Finders in the Field: Red-footed Booby, Portland, Dorset
On 24th July, as part of a birding trip around the South West, I was visiting Pulpit Rock at Portland Bill, after popping in to visit the Portland Bird Observatory, and was lucky enough to see the above bird there whilst doing a little sea watching. Jodie at the observatory had recommended this spot.
This bird was on the water not far from a group of Guillemots and Razorbills. At that stage I could see it didn’t look quite right to be a juvenile gannet and I had a thought it might be a booby of some sort, whilst at the same time I was telling myself to not be so silly as it was just so unlikely. Anyhow, in the West Midland Bird Club we’re lucky enough to have a very experienced pelagic bird expert in Richard Stonier, our Club Treasurer, so when I got back from the trip, I sent the photo to Richard to take a look at the picture and he immediately confirmed it to be a Red Footed Booby.
It’s since been further confirmed by both Martin Cade, the Warden of the Portland Bird Observatory and Ian Stanley, the Dorset County Bird Recorder, who tells me this is a third for Britain and a first for Dorset which is very exciting indeed. I have to say, I’m seriously impressed by the amazing photo and video taken by the dive boat crew of this bird. I wish my photo was even close to being as good as theirs. Still, I’m delighted, and amazed, to have seen this bird at all.
Don Ainsworth
July 2024
There have been two other sightings of what is presumed to be the same bird:
Also on 24th, as mentioned, it was seen and filmed upon a small boat later that evening, further along the coast in Worbarrow Bay - as repored in last week's birding roundup by Jon dunn here
Incredible scenes in Worbarrow Bay on Monday! (with thanks to Vince Jenkins) pic.twitter.com/SbGWLBtNLl
— Dorset Bird Club (@DorsetBirdClub) June 28, 2024
On 2nd July it was seen in the evening off Sidmouth in Devon, so there must be a reasonable chance it will be found again somewhere in the English Channel!
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