30th April

Yesterday's resurgence in passage wasn't sustained and it was quieter everywhere today. At the Bill Wheatear, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler each topped the 50 mark, whilst Whitethroat reached about the same level mainly by virtue of there being so many already back on breeding territories; amongst the lowly single figure totals a late Black Redstart was of note there, with a Grasshopper Warbler at Reap Lane being the best on offer elsewhere. Overhead passage was rather subdued but did include the first 3 Swifts at the Bill since the early single there over a fortnight ago. For long periods during the morning seawatching was hampered by fog lingering close offshore but eventually totals of 43 Common Scoter, 18 Whimbrel, 6 Arctic Skuas and singles of Red-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver and Great Skua made the log at the Bill.




Whimbrel, Sedge Warbler and Wheatear - Portland Bill, 30th April 2014 © Martin Cade (Whimbrel)  © Joe Stockwell (Sedge Warbler and Wheatear)