Portland Bill Bird Observatory

Some of the Swaledale Ringing group are visiting Portland Bill to experience another bird ringing site and to ring some species that don't venture into Foxglove.  The ringers have recorded Stonechats out on the training area.  This is a juvenile male.

A tiny bird that we don't see was this Firecrest.  The highlight of the day so far!

As well as ringing birds the moth trap is set and the moths recorded.  From the information we have been sent they catch some different moths to those at Foxglove, which is to be expected.  This moth is a Flame Brocade which became extinct in this country in the 19th centuary and is now only found in the Channel Islands.  It is an migrant and is caught along the sounthern shores, mainly from Hampshire westwards.

Another insect to drop in on the ringers was a wasp, possibly a Black Slip Wasp.

Whilst staying in Portland the ringers are living in the old lighthouse.

If you wish to follow the Porland Bird Observatory blog then follow this link http://www.portlandbirdobs.com/