Some fairly inept weather forecasting had suggested a good part of the day would be rained off which was a far cry from the conditions that unfolded as the initial brisk easterly died right away once very misty, murky conditions set in through the afternoon. Migrants still weren't conspicuous but variety at the Bill included 2 each of Black Redstart, Chiffchaff and Firecrest, and singles of Wheatear, Redwing and Bullfinch; another 2 Firecrests were at Southwell, whilst further Black Redstarts were at Portland Castle (2) and Chesil Cove. The wintering Blackcap lingered on at the Obs as did the 2 Pheasants there, whilst the sea came up with 2 passing Red-throated Divers off the Bill and 5 settled Teal at Chesil Cove.
A party of a dozen or more Bottle-nosed Dolphins spent a while off the Bill early in the morning before heading away northwards, whilst a lone dolphin - another Bottle-nosed? - was later in Portland Harbour.
A lone Dark Sword Grass was again the only immigrant caught overnight at the Obs.
Bottle-nosed Dolphins - Portland Bill, 11th March 2015 © Debby Saunders
