13th March

With Portland missing out on the murky conditions evidently widespread over the mainland, fieldwork was a pleasure on another remarkably balmy day. The day's chief rewards were fly-bys: a Marsh Harrier over the Bill shortly after dawn and a Little Ringed Plover heading north along West Cliffs later in the morning. A steady trickle of incoming Meadow Pipits and alba wagtails were again evident, whilst grounded arrivals included 20 Wheatears, 15 Chiffchaffs and 2 Redwings at the Bill; singles of Black Redstart and Firecrest at the Bill and Black Redstart at Reap Lane lingered on from previous days, whilst the Iceland Gull was again at Ferrybridge. The sea was again very quiet, with 15 passing Brent Geese the only worthwhile sighting from the Bill.


   Carrion Crow and Kestrel - Portland Bill, 13th March 2014 © Peter Manley