Migration aficionados had noticed today's potential to at last provide them with some action and, thanks to overnight rain and overcast skies - ingredients that had hitherto been missing all month, they had their chance to wade through some fairly respectable numbers today. It's still early for variety but a spread around the south of the island of the likes of 10 Black Redstarts, 5 Ring Ouzels, 4 White Wagtails, 2 Bullfinches and singles of Merlin, Redstart and Brambling, amongst 150 each of Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 40 Wheatears and 30 Willow Warblers, made for some thoroughly enjoyable birding. Visible passage didn't look to be as heavy as in recent days although the totals of 300 Meadow Pipits and 280 Wood Pigeons logged heading north when there were so many distractions suggested there was still plenty on the move despite the murky conditions. Seawatching was also hampered by the imperfect visibility so the totals of 400 Gannets, 63 Common Scoter, 14 Red-throated Divers, 12 Teal and 3 Shoveler accrued at the Bill weren't too bad given the circumstances.
We'd thought our Redstart today (see below) was the first of the year but it later transpired that visitors staying at the Old Higher Lighthouse had seen one there yesterday evening! © Clare Harrison:
The first Redstart of the spring the pick of a nice little flurry of grounded migrants at the Bill; 50 birds ringed so far at the Obs pic.twitter.com/dBV7g1ElN4
— Portland Bird Observatory (@PortlandBirdObs) March 29, 2022
Today's 100th bird ringed at the Obs: Blackcap & Chiffchaff neck and neck on 40+ apiece, Willow Warbler a very distant third pic.twitter.com/sLSYCbo49p
— Portland Bird Observatory (@PortlandBirdObs) March 29, 2022
Having watched a pair of Ring Ouzels take off from the Crown Estate Fields, I managed to locate them a little later by Helen's Field. Here's a short video of the male calling. @PortlandBirdObs @DorsetBirdClub pic.twitter.com/G7l8vT9MhS
— Port and Wey (@PortandWey) March 29, 2022
