29th September

After a damp start the day remained uninspiringly dreary and breezy for the duration, with far too little fieldwork to allow for a feel as to whether there was anything of quality lurking out of ready view. A Wryneck was a surprise newcomer at the Obs after a long series of uneventful net-rounds had suggested there were few new arrivals on the ground; perhaps as many of 5 Firecrests were there although most looked to be lingerers, whilst further additions of interest from the land included single Pied Flycatchers at the Bill and Southwell, and 4 Little Stints and a Black-tailed Godwit at Ferrybridge. It was far busier overhead, with an at times very strong passage of mainly Meadow Pipits and Linnets heading south along East Cliffs. Despite the freshening breeze the only reports from the sea were of 2 Arctic Skuas and a Great Skua off the Bill.

Immigrant moth variety increased although overall numbers continued to drop, with 2 Scarce Bordered Straw, 3 Delicate and a Hummingbird Hawkmoth the best of the overnight captures at the Obs.

It's always a treat to get a chance to have a really close look at the amazingly intricate detail of a Wryneck's plumage © Martin Cade: 


The typically brief presence of a Black-tailed Godwit at Ferrybridge permitted a nice opportunity of direct comparison with one of the lingering Bar-tailed Godwits there © Pete Saunders (flying Black-tailed Godwit) and Debby Saunders (two species together):