The Heights Hotel guide to bird watching on Portland
With almost 220 species documented sightings on Portland since January 2000, Portland is one of the best places to view birds in the United Kingdom.
We have already documented every species seen since January 2000 and what you can see by month on this page so please take a look to see if that elusive sighting you have been wanting to find has been seen in the area.
Having said that it is always nice to be kept up to date on what is actually happening this year. Luckily we have the Portland Bird Observatory on our doorstep. Martin Cade of the Observatory reports a lively start to 2008 saying:
Highlight of the year so far has been the Siberian Chiffchaff
which has overwintered near the Observatory. Other rarities have
been more mobile with several Hoopoes around the island in late
April, a White Stork flying over on April 15th and a Black Kite,
a Mealy Redpoll and an Icterine Warbler on April 24th. May saw
an influx of birds from the continent with several Red-rumped
Swallows and a couple of Bee- eaters. Despite the very cold
weather in mid-April the commoner migrants arrived in good
numbers with Redstarts particularly in evidence during most of
April. Arrival dates of typical summer migrants this year
include:
Manx Shearwater March 1st
Sandwich Tern March 10th
Wheatear March 14th
Puffin March 15th
Firecrest March 18th
Willow Warbler March 24th
Tree Pipit April 4th
Whitethroat April 5th
Ring Ouzel April 8th
Pied Flycatcher April 13th
Lesser Whitethroat April 18th
Swift April 20th
Garden Warbler April 20th
Spotted Flycatcher April 29th
Turtle Dove May 1st
If this has whetted your appetite then why not join us on one of our specialist bird breaks. You are advised to book as early as possible as these breaks prove to be very popular.
Alternatively, to bring your group to the Heights Hotel so that you can explore Portland's varied birdlife, please call Jenny or Kathy to discuss your personal requirements on 01305 821361.
To book your independent break please click below for our best available rates:
