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.
Made for the cold... the Bill Purple Sandpipers © Geoff Orton: