Made for the cold... the Bill Purple Sandpipers © Geoff Orton:
5th March
A drop in temperature overnight meant a return to wintry, brisk conditions. The north-easterly wind brought a stark reminder that, despite yesterdays flurry of early migrants, it's not spring yet. Sightings at the Bill consisted of two Common Scoter and a single Red-throated Diver on the sea, whilst the land was reduced to a smattering of Chiffchaffs in the only warm spot on the island (the dung piles in the Top Fields) and a new Black Redstart at Reap Lane. Lingering over-winterers included five Purple Sandpipers first at Chesil Cove and later at the Bill, and a roaming flock of seven Long-tailed Tits in the Obs garden.
