22nd February

 

A reminder that there's an In Focus field event at the Obs between 10am and 4pm this Saturday, 24th February.

The Ross's Gull stole the show again today even if its appearance at Ferrybridge was so soon after dawn and then only for a few minutes that most would-be observers had to wait for their portion of the action until later in the day when it showed up at Lodmoor. Yesterday's Glaucous Gull also flew through at Ferrybridge and a Pale-bellied Brent Goose dropped in there. The only reports from elsewhere were of the Black Redstart at Chesil Cove, 11 Purple Sandpipers at the Bill and a Red-throated Diver through on the sea there.

The Ross's Gull only showed fairly briefly and in indifferent light soon after dawn © Pete Saunders:

The Glaucous Gull patrolling along Chesil at Ferrybridge was the individual seen yesterday at the Bill and during the last week at both Abbotsbury and West Bexington; sadly, it's trailing a variety of fishing tackle from its mouth © Martin Cade:

Another Blackcap from yesterday to add to the winter's tally: this female visited the Southwell garden that's already hosted two males this month © Andy Mitchell: