16th-24th February

After a long barren spell the gradual introduction of milder and more more settled conditions has perked up interest no end, with 24th seeing the arrival of 2 Fieldfares and singles of Chiffchaff, Firecrest and Greenfinch at the Bill, 11 Stonechats and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane, a wandering Marsh Harrier overhead and 17 Common Scoter through offshore (...together with a handful of Redwings, Song Thrushes and Robins, and singles of Oystercatcher and Curlew logged overnight by the nocmig recorder at the Obs). Aside from routine winter fare, highlights during the preceding days concerned a released White-tailed Eagle overhead at Weston and Chiswell on 20th and a extremely unexpected island rarity in the form of a Nuthatch near Nicodemus Knob on 22nd.

After a few days when Lesser Black-back Gulls constituted the only signs of inbound passage at the Bill...

...a flurry on 24th that included Marsh Harrier, Chiffchaff and Firecrest was very welcome indeed © Jodie Henderson and Martin Cade:

8th-15th February

Whilst yet more unsettled weather severely interrupted time spent out in the field, there was still the distinct impression that little change had occurred in the assembly of birds present. A Short-eared Owl on the 12th was a surprise find after a winter without a single record but otherwise it was mostly the current regulars, with up to 13 Purple Sandpipers and the Grey Heron present at the Bill, 11 Black-necked Grebes and the Black-throated Diver in the Harbour plus a total of 55 Brent Geese at Ferrybridge. Clear skies on the 12th saw the year's second Red Admiral on the wing, whilst recent days have seen a large pod of Common Dolphins lingering offshore.

The Short-eared Owl present on the 12th of February © Jodie Henderson

31st January-7th February

A very unsettled period of weather for the beginning of February saw little in the way of new arrivals, with a single Yellowhammer on the 1st and a flyover White-tailed Eagle on the 7th the only oddities to report. Among the regular winterers, up to 11 Purple Sandpipers and 3 Turnstones were present at the Bill whilst the Grey Heron continued to frequent the observatory ponds. On the sea, Red-throated Diver numbers reached a maximum of 43 on the 2nd whilst 2 Shelduck past by on the 4th. Windier conditions at the end of January saw 12 Little Gulls present at the cove, with both the Red-necked Grebe and Black-throated Diver regularly seen in the harbour. Sunny intervals on the 4th saw the first Peacock butterfly on the wing whilst belated news of the first Hummingbird Hawkmoth came from the 22nd of last month.

Recent windy conditions have provided plenty of detritus for the local Ravens to begin their necessary nest building and repairs © Jodie Henderson

Whilst both the Black Redstart and Grey Wagtail remain at Church Ope Cove © Jodie Henderson

Pretty unsatisfactory views of this morning's White-tailed Eagle as it rounded the tip of the Bill, causing plenty of chaos among the local gulls  © Jodie Henderson