This morning's trip to Portland Bill was sadly rather uneventful from a bird perspective, though it was fantastic to escape my revision for a few hours.

We started at Suckthumb Quarry, where two Grasshopper Warblers had been reported early in the morning. This declining and secretive summer visitior is a bird that has always evaded me and one of my top targets before I emigrate. Inevitably, there I managed to miss it once more and birdlife overall in the area was very sparse, with just one Wheatear, several Swallows, a Chiffchaff and a Willow Warbler seen.

We then headed down to the Bill, where the seabird colony was in full-flow, with many Razorbills, Guillemots, Fulmars and Shags present, but nothing else of any note passing through on the sea. Two Raven passed over and Skylarks and Meadow Pipits were singing everywhere. Another Wheatear was seen nearby. Unsurprisingly, another 'bogey bird' of mine- the Red-throated Diver (actually 4 of them) passed the Bill while we were stood there...

Then, it was off to Barleycrates Lane, where another Grasshopper Warbler had been seen in the morning. We stayed for some time, hoping for it to begin to reel, but sadly it did not do so. A resplendent male Common Redstart was seen briefly in the bushes next to the footpath, before flying off to some distance away (hence the poor picture quality!). Other than that, a Blackcap and good numbers of Swallows and House Martins were the only migrants in the area, while many Linnets were also present.

Feeling somewhat disappointed, we headed home, via Portland Harbour, where eight Red-breasted Mergansers and a Great Crested Grebe were the only species of note, and Ferrybridge, whence we could see the first-winter Iceland Gull that has spent much of the last few months there. It was a nice end to a rather unsatisfactory morning of birding, but it was fantastic to get out.

Redstart, Barleycrates Lane, 13/4/14

Rock Pipit, Portland Bill, 13/4/14 

Meanwhile, at Hilfield, I have seen my first Willow Warbler, House Martin and, remarkably, Cuckoo- one flew over on the 7th.  I'm looking forward to Swifts and Hobbies coming soon!