15th November

Another day full of late migrants and interest, with proceedings made all the more enjoyable by the gloriously mild, calm conditions that were such a pleasant change from the recent wind and rain. The day's quality was provided by the Dusky Warbler that skulked for another day at Avalanche Road, a Hoopoe that made a fleeting visit to nearby Weston Street and a Siberian Chiffchaff at Wakeham. Whilst it's now getting a bit too late for a really decent fall of migrants there was nonetheless plenty to see for those who put the time in, with a notable arrival of Black Redstarts - 21 in total reported from sites around the island, overhead movement of 930 Wood Pigeon, 300 Starlings and 80 Skylarks south over the Bill and late Wheatears at the Bill and Blacknor, Ring Ouzel and Swallow at the Bill and House Martin at Blacknor all being of particular note. The back-ups were too varied to mention in full but amongst the general spread of new arrivals the likes of 20 Reed Buntings, a Short-eared Owl and a Bullfinch at the Bill, 2 Firecrests and singles of Mistle Thrush and Great Spotted Woodpecker at Pennsylvania Castle/Wakeham and 2 Firecrests at Verne Common all made for excellent late autumn birding.

The calmer conditions were a little more favourable for moth-trapping, with immigrant interest consisting of 5 Rusty-dot Pearl, 2 Silver Y and a Rush Veneer at the Obs and 9 Rusty-dot Pearl and a Rush Veneer at the Obs.




Dusky Warbler, Black Redstart and Wheatear - Avalanche Road, Portland Castle and Portland Bill, 15th November 2014 © Peter Moore Peter Moore's Birding Blog (Dusky Warbler and Black Redstart) and Martin Cade (Wheatear)