14th March

The colder north-easterly airstream that set in after yesterday's rain dropped a few more arrivals around the island although it certainly wasn't busy anywhere. Chiffchaffs were scattered far and wide and likely got into three figures over the island as a whole, whilst Wheatears numbered 50 or so around the centre and south; as evidenced by numbers at the Obs - where 6 new individuals were ringed - Robins were also on the move in some quantity. Among the lesser totals, 13 Stonechats, 5 Redwings, 2 Black Redstarts, 2 Firecrests and a Grey Wagtail at the Bill, 3 Firecrests at Avalanche Road, a Woodcock and a Fieldfare at Barleycrates Lane, 2 Black Redstarts at Reap Lane, 2 Black Redstarts at Blacknor, a Firecrest at Portland Castle and 2 Scandinavian Rock Pipits at Ferrybridge were all of note. Nine Red-throated Divers and a Shelduck passed through on the sea at the Bill.