3rd October

Hardly October conditions and, for the most part, hardly October birding with a lot less than might be hoped for at this juncture, however the day was saved late in the afternoon when a Rose-coloured Starling showed up at Reap Lane. Hitherto, highlights had been few and far between, with the fine conditions seeing to it that grounded migrants didn't feature in any quantity and visible passage was nowhere near as conspicuous as might have been hoped. Five Little Egrets, a Merlin and a Firecrest were easily the best of a poor array at the Bill,  where 3 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler also passed through on the sea. Elsewhere single Hobbys were at Shepherds Dinner and Avalanche Road.

Although Clouded Yellows were still fairly well spread, including 3 watched seemingly arriving in off the sea at the Bill, yesterday's little arrival of immigrant moths proved to be something of a false dawn, with Delicates at the Grove (2) and Sweethill easily the best of a poor selection of overnight captures in the moth-traps.
 

 
 
Rose-coloured Starling, Kestrel and Clouded Yellow - Southwell and Portland Bill, 3rd October 2014 © Duncan Walbridge (Rosy Starling) and Ken Dolbear (Kestrel and Clouded Yellow)
 
...and a little video of the Rosy Starling: