22nd November

With the novelty of the wind almost entirely abating overnight there was some expectation for a good day - what was not expected was the near constant drizzle of rain so fine that the radar couldn't pick it up but anyone in the field succumbed to several good soakings. The arrival of a handful of Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs proved not to be a sign of a widespread flurry of grounded migrants and the bulk of the day's interest was - despite the seemingly unfavourable conditions - overhead. Chaffinches and Goldfinches both reached near-200 totals at the Bill, where 2 Mistle Thrushes were the pick of a miscellaneous selection of lesser totals. Another steady passage of Kittiwakes off the Bill totalled 238; a Red-throated Diver also passed by and the 2 settled Eider lingered on. A winterier theme at Portland Harbour included 11 Great Northern Divers, 7 Black-necked Grebes and ones and twos of Red-necked Grebe and Red-throated and Black-throated Divers.

Chiffchaff at Southwell and Red-breasted Merganser in Portland Harbour © Pete Saunders: