22nd March

Overnight rain dropped a small arrival of mainly Chiffchaffs but with the eventual clearance not reaching the island until mid-morning they were difficult to get amongst before most had moved on. At least 25 Chiffchaffs - along with 7 Wheatears, 2 Black Redstarts, a Golden Plover and a Blackcap (as well as several lingering Short-eared Owls) - were logged at the Bill, whilst 3 Blackcaps and 2 Willow Warblers at Thumb Lane were amongst the sprinkle elsewhere; the Hume's Warbler also remained at Thumb Lane. Seawatching at the Bill came up with 18 Common Scoter, 4 Sandwich Terns and 2 Red-throated Divers, whilst a Great Northern Diver passed over Ferrybridge and 8 Sandwich Terns, 2 Eider and a Black-necked Grebe were in Portland Harbour.

The Great Northern Diver and one of the Sandwich Terns from Ferrybridge/Portland Harbour this morning © Pete Saunders:



A Peacock butterfly at the Obs making the most the lovely warm, sunny afternoon that followed the wet early morning © Ken Dolbear: