Today was so unexpectedly interesting that it merits a brief return to narrative. The overnight nocmig recording at the Obs revealed Redwings still moving in fair numbers - the 152 calls logged were well scattered through the hours of darkness although there was a conspicuous peak of 67 during the hour before dawn - and the arrival of daylight saw a succession of new arrivals logged, with 11 Redwings, 2 Bramblings and singles of Water Rail, Swallow, Chiffchaff, Siskin and Bullfinch at the Bill; lingering singles of Merlin, Black Redstart and Chiffchaff were also still about there and another Black Redstart was at Osprey Quay. The most unseasonable surprise was still to come though: after just long enough for them to have crossed the Channel after vacating their French roosts a stream of flocks of Starlings and Wood Pigeons - totalling around 3400 and 2000 respectively - arrived in from the south. The sea was also worth attention, with 29 Red-throated Divers (the highest day-total so far this winter and all heading high west), 2 Brent Geese and 2 Red-breasted Mergansers through off the Bill. Elsewhere, 10 Black-necked Grebes, a Black-throated Diver and a Slavonian Grebe were still in Portland Harbour.In Focus Optics Day @PortlandBirdObs this Sunday 19th December @DorsetWildlife 01225 891352/07307698798 @opticronuk @SwarovskiOptik @hawkeoptics @DorsetBirdClub pic.twitter.com/SKjynS5QUQ
— In Focus Cotswold (@infocus_Swest) December 15, 2021
Singles of Rusty-dot Pearl & White-speck the only immigrant moths in the Obs moth-traps last night. pic.twitter.com/X6CrDNt2GX
— Portland Bird Observatory (@PortlandBirdObs) December 16, 2021
A pair of ravens on Portland Bill. @PortlandBirdObs pic.twitter.com/MjEXYfIA9V
— Alick Simmons (@alicksimmons) December 16, 2021