Despite a clear start to the day and a reasonably unthreatening rain radar, it was with some surprise that the day turned out to be almost unceasingly wet and miserable. This, however, did not stop a steady little overhead passage until the first heavier rain set in an hour or so after dawn, with more than 2000 Wood Pigeons and over 150 each of Chaffinch and Goldfinch over the Bill and 360 Jackdaws over Blacknor; surprises amongst this movement included singles of Goosander and Jack Snipe. An even greater surprise then dropped in at the Obs: a Pallas's Warbler appeared out of nowhere right beside the Obs patio before shortly afterwards turning up in a net just as the latter was about it be closed before the heaviest of the rain set in. The sea was also worth a look, with 3 Great Northern and singles of Red-throated and Black-throated Divers, along with 2 Red-breasted Mergansers through off the Bill; 2 Eider were also still settled offshore and 6 Black-necked Grebes, 4 Great Northern Divers, 2 Black-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe were in Portland Harbour.
The Pallas's Warbler © Joe Stockwell:
