13th December

Lovely quiet, sunny conditions - together with it being a weekend day - saw the Barred Warbler attract a constant stream of visitors (we counted nearly 70 through the day and there were probably a few we missed). A few new arrivals were also in evidence, with 2 each of Redwing and Fieldfare and a single Siskin overhead at the Bill and 50 Wood Pigeons heading south over the Windmills; lingerers on the land included 4 Purple Sandpipers, 2 Water Rails, a Black Redstart and a Blackcap at the Bill, 2 Goldcrests at Avalanche Road, singles of Chiffchaff and Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle and 2 Black Redstarts at Blacknor. Five Red-throated Divers and a Red-necked Grebe passed through off the Bill and Portland Harbour was largely unchanged, with the Black Guillemot, 4 Eiders and a decent spread of divers and grebes still about.


Firecrest - Pennsylvania Castle, 13th December 2014 © Mark Eggleton