The only possible gripe about the ongoing glorious conditions is that they're not the best for dropping early arrivals. In the light of that, today's early starters were slightly surprised to happen upon a couple of
Wheatears and a spread of
Chiffchaffs dotted about the Bill; in truth, migrants rewards didn't exactly come thick and fast after that, but an overhead
Brambling was a first for the year and the
Chiffchaff tally reached well into double figures for the first time. Despite the promise offered by a waft of southeasterly the sea was quiet, with 5
Red-throated Divers as good as it got off the Bill. Elsewhere, the 2
Long-tailed Ducks remained in Portland Harbour.
More extensive coverage might well have come up with a pretty decent tally of Chiffchaffs for this early in the season - along with the fair spread at the Bill, half a dozen passed through just one private garden at Southwell © Martin Cade:
Portland & Harbour - Highlights from the Isle; Long Tailed Duck 2 & BN Grebe 3 (Harbour), Wheatear (Culverwell), Black Redstart & Purple Sandpiper 5 (8) (The Bill), 🦉🌎🦜@dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
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— Dorset Bird Tours (@dorsetbirdtours.bsky.social) March 4, 2025 at 3:33 PM
