Great Spotted Cuckoo, Portland

Great Spotted Cuckoo was without a doubt the bird at the top of my want to see list. Luckily, last weekend my dream came true after a Juv. was found on Portland!

Paul, Ian and I, organized the trip the day before hand, as we were all keen to see it. We started the day shortly before 6 o'clock, and arrived on Portland by 9. The Cuckoo was still there and was hidden away in the bushes barely visible. 2 Spotted Flycatchers and a Redstart provided entertainment up until the Cuckoo decided to move and feed just a few metres away where it gave stonking views up until a dog walker flushed it. The bird flew off with the photographers chasing after it and the bird was eventually forced into the school.

Great Spotted Cuckoo

Predicting that any further views would be challenging, we moved swiftly on to the Red-rumped Swallow which had just been found at Lodmoor. After some searching we eventually found it, along with a supporting cast of Bearded Tit, Knot and a mint looking Grey Plover.

Red-rumped Swallow

We then headed back onto to Portland where we spent a few hours just doing some general birding and seawatching, more Spotted Flycatchers and a Short-eared Owl being the pick of the bunch.

On the way home we stopped briefly in the New Forest and were able to locate Tree Pipit, Cuckoo, Wood Warbler, Crossbill and Firecrest. All in all an absolutely tremendous day!