Headed down to Portland in search of migrants at the Bill this morning. A quick stop off at RSPB Radipole Lake produced cracking views of 3 Marsh Harriers from the viewing screen. Cetti's, Reed and Sedge Warbler song was in abundance across the reserve. Passage overhead of 100+ Swallow & House Martin & 1st Swift of the year quickly flying north were shortly pursued by a adult Hobby!! With not much else of note, news broke of a 1st summer male Red-footed Falcon showing well at the Top Fields, Portland!! So quickly headed to the Bill, but traffic delays at Weymouth and the bird had departed back out to sea rapidly. Seen 3 Red-footed Falcons in the UK in previous years and always a treat to watch!! Otherwise we had a superb few hours walking across the bill with several Wheatear, 3 Whinchat, 4 Whitethroat , 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Tree Pipit & 1 Yellow Wagtail and few 10 Willow Warbler of note. Large hirundine passage mainly of 50+ Swifts arriving fresh in off the sea. Quick seawatch produced Guillemot, 2 Manx and 5 Gannet off Pulpit rocks. Walking West Cliffs produced great views of a Peregrine and few more Wheatear.
Returning to the Obs garden to depart home clocked up 3 very showy Garden Warblers in the sycamore trees and a Lesser Whitethroat & another Spotted Flycatcher. A superb days birding and looking forward to returning again soon.
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