3rd April

After a pretty tedious week or more of inaction passage resumed on all fronts today; only Meadow Pipits were in numbers but the increased variety was particularly welcome. Overnight rain lingered on until mid-morning but was more than enough to ground a selection that included 50 Chiffchaffs, 30 Wheatears, 4 Willow Warblers, 2 Blackcaps and a White Wagtail at the Bill, where at least 2 Firecrests also lingered on; elsewhere, singles of Golden Plover at Weston Street and Fieldfare at Suckthumb Quarry were of note. Once the rain cleared through visible passage got going in earnest: Meadow Pipits dominated, with a sample count of 1600 in an hour along West Cliffs, whilst the trickle of hirundines included the first 2 House Martins of the spring. The sea wasn't left out, with the Bill coming up with 70 Common Scoter and Chesil with 55 Common Scoter, 4 Shelducks, a Red-throated Diver and a Grey Plover; additionally, singles of Gadwall and Goosander dropping in at Portland Harbour perhaps hinted that with a bit more attention the sea might have been even more rewarding.