17th March

With yesterday's deluge behind us the day dawned - and remained - crystal-clear as anticyclonic conditions settled in. Migrant numbers were inevitably on the low side but variety included the season's first Willow Warbler (trapped at the Obs), White Wagtail (settled below Culverwell) and Swallow (settled on wires at Cheyne), along with a scatter of 3 single Black Redstarts and a lone Brambling. Fifteen Chiffchaffs and 8 Wheatears provided some numbers at the Bill, where 12 each of Red-throated Diver and Common Scoter, a lone Manx Shearwater and a steady trickle of Common Gulls passed by on the sea. A lone Slavonian Grebe was added to this week's tally of tardy winter visitors in Portland Harbour.