23rd April

http://www.at-infocus.co.uk/
A reminder that the next In Focus field event at the Obs takes place between 10am and 4pm this Saturday, 25th April 2015.
 
A veil of heavy cloud that rolled in from the east overnight was something of a novelty after the recent spell of almost unbroken sunshine and it did no harm to the quality of birding, with migrants once again in good supply between at least the Bill and Blacknor (coverage elsewhere was decidedly patchy). Although Willow Warbler remained numerically top of the list - including 200 at the Bill - variety's increasing by the day as we get well into the second half of spring, and the larger warblers in particular are making up an increasing proportion of each day's tally. The day's varied list from the Bill area also included 50 each of Blackcap and Chiffchaff, 40 Whitethroats, 25 Wheatears, 20 each of Redstart and Garden Warbler, 15 Whinchats, 6 Yellow Wagtails and ones and twos of Black Redstart, Ring Ouzel, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Goldcrest and Spotted Flycatcher; amongst similar totals at up-island sites a White Wagtail at Reap Lane, a Hobby at Blacknor and a Ring Ouzel at Verne Common were of particular note. The continuing easterly wind saw to it that Chesil was the favoured seawatch venue, with 170 commic terns, 109 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic Skuas and singles of Black-throated Diver, Great Skua and Little Gull the highlights from watches at either end of the day; much lower numbers at the Bill included another Arctic Skua.
 
Two Clouded Yellows were at the Bill in the afternoon.