26th February

Blustery westerlies were the order of the day but again didn't deter the Hume's Warbler that evidently showed quite well at times at Thumb Lane. At the Bill an Iceland Gull paid a short visit to the horse paddocks below Culverwell, a Grey Heron arrived in off the sea and there were the usual odds and ends through on the sea including the first Great Skua of the month, 14 Common Scoter and 9 Red-throated Divers. Elsewhere there were 2 Black-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe in Portland Harbour.
Also apologies to folk who send us texts/direct messages with news that we completely overlook; two of yesterday's dementia moments saw us miss reports of a Manx Shearwater through off the Bill and a Black Redstart in a private garden at Reap Lane.

The Iceland Gull looked to be in second-winter plumage but by the time we'd flogged all the way along East Cliffs to try and get some closer photos it had vanished so we're not sure of the finer detail that might have enabled it to be tied in with one or other of the recent sightings in the Weymouth area © Martin Cade: