After arriving at the Obs mid afternoon we had a decent walk around the Bill area before retiring down to the fine hostelry that is known as the Pulpit Inn. The first birds of note we came across were two Spotted Flycatchers. Both were busy feeding adjacent to the wall of the Obs. One of the birds was sporting a ring which it had no doubt picked up in the garden earlier in the day. From the garden we paid a customary visit to the Obs Quarry, again hoping to catch up with a possible Wryneck. Another dip, as we expected but we did have good views of the resident Little Owl. This must be one of the most photographed Owls in the country. Not wanting to disappoint I snapped away. After a few minutes of watching; the Little Owl walked along its ledge and proceeded to stretch out and lay down, very Nightjar like, not sure if it was part of a preening procedure or whether it was just catching the sun. I have never seen this behaviour before. I described the laying down to Martin Cade back at the Obs and he said in all his years on the site he too had never heard of the Owl laying down.

Spotted Flycatcher, Portland, 11 Sep 2009

And Another

Little Owl, Obs Quarry, 11 Sep 2009

Same bird taking it easy

Steve Copsey