13th January

Intermittently, at least until late in the day when some hefty showers rolled through, a very pleasant day with the breeze light enough for a selection of wintering passerines to surface. Amongst these a Dartford Warbler showing up for the first time in a month at the Bill was the most notable; both Firecrests at the Obs were also making the most of the sun, whilst a duo of Black Redstarts at both the Bill and Chesil Cove, and several Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and Greenfinches - the latter a noteworthy scarcity these days - dotted about Southwell/the Bill were all on view. Other winter regulars making the list included 5 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill and 2 Short-eared Owls at Southwell, whilst divers included a Red-throated passing over Portland Harbour and at least 2 Great Northerns settled there.



Short-eared Owl and Dartford Warbler - Southwell and Portland Bill, 13th January 2016 © Pete Saunders (Short-eared Owl) and Martin Cade (Dartford Warbler)