1st April

With the exception of a random Barnacle Goose that dropped into a sheep field at the Bill for a few minutes during the afternoon today's happenings weren't of the sort that'll live long in the memory. Almost constant bright sunshine did little to take the edge off the biting northerly wind and migrant arrivals were at a premium: singles of Merlin, Curlew and Brambling were certainly new at the Bill but there was the feel that most of what little else was about - including 4 Black Redstarts at the Bill - was lingering on from the last few days. The only worthwhile reports from the sea were of another 7 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill.

A couple of the Bill Black Redstarts: this one was at the Higher Light yesterday afternoon © Clare Harrison...


...whilst this one was at the Bill Quarry this morning © Pete Saunders: