4th January

The presence of an array of bird-racers and year-listers making the most of chilly but otherwise rather benign conditions ensured the established winterers got plenty of attention today. A seemingly very brief visit for the first time in several weeks by a Black Brant to Ferrybridge was notable although unfortunately it escaped the attention of most; a Pale-bellied Brent was also there, whilst across the road in Portland Harbour the Black Guillemot and singles of Black-throated Diver and Red-necked Grebe were of interest amongst the more routine divers, grebes (including an 'extra' Slavonian Grebe) and Eider. Chesil Cove came up with 2 Red-throated Divers, with another 24 through off the Bill where 4 Common Scoter, 3 Great Skuas and a Little Egret also passed by; 6 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Blackcaps and at least 1 Water Rail also remained at the Bill.



...gulls, Gannets and occasional attendant skuas remain quite a spectacle off the Bill.