7th June

The cyclical vortex of precipitation that engulfed much of the south-west today put pay to most birding attempts. There was, however, a brief respite in the middle of the day as the eye of the storm sat directly above Portland revealing beautifully warm, clear skies. During this period those of us at the Obs put our skates on and headed to as many places as possible before the onslaught ensued again. Unfortunately the rain didn't drop any marvellous presents onto our shores but the sea-watch provided a couple of Balearic Shearwaters, 45 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Puffins. The land produced little more than a new Chiffchaff, and a small handful of Swifts and House Martins still on the move.