20th January

Weather-wise, a tad quieter and milder today although the wind did start to freshen again through the afternoon. A Merlin was a first for the year at the Bill but nothing much else had changed, with 4 Red-throated Divers and a Great Northern Diver through off the Bill, 7 Purple Sandpipers, a Short-eared Owl and a Reed Bunting at the Bill and 16 Black-necked Grebes, 5 Great Northern Divers, a Black-throated Diver and an Eider in Portland Harbour.

A slight rise in the temperature tempted this Western Conifer Seed Bug out from wherever it was overwintering at the Obs © Martin Cade: