16th August

Not before time quality was to the fore today, with the season's first Melodious Warbler putting in an appearance at Culverwell before an Osprey headed south over Ferrybridge and the centre of the island. Although there was no upturn in numbers on the ground - there were, for example, just 20 Willow Warblers, 5 Wheatears and 5 Sedge Warblers at the Bill - variety increased a little and included singles of Grasshopper Warbler, Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher at the Bill. In the continuing stiff easterly and under cloudless skies visible passage perked up and included a steady flow of hirundines over the Bill and Ferrybridge. A lone Balearic Shearwater lingered for a while off the Bill and 63 Black-headed Gulls passed through at Ferrybridge.

Immigrant moth numbers and variety dwindled overnight but a Death's Head Hawk-moth caterpillar was a spectacular find during the day at Culverwell.





Death's Head Hawk-moth caterpillar, Peregrine, Redshank and Sandwich Tern - Portland Bill and Ferrybridge, 16th August 2016 © Martin Cade (the caterpillar) and Pete Saunders (the birds)