1st April

The frost on the ground at dawn was evidence enough of just how clear it had remained all night and, with no brisk headwind to have held things up, how likely it would prove to be a day short on numbers. Only the most routine of arrivals put in appearances and numbers certainly weren't a feature, with only Chiffchaff getting into double figures on the ground at the Bill; minor oddities there included 4 Firecrests, 3 Short-eared Owls and a White Wagtail, whilst singles of White Wagtail and Black Redstart were at Suckthumb. Visible passage was again largely a non-event, with a just a trickle of northbound hirundines, pipits and wagtails everywhere. With a noticeable south-westerly breeze setting in it was a surprise that the sea didn't come up with more interest than the 2 Avocets and single Great Skua through off Chesil and the Black-throated Diver through off the Bill; a Great Northern Diver was still at Ferrybridge, where a Sanderling also remained.


Avocets - Chesil Beach, 1st April 2016 © Sean Foote

...and April begun with a fine sunrise: