3rd June

The loss of the Rosy Starlings that couldn't be found today ended a nice little run of oddities, with only a fly-by Hooded Crow at Blacknor providing minor compensatory interest. In very sunny and warm conditions new commoner migrants were at a premium: 3 Chiffchaffs, a Wheatear and a Lesser Whitethroat were additions to a lingering Black Redstart at the Bill and 21 Sanderling were at Ferrybridge. Sea reports included 47 Common Scoter and a Black-throated Diver through off the Bill.

We secured a nice proof of breeding during the evening when a cursory scan of Portland Harbour revealed a family of Shelducks slowing making their way from the breakwaters (where they probably breed every year although proof is usually lacking) towards Small Mouth - we thought they'd eventually make it under the bridge and into the Fleet but at the last moment they were spooked by a paddle-boarder and were still milling around in the harbour when we had to leave. Rather gormlessly we'd forgotten to put a 'proper' camera in the car so had to resort to phonescoping to record the event - our ineptitude at this technique is plain to see © Martin Cade:



The return of clear skies and sunshine looks to have been the cue for the Rosy Starlings to move on which is a shame since photo opportunities during the latter part of their stay were hindered by fog when it/they were often looking really bedraggled © Nick Hopper: