The flurry of incoming migrants in the early dawn was swiftly ended by the clearing of the skies shortly after sunrise. The first few patrols of the Bill revealed a flurry of 100 or so Chiffchaffs and the first Willow Warbler for the Obs for the year. The Phylloscs quickly filtered away off the island - 55 Chiffchaffs were counted soon afterwards at Portland Castle - leaving crystal clear blue skies and just a handful of Goldcrests and Firecrests lingering at the Bill. The sea produced little of note, but a steady trickle of Red-throated Divers and Common Scoters were enough to keep us watching for most of the morning.
The first Small White of the year was on the wing at the Bill.
There is nothing more thrilling than seeing migrants coming in off the sea and settling in places not necessarily associated with them. Yesterday the East Cliff quarries were hopping with freshly arrived Chiffchaffs © Erin Taylor:
