10th January

Such has been the uniform miserableness of the weather so far this year that today's lovely mild, calm and sunny conditions were a real treat. With plenty of birders tempted out there was decent coverage that resulted in quite a spread of variety, amongst which a Little Gull off the Bill and overflying singles of Snow Bunting at Ferrybridge and Redpoll at Blacknor were the best of the newcomers; the odd few winter thrushes were also still about, with 3 Fieldfares and 2 Redwings at Avalanche Road and another Fieldfare at the Bill. The rest of list consisted of regulars putting in appearances: the Yellow-browed Warbler and 4 Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle, 12 Purple Sandpipers, 4 Short-eared Owls, 2 Firecrests and a Grey Heron on the land at the Bill and 7 Red-throated Divers (+ a likely Iceland Gull) through on the sea there, a Short-eared Owl at Tout Quarry, a Black Redstart at Chesil Cove and 12 Black-necked Grebes and 3 Great Northern Divers at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge.

Three butterflies were tempted out onto the wing: a Peacock at the Bill, a Small Tortoiseshell at Blacknor and a Red Admiral at Fortuneswell.