23rd November

If the first frost of the season wasn't reminder enough of just how far into winter we've got then the deafening silence overhead in what had looked to be promisingly still and clear vis mig conditions provided ample indication that we're beginning to scrape the bottom of the autumn migrant barrel. That said, it's certainly not too late for some quality which came today in the form of 2 Siberian Chiffchaffs at Portland Castle; long-stayers of interest included 2 Black Redstarts, a Short-eared Owl and a Firecrest at the Bill, but, a few thrushes and a Chiffchaff aside, it did seem as though grounded newcomers were at a premium there. Visible passage didn't get going at all, and at the Bill was limited to 100 incoming Starlings and single figure totals of routine thrushes and finches. The sea was still worth a look, with 10 Red-throated Divers, 4 Great Skuas, 3 Mallard and singles of Red-breasted Merganser and Arctic Skua through off the Bill, whilst a lone Common Scoter was settled in Portland Harbour.