A perfectly pleasant day but far from as nice as yesterday once a veil of cloud had crept in through the morning. A Firecrest at Avalanche Road, another little trickle of northbound Meadow Pipits and a Black Redstart at Portland Castle were new today, whilst a count of a dozen grounded Pied Wagtails at the Bill was a noticeable increase on recent totals so likely included some newcomers, also of note were 7 Common Buzzards - the highest count of the year to date - over Weston, although the 'extras' in this case probably originated from no further than the mainland. The rest of the day's reports were relatively routine: 7 Red-throated Divers and 4 Common Scoter through off the Bill, the Blackcap still at the Obs, 3 Great Northern Divers, a Pale-bellied Brent Goose and the Black Guillemot still in Portland Harbour and 220 Mediterranean Gulls, 170 Dunlin and 100 Ringed Plovers at Ferrybridge.
Dock Bug and Hairy Shieldbug - Portland Bill, 17th February 2015 © Ken Dolbear
...two more signs of spring from yesterday.
