15th December

This weekend has seen signs of the customary mid-winter build up in auk numbers, with sample counts this morning suggesting totals of 8-9000/hour - seemingly predominantly Razorbills - passing the Bill; at least 85 Common Scoter were still offshore there whilst a lone Fieldfare showed up in Top Fields. Singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Chiffchaff and Firecrest were still about at Pennsylvania Castle and the Velvet Scoter and a Black-throated Diver were still in Portland Harbour.