13th March

Although it remained too clear to have expected much in the way of numbers there was nonetheless a fair bit of variety today, including two first records for the year: the first Wheatear that pitched up at Bill certainly wasn't unexpected, whilst 4 Shoveler through on the sea there weren't really a surprise given the easterly breeze; 2 Long-tailed Tits and 2 Siskins at the Bill, a Snipe at Reap Lane and a Mistle Thrush at Barleycrates Lane were the best of the rest. Commoner fare included a thin scatter of Redwings, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, whilst the regulars included 2 Black Redstarts and a Firecrest at the Bill, a/the Red-legged Partridge at Suckthumb, a Black Redstart at Portland Port and 330 Mediterranean Gulls at Ferrybridge. The Shovelers aside, the sea was quiet, with 70 Black-headed Gulls, a Red-throated Diver and a Shelduck the best off Chesil.