1st February

February got off to a brighter start than January ended but apart from some diver movement offshore there was little change in the birding. A total of 14 Red-throated Divers passed through off the Bill, with another 2 off Chesil, but sea passage otherwise consisted of just 9 Common Scoter through off the Bill; a lone Common Scoter was also new at Portland Harbour. Nine Lapwings at the Bill and the Greylag Goose at Reap Lane were a legacy of last week's brief chilly spell, whilst regulars making the list included 7 Purple Sandpipers and 2 Black Redstarts at the Bill and 12 Goosanders and 2 Eider in Portland Harbour.