previous years:
2024 (89 sp)
2023 (88 sp)
2022 (90 sp)
2021 (91 sp)
2020 (103 sp)
2019 (94 sp)
2018 (108 sp)
2017 (94 sp)
2016 (76 sp)
2015 (75 sp)
yearly summaries:
2023 (88 sp)
2022 (90 sp)
2021 (91 sp)
2020 (103 sp)
2019 (94 sp)
2018 (108 sp)
2017 (94 sp)
2016 (76 sp)
2015 (75 sp)
2014 (75 sp)
2013 (66 sp)
2012 (79 sp)
2011 (84 sp)
2010 (99 sp)
2009 (98 sp)
2008 (97 sp)
best months:
Dec 2013 (50 sp)
Jan 2013 (50 sp)
Jan 2010 (60 sp)
Nov 2008 (57 sp)
Oct 2008 (57 sp)
2024 (89 sp)
2023 (88 sp)
2022 (90 sp)
2021 (91 sp)
2020 (103 sp)
2019 (94 sp)
2018 (108 sp)
2017 (94 sp)
2016 (76 sp)
2015 (75 sp)
yearly summaries:
2023 (88 sp)
2022 (90 sp)
2021 (91 sp)
2020 (103 sp)
2019 (94 sp)
2018 (108 sp)
2017 (94 sp)
2016 (76 sp)
2015 (75 sp)
2014 (75 sp)
2013 (66 sp)
2012 (79 sp)
2011 (84 sp)
2010 (99 sp)
2009 (98 sp)
2008 (97 sp)
best months:
Dec 2013 (50 sp)
Jan 2013 (50 sp)
Jan 2010 (60 sp)
Nov 2008 (57 sp)
Oct 2008 (57 sp)
Great Northern Diver
Black-throated Diver
Black-necked Grebe
Slavonian Grebe
Red-necked Grebe
Great Crested Grebe
Cormorant
Shag
Gannet
Grey Heron
Little Egret
Mute Swan
Dark-bellied Brent Goose
Shelduck
Shoveler
Red-breasted Merganser
Common Scoter
Sparrowhawk
Buzzard
Honey Buzzard
Peregrine
Kestrel
Pheasant
Oystercatcher
Whimbrel
Curlew
Sanderling
Dunlin
Turnstone
Black-headed Gull
Mediterranean Gull >
Common Gull
Herring Gull >
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Great Black-backed Gull
Kittiwake
Sandwich Tern
Common Tern
Little Tern
Razorbill
Wood Pigeon
Feral Pigeon
Stock Dove
Collared Dove
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Swift
Swallow
Sand Martin
House Martin
Rock Pipit
Meadow Pipit
Pied Wagtail
Grey Wagtail
Yellow Wagtail
Skylark
Wren
Dunnock >
Robin
Stonechat
Blackbird
Redwing
Song Thrush
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Reed Warbler
Common Whitethroat
Lesser Whitethroat
Blackcap
Garden Warbler
Chiffchaff
Willow Warbler
Yellow-browed Warbler
Hume's Leaf Warbler
Goldcrest
Long-tailed Tit
Coal Tit
Blue Tit
Great Tit
Jay
Magpie
Rook
Raven
Jackdaw >
Carrion Crow
Starling
House Sparrow >
Chaffinch
Greenfinch
Goldfinch
Linnet
Hume's Leaf Warbler at Rodwell Halt, 28th November 2024
December 29th
Another new bird was added to the trail list today when a flock of five Shoveler flew north close in to the shore at Downclose. Further out there was plenty more to see on this very calm day with at least six Great Northern Divers, five Common Scoter and ten Black-necked Grebes - the largest flock of the winter so far. Along the trail a Coal Tit was calling near Old Castle Road and a Chiffchaff was at Newstead Road.
December 14th
Still a few Med Gulls on The Marsh, feeding with a large flock of Black-headed Gulls. In the harbour were two Great Crested Grebes, a single Black-necked Grebe and a flock of five Common Scoter, the most seen all year.
December 7th
In stormy conditions a mixed flock of Herring and Black-headed Gulls gathered on the playing fields this morning, containing seven Mediterranean Gulls, a very unusual occurence indeed.
November 28th
A major event today when a Hume's Leaf Warbler turned up in the Turkey Oak at Rodwell Halt. First seen yesterday it stayed feeding in the same tree all day.
November 24th
Storm Bert did not produce anything unusual this morning apart from a lone Kittiwake heading west through the harbour. Yesterday produced the third record of Pheasant for the trail, in the same area as all the others - Wyke Embankment. A pair of Grey Wagtails were also in a traditional spot - half way between Rodwell Halt and Buxton Road.
November 13th
A Coal Tit near the Outdoor Education Centre was the bird of the day, but the first ten Mergansers of the wineter off Downclose werfe also good. Three or four Stonechats were still around Wyke Cutting and a Redwing flew east over Smallmouth.
November 10th
The Jay has remained around Newtead Road and today was joined by two others, the three of them flying towards the Holm Oaks on the trail from the direction of the cemetery. This flock is the largest number ever seen together on the trail.
November 5th
At Smallmouth two Skylarks were flying north and the four Stonechats were located with a pair at each end of Wyke Cutting. A Jay flying over Newstead Road was the first seen on the trail for a couple of years.
November 3rd
Fairly quiet today but a flock of thirty or so Goldfinches at the Outdoor Education Centre was probably more than I have ever seen on the trail. Yesterday a Stonechat was near Smallmouth.
October 30th
A flock of ten Redwings flying north over Chickerell Road this morning were the first seen this autumn. Nearby was a Goldcrest and a Blackcap.
October 26th
Another Skylark heard over Marsh Road was the first of a number of migrants on the trail in beautifully sunny and calm weather. A very late Garden Warbler was at Wyke Halt where overhead large flocks of Woodpigeon (200?) and Jackdaw (150?) were moving south-east. Four Stonechats were also seen, widely scattered around the southern end of the trail. On the way back a Cetti's Warbler was singing at Dover Road and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was seen flying south over Marsh Road.
October 21st
A Skylark calling over Newstead Road this morning was the first this year. Yesterday three Song Thrushes together at Dover Road were almost certainly migrants.
October 11th
Lots of bird movement going on today in a fresh northerly breeze. Wood Pigeons were the most numerous with a hundred or more heading generally east; Meadow Pipits were next numerous with fifty or so heading north. At Ferrybridge forty-odd Skylarks were seen to fly south, as were a similar number of Carrion Crows and Jackdaws. The first five Brent Geese of the winter were off Downclose but the highlight was a gorgeous Yellow-browed Warbler seen at Ilchester Road, the fourth record for the Trail with the last one seen on October 10th in 2020.
October 5th
A Buzzard flew low over Sudan Road this morning and yesterday afternoon a Kestrel was hovering over the trail at Downclose - always the favourite area for this species. Also yesterday a remarkable early influx of Common Gulls just south of the trail with at least 20 feeding in a larger flock of Mediterranean Gulls.
September 20th
The first Goldcrest of the autumn was heard near Buxton Road. Yesterday a calling Curlew high over Newstead Road was a very unexpected record.
September 16th
After spending all summer around Bincleaves the Great Northern Diver has now taken up residence around Smallmouth.
September 3rd
The Stock Dove was singing at Rodwell Halt again this afternoon so it looks like at least one bird has been resident there this summer.
September 2nd
A flock of six Sanderling flying west past Smallmouth was the first record of this species was first seen on the trail on May 9th 2012, when a flock of four were seen in identical circumstances. Yesterday the Great Northern Diver was close in off Sandsfoot again.
August 23rd
A new bird for the trail today when a Honey Buzzard drifted west over Downclose. Earlier a couple of Yellow Wagtails flew over the southern end of the trail, the first since 2020. Out in the harbour the windy weather had brought two or three Gannets in. A young Sparrowhawk has been seen a couple of times this week over the northern end of the trail.
August 12th
A young-looking Buzzard was soaring over the playing fields this morning and a young Raven flew high over Newstead Road, calling. Although not visible from the trail, it is worth noting that the summering Great Northern Diver was still off Underbarn today. Yesterday a family of Long-tailed Tits were at Hillcrest Road.
July 30th
A Stock Dove was in full song at Rodwell Halt again, the fourth record this year and perhaps an indication that they are breeding here for the first time.
July 26th
A brief view of a Willow Warbler in Wyke Halt was probably the first autumnn passerine migrant this year.
July 24th
A Buzzard high over Newstead Road was probably only the second sighting of this species on the trail this year.
July 21st
A Curlew flying west low over Wyke Halt was the first presumed autumn migrant seen this year.
June 28th
A young Pied Wagtail at Whiteheads today ws the first evidence for a long time (ever?) of breeding on the trail.
May 13th
At Downclose a Kestrel was hovering over the embankment and a Grey Heron flew north along the shore. Yesterday the first Common Tern of the year was in the harbour and a female Sparrowhawk was carrying something at Rodwell Halt - the first evidence that they might breed again this year. The Cetti's Warbler was still above Marsh Road.
May 10th
The Cetti's Warbler was singing above Marsh Road again this morning.
May 8th
A Stock Dove at Rodwell Halt this morning was the third record there in six weeks, and one of the only times one has either returned or remained on site for more than one or two days.
May 5th
Remarkably there were still two winter-plumaged Great Northern Divers off Smallmouth this morning.
April 30th
This morning Smallmouth produced a couple of Whimbrel and, much more unusual, a Stock Dove flying south.
April 28th
Another (or the same as last week's) Reed Warbler was singing near Chickerell Road this morning. Sandsfoot produced the first Gannet and the first Mute Swans of the year.
April 27th
Thw first Whitethroat and Willow Warbler of the year were at Wyke Cutting with a couple of Whimbrel and a Little Egret on the shore nearby.
Sandwich Terns at Ferrybridge, 27th April 2024
A constant flow of hirundines along the trail this morning added Sand Martin and House Martin to the year list with Kestrel being another addition. At Rodwell Halt the Stock Dove was singing again, 5 weeks after it was last heard.
April 22nd
Today Wyke Halt produced a singing Garden Warbler, the fifth record for the trail. Almost as rare were the two Lesser Black-backed Gulls flying north over Downclose, certainly the first this year. Also new for the year was a small flock of Little Terns flying high over Smallmouth heading out into the harbour, but the three Shelduck that appeared shortly after constituted the second record this year. A Song Thrush singing at Buxton Road was the first heard on the trail for over a month, so presumably is the only pair breeding this year.
April 21st
The first Reed Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat of the year were singing at Chickerell Road and Wyke Halt and a Dunlin was an unexpected sight on the remains of Whitehead's Pier near Smallmouth. A Raven flying purposefully north over Downclose was an indication that they might have young at Bincleaves this year.
April 17th
The Marsh Road Cetti's Warbler was heard close to the Chickerell Road bridge this afternoon and the first Swallow of the year was flying north over Newstead Road.
April 12th
The Cetti's Warbler is still singing behind Marsh Road.
April 4th
A Cetti's Warbler singing behind Marsh Road was the first heard on the trail for three years.
March 31st
At Wyke Halt the first Linnet of the year was in song and by the sound all the gulls were making an Osprey must have been passing overhead, presumably at great height. In the Harbour conditions were too choppy to see much apart from singles of Sandwich Tern, Great Northern Diver and Great Crested Grebe.
March 23rd
Today started with a very noisy fly-over by two Ravens as I walked down Newstead Road. The walk to Underbarn produced Blackcap and Chiffchaff and at Rodwell Halt a singing Stock Dove, at the northern end of the platform as usual. This is the earliest record since 2018. The harbour produced three Black-throated Divers, one very close in to the beach at Underbarn so not actually visible from the trail. Looking south towards Portland Castle a passage of gulls could be seen tracking east across the harbour. Although very distant at least five of them appeared to be Kittiwakes.
March 17th
Marsh Road: now five Rook nests, four on the east side and one on the west Rodwell Halt: Great Spotted Woodpecker calling Downclose: Buzzard flying north across the harbour, two Great Northern Divers offshore, Chiffchaff in song Wyke Cutting: two Long-tailed Tits seemingly prospecting for a nest site Smallmouth: summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe just offshore
March 10th
The first Sandwich Tern of the year was sat on a bouy off Sandsfoot Castle this morning and was still there, although on a different bouy, several hours later. The Great Crested Grebe flock had built up to 13 with two Black-necked Grebes and a Great Northern Diver nearby. At Marsh Road a Song Thrush was in full song, seemingly the only one on the Trail this year.
March 9th
Just north of the Trail on Abbotsbury Road a Blackcap was in full song this morning.
March 6th
Ten Great Crested Grebes were still off Sandsfoot this morning where there were also two Scoter, a distant Great Northern Diver and singles of both Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes. Overhead a male Peregrine was hunting and below the castle itself a group of four Chiffchaffs were enjoying the sunshine, with one briefly in full song.
February 24th
Downclose: 4 Great Northern Divers, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 3 Common Scoter
Rodwell Halt: 1 Buzzard
February 9th
A rare sighting of a Coal Tit this morning, at the location where they often heard immediately south of Buxton Road.
February 1st
On a calm sunny morning thde harbour was easy to search and produced two of both Slavonian and Black-necked Grebes as well as two (or four?) Common Scoter and at least three Great Northern Divers.
January 29th
Another three new birds for the year today with a Turnstone, a pair of Ravens and a number of Common Gulls at the Sailing Club, were there was also a very close Slavonian Grebe. A singing Goldcrest and a Redwing were at Buxton Road and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming at Rodwell Halt.
January 26th
Three year firsts today with a Curlew off Downclose and a Rock Pipit and a distant Razorbill at Smallmouth. A female Stonechat was nearby. In Wyke Cutting the Greenfinches have been in full song for a week now.
January 21st
A Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard at Rodwell Halt for the first time this year but there was no sign of the Grey Wagtail. A male Common Scoter was a long way off Wyke Halt with a flock of 20 Brent Geese inshore there.
January 14th
The Grey Wagtail was at Rodwell Halt again today.
January 5th
Red-necked and Slavonian Grebe were added to the list today, both off the Sailing Club. A Little Egret was there as well. In Rodwell Halt a Grey Wagtail was back in the traditional spot for the first time in several years.
January 3rd
Two more species for the trail with a flyover Grey Wagtail yesterday, and today an unexpected Redwing, both at Newstead Road.
January 1st
The first day of 2024 produced at least five Great Northern Divers, a single Black-necked in the harbour and a Stonechat at Smallmouth. At Buxton Road a Blackcap was calling loudly and a Chiffchaff was nearby, with another at Newstead Road.