It's a bit of a bad job when the birds of the day are 3
Canada Geese over the Bill, but beggars can't be choosers and in the absence of
a Great Spotted Cuckoo they'll have to do. Migrant-wise, the clearance of
yesterday's cloud saw northbound passage of Meadow Pipits return to the fore,
with a well into four-figure total logged through the day; overflying alba
wagtails also numbered several dozen. On the ground there was nothing in
quantity but amongst the expected fare 2 Black Redstart and a White Wagtail at
Reap Lane, another Black Redstart at Southwell, a Fieldfare at Barelycrates
Lane and 2 Firecrests, a Redwing and a Black Redstart at the Bill were all of
note. Amongst the long-stayers, the Black Guillemot in Portland Harbour and
Iceland Gull at Ferrybridge both made the list. The only report from the sea
was of 2 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill.
Black Redstarts - Reap Lane, 12th March 2014 © Pete Saunders
...also of interest, thanks to Ken Dolbear for a photo of the Widow (or Snake's-head) Iris Hermodactylus tuberosus that's just coming into flower at Broadcroft BC reserve; we featured this first record for the island last year when, as a good example of how cold and late the spring was, it was in flower on 29th April: