30th September

Overnight gusts that increased towards dawn, and the threat of mid-morning rain meant fieldwork was limited to the few stalwarts that were willing to watch the sea through buffeted telescopes. The result of that effort was the first signs of truly autumnal passage on the sea with nine Sooty