31st January

In increasingly cold, frequently showery and always howlingly windy conditions the only reports were of a Barn Owl at Southwell, a Blackcap at Wakeham and 400 Mediterranean Gulls, 4 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Pale-bellied Brent Geese and a Great Northern Diver in Portland Harbour.

Southwell has become the owl hotspot in recent days: the Barn Owl was again south of the village this evening © Debby Saunders...



...whilst this Short-eared Owl was nearby yesterday evening © Steve Ridout:  


Blackcap in typical winter habitat at Wakeham today © Martin Adlam: