Despite the wind picking up over night and heading firmly into the north-east, the blocking force of the rest of the UK proved too strong for any of the eastern rarities to show their faces this soon. The change also put an end to the
Siskin passage of late with just 31 birds recorded over the obs. The west cliffs were once again alive with hirundines and other autumnal migrants as 1250
House Martins, 750
Swallows, 275
Meadow Pipits, nine
alba Wagtails and low single figures of
Yellow and
Grey Wagtail passed in the morning hours. Notable events included the arrival and grounding of some choice passage waders including four
Dunlin at sea, singles of
Lapwing and
Golden Plover and three
Snipe up the West Cliffs. On the deck the situation remained similar to yesterday around the Bill with around 30 apiece of
Chiffchaff and
Wheatear but very little else. Away from the Obs, the lingering juvenile
Rosy Starling at Haylands and a
Redstart at Suckthumb quarry were the only notable additions to the species list.
The Bill Quarry is sparsely vegetated, but at times when birds are moving, even the heavily wilted stems will do... © Erin Taylor:
Despite being a common bird throughout the country, Lapwings remain a beautiful novelty on the deck on Portland © Erin Taylor:
