 2 May. Noted 6 dates, 2 May - 20 July. Bird Report notes 25 on 1 May.

Guillemot Uria aalge : 9 bird-days. None recorded in the early part of the year. A summer record on 30 July was followed by one on 30 Sep, and a small influx of auks at the end of the year from 24 Dec, with max 6 on 27 Dec.

Razorbill Alca torda : 33 bird-days. None early on, but again seen in late summer, with two on 14 and 15 Aug.. two in Oct, on 14 and 27 Oct, and then a real influx from 24 Dec, with max 11 in Weymouth Bay on 27 Dec.

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle : One in Weymouth Bay and Newton's Cove from 23 Dec into 2002.

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

Stock Dove Columba oenas : A good autumn passage, with 4 on 1 Nov, 13 on 9 Dec and 10 on 10 Dec, all flying north.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Bred. Overall numbers similar to last year, but the usual late autumn max of 111 on 29 Oct was higher than in 2000. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : Probably 3 pairs bred again, with overall numbers similar to 2000, though with a tail-off at the end of the year. Max 8 on 6 Apr. Monthly maxima as follows:

Common Swift Apus apus : Noted from 27 Apr to 27 July, with max of 23 on 3 July.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : Seen on 1 Jan, and then not again until 3 Sep, when seen on 7 dates until Dec 20. A very similar pattern to last year.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major : A female on 14 and 20 Oct was the first since Dec 1997.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : Two records - one on 7 Jan was followed by a singing male on 22 Mar.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : A most unusual summer record of one with a fall of Wheatears on the south rocks,on 25 Aug. This was followed by a good series of autumn records: 77 bird-days on 4 dates from 10 to 30 Oct. A record max 46 over on 20 Oct.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : Two on 31 Mar were the only spring records. Six on 23 and two on 25 Aug were the only ones seen on return passage. 10 bird-days.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : Noted from 13 April to 10 Oct. Spring max 9 on 29 Apr. Max 85 noted flying SE on 21 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica : A rather poor year. Noted from 27 April to 8 Oct. Present throughout the summer, with a light autumn passage. Spring max 4 on May 21. Autumn max 26 on 23 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows :

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : A good series of passage records, but none landed! Two on 23 Aug, one on 25 Aug were followed by a record max 10 on 27 Aug. A late bird on 30 Oct was exceptional.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : In the early part of the year, singles recorded 7 dates from 6 Jan to 21 Feb. Then noted from 23 Aug to the end of the year, on 23 dates, with 52 bird-days. Max 6 on 27 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Noted throughout the year. Bred, with juv noted on 7 July. As usual most during autumn passage, with max 35 on 14 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba : One on 14th May.

Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis : A good year. Two in spring, on 10 Apr and 2 May. Seven bird-days in autumn, from 15 to 27 Aug on 4 dates, max three on 15 Aug.

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : Very scarce in the early part of the year. Not seen until 22 Mar, when two flew over, followed by another on 8 Apr. An excellent autumn passage from 21 Sep, with a record max 122 in an hour flying S on 4 Oct. Last single on 27 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Resident breeding species, with numbers very similar to last year. Population stable all year, but harder to see when nesting. Juvs seen on 14 Aug. Max 15 on 23 Feb. Monthly maxima as follows :

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident, breeds. 9 singing males counted on 10 April (10 counted in 2000). Max count 16 on 8 Apr. No evidence of passage this year. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident, breeds. No obvious change in records through the year; counts tend to indicate visibility with high counts in spring when many singing males. Juvs seen on 11 June. No evidence of autumn passage. Record max. count 20 on 22 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula : Resident, breeds. Nos very constant throughout the year, but in Apr, May & June swelled by juvs. Short autumn passage in late Oct, when max 31 on 28 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

Redwing Turdus iliacus : Another poor year. One on 29 Oct, with another 10 Dec.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : Resident, breeds (one or two pairs). Nos in May & July swelled by juvs. Light autumn passage in late Oct. (max 13 on 29 Oct) Monthly maxima as follows :

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : One winter and two autumn records : 28 Jan, 20 & 28 Oct.

