13th March

IN FOCUS SOUTH WEST Optics day this Sunday 16th March @PortlandBirdObs 10 till 4 @DorsetWildlife 07307 698798 @DorsetBirdClub @opticronuk @SwarovskiOptik @ZEISSBirding @hawkeoptics and more pic.twitter.com/TmlEnk7yvs

— IN FOCUS SOUTH WEST (@MortimerKe93304) March 13, 2025

A clear, cold night didn't look likely to have been much help in dropping new arrivals and 5 Wheatears, 3 Chiffchaffs, 3 more Bullfinches and the spring's first Blackcap were all that could be mustered from the Bill area; yesterday's new Firecrest was still about there as was the wintering Black Redstart, whilst a couple more Wheatears and another Blackcap were found further up-island. Rewards from overhead and from the sea were so few as to not be worth a mention.

The cloudless dawn sky enticed some more Bullfinches into getting moving © Martin Cade:

Great Northern Diver over Ferrybridge this morning © Pete Saunders:

Another first for the spring: Blackcap trapped at the Obs. Also 3 new Bullfinches there this morning.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) March 13, 2025 at 8:54 AM