Golden Oriole (female type) - 30 Apr 2018 - Portland, Dorset

Early reports that the Golden Orioles had remained on the island overnight prompted a little trip over to Portland with Justin T @Woodworser

We arrived around Midday and after making enquiries at Portland Bird Observatory (PBO) headed in the direction of the Top Fields to be told that the bird (a Bird, possibly the male) had been seen heading away from the Observers. Pausing briefly to take in a gorgeous male Common Redstart we wandered over in the direction of Sweet Hill. No Golden Oriole but quite a few Common Whitethroat were evident in the hedgerows. A beautiful male Greenfinch flew through against the cold northerly wind and one or two Swallows were also heading north. We returned to the Barn area of Top Fields, which we decided afforded our best shot at connecting with the Golden Oriole.

While we waited the male and also now 2 female Common Redstart were feeding in the adjacent paddock areas, giving fantastic prolonged views. We didn't have too long to wait and after a couple of false alarms, at 1pm, a beautiful female type Golden Oriole flew along the hedge, affording great flight views. Flying across the next field it perched up about 100 metres away for a few minutes in good light. Thanks to the original finders and the usual great location information from PBO! A fantastic bird and the second I have now seen on Portland - the first being a (sub-adult male I think) bird-in-the-hand last year on 18/05/17. I'm sure others will have fantastic photos which will emerge over the next few days but anyway, here's a few snaps I managed to get which will help me to remember this successful mini-twitch. (Wouldn't want to be greedy but what a pity we dipped the male bird! (see below))

Post Script - Returning to Portland on 1st May, I struck very lucky on my second visit. A couple of minutes after I arrived in Top Fields with the female type Golden Oriole showing really well on the top of a hedge, the male bird flew in, along the hedge giving brief but scintillating views and then the pair of them promptly disappeared out of sight. "Stunning" is a much overused word but the male really is a STUNNER! And all the more so for seeing it set against grey Portland Stone as a passage bird. A great couple of days spring birding.

Ravens - Chardown and Stonebarrow Hill.

Ravens - there's a lot in the press about Ravens at the moment. This is a short piece in support of our largest passerine.

A Raven on a Coastal Cliff ...

... Inhabiting Remote hilltops ...

Walking on my local patch, a loud and echoing call rings out above me, drawing my attention to one of the resident Ravens. The call is described in the guides variously as Korrp! Korrp! or Prruk-Prruk-Prruk. What I hear is Gronnk!-Gronnk!-Gronnk! But anyway its an unmistakable call and I "always" stop, look, and marvel as one of these magnificent bird sails past.  Its a fairly familiar sight around the rocky hills and cliffs near Charmouth and around Lyme bay and Portland.

A familiar silhouette

In flight (see photos above), it's often difficult to judge just how big this monumental bird really is. Seen on the ground though and it's a different matter. Once, very early one morning, I was very fortunate to catch this early morning opportunist raiding the Charmouth car park bins. Ravens are huge birds!

A wonderful Raven - in its more usual clifftop surroundings

Ravens really are impressive birds, particularly if they show their shaggy throat feathering as these birds are doing:

On the cliff edge, showing throat feathering

Glossy all black, almost oily back feathers 

For me, it's a privilege to have these impressive birds on my doorstep.

Red Kite, Stonebarrow/Chardown Hill, Dorset - 16th Apr 2018

A rather disappointing day in the field was lifted by the appearance of this superb Red Kite late in the afternoon. Not a regular bird here so it was nice to see and quite a bonus on a quiet day. On the migrant front there were only a few Chiffchaffs and Linnets passing through early on. A single Wheatear was found on the horse field this morning.

Birds seen today on Stonebarrow and Chardown Hills, Dorset:
Red Kite, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Wheatear, Meadow Pipit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Robin, Mistle Thrush, Buzzard, Raven, Linnet, Green Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Magpie, Carrion Crow, Yellowhammer, House Martin, Swallow, Wren, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Herring Gull, Common Gull, Great Black-backed Gull, Black-headed Gull, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Pied Wagtail, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk.

Ring Ouzel - Portland Bill, Dorset - 12th April 2018

A beautiful male spring Ring Ouzel appeared in the Crown Estate Fields opposite Portland Bird Observatory early this morning. Picking it up as it flew from the north west corner along the fence line I had good 'scope views as it began to feed at distance. Unfortunately it quickly moved out of view behind some bushes. Walking round to the east side with sun behind me I got stunning 'scope views from near the Privet Hedge with the bird feeding at a distance of 200 metres or so. The bird was well marked showing the typical pale (almost white) half moon to breast, pale scaling to sides and distinct pale edges to its wing feathers. A handsome bird.