In cooler and quieter conditions the effects of yesterday's storm were most noticeable at Portland Harbour where there were several peak counts for the winter amongst totals that included 22 Black-necked Grebes, 18 Great Northern Divers, 5 Slavonian Grebes, 2 Sandwich Terns and 1 Red-necked Grebe; although only tenuously within the island recording area, a Common Sandpiper was also along the mainland shore of the harbour. The day's other reports were from the south of the island, where a Chiffchaff was at Reap Lane, 2 Short-eared Owls and singles of Dartford Warbler, Chiffchaff and Firecrest remained at the Bill and 2 Red-throated Divers and 2 Common Scoter passed through off the Bill.
Black-necked Grebes, Slavonian Grebe and Short-eared Owl - Portland Harbour and Southwell, 9th February 2016 © Joe Stockwell (Black-necked Grebes) and Pete Saunders (Slavonian Grebe and Short-eared Owl)