Rose-coloured Starling and Short-toed Eagle...

Ok, this wasn't our target bird but it was a very nice surprise to help recover an otherwise dismal morning on Portland. Dave Helliar and myself originally set off in the hope of seeing the four bee-eaters that have been whizzing around the Isle for much of the last week but despite our best efforts there wasn't sight nor sound of them. News then came in of a short-toed eagle at Morden Bog and the starling at West Bexington. At the time there was no further news of the eagle and as it had been seen flying off, we decided to head to West Bexington instead and managed to see this beautiful adult bird.

Rose-coloured Starling: R. Harris

Rose-coloured Starling: R. Harris

Small Blue, male: Portland: R. Harris

Small Blue, male: Portland: D. Helliar

Small Blue, male: Portland: D. Helliar

Hummingbird Hawkmoth, Chard: D. Helliar

As it turned out the eagle later re-appeared and Dave managed to get back to Morden to see it, only the 3rd for Britain!!

Crowd gathering at the STE twitch: Dave Helliar

Crowd gathering at the STE twitch: Dave Helliar

Short-toed Eagle - Mega 3rd for Britain!: D. Helliar

Distant shot of the Short-toed Eagle: D. Helliar