19th July

A little drop of rain around dawn soon cleared through to leave another pleasantly warm and sunny day. After the single a couple of days ago at the Bill, 2 more Bee-eaters put in an appearance over Weston during the afternoon but - much like the Bill bird - they managed to slip away before attracting a wide audience. The day's sightings were otherwise much as might be expected at this time of year. Waders made up the bulk of the new arrivals on the land, with 56 Dunlin, 5 Sanderling and 3 Redshank at Ferrybridge and a Whimbrel over the Bill; passerines consisted of little more than a Willow Warbler and a few passing hirudines at the Bill. Three Balearic Shearwaters lingered off the Bill, where an Arctic Skua and a miscellany of other routine fare also passed by.

An Ocean Sunfish drifted close east past the Bill during the morning.

Overnight moth-trapping came up with a few highlights, including the island second record of Pine Marble Piniphila bifasciana at Sweethill, a selection of immigrants that included 2 more Small Marbleds and a Four-spotted Footman at the Obs and scarce wanderers that included a Hoary Knot-horn Gymnancyla canella at the Obs and a Large Emerald at the Grove.




Pine Marble, Hoary Knot-horn and Emperor dragonfly - Sweethill, Portland Bill and Easton, 19th July 2015 © Debby Saunders (Pine Marble), Martin Cade (Hoary Knot-horn) and Ken Dolbear (Emperor)