4th February

An amazingly rapid about-turn in the weather saw dawn break millpond calm and before long tolerably warm sunshine was the order of the day. A fair bit of weekend coverage also saw an improvement in the day's sightings: 13 Red-throated Divers and 2 Great Crested Grebes passed through off the Bill, a Grey Heron and a Reed Bunting were about on the land at the Bill, single Black Redstarts surfaced again at Blacknor and Hamm Beach and 12 Goosanders, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Eider and a Great Northern Diver were in Portland Harbour.