19th November

Another day, another Dusky Warbler: although they're not quite coming along like buses the second Dusky Warbler in a week - this one at Blacknor Fort - did nothing but confirm that this once quality rarity has reached the 'almost to be expected' level in this time of year.  With a brisk south-easterly blowing there was no shortage of expectation that the Dusky mightn't have been travelling alone, but in the event the only other oddity to surface was a Yellow-browed Warbler at Avalanche Road - although a very late Willow Warbler there was probably an even greater surprise. Migrant numbers were otherwise quite disappointing, with thrushes reduced to a mere handful; 4 Lapwings, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Little Egret, a Merlin and new singles of Chiffchaff and Goldcrest at the Bill, and a Swallow at Avalanche Road were the best of the rest on the land, whilst 7 Brent Geese, 3 Red-throated Divers and a Teal passed through on the sea at the Bill.

Hints that the conditions might have been looking more favourable for immigrant moths proved wide of the mark, with 7 Rusty-dot Pearl, a Diamond-back Moth and a Silver Y the only overnight captures at the Obs.



Dusky Warbler and Short-eared Owl - Blacknor Fort and Portland Bill, 19th November 2014 © Martin Cade (Dusky Warbler) and Nick Hopper The Sound Approach (Short-eared Owl)
 
...and, as usual, the Dusky Warbler was often far easier to follow around by sound rather than by sight: