20th April

With some suggesting the forecast change in the weather might bring a deluge of migrants along with a deluge of rain there was a certain air of expectation that quickly dissipated once dawn revealed a leaden sky, brisk north-easterly and few new arrivals. Fortunately, later events showed the gloomy prognosis to be somewhat premature, with the first appearance this year of a Serin - a Portland staple that's been under-represented of late - being especially welcome. The heavy rain did indeed materialise and whilst always hampering the quest for further interest, did drop a few latecomers - notably 2 Garden Warblers and singles of Merlin, Tree Pipit, Ring Ouzel, Redstart, Sedge Warbler and Pied Flycatcher - amongst the spread of 70 Willow Warblers and 20 Blackcaps evident around the Bill area. A lone Black-throated Diver was the only sighting of note on the sea at the Bill.



Serin - Portland Bill, 20th April 2014  © Martin Cade
 
...and thanks to Debby Saunders for these two Blackcaps from Southwell yesterday: