1st October

The arrival of a new month wasn't marked by any upturn in the quality of the birding - if anything the arrival of noticeably cooler air saw interest dwindle still further. The Wryneck continued to linger on at the Obs Quarry but the evidence from the Obs garden mist-nets that produced just one summer migrant - a Blackcap - all day was a more than adequate reflection on the dearth of new arrivals everywhere. Wheatears just about topped 25 at the Bill where a Firecrest was the only other migrant on the ground worth a mention. The increasingly blustery westerly ensured the sea was well-watched but the 7 Common Scoter, 2 Common Terns and singles of Brent Goose, Whimbrel, Arctic Skua and Sandwich Tern (+ singles of Sooty Shearwater and Manx Shearwater reported by visitors) making up the tally at the Bill were hardly an impressive reward.

Immigrant moth numbers improved a little, with singles of Vestal, Delicate, White-speck and Scarce Bordered Straw of note amongst small numbers of common species at the Obs.