7th January

After a clear night during which the wind dropped to nothing dawn saw the sharpest frost of the winter to date; however, once a little early murkiness had dissipated it was a gloriously sunny and pleasant day - in fact, too nice not to get on with outdoor jobs rather than waste too much time birding. What little fieldwork there was uncovered an increase to 4 Blackcaps in a garden at Sweethill, a Black Redstart still at the Bill with another 2 still at Barleycrates Lane, the Rosy Starling still at Easton and 7 Black-necked Grebes and 2 Black-throated Divers still in Portland Harbour.