Birding The Nothe
2005 Bird Report
Summary of sightings for each species in 2005
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!
For the Annotated Species List - click here!
Summary of the year
Many thanks to all who sent in records this year, including Geoff & Sheila Barlow (G&SB), Dave Chown (DC), Bob Ford (RF), James Lidster and the Dorset Bird Club website (DBC), James Lowther (JL), Phil Read (PR), Jon Stirling (JS), Stuart Taylor (ST) and to the Birdguides website for additional records.
An absolute record total of 130 species were noted this year - and there may be more Dorset Bird Report records to come - on 98 dates, 16 fewer recording dates than last year, though many more reports received more than made up for lack of coverage.Coverage was poorest in February, June, July and early August, and September, with good coverage in October helping to boost the species total.
There were no Ringed Plover records this year, no Little Tern for the first year ever, no Whinchat for the fourth year running, no Mistle Thrush for the second year running, no Grasshopper Warbler, no Lesser Whitethroat for the second year running, and no Wood Warbler. On the plus side, there were three first records - Barn Owl, Cetti's Warbler and Reed Bunting, an amazing seven second records: Gadwall, Moorhen, Golden Plover, Laughing Gull, Yellow-browed Warbler, Pallas's Warbler and Jay, four thirds: Canada Goose, Pheasant, Yellow-browed Warbler again, and Jay again, and six fourth records: Storm Petrel, Light-bellied Brent Goose, Buzzard, Hobby, Jay yet again, and Crossbill. In addition, long-stayers of both Green Woodpecker and Stonechat have not been seen here for about twenty years.
A late start in January was nonetheless productive, with the earliest ever Sandwich Tern on 11th, and the male Black Redstart and big Long-tailed Tit flock still present from 2004. The 13th saw the first January record of Redwing for three years, with the first Slavonian and Red-necked Grebes reported. An influx of 13 Razorbill on 30th were the most I've seen on site, and included the first I've heard calling here. February produced an early Meadow Pipit influx on 4th, with a record Feb. count of 13, and a similar influx of Pied Wagtails (record winter count of 19) on 9th. An unusual winter Grey Wagtail was noted on 11th.
March started quietly, but things picked up on 4th with a flyover Curlew and five Wigeon, while 8th produced the first site record of Little Grebe displaying and calling, in the harbour. A Redshank appeared on 9th, followed by an oiled Red-throated Diver in Newton's Cove on 10th. Shelduck first appeared on 12th with a record spring count of Greenfinch. Spring officially arrived on 16th with the first Wheatear, and, much more unusually, an accompanying Stonechat. A Kestrel in-off was another unusual spring record, perhaps after a minor influx of Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. A Great Spotted Woodpecker on 18th was only the second spring record, quickly followed by the earliest record of Sand Martin on 19th. A Firecrest on 22nd was an excellent spring record, and spring really got going on 28th with the first Willow Warblers and a Swallow, the latter the first March record. The month ended well with another influx of migrants on 31st including the fifth record of Bullfinch.
April started fine, but no new species until a Buzzard was seen soaring towards the town centre on 5th, the fourth record of this locally increasing raptor. Next day in contrast near-gales and rain produced the first Kittiwake and Fulmar. The weather then turned cold and fine, with a White Wagtail present 8th-10th but few other migrants. A Reed Warbler - the sixth and earliest record - was reported on 12th. A Light-bellied Brent Goose flying east along with several seabirds on 19th was the fourth record.
May started with thick fog, a good tally of 39 spp. on 1st, including the first Swifts and the year's second Reed Warbler. A Hobby in off the sea,was the fourth record, and followed the same flight path as last year's which came just a day earlier. A record spring Swallow passage count was made on 8th - Swallows had a good spring, and even attempted to breed, in contrast to House Martins, which were practically non-existent in spring. A pair of Gadwall on 10th were only the second record; the first was also in May just last year. A Willow Warbler on 12th was, surprisingly, carrying nesting material, but was not seen thereafter.Three Spotted Flycatchers on 17th were a good number amongst a good spring tally, with the latest Wheatear on record. On 18th a couple of 'winter' duck species joined the year list - a female Eider and two Tufted Ducks were in the bay, the latter the first record not in winter, and the first multiple since 1985.
June was quiet as usual, but there were breeding records of Herring Gull - after a year's gap - and Long-tailed Tit, the first confirmed breeding record of the latter. A Canada Goose on 14th was the third record, while a Reed Warbler on the same date was a typical late passage bird.
In July, two Crossbills on 15th were only the third record, while return wader passage kicked in from 29th with Whimbrel and Common Sandpiper.
Passage was slow to get going in August, with no real movement until 23rd, when Garden Warbler was a year-tick, and the long-staying Green Woodpecker was first noted.A remarkable 144 Greenfinches coming out of roost were the highest settled count - only one October passage count has been higher.Next day a SW blow produced a few seabirds including a year max eight Gannet, with a belated first Little Egret of the year on 26th. On 28th a gathering of about 60 House Martins on the fort walls was remarkable in what had been a poor summer for them. The month ended with an astonishing record flock of 17 Common Sandpipers - more than twice the previous record max.
September started with both Yellow Wagtail and Tree Pipit in quick succession, and the first Kingfisher on 14th. But 100 spp wasn't reached until 1st October, with an Arctic Tern settled on the shore of Newton's Cove - the bird was to stay for over a month, and was seen in company with a Little Gull on 3rd. Classic autumn visible migration got going on 4th, with a good finch passage including the year's first Siskin, with more volume the next day bringing Skylark and Redpoll. Finally on 6th, the year's first real goodie arrived in the shape of our second ever Yellow-browed Warbler by the cadet base, in almost exactly the same place as last year's. A Firecrest was about on 7th, but we had to wait until 14th for the next big passage day, with record counts of Chaffinch and Goldfinch, the first Brambling of the year, and a flock of Golden Plover, only the second record.
16th October was a remarkable day for visible migration almost anywhere along the Dorset coast. Here the record was broken for Linnets, Goldfinches and Song Thrushes, while Stock Dove and Fieldfare were new for the year. But the best birds were four Jays - only the second record of this very scarce visitor to the Weymouth area. Another two Jays on 20th and a hen Pheasant on 21st - both third records - were somewhat eclipsed by news of a Barn Owl rescued from mobbing Crows by CEFAS staff on 19th - the first record, and the first new bird this year, to bring up 199 species. We only had a week to wait for our 200th - a Cetti's Warbler in the NE corner found on 26th. The Cetti's heralded what must go down as the best 10 days ever on The Nothe. A search for it the next day found, remarkably, another Yellow-browed Warbler in the same place - still only the third record, together with a record flock of at least 10 Crossbill over - the fourth record. The Yellow-browed showed well again the next day, as did 13 Brambling in the Tavern car park.
October 2005 proved to be a joint record month with 71 spp, but if October ended well, then November started amazingly! A record total of Woodpigeons on migration on 1st literally darkened the sky on occasions, and it was difficult to know whether to look up or down with the Cetti's still showing together with the Yellow-browed in the same corner, a record Brambling total, and record three Bullfinches. The next morning, SW winds pushed more birds into the north-east corner hotspot, and the Long-tailed Tit flock here included a superb Pallas's Warbler - the only one in the UK that day, and the second record for the site. The remnants of a US hurricane the next day pushed excitement to the limit as a 1st-winter Laughing Gull was found just below the town bridge (inside the recording area) in the morning, and birders rushing to see this individual were treated to both the Pallas's and Yellow-browed Warblers in the same field of view! As the wind subsided in the afternoon, it left two Leach's Petrels and a Storm Petrel in the bay - a wonderful combination of birds on the day-list for a 3rd November to remember.More fireworks on 5th November with two Long-tailed Duck briefly settled in Newton's Cove, the first for three years, and the first Black Redstart of the autumn. A Little Auk and two Grey Phalaropes on 6th were followed, incongruously, by only the second record of Moorhen on 8th, when the Laughing Gull was seen in its usual night-time roost spot outside the fish & chip shop! The juv Arctic Tern lingered to 11th, the latest record, while the Laughing Gull was last seen on 15th. After all this it was almost a relief to have a quiet end to the month, with only Red-breasted Merganser new for the year on 30th, breaking the preveious all-time record year-total of 127 spp.
However, the year hadn't finished with its surprises, and a Reed Bunting on 6th December was yet another first record for the site. Perhaps less good news to end the year, with a record total of 73 Carrion Crows counted on 18th.
Red-throated Diver Gavia stellata: Just one oiled bird in Newton's Cove on 10 Mar in the early part of the year. Singles on six dates in autumn, one after gales on 8 Nov and then on 2, 5, and 19 -21 Dec (JS).
Black-throated Diver Gavia arctica : Two in Weymouth Bay on 9 Mar (reported on Birdguides).One Newton's Cove on 11 Dec (JL).
Great Northern Diver Gavia immer : In the early part of the year 28 bird-days, on 14 dates 11 Jan - 6 May, max 9 on 18 Mar. In the late winter period an excellent 42 bird-days on 14 dates 4 Nov - 30 Dec, max 8 (reported DBC) on 4 Dec. A record 70 bird-days in total, helped with a much above-average Nov-Dec showing and good reporting. Monthly maxima:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 1 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 8 |
Little Grebe in breeding plumage, 8 Mar
Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis : Another excellent start to the year, with the first ever signs of breeding: 10 bird-days in the harbour on 4 dates from 11 Jan (when max 4), to 17 Apr. the latest ever spring record. Male seen displaying and 'whinnying' on 8 Mar. Again no records in late winter.
Red-necked Grebe Podiceps grisegena : An excellent year, with many more reports. In the early part of the year singles noted on 6 dates, 13 Jan - 15 Apr. In autumn one on 10 Sep (JS) was followed by two on 2 Nov, then an excellent series of records of a total of 17 bird-days on 13 dates, max three on 2 Dec (JS). 23 bird-days an excellent total, and the best for many years.
Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus : Lower numbers than usual again, especially in the early part of the year. Again seen late in spring and early in autumn. Noted 11 Jan - 18 May (latest spring date) and again from 23 Aug (juv in Newton's Cove) - the earliest autumn date on record. autumn. Max 5 on several spring dates. Monthly maxima (combined Weymouth Bay & Newton's Cove) as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
Slavonian (Horned) Grebe Podiceps auritus : In Weymouth Bay a single on 12 Jan (RF) was followed by two on 16th (BG) with another two on 14 Feb (BG) In the late autumn one 5 - 6 Dec (JS), two on 11 Dec (DBC), two on 24 Dec (BG). 11 bird-days better than last year but still relatively low.
Black-necked Grebe Podiceps nigricollis : Five summer-plumaged birds in Weymouth Bay on 4 Apr (JS).
Northern Fulmar Fulmarus glacialis : Another disappointing year, with just seven bird-days, from a max three on 6 Apr in south-westerlies and rain, to 26 Aug, again recorded on five dates. Again no sign of 'prospecting' this year. Monthly maxima:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 3 | 2 | 1 |
European Storm-petrel Hydrobates pelagicus : One flying from Lodmoor into Weymouth Bay, after the gales, 3 Nov (DBC). The fourth record.
Leach's Storm-petrel Oceanodroma leucorrhoa : Two in Weymouth Bay and one Newton's Cove 3 Nov with another on 8 Nov (JS).
Northern Gannet Sula bassana : A poor year, probably due to lack of coverage in the summer. One on 4 May was a late first for the year, then noted on just another three dates, with max 8 on 24 Aug in fresh SW winds, though the last, on 25 Oct, was the latest ever recorded. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 1 | 8 | 1 |
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo : Present all year; monthly maxima (Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove)as follows. Nos lower in the summer and autumn, but with good maxima in Nov and Dec including a record max 27 on 2 Dec after SW gales.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 13 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 23 | 27 |
European Shag Phalacrocorax aristotelis : Noted in Weymouth Bay/Newton's Cove to 15 Apr - later than usual. Aemarkably early return of 13 on 26 Aug in not particularly special weather was followe by records from 1 Oct to end of year. Poorer numbers than usual in the early part of the year, but spectacular numbers after gales in Nov and Dec, with a record max 52, mostly flying out of Weymouth Bay, on 8 Nov. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 6 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 13 | 1 | 52 | 22 |
Little Egret Egretta garzetta :None until 26 Aug, then singles on a further nine dates to 30 Nov. 10 bird-days down on last year.
Grey Heron Ardea cinerea : Numbers well down on previous years. Noted on 14 dates, 4 Feb to 6 Dec - about half the records that there were last year. Max two on 27 Sep.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
Mute Swan Cygnus olor : One in Newton's Cove on 22 Mar (JL); two in Weymouth Bay on 1 May; one off the Stone Pier in the gales of 3 Nov and a remarkable (for recent times) three on 6 Nov (RF); one on 6 Dec in Weymouth Bay: eight bird-days, an above-average year for recent times.
Canada Goose Branta canadensis : One flying west into the harbour on 14 Jun: the third record, just over a year after the second.
Brent Goose Branta bernicla : Eight W on 16 Mar was followed by a lone Light-bellied Brent Goose on 19 Apr, the latter only the fourth record of this race. The usual good series of records in October, with two on 16th, 10 W on 18th, 13 W on 25th, and 10 on 31st (JL). In late autumn four W on 10 Nov and one flying around the bay on 14 Dec. 49 bird-days in total: an excellent year.
Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna : Three on 12 Mar were followed by records on just another 5 dates to 4 May, max four on 1 May. No land records in a very poor year. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 3 | 2 | 4 |
Eurasian Wigeon Anas penelope : Five W on 4 Mar were heading for Portland Harbour. A single over Weymouth Bay on 5 Oct.
Gadwall Anas strepera : A pair on and around the SE rocks on 10 May was the second record for the site - possibly the same pair as last year's first.
Mallard Anas platyrhynchos : Seen to display, but no ducklings noted this year. Again, more records than usual in the early part of the year, from 11 Jan, but virtually diappeared through the summer and early autumn, with lower nos than usual in late autumn. Max 20 on 9 & 23 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 11 | 14 | 20 | 20 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula : A pair flying past the fort on 18 May: the first spring record.
Common Eider Somateria mollissima : A fem on 18 May was the only record.
Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis : Two for a short time Newton's Cove, 5 Nov (PR), seen to fly off W.
Common Scoter Melanitta nigra : Another excellent year, though absent in Jan/Feb. Noted in Weymouth Bay on 18 dates 8 Mar - 24 Dec; not so many dates as last year, but higher nos in the latter part of the year. Max 40 on 6 Dec was the best count since Nov 1988 and a personal max. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 14 | 6 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 20 | 40 |
Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator : Two drakes and a redhead flying round Weymouth Bay on 30 Nov were an unusual autumn record. None in the early part of the year.
(Eurasian) Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus : A good year again, with another record 21 bird-days, and the first evidence of breeding in the area. Noted 8 Feb - 29 Nov, with records of two together on four dates: 1 May, when display seen, 14 & 16 Oct, and 17 Nov, when two males were seen hunting in tandem.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Days noted | 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
Common Buzzard Buteo buteo: One over the harbour and town at lunchtime, 5 Apr. The fourth record.
(Eurasian) Kestrel Falco tinnunculus :A fem. in off the sea on 18 Mar was the first spring record since 1999. Then a relatively good five autumn records, 5 - 20 Oct and 29 Nov. The October records could have been of the same bird, which was seen to perch on the fort on two days.
Merlin Falco columbarius : One over Newton's Cove on 20 Oct (DC). The fifth record.
Hobby Falco subbuteo : One in off the sea on almost exactly the same track as last year's bird, and just a day later, on 5 May: the fourth record.
Peregrine Falco peregrinus : Again a rather quiet year, with eight bird-days, and no multiples.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Days noted | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
(Common) Pheasant Phasianus colchicus : Recorded for the second year running - a fem on the top lawns noted on 18 Oct (JS) and 21 Oct: the third record.
Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus: One on the harbour pontoons, 8 Nov. The second record, and noted for the third year in succession - was this the same bird as last winter's or is this species more regular in the harbour than the records suggest?
Eurasian Coot Fulica atra : A return to more normal nos, with two on 11 Jan and one on 10 Mar - just three bird-days.
(Eurasian) Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus : Numbers about the same as last year, with the usual March max - 8 on 10 Mar - equalled by 8 on 27 Sep. Less breeding activity though present throughout the summer, with piping display noted on 2 Mar. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 5 | 4 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
(European) Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria : Only a year after the first record, six flying north over the cadet base on 14 Oct were the second record.
Dunlin Calidris alpina : Three with the Turnstones on 2 Nov, with two in the same area by the pier on 10 Nov.
Bar-tailed Godwit Limosa lapponica : One heading SW over Newton's Cove on 6 Nov (JS). The first record for three years.
Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus : In spring, 23 bird-days on 4 dates, 14 Apr - 18 May, max 14 on 19 Apr. Just one on return passage, 29 Jul.
(Eurasian) Curlew Numenius arquata : One flying N on 4 Mar was the only record.
Common Redshank Tringa totanus : Singles on 9 Mar and 2 Sep.
Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos : A reasonable spring passage, with 8 bird-days on 4 dates 5 - 20 Apr, max four on 15 Apr. Return passage good, with 19 bird-days including a remarkable record max flock of 17 (seen flying all together at times) on the south rocks and Newton's Cove, 31 Aug, and singles on 29 Jul and 16 Aug. 27 bird-days in total. Time will tell, but, on past form, this is likely to be one of the largest flocks seen in the county in 2005, again empahasising the importance of this as a passage site for this species.
(Ruddy) Turnstone Arenaria interpres : A very poor start to the year, but numbers picked up in the autumn and early winter, although the presence was sporadic. The birds are still mainly using the pier area, and have not returned to the south shore following the seawall works there in 2002/3. A max of 24 on 25 Oct was about the usual max, though not at the usual time, with the last birds noted on 13 Jun, the latest ever recorded in spring, and return from 23 Aug, with numbers building up unusually quickly in autumn. Monthly maxima as follows. with last year and 2002 for comparison.
| 2005 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max. | 2 | 3 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 4 | 6 | 15 | 24 | 18 | 9 |
| 2004 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max. | 23 | 18 | 7 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 9 | 11 | 8 |
| 2002 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max. | 25 | 24 | 25 | 29 | 12 | 1 | 9 | 17 | 1 | 7 |
Grey
(Red) Phalarope Phalaropus fulicaria : Noted for the second year running after
a 20-year gap, with an excellent series of records after the post-hurricane
storms in early November.One flew W on 4 Nov, followed by two in Newton's
Cove for a short time on 6 Nov, and another by the Pleasure Pier on
8 Nov (JS).
Grey Phalaropes in Newton's Cove, 6 Nov 2005 (Photo: Jon Stirling)
Arctic Skua (Parasitic Jaeger) Stercorarius parasiticus : One in the bay on 30 Sep (JS).
Gull records: as most visits are in the morning, and most gulls come to the winter roosts in the late afternoon, many gulls are missed. Roosts of several thousand gulls still take place in Weymouth Bay most days in winter.
Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus : Noted five dates in Jan, max 10 on 1 Jan (BG),and three on 10 Mar (JS). A 2nd summer on the south shore on 23 Aug (G & SB) was the only summer record, with late year records from 18 Oct in Newton's Cove (JS), on nine dates to 23 Dec, max nine on 30 Oct . Monthly maxima as follows:
| 2005 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max. | 10 | 3 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 3 |
Laughing Gull Larus atricilla : The rarity event of the year in the recording area! A first-winter on the pontoons in Weymouth Harbour, 3 Nov 2005, was originally found by Bob Groves on his way to work, and confirmed by Dave Chown. It was seen to fly off towards Radipole Lake, where it spent most days of its stay. It returned to roost on its favoured pontoon (outside the fish and chip shop!), and in the harbour for several nights, usually visible by street-light. It was last seen in Weymouth Bay on 15 Nov.The second record for the site, the last being a long-stayer in 1969. BB rarity.
The Laughing Gull by street-light on its pontoon, 8 Nov 2005 (Photo: James Lidster)
Little Gull Larus minutus : An ad was in the bay on 3 Oct. Three in Newton's Cove on 6 Nov (JS).
Black-headed Gull Larus ridibundus : Noted daily to 8 Apr, then seen on three dates until 12 on 5 May. Return from 29 Jul (poor coverage in Jun/Jul) with daily records to the end of the year. Again the usual spring gap, with no sign of breeding locally. No roost counts this year.
Common (Mew) Gull Larus canus : Noted 13 dates in the early part of the year with the last an on 19 Apr. No roost counts this year. Noted again from 3 Oct, on 11 dates until 6 Dec.
Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus : First noted on 20 Mar, with five flying NE. Then just two singles on 5 & 17 April. More than usual in autumn, with one or two on six dates 24 Aug - 2 Nov, and three on 10 Nov. Monthly maxima:
| 2005 | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Max. | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
Herring Gull Larus argentatus : Recorded daily. After a year's gap, bred on the Coastguard Cottages again this year. Birds were seen bringing nesting material on 17 Apr, with chicks noted on 13 Jun, and two fledged juvs.on 23 Aug.
Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus : Noted throughout the year in similar nos to last year. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 5 | 13 | 21 | 21 | 13 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 18 |
(Black-legged) Kittiwake Rissa tridactyla: 10 past the pier on 6 Apr in strong SW winds, followed by one on 19 Apr. An unseasonal juv.on 24 Aug was also driven into the bay by SW winds.
.Sandwich Tern Sterna sandvicensis : One in Newton's Cove on 11 Jan was the earliest on record, followed by records 17 Mar - 8 Nov, without a noticeable spring gap. Max 26 on 19 Apr, the best spring max.for three years. Juvs first seen on 29 Jul. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 1 | 4 | 26 | 10 | 3 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 9 | 1 |
Common Tern Sterna hirundo : Late in arriving again, on 1 May, and noted from then until 3 Nov, with juvs from the breeding colony on Lodmoor noted from 29 Jul. Max 34 on 5 May. Once again numbers dropped dramatically in August, with only sporadic singles in Sep & Oct, and a late juv in the gales of 3 Nov missed being the latest record by a day. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 34 | 13 | 15 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Arctic Tern Sterna paradisea : An excellent series of records in autumn were possibly of just one long-staying juv. First seen on 1 Oct in Newton's Cove, on the rocks - the first seen to land on site.Then noted on a total of 12 dates to the last record on 11 Nov (JS), the latest on record.
Roseate Tern Sterna dougalli : One flying east in Weymouth Bay, 16 Apr (reported BG).
Little Auk Alle alle : Singles reported in Weymouth Bay on 6 & 7 Nov (BG)
Common Guillemot Uria aalge : More records than usual outside the breeding season, but a surprising absence in summer. Max 6 on 2 Nov after the first batch of storms. Noted 22 days, with 38 bird-days. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 3 |
Razorbill Alca torda : As usual, records were outside the breeding season, at both ends of the year. 26 bird-days on 8 dates, 13 Jan to the relatively late date of 6 Apr, with a remarkable record max 13 on 30 Jan including several birds calling on the sea. Then a complete bsence in summe and early autumn was followed by a poor 11 bird-days on 6 dates 1 Nov - 18 Dec . A total of 37 bird-days. Monthly maxima:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 13 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Rock Dove (Feral Pigeon) Columba livia : Present all year.
Stock Dove Columba oenas : In autumn, a few identified flying over in parallel with the big Woodpigeon influx, but not in the numbers seen in 2003, followed by a rather extended series of stragglers. Noted on seven dates from 16 Oct to 6 Dec, 47 bird-days, max 27 on 1 Nov.
Wood Pigeon Columba palumbus : Bred, with up to ten singing males, an increase over last year's six. Despite this, generally lower numbers in spring. The real influx had to wait until the autumn, with a good October max of 111 on 16th totally eclipsed by a staggering record max 3420 counted in the first two hours of 1 Nov, a day when there were plenty of other distractions, so this is almost certainly an under-count. The birds literally darkened the sky at times, and were all heading south towards Portland, which also experienced record nos that day. Monthly maxima as follows :
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 35 | 33 | 48 | 43 | 38 | 22 | 17 | 25 | 20 | 111 | 3420 | 36 |
(Eurasian) Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto : A consolidation year, with numbers Jan-Apr and Nov-Dec slightly down on last year, though summer numbers slightly higher. Max 16 on 28 Mar. Bred again, with up to six singing males. Monthly maxima as follows:
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
| Max. | 6 | 11 | 16 | 11 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 11 |