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident, breeds. Spring broods seemed not to succeed. First juvs on 4 June. Autumn passage mainly Sept/Oct. Max count 31 on 20 Oct. Similar nos to last year.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros : A poor early part of the year, with just 5 bird-days, on 3 dates from 16 Jan to 14 Mar. In the late year, 8 bird-days on 5 dates from 31 Oct to 30 Dec, max 3 (1m, 2f/i) on 30 Dec.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : Two in spring , the earliest on record a male 13 Apr, followed by a fem on 2 May. 4 in autumn - 2 (m and f) on 25 Aug, m on 27 Aug, and an imm male on the late date of 20 Oct.

Whinchat Saxicola rubetra : Two fems on 11 May, with one on 25 Aug.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : Another excellent series of records, with the same double peak in spring as last year, suggesting two distinct waves passsing through. The first was on 13 Mar, then a remarkable record 7 on 18 Mar, part of a notable influx along the south coast, and two on 21 Mar. Then a gap until 24 April, when noted 5 dates to 1 May, when another record 7 were present. Total 26 bird-days in spring (compared with 17 in 2000). Noted again from 23 Aug to 8 Oct on 6 dates, a new record max 9 on 25 Aug, a total of 16 autumn bird-days, giving yet another record 42 bird-days in total. The increase continues!

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia : One reeling in north-east corner, 28 Apr. A very pleasing third record, and the first since 1985.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus : An excellent 7 bird-days in spring, on 5 dates from 27 Apr to 3 May, with record max 3 on 29 Apr.

(Eurasian) Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus : One 13 July in Chalet cypresses was only the second record, the first being on 29 June 1983.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : Noted on 6 Jan, then not again until spring passage, 1 Apr - 18 May, with 21 bird-days on 8 dates, max 5 on 2 May. Autumn records from 25 Aug to 29 Oct with 9 bird-days on 6 dates. A total of 31 bird-days slightly lower than last year.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : An average year. Spring passage produced 11 bird-days. Noted on 6 dates from 27 April - 14 May. Max 3 on 28 and 29 Apr. In autumn, 5 bird-days, on 4 dates from 23 Aug to 29 Oct, the latter the latest recorded.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : Another excellent spring passage, surpassing last year's, with 18 bird-days on 6 dates from 13 Apr to 11 May. Max 5 on 29 Apr, the same date as last year's max. In autumn, 3 bird-days on 23 & 25 Aug. A record 21 bird-days total.

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : An excellent spring passage. Noted from 31 Mar, the earliest recorded, to 11 May, with 126 bird-days on 11 dates. Max 25 on 1 Apr. On return passage noted from 27 July. Then 59 bird-days on 16 dates until 20 Oct, the latest on record, with max 22 on 25 Aug.

(Eurasian) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : Very scarce in early winter. Noted on 1 Jan , then not again until 23 Feb. Then just 10 bird days on 5 dates to 31 Mar, when spring max 6. Odd birds in summer on 21 May, 11 June and 13 July.

More records in the later part of the year. Main autumn passage from 21 Sep to 1 Nov, with 120 bird-days, max 26 on 24 Sep. In late winter at least 2 present until 30 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : Just one record - one on 25 Aug in the ash trees on the top lawns. The first autumn record.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : Present throughout the year, and may have bred for the first time. Spring max at the same time as Chiffchaff, with joint record max 16 on 31 Mar. Singing males heard on 29 Apr and 4 June. Good autumn passage from about 25 Aug, with max 13 on 24 Sep . Monthly maxima as follows:

Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus : Just two records, 4 bird-days - a male present 11-14 Oct, and another on 20 Oct.

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : 3 bird-days in spring - one on 2 May and 2 on 14 May. A good autumn, with 16 bird days, including a remarkable 8 present on 25 Aug. Last on 22 Sep.

(European) Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : A great year, with a joint record 7 bird-days. 3 males in spring - one reported on 10 Apr, then on 27 Apr and 2 May. A juv male was present on at least 4 dates 22 - 27 Aug.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus : A more usual year with no sign of nesting. The wintering flock seen until 18 Feb, max 13 on 6 Jan. In autumn seen from 14 Oct until 20 Dec, with max 9 on 10 Nov. Monthly maxima :

Coal Tit Parus ater : One on 1 and 14 Jan was an unusual winter record. A bird on 7 July and possibly the same one on 24 July mirrored last year's unprecedented summer record. In autumn recorded on 5 dates from 12 to 30 Oct, max 3 on 22 Oct. 11 bird-days in total, compared with 19 last year.

This species is showing a definite increase, with birds dispersing from local breeding areas adding to the more usual autumn influx, although none stayed long this year.

Great Tit Parus major : A resident breeding species- probably 2 pairs bred. Birds feeding young on 7 July. Monthly maxima :

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus : A resident breeding species - some nesting in lamp posts and car park signs. Max 16 on 29 Mar, without the usual post-breeding peak, possibly indicating a less successful breeding season. Numbers of both this and the preceding species lower than last year. Monthly maxima:

Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris : One in a mixed flock of migrants on 25 Aug , and another on its own in the top field pines on 9 Dec. The second and third records, and both exciting finds.

(Black-billed) Magpie Pica pica : Present almost throughout the year and one pair probably bred. As usual most in autumn, with record max 9 on 28 Sep. Oddly absent towards the end of the year. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Jackdaw Corvus monedula : Two on 7 Feb were followed by the usual May records, with 3 on 11 and 2 on 21 May. In autumn, a good series of records, with 21 bird-days on 7 dates from 21 Sep to 1 Nov, max 6 on 22 Oct, the same date as last year's max.

Rook Corvus frugilegus : In spring, one on 14 Mar and 4 on 8 Apr. No records in autumn. A poor year.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone : Breeding resident with noisy gatherings. Record max 28 on 27 Oct. At least 2 pairs nested. Juvs seen from 4 June. Summer numbers up on last year, indicating a successful breeding season, but general numbers also up on last year, suggesting that the increase noted over the last 20 years is still continuing. Monthly maxima :

Common Raven Corvus corax : A pair flying N on 13 Jan was the only record.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris : Resident breeding species, with many pairs nesting on the Nothe Fort. Large post-breeding flocks, with max 164 on 7 July. Numbers lower than in 2000. Monthly maxima :

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella : One flying E on 28 Oct amongst a good visible passage of finches.

(European) Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs : Resident breeding species. Juvs noted in summer. Numbers generally lower than in 2000, but more of an autumn passage this year, with max 39 on 27 Oct. Monthly maxima :

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla : Two landing briefly on 29 Oct were the only recorded.

(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 late Apr, and juvs seen in June. The max on 20 Jan when 67 were counted coming out of the roost, which was much less productive in the autumn. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Siskin Carduelis spinus : No spring records. Passage migrants noted on 9 dates from 21 Sep to 1 Nov, with 21 bird-days, max 6 on 20 Oct. A good, but not exceptional year.

(European) Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis : No evidence of breeding again this year. A few in winter, but regularly present from 18 Feb. Not much spring passage, and numbers low in summer, but a very distinct autumn passage from 21 Sep to 29 Oct, with max 48 on 28 Oct. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Linnet Carduelis cannabina : Suspected of breeding - present all summer and frequenting bushes on the Nothe Fort walls. Seen with nesting material on 29 Apr.Present almost continuously from 31 Mar to 22 Aug, and thereafter sporadically until 27 Oct. Nos very similar to 2000, but with more on passage in autumn. Max 20 on 22 Oct. Monthly maxima :

House Sparrow Passer domesticus : Resident breeding bird, with many pairs nesting 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. Numbers seem to be lower in 2001. Monthly maxima: