16th February

The huge improvement in the weather that set in yesterday was maintained and other than a late afternoon shower that only clipped the north of the island the day was mild, calm and bright throughout. A few Mediterranean Gulls are starting to move, with 13 through off the Bill during the morning, whilst although no passerine visible passage was noticed it looked like a few grounded Meadow Pipits at the Bill were fresh in. Other than those hints of spring the day's tally consisted just of winter regulars: 10 Purple Sandpipers, 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Barn Owls and a Firecrest at the Bill, 3 Red-throated Divers and 3 Common Scoter through on the sea there, the Blackcap at Wakeham and 12 Black-necked Grebes, 8 Little Grebes and 2 Great Northern Divers at Portland Harbour/Ferrybridge.