5th January

A nicely calm and bright day allowed for a lot of coverage of Portland Harbour that revealed there was a fair bit more about there than had been apparent in the rougher weather of late; 2 Red-necked Grebes were the chief reward, but 7 each of Great Northern Diver and Black-necked Grebe, 3 Slavonian Grebes and a Black-throated Diver were also on show there. As usual in quieter conditions, Red-throated Divers got moving in some numbers of the Bill where 22 were logged, with a lone Great Northern Diver also passing by. A winter peak of 15 Purple Sandpipers - along with a Short-eared Owl - were at the Bill, with at least 3 of the wintering Black Redstarts also showing at regular spots about the island.