3rd December

The second successive milder day saw cold weather movement largely fizzle out, with 4 Redwings and a Fieldfare the only obvious new arrivals at the Bill. Winter regulars on view included 2 Purple Sandpipers and a Firecrest at the Bill, 8 Common Scoter and 4 Red-throated Divers through on the sea there, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Southwell, 18 Black-necked Grebes, 7 Goosanders, 3 Great Northern Divers and a Black-throated Diver in Portland Harbour and 100 Dunlin, 48 Oystercatchers, 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and the Black Brant at Ferrybridge.

Two Dark Sword Grass provided some immigrant interest in the Obs moth-traps.

The Black Brant is as often as not throwing its weight about when it's in residence at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders: 


There was plenty of activity at Portland Harbour this morning © Dave Foot: