12th January

A pretty nondescript, dreary day came up with a surprising number of new arrivals, including an Eider in Portland Harbour, an increase to 60 Linnets along with singles of Golden Plover and Red-legged Partridge at the Bill and 70 Redwings heading north over Blacknor. Among the regulars putting in appearances were 4 Short-eared Owls, 3 Purple Sandpipers and a Reed Bunting at the Bill, 6 Common Scoter and 5 Red-throated Divers through on the sea there, a Blackcap at Fortuneswell, the Black Redstart at Chesil Cove and 15 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Great Northern Divers and a Slavonian Grebe in Portland Harbour.

Short-eared Owl at the Bill this afternoon © Martin Cade: