8th January

A fair few of the customary seabirds haven't been featuring in anything like their customary numbers so far this winter, with a timely example being today's 20 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill which represents a pretty paltry winter peak to date; 2 Common Scoter and a single Little Gull were the only other seabirds of note there. Calmer conditions permitted a better look at Portland Harbour, where 6 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Great Northern Divers and singles of Black-throated Diver and Slavonian Grebe were also less than impressive totals in comparison with some in recent winters. Regulars on the land included 2 Short-eared Owls, a Chiffchaff and a Firecrest at the Bill/Southwell and single Black Redstarts at Reap Lane and Blacknor.


Short-eared Owl - Southwell, 8th January 2016 © Nick Stantiford