10th April

An easterly that freshened right up into gale force ahead of the arrival of rain late in the afternoon knocked passerine passage on the head but did wonders for the sea, from where decent totals were accrued at both the Bill and Chesil. By virtue of longer coverage the Bill came out tops on the Common Scoter front with 709 through before the rain set in, but as usual it was Chesil that scored with better variety that included 27 Sandwich Terns, 14 Common Terns, 4 Teal, 3 Arctic Skuas (the Bill total was 1 more), 3 Little Gulls, 2 Whimbrel, 2 Arctic Terns, a Red-throated Diver (2 off the Bill) and a Mute Swan. The land was rather neglected but patently very quiet: 2 Merlins through over Ferrybridge and another through at the Bill were the pick of the visible passage, whilst there was a sad lack of both numbers and variety on the ground.



Common Scoters and Gannet - Portland Bill, 10th April 2016 © Mike Trew