19th January

Another lovely day of light winds and almost unbroken sunshine - perfect winter birding conditions. Surprises were few and far between but many of the regulars were showing nicely, with Portland Harbour and environs particularly rewarding: 2 Wigeon were new arrivals, 7 Slavonian Grebes, 4 Eider, a Red-necked Grebe and the Black Guillemot were the best of the bunch amongst the waterbirds and 2 each of Black Redstart and Chiffchaff were at Portland Castle. Further single Black Redstarts were at Blacknor and the Bill, with the latter also coming up with 12 Purple Sandpipers (the highest count so far this winter), a Grey Heron and at least 1 of the Blackcaps on the land and 8 Brent Geese, 7 Red-throated Divers and a Common Scoter through on the sea.




Black Guillemot, Red-necked Grebe and Eiders - Portland Harbour, 19th January 2015 © Will Bown