23rd September

The Equinox certainly introduced an autumnal feel to today's proceedings: dreary skies, frequent squally showers, a freshening wind and a 10° drop in the temperature were all as unwelcome as the low quality of the day's birding. Although fieldwork on the land was distinctly challenging it was obvious that common migrant numbers had dwindled right away, both on the ground and overhead: a Lapland Bunting over Top Fields was the only noteworthy new arrival amongst a very underwhelming selection of commoner migrants; the Rosy Starling also remained at Haylands and one of the Little Stints was still at Ferrybridge. More action was expected from the sea, but in the event 7 Balearic Shearwaters and a lone Arctic Skua were all that could be mustered at the Bill.

Spotted Flycatcher and Magpies at Sweethill and Whimbrel and Little Stint at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders: