Birding The Nothe

2002 Bird Report

Summary of sightings for each species in 2002

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Summary of the year

An excellent 115 species were recorded this year on 125 dates. After 2002 Dorset Bird Report records have been added, the total is a record 127 species for the year. Recording was good in the first half of the year (86 dates), but less good towards the end, especially mid Oct onwards. There were no Whinchat records this year, and Tree Pipit also had a blank year, but saddest of all was the absence of Firecrest. But there were four firsts - Marsh Harrier, Green Sandpiper, Short-eared Owl, and Pintail, one second record - Crossbill - and plenty of third and fourth records.

The year started well, with a Kittiwake in the harbour and the first Snipe since 1985 on the lawns on 3 Jan, a superb close 1st-w Little Gull by the pier on 5th together with the first Coot since 1985, a record count of 26 Rock Pipits on 8th, Little Egret on 10th and the fourth record of Treecreeper on 13th. February produced multiple records of Common Scoter and Red-necked Grebe. March saw the first Fieldfare since 1985 'chacking' in the cadet base and the earliest ever Fulmar on 16th, with a flyover Yellowhammer the next day, and the first taste of spring on 19th with both Sandwich Tern and Wheatear.

April started with a bang, with a record count of seven Blackcaps among a small fall of migrants on 2nd, followed the next day by a superb adult Mediterranean Gull calling past the pier. The 16th had the fourth Grasshopper Warbler for the site reeling from the Steps garden, while on 18th an impressive flock of 13 Whimbrel started what was to be a record spring for them. 20th saw the earliest Garden Warbler on record, with 33 Brent Geese (possibly pale-bellied) flying out to sea. Two Bar-tailed Godwit, resplendent in breeding plumage, arrived on 25th.

1st May was the best day so far for migrants and variety, with 41 spp counted, but 45 spp on 2nd beat that. However a damp morning on 7th May produced one of the best days of the year, with a male Yellow Wagtail together with White Wagtail on the fort rocks, a singing Wood Warbler in the Tavern sycamores, and the first ever record of Green Sandpiper flying over. Two Manx Shearwater in the bay were Nothe ticks for me on 14th, but a better seabird record was to follow in the southerly near-gales of 22nd, when a Pomarine Skua powered its way out of the bay past the pier - the third record, and a Nothe tick. 24th May produced two more excellent third records - Sanderling flying past and Reed Warbler singing from the Tavern scrub clump.

June produced the first multiple record of Peregrine on 22nd, and the first of a good series of Common Scoter records on 30th. The first returning Common Sandpipers - a record flock of eight - appeared on 4th July, while 6th had Little Egret on the shore. A Kestrel on 26th was the 100th species of the year, while a juv Great Spotted Woodpecker on 28th was the first summer record and possible evidence of local breeding. Finally, a Lesser Whitethroat on 30th proved that July can be anything but quiet here. August in contrast was pretty quiet until 22nd, with eight Ringed Plover over and no less than two juv. Mediterranean Gulls feeding in the harbour, one of which was to stay until September. House Sparrows had a good breeding year, but 28th August blasted away all former records with 195 counted coming out of roost on the south side. In contrast Starlings had a relatively poor year.

A Crossbill on 17th September, the second record, was followed by a first record on 28th, when a Pintail flew over with a flock of Brent Geese. The 28th also had the latest Gannets on record - another good year for them. The 30th started an excellent run of visible migration over, though some didn't make it - a dead Goldcrest was picked up on the pier. With the pipits and wagtails came two Merlin - one on 7th and one on 14th, only the third and fourth records. It was 11th October that broke all records for vis. mig., with hundreds of finches streaming over, and four year-ticks - Sky Lark, Siskin, Brambling, and the first Redpolls since 1985. The only Stonechat of the year put in an appearance on 14th, while the last new bird of the year was a Curlew on 4 November.

Four Black Redstarts on 7th November were a year max, and stayed until the end of the year, which ended well with a stunning drake Eider on 30th December, lingering into the New Year.

DBR - Dorset Bird Report records

Annotated Species List

Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata : One Weymouth Bay on 14 Jan; one in Newton's Cove 31 Oct, with another in the harbour 30 & 31 Dec.

Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : Three in Newton's Cove in March (DBR).

Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : A good series of records from Weymouth Bay. 38 bird-days, on 11 days 7 Jan - 22 May, max 7 on 21 Feb and 19 Mar. Again, a good showing in spring, with a remarkable 5 on 1 May, with the last single on 22 May the latest ever record. In the late winter period one on 30 Dec with two there on 31 Dec. Monthly maxima:

Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : A good year. Noted in the harbour on 4 days in the early winter, 5 Feb - 1 Mar, with record max 5 on 28 Feb. Noted again in the harbour from 18 Nov, with 2 on 19 Nov and one 28 - 31 Dec.

Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : A welcome return to the sort of numbers noted in the 80s. Noted 6 Jan - 31 Mar, with an unusual summer record on 22 Jun, and again from 28 Dec. Max 13 on 21 Feb. Monthly maxima (combined Weymouth Bay & Newton's Cove) as follows:

Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : Single in Weymouth Bay on 21 Feb, with two on 28 Feb.

Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : Up to 3 present in Weymouth Bay on 5 dates from 7 Jan - 19 Mar. Two on 30 Dec. Monthly maxima from Weymouth Bay :

Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis : One in Weymouth Bay on 3 Mar (DBR).

Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : A record year by a long way, with 19 bird-days, from 16 Mar - 30 Aug, the earliest and latest records. Max 3 on 22 Apr. The frequency of what may well be the same birds returning to prospect could just be the first indications of breeding at this site, although no bird has yet actually set foot on land here.... but watch this space! Monthly maxima:

Manx Shearwater Puffinus puffinus : Two in Weymouth Bay on 14 May, seemingly a regular date for this species. Three in Weymouth Bay on the very early date of 10 Mar (DBR).

Northern Gannet Sula bassana : A good year, with more sightings over a longer period. Seen in Weymouth Bay on 15 days from 11 May to 28 Sep, with max 14 on that date.

Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year, monthly maxima as follows. Winter nos similar to previous years, but more in summer.

European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted in Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove 5 Jan - 24 May - a longer period than usual in spring. Then from 28 Sep to end of year. Max 10 on 28 Feb. Low numbers in the early part of the year, but better than usual at the end of the year. Two on the rocks below the fort on 22 March were an unusual land record. Monthly maxima as follows :

Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Noted on 30 dates, 10 Jan to 31 Oct. Has benefited greatly from the lack of disturbance along Newton's Cove as the seawall works have closed off the area to dog-walkers. Usual autumn max, 7 on 3 Oct.

Little Egret Egretta garzetta : As the above benefiting from lack of disturbance, with singles seen on 11 dates, 10 Jan - 17 Sep (8 dates 4 Jul - 17 Sep) - another record year.

Mute Swan Cygnus olor : A good year. 10 bird-days on 7 dates, 14 Jan - 2 May, with the last single on 18 Nov. A pair was seen on 9 & 19 Mar.

Brent Goose Branta bernicla : A record max 33 seen distantly over the bay flying west to the breakwater on 20 Apr may possibly have been Pale-bellied. A good series of autumn records, with 20W on 28 Sep, then up to 7 seen on another 5 dates to 18 Nov.

Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : The usual spring influx, but more so this year. Records on 17 dates from 6 Apr to 22 Jun, max eight on 11 May, when a pair seemed to be prospecting for nest sites along the breakwater side of Newton's Cove. Six were also seen on the land on 1 May. Another potential breeding species?

Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : No ducklings seen this year, but spring numbers, although slow to build, again increased with a record max 31 on 27 Apr. Noted 1 Jan - 6 July. A few in autumn with the last on 4 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows:

Northern Pintail Anas acuta : One flying west over the top lawns with six Brent Geese, 28 Sep. The first record from the Nothe.

Common Eider Somateria mollissima : An imm drake was in Newton's Cove on the unlikely date of 19 May. A superb adult drake - the first I can remember seeing here - was off the pier on the harbour side on 30 Dec, lingering into the New Year.

Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis : One in Weymouth Bay on 29 Nov (DBR). The first record since 1989!

Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : A much better showing this year, especially in summer. Noted on 16 dates. A group of up to 4 ( 2m, 2f) lingered in the bay 21 - 28 Feb. these were followed by another flock of up to 7 ( 3m, 4f) 19-23 Mar, with the last in spring a drake on 27 Apr. An excellent series of summer records began with 11 on 22 Jun, with 6 on 30 Jul the last until 28 Sep, when a max of 19 was noted. The last two were on 9 Oct. Monthly maxima:

Velvet (White-winged) Scoter Melanitta fusca : One on 1 Nov and one on 23 Nov (DBR). The first since 1999.

Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula : Noted in Weymouth Bay: drakes on 1 Jan and on 23 Dec in the gull roost (DBR + records sent in).

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : A pair seen again on just five dates, 28 Feb - 19 Mar - very similar to last year's dates. Could be the same pair?

Osprey Pandion haliaetus : Singles over Weymouth Bay & Portland Harbour on 12 & 14 Sep (DBR). The second & third records for the recording area.

(Eurasian) Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus: A female E over Weymouth Bay on 25 Sep (DBR), a first record for the recording area.

(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : An average year, with 10 bird-days, and again several records of perched birds. Noted 5 & 17 Feb, 6 Apr, with most records in autumn: singles on 7 dates, 1 Sep - 11 Oct.

(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus : A better year, with three records, on 26 July, 17 Sep, and 11 Oct, when one was seen to take one of the many passerines passing through that day.

Merlin Falco columbarius : The third and fourth records, on 7 & 14 Oct, make this the best year on record for Merlin.

Peregrine Falco peregrinus : An average year, with 6 bird-days, but the first multiple occurrence - a pair flying around the fort on 22 June. Other dates were 10 May, 4 Jul, 25 Sep and 7 Oct.

Eurasian Coot Fulica atra : Two records, on 5 Jan and 4 Apr, were the first noted since 1985.

(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : More than last year, particularly in winter, but fewer noted in summer. A pair were displaying and mating on 8 Mar - do they breed on the breakwater? Monthly maxima as follows :

(Greater) Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula : A flock of 8 flying high over the pier on 22 Aug were a personal max, but none touched ground here this year.

Red Knot Calidris canutus : One flying N with Bar-tailed Godwits on 17 May was the only record.

Sanderling Calidris alba : Two were flying past the pier towards Portland Harbour on 24 May - the second record from the site.

Dunlin Calidris alpina : Two records: one was on the south shore on 16 May, and another was flying east on 18 Nov.

Common Snipe Gallinago gallinago : One was flushed several times from the wetter grass areas on 3 Jan.

Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica : Good to see the return of this species after a year's absence. 7 bird-days from 25 Apr - 1 May, max 4 on 27 Apr.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : An unprecedented spring passage, with 94 bird-days on 19 dates from 18 Apr to 20 May, with joint record max 18 on 27 Apr . Return passage unspectacular, with just 7 bird-days on 5 dates from 26 Jul to 12 Aug, max 3 on 28 Jul.

(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : One south on 4 Nov was the only record.

Green Sandpiper Tringa ochropus: One flew north low over the top lawns in wet conditions on 7 May - the first record from The Nothe.

Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : A much better spring passage, from 2 Apr - 9 May, with 26 bird-days on 14 dates, max 7 on 26 Apr. Return passage began with a bang, with a record max 8 on 4 Jul, then another 8 bird-days from 4 Aug - 18 Sep on 6 dates. An excellent total of 42 bird-days. According to the 2002 Dorset Bird Report, this was the second most important spring passage site for this species in the county after Portland Bill.

(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : The usual flock quite faithful to the site in the early part of the year, less so in the late year. A good max of 29 on 26 Apr was later than usual, with records to 25 May, and return from 28 Aug. The 2002 Dorset Bird Report reveals that this is the single most important site in Dorset for this species - only The Fleet and Portland Harbour taken as a whole produce a higher max count. Monthly maxima as follows:

Pomarine Skua (Pomarine Jaeger) Stercorarius pomarinus : One light phase flew past the pier in strong southerly winds on 22 May.

Great Skua Catharacta skua : One in Weymouth Bay on 9 Feb 2002 (DBR).

Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : A breeding-plumaged adult calling past the pier on 3 Apr was followed by a series of records of juv. birds from the harbour and pier, with 2 present on 22 Aug, and singles - probably the same bird - on 5 dates, 26 Aug - 1 Sep. Dorset Bird Report : Weymouth Bay had 11 on 20 Jan, 6 on 27 Jan and 5 on 2 Feb. Dorset Bird Report monthly maxima from Weymouth Bay:

Little Gull Larus minutus : A 1st-w close in to the pier by the base of the fort on 3 Jan was a good winter record. Two records of adults in Weymouth Bay, on 9 & 31 Oct. Dorset Bird Report : Weymouth Bay had one on 7 Jan, one at roost on 1 Feb, one on 4 Feb, one on 9 Oct, an excellent 19 on 15 Oct and singles on 16 & 31 Oct.

Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 12 Mar, but then a prolonged and unusual series of spring records, seen on 22 dates up till 18 June, with max 30 flying south on 20 Apr. Then daily from 18 June to the end of the year. With no real gap in appearances, could they breed in the area soon? My max count 3900 at roost in Weymouth Bay on 24 Feb.

Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 13 dates to 22 Mar, max 1040 counted at roost in Weymouth Bay on 24 Feb. One on 14 May was exceptionally late. Noted again from 7 Oct, max 175 on 28 Dec. Dorset Bird Report: 2000+ at roost, 25 Nov.

Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : A much better series of records, with a noticeable spring passage. 44 bird-days on 15 dates, 24 Feb to 27 May, max 13 heading NE on 6 Apr, seemingly all fuscus-type. Monthly maxima:

Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily. A pair was observed carrying nesting material to a chimney stack on the Coastguard Cottages on 5 May, having settled there for a couple of weeks, but no further breeding activity was seen - a possible future breeding species?

Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year but a noticeable increase in spring and summer, with a max 27 on 30 July. A pair was seen carrying nesting material on 19 May - probably part of the breakwater colony. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: An adult in the harbour on 2 Jan; ad. with terns in the bay on 17 May; a 1st-w in the bay on 31 Dec. Dorset Bird Report: one in the gull roost on 1 Feb; two on 10 & 23 Mar; five on 30 Apr; one on 29 Oct; one on 12 Nov; one on 23 Dec.

Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : Noted from 19 Mar to 7 Oct, without the usual summer break. Singles on 11 & 18 Nov were followed by an exceptionally late bird on 31 Dec - the previous latest was on 27 Dec 1997! Max 30 on 20 Apr - the highest ever spring total. The season was extended, with higher than usual spring nos, but average nos in the autumn.

Monthly maxima as follows :

Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Noted 17 Apr (earliest ever recorded) to 7 Oct, with juvs from the breeding colony on Lodmoor noted from 26 July. Excellent spring nos, with max 48 on both 17 & 27 May. Monthly maxima as follows:

Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea : One in Weymouth Bay, 7 Oct (DBR).

Little Tern Sterna albifrons : A good spring passage, with max 42 on 17 May. Noted 8 dates, 7 May - 26 July. A slight increase over last year. Dorset Bird Report: Weymouth Bay - one on 24 Apr; 19 on 2 & 8 May; 2 on 13 May.

Common Guillemot Uria aalge : Singles noted on 12 dates from 12 Jan to 25 May. DBR: Weymouth Bay Max 4 on 25 Mar.

Razorbill Alca torda : Again, commoner than Guillemot, with 46 bird-days. Up to 5 noted on 15 dates from 5 Jan to 2 May. Then on 7 dates, 28 Sep to 30 Dec. Max 7 on 4 Nov. DBR max 7 in Weymouth Bay on 14 Dec. Monthly maxima:

Black Guillemot Cepphus grylle : One in Newton's Cove on 1 Jan.

Little Auk Alle alle : Weymouth Bay - 3 E on 12 Nov; one on 6 Dec (DBR)

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 : Three went N on 3 Apr. Then noted on just two dates in autumn, with flocks of five N on 7 & 18 Nov.

Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Bred, with up to 5 singing males. Overall numbers slightly higher than last year, but the usual late autumn max of 77 on 30 Oct was lower than in 2001. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : A definite increase, with 4 pairs probably breeding, and more birds noted from late spring onwards. Record max 11 on 30 Sep and 31 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows:

Short-eared Owl Asio flammeus : One over Weymouth Bay on 10 Nov 2002 (DBR). The first record for the recording area.

Common Swift Apus apus : Noted from 2 May to 4 Aug, with the usual return passage max of 52 heading NE on 4 Aug.

Common Kingfisher Alcedo atthis : Just three records - a very poor year. No records in the early part of the year. Singles on 7 & 30 Oct and 11 Nov.

Green Woodpecker Picus viridis : Just two records, on 4 & 11 Aug. An average recent showing.

Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major : Two records - single juvs seen on 28 Jul and 22 Aug were the first indication that breeding may have occurred in the vicinity.

(Eurasian) Sky Lark Alauda arvensis : Just 31 bird-days on 3 dates in a rather poor autumn passage. 13 on 11 Oct; 14 on 4 Nov, with 4 on 7 Nov.

(European) Sand Martin Riparia riparia : One on 16 Apr and another on 2 May were the only spring records, with another single on 31 Aug the only bird seen on return passage. Just 3 bird-days is a poor showing.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica : In contrast with the former species, an excellent series of records, with a record max 447 heading SE in two hours on 17 Sep. Noted from 16 Apr to 11 Nov, the latest ever record. Record spring max 57 in one hour on 2 May. Monthly maxima as follows :

(Common) House Martin Delichon urbica : Another relatively poor year. Numbers seem to be declining slowly. Noted from 2 May to 8 Oct. Present throughout the summer, with a light autumn passage. Spring max 4 on 2 May. Autumn max 20 on 31 Aug. Monthly maxima as follows :

Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis : A scattering of records in the early part of the year, with 22 bird-days. One on 5 Jan was followed by two on 5 Feb, a small passage of 17 flying NE on 23 Mar, and two on 2 Apr. A subdued but regular autumn passage from 17 Sep, with max 39 flying over on 11 Oct. Last single on 19 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus : Resident breeding species, with numbers increasing during the winter. Juvs seen on 14 Aug. Record max 26 seen going to roost on 8 Jan. Approx 3 singing males around the fort during the breeding season. Nestbuilding observed on 27 Apr. Adults carrying food on 16 Jun. The max count of 26 makes this the single most important site in Dorset for Rock Pipit in 2002. Monthly maxima as follows :

Yellow Wagtail Motacilla flava : A male on the rocks below the fort on 7 May was the only record.

Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea : Lower numbers than last year. In the early part of the year, singles recorded on just two dates: 2 & 5 Jan. Then noted from 23 Aug to 18 Nov, on 20 dates, with 43 bird-days. Max 5 on 11 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows.

Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba yarrelli: Noted throughout the year. Higher numbers than last year, especially on autumn passage. At least one pair bred, with juvs noted from 10 Jun. As usual most during autumn passage, with record max 51 on 7 Oct. Monthly maxima as follows :

White Wagtail Motacilla alba alba : One on 7 May.

Wren Troglodytes troglodytes : Resident, breeds. 10 singing males counted on 17 April (10 in 2000, 9 in 2001). Max count 15 on 9 Oct. Very similar to last year's numbers. Monthly maxima as follows :

Hedge Accentor (Dunnock) Prunella modularis : Resident, breeds. 9 singing males noted on 30 Mar. 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 22 June. Max count 13 on 22 Jun. Monthly maxima as follows :

(European) Robin Erithacus rubecula : Resident, breeds. 7 singing males noted on 7 Mar. First juvs noted on 5 May. Only a very slight autumn passage, with max 20 on 3 Oct. Resident nos similar to last year's.

Black Redstart Phoenicurus ochruros : A good start to the year, with 10 bird-days, on 9 dates from 2 Jan to 22 Mar, the latest recorded in spring. In the late year, the critical time was under-recorded, but nonetheless there were 9 bird-days on 3 dates: 4 (f) on 7 Nov, 4 (2m,2f) on 28 Dec, 1(m) on 30 Dec. DBR - At least 2-3 birds through Jan & Feb.

Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus : Two males in spring , the earliest on record on 4 Apr, followed by another on 15 Apr. 3 in autumn - on 26 and 30 Aug, and 1 Sep. An average showing.

(Common) Stonechat Saxicola torquata : A male on 14 Oct was the first since Feb 2000.

Northern Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe : Another joint record spring, with 26 bird-days on 13 dates, 19 Mar - 14 May, max 6 on 25 Apr. A male on 14 May showed characteristics of Greenland Wheatear. However, a poor autumn, with records of 3 birds on both 11 Aug and 3 Oct, giving 6 autumn bird-days, a total of 32 bird-days for the year, down on last year's total.

(Common) Blackbird Turdus merula: Resident, breeds. A good, protracted breeding season this year, with max 32 on 16 April when many juvs present. Adults first seen with young on 12 Apr, last seen carrying food on 22 Jun. Just a slight autumn passage this year, with autumn max 29 on 11 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :

Fieldfare Turdus pilaris: Singles on 16 Mar and 6 Apr, the latter being the latest spring record. The first records since 1985.

Song Thrush Turdus philomelos : Resident, breeds (two pairs). A good breeding sesaon, with spring nos slightly higher than last year, max 8 on 15 Apr - almost exactly coinciding with Blackbird max. Excellent autumn passage with record max 34 going over on 11 Oct, and higher numbers than usual persisting into Nov & Dec. Monthly maxima as follows :

Redwing Turdus iliacus : A much better year. One on 13 Jan was followed by 12 on 8 Mar. In autumn, the earliest on record, on 11 Oct, was followed by 6 on 30 Oct and 3 on 31 Oct. Total of 23 bird-days.

Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus : One on 11 Mar and one on 12 Apr. The worst showing so far for this declining species here.

Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia : One in the Steps garden hedge, 16 Apr, the fourth and earliest record. The second year running for this species.

Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus : A record 9 bird-days in spring, on 5 dates, 1 - 7 May, record max 4 on 2 May. One in autumn on 1 Sep. The trend is still increasing.

(Eurasian) Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus : One in Tavern lawn scrub on 24 May , moving to the NE corner on 25 May. The third record, the earliest, and the second year running for this species.

Lesser Whitethroat Sylvia curruca : After a year's gap it was good to have two records of this species on return passage, 30 Jul & 4 Aug feeding amongst the New Zealand Flax flowers like a Tui! The fifth and sixth records.

Common Whitethroat Sylvia communis : Not as good a passage as last year, with 10 bird-days in spring, on 7 dates, 22 Apr - 8 May, max 3 on 1 May. Just two in autumn, on 1 Sep.

Garden Warbler Sylvia borin : An average year in spring, but absent in autumn. Spring passage produced 13 bird-days on 8 dates from 20 April (earliest record) - 21 May. Max 3 on 4 & 11 May. None recorded in autumn.

Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla : None in the early part of the year. Protracted spring passage 23 Mar - 27 May, with 36 bird-days on 20 dates, record max 7 on 2 Apr. Autumn records from 1 Sep to 14 Oct with 9 bird-days on 6 dates. A record total of 42 bird-days showing that the recent increase continues, mainly in spring.

Wood Warbler Phylloscopus sibilatrix : A singing male in the Tavern sycamores on 7 May was a typical spring passage record.

(Eurasian) Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita : Present throughout the early part of the year, with max 3 birds on several dates in Jan & Feb. Main spring passage from 31 Mar - 18 Apr, with 22 bird-days, spring max 4 on 2-4 Apr. Odd birds during late spring and summer, on 1 and 21 May, 22 & 30 June. It would be nice to know the origin of these summer birds!

More records as usual in the later part of the year. Main autumn passage from 1 Sep to 30 Oct, with 122 bird-days, max 17 on 17 Sep. In Nov and Dec one or two present until 28 Dec. Monthly maxima as follows:

Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus : Numbers generally down on last year, but noted on more days. Noted from 30 Mar, the earliest recorded, to 7 May, with 97 bird-days on 21 dates. Max 15 on 15 Apr. On return passage noted from 26 July. Then 36 bird-days on 16 dates until 30 Sep, with max 6 on 11 Aug.

Goldcrest Regulus regulus : Present throughout the year, and one pair bred - the first certain breeding record - with juvs seen on 30 Jun. No evidence of spring passage. Slight autumn passage from mid-Sep, with max 16 on 3 Oct. One picked up dead on 30 Sep. Monthly maxima as follows:

Spotted Flycatcher Muscicapa striata : A poor year. Just one in spring - on 21 May. Just 5 bird-days in autumn, on 3 dates. 30 Aug - 17 Sep.

(European) Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca : An average year, with just 3 bird-days. One female in spring - on 2 May was one of only three county records in spring away from Portland. One on 4 Aug and one on 31 Aug.

Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus : The wintering flock seen until 20 Jan, max 12 on 11 Jan. Then a pair lingered until 24 Apr, but without any sign of nesting. In autumn a flock seen on 28 Sep, then from 7 Nov until 30 Dec, with max 11 on several dates . Monthly maxima :

Coal Tit Parus ater: The increase in records continues. One on 9 Jan was followed by 2 on 17 Mar, with one still present on 19 Mar. For the first time juvs were recorded, first on 18 Jun, with birds more or less continuously present until 1 Sep. Evidently breeding took place in the area, if not actually on site. No autumn records. 33 bird-days in total.

Blue Tit Parus caeruleus : A resident breeding species - approx 2 pairs. Back to a normal pattern this year, with even numbers followed by a post-breeding dispersal peak, with a late max 20 on 30 Sep. Birds feeding young on 18 Jun. Monthly maxima:

Great Tit Parus major : A resident breeding species - 2 or 3 pairs bred. Birds feeding young on 25 May. Numbers stable. Monthly maxima :

Eurasian Treecreeper Certhia familiaris : One on 13 Jan was possibly the same bird present in Dec 2001. The fourth record.

(Black-billed) Magpie Pica pica : No sign of breeding, and numbers down in the early part of the year. As usual most in autumn, with max 5 on 7 Nov. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Jackdaw Corvus monedula : Three on 17 Mar were followed by a good succession of early spring passage birds - 43 bird-days on 10 dates to 21 May, max 10 on 6 Apr and 16 May. In autumn, lower nos than last year - 14 bird-days on 4 dates from 7 Oct to 31 Oct , max 6 on 31 Oct.

Rook Corvus frugilegus : Two going east on 11 Jan were followed by an excellent series of records of 22 bird-days on 12 dates to 8 May, max 4 on 17 Mar. In spring, one on 14 Mar and 4 on 8 Apr. Yet more records in autumn - 12 bird-days on 5 dates from 30 Sep to 18 Nov, max 6 on 30 Sep. A good year, with 34 bird-days.

Carrion Crow Corvus corone : Breeding resident with noisy gatherings. Still apparently increasing, with numbers up in most months. Record max 32 on 5 May. Monthly maxima :

Common Raven Corvus corax : One displaying over the town on 16 Mar was the only record from the early part of the year. Then two on 26 Aug, followed by 4 heading NW on 3 Oct, a joint record max (the last time 4 were seen together was just a day later, on 4 Oct 2000!). 7 bird-days was better than last year's two, but not as good as the 12 in 2000.

Common Starling Sturnus vulgaris : Resident breeding species, with pairs nesting on the Nothe Fort. A worrying decline for the second year running, with very much lower numbers in the usual peak of late winter, and no sign of the usual large post-breeding flocks. Max. 86 on 23 Mar. 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.

However, this year birds got the habit of feeding on the south shore, which made them easier to count, and this may have resulted in the higher nos recorded in the early part of the year. But numbers continued to rise through the summer, breaking new records each month until an astonishing record max of 195 were counted coming out of roost on 28 Aug, with 192 counted the next day. Numbers dropped back to more normal levels in the later part of the year. Was this due to an exceptionally good breeding season, or was it just a fluke that local Sparrows decided to use the south shore bushes as a roost? Monthly maxima:

(European) Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs : Resident breeding species, with up to 5 singing males through the spring. Numbers were generally lower than in both 2000 and 2001, but there was a superb day of autumn passage, with max 218 counted going over in 2 hours on 11 Oct, with masses of other finches. Monthly maxima :

Brambling Fringilla montifringilla : Just one for certain on 11 Oct in the big finch passage; it did actually land on the fort gate sycamores!

(European) Greenfinch Carduelis chloris : Resident breeding species, with up to 11 singing males in April. During the autumn and winter birds roost in the scrub, particularly when the south side is sheltered. Juvs first seen in late June. No big roost counts this year, but a more classic pattern of consistent numbers through spring followed by a post-breeding peak, then a second peak for autumn passage, max 174 on 11 Oct. Monthly maxima :

(European) Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis : At least one pair and probably more bred this year, with juvs being fed from30 Jun, and a summer max of 14 swelled by juvs on 4 July. A more consistent presence in the early pasrt of the year, with a slight spring passage Mar/Apr, then birds present through the summer, but tailing off in Aug. Again a distinct autumn passage from 17 Sep to 18 Nov, with max 238 in 2 hrs on 11 Oct - the most numerous finch going over on that date. Monthly maxima :

(Eurasian) Siskin Carduelis spinus : Just autumn records again: three on 11 Oct followed by one on 12 Oct, then two going E on 18 Nov. 6 bird-days: a rather poor year.

(Eurasian) Linnet Carduelis cannabina : Suspected of breeding - present all summer and frequenting bushes on the Nothe Fort walls. Two singing males present on several dates, and birds seen with nesting material on 17 Apr and 19 May. First single on 21 Mar, then present almost continuously from 31 Mar to 26 Aug, and thereafter sporadically until the final four on 11 Nov. Nos higher in spring than 2001, but generally lower in autumn, except for two days : record max 76 on 11 Oct and another high count of 46 on 30 Oct. Monthly maxima :

Lesser Redpoll Carduelis cabaret : Four on 11 Oct in the big finch passage were followed by two heading E on 18 Nov: the first records since 1996.

Common Crossbill Loxia curvirostra : One flying NE on 17 Sep was only the second record.

Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella : One flying SE on 17 Mar was a typical early spring record.