An extraordinary find by Pete and Debby Saunders on Boxing Day in Portland Harbour had the birding community in a frenzy over the xmas period. Family commitments meant that I could not get away until the Sunday, the weather forecast bode well and decided to head down leaving early to get there first light. The bright winters sunshine welcomed us at Osprey quay and parked up in the same car park we used when searching the harbour whilst on a birding weekend at the end of November with Glen and Joe. Plenty of cars and birders around but initial searches drew a blank and was left admiring Great-northern Divers and Red-breasted Mergansers. Soon the shout went out and the bird was located in the next bay, so the stampede began and was soon clapping my eyes on the Brunnich's Guillemot before it did what it did for most of the time I observed the bird which was to disappear under water. The bird pretty much stayed faithful to the same bay and mainly in the shade of the sun, was also amusing to observe the behaviour of some birders as they chased the bird up and down the bay trying for closer views, we just stayed in the same spot and the bird occasionally popped up right in front of us. It was only when the tide started to drop that the bird decided to range further around the bay towards the sailing club where great views were had albeit a bit more distantly but looked stunning with the sunshine!
The harbour also hosted a good number of Great-northern and Black-throated Divers and a winter plumaged Black Guillemot gave good scope views a plumage tick for me and my first English bird so was also like seeing a new bird.
Was also great to see so many familiar faces, Gary T was there with his parents, John Chapple and 'Spider' were around from Cornwall and Scilly respectively, John busy with the video camera as usual. Several Sussex birders around too! my uncle, Bola and Chris Janman for starters.
We decided to leave the bird as it was disappearing for long periods amongst the moored up boats and checked ferrybridge where 2 Med Gulls were the highlights before deciding to head home to continue the xmas celebrations. Below are some of my record shots of a great bird that was a joy to watch.
Brunnich's Guillemot - Portland Harbour - Dorset
