13th September

Despite there being next to no change in the weather there were hints of a few happenings on the migrant front today. By and large, grounded arrivals weren't at all uniformly spread or plentiful but pockets of interest included the likes of 16 Whinchats in one field at the Bill, 3 Lesser Whitethroats at Coombefield Quarry (with another 2 at the Bill) and 22 Knot that dropped into Ferrybridge (together with another 6 at the Bill). As in the last few days, most of the other expected migrants were represented but there were few if any really worthwhile totals amongst them and a Nightingale still at the Obs Quarry provided the only quality; elsewhere the autumn's first Firecrest was at Weston. Overhead passage again took place over a broad front and was therefore tricky to quantify, but Swallows were certainly well into four figures at the Bill, where another passing Hobby was of further note. In the light of yesterday's events not too far away the sea got plenty of attention, with 14 Balearic Shearwaters, singles of Dark-bellied Brent Goose - another autumn first - Great Skua, Arctic SkuaLittle Gull the pick of the sightings from the Bill.

Singles of Oak Hook-tip and Delicate were the best of an otherwise very limited array of immigrants/wanderers in the Obs garden moth-traps.


Small Copper - Portland Bill, September 2014 © Joe Stockwell