Whitethroat - Portland Bill, 30th April 2014 © Pete Saunders
2nd May
Persistent cloud cover and a north-easterly breeze were the recipe for another nice drop of common migrants, amongst which there was plenty of variety as phyllosc numbers look to be dwindling and the later season species become more prominent. Greenland Wheatears and Whitethroats were today's feature birds, with 250 and 150 respectively at the Bill; Willow Warbler still chipped in there at the 150 level, whilst further notable totals included around 50 each of Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Garden Warbler. Less frequent species making the list at the Bill included 6 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, 2 Lesser Whitethroats, the Iceland Gull and a Cuckoo; another Cuckoo was also at Reap Lane/Barleycrates Lane. The seawatchers were yet again thwarted by an unhelpful wind direction, with nothing better than 2 Shoveler and a Great Northern Diver logged at the Bill.