The recent run of unexpected waterfowl continued with 2 Gadwall and a Shoveler through off the Bill; 16 Red-throated Divers, a Black-throated Diver and Eider also passed by, whilst c70 Common Scoter remained offshore. The day's other odds and ends included 7 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Firecrests and a Blackcap at the Bill and singles of Eider and Common Scoter along with the usual divers and grebes in Portland Harbour.
A Red Admiral was a surprise overnight catch in one of the Obs garden moth-traps.
A Red Admiral was a surprise overnight catch in one of the Obs garden moth-traps.
Not the sort of wildfowl scarcities that we're very interested in: these two Muscovy Ducks originate from Fancy's Farm but they've been at liberty for some months and are currently waddling about at Victoria Square © Debby Saunders:
The Portland Harbour Eider © Pete Saunders...
...and a Great Crested Grebe and Great Northern Diver from Ferrybridge and the harbour © Debby Saunders:
The moth-trap Red Admiral - as far as we can recollect, the first time we've ever caught a butterfly in the traps in mid-winter © Martin Cade:
