20th December

Although the Barred Warbler continued to put on a good show there was no escaping the reality of rather repetitious mid-winter birding setting in. The only noticeable changes from events in recent days were an increase to 10 in the Pale-bellied Brent Goose total at Ferrybridge and signs of some Redwing passage still underway, with 10 at Portland Castle and a few on the move over the Bill after dark. Routine fare included 6 Purple Sandpipers and a Black Redstart at the Bill, 9 Red-throated Divers and 3 Common Scoter through on the sea there, 2 Black Redstarts in the Portland Castle/Osprey Quay area and the Eider and Black Guillemot still about off Portland Castle.


Purple Sandpiper - Portland Bill, 20th December 2014 © Mark Eggleton