Although there was another sharp overnight frost (it was reported to have been the coldest night of the winter so far on the island) the day dawned clear and sunny with a westerly breeze seeing to it that the temperature rose quite rapidly. Not surprisingly, the cold weather bonanza didn't last with only
Redwing still reaching a three figure total at the Bill; 90
Golden Plovers hung on there for while but
Fieldfare barely made double figures,
Lapwing was completely absent and singles of
Snipe,
Reed Bunting and
Corn Bunting provided a little further interest. Routine sightings included 5
Red-throated Divers through off the Bill, 3
Greenfinches, 2
Purple Sandpipers and 2
Chiffchaffs on the land there, 3
Blackcaps and a
Goldcrest at Southwell, 2
Black Redstarts and 2
Chiffchaffs at Church Ope Cove, another lone
Black Redstart at the Grove, the
Black Guillemot and the
Red-necked Grebe amongst the regulars in Portland Harbour and 5
Curlew, 2
Bar-tailed Godwits and a
Redshank at Ferrybridge.
This morning's Redshank at Ferrybridge © Debby Saunders:
We've heard Barn Owl(s) quite often after dark this winter around the Obs but this evening one was out early in half-decent daylight - it criss-crossed the Bill Road several times which isn't the wisest tactic at any time of the day or night © Martin Cade:
