January 2010
60 species so far this monthGreat Northern Diver
Little Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Black-necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Shelduck
Mallard
Gadwall
Tufted Duck
Goldeneye
Red-breasted Merganser
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Oystercatcher
Lapwing
Golden Plover
Ringed Plover
Dunlin
Redshank
Turnstone
Mediterranean Gull >
Black-headed Gull
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Great Black-backed Gull
Razorbill
Wood Pigeon
Collared Dove
Meadow Pipit
Rock Pipit
Grey Wagtail
Pied Wagtail
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Fieldfare
Song Thrush
Redwing
Blackcap
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit >
Great Tit
Treecreeper
Magpie
Jackdaw >
Rook
Carrion Crow
Raven
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch >
Greenfinch
Goldfinch >
Bullfinch
January 1st
A good start to the year with 36 species on the trail including Raven, Slavonian Grebe and Black-necked Grebe.
January 5th
With the weather getting colder and colder it was no suprise that a pair of Goldeneyes turned up this morning, probably evicted from the Fleet by all the ice. The Black-necked Grebes have now reached a total of 6 birds, with the Slavonian Grebe showing well just off the Sailing Centre.
January 9th
An amazing day with Rodwell Cutting literally crawling with hundreds of Redwings frantically looking for food in the leaf litter under the trees. Fieldfares less numerous but visible in small numbers everywhere along the trail and around Weymouth in general. Just off the trail at Underbarn a remarkable selection of waders feeding on the shore of Portland Harbour, comprising singles of Redshank, Lapwing, Sanderling, Dunlin, Turnstone and Ringed Plover with a Curlew flying through Newton's Cove!
January 10th
Another fantastic day for birdwatching but clearly not so good for the birds, with the Redwings significantly tamer than yesterday as they run out of food. An unpredented 4 new species for the trail: first was a flock 7 Gadwall at Sandsfoot, followed by 7 Tufted Ducks at Smallmouth where there was also a single Golden Plover and a pair of Lapwings flying over. At 59 species this month has already exceeded the highest monthly total (Oct/Nov 2008).
January 24th
Still a small flock of Tufted Ducks flying around the harbour but the highlight was a record number of 12 Black-necked Grebes.