7th September

The big influx of Yellow Wagtails over the August bank holiday weekend aside, this autumn's been a real slow-burner to date; finally though, the presence of quantities of Meadow Pipits overhead and on the ground is giving the feel for passage really gaining some momentum. Today's pipit total topped 500 at the Bill, where the Wryneck remained - albeit very elusively for the most part - at the Obs Quarry and most of the expected mid-autumn common migrants put in appearances in mainly low numbers; the only reports from elsewhere were of a Hoopoe - presumably the Bill bird now ranging further afield? - making a quick fly-through visit to a garden at Southwell, and 2 Bar-tailed Godwits and a good count of 44 Oystercatchers at Ferrybridge. Despite the westerly wind freshening very conspicuously towards evening the only the only reports from the sea were of 11 Balearic Shearwaters, 8 Manx Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skuas through off the Bill.

There was a noticeable increase in Painted Lady butterfly numbers; many were in less than perfect condition so were perhaps more likely new arrivals rather than a local hatch.

Immigrant moth numbers registered a small increase, with a Convolvulus Hawkmoth the best of the overnight quality at the Obs.

The Obs Quarry Wryneck went from being extremely accommodating yesterday to as good as invisible for most of its would-be viewers today, but it put in one brief appearance © Debby Saunders:

The long-staying Bar-tailed Godwit at Ferrybridge at last attracted a friend © Pete Saunders: 

Whilst hardly matching our spring excesses the day's ringing rewards reflected the welcome increase in both numbers and variety that was obvious from wider fieldwork: the day's 52 new birds of 12 species contrasted with 11 of 4 species yesterday and just 3 of 3 species the day before; Tree Pipit and Whinchat were two of the more infrequently handled species that showed up in the nets © Brendan Sheils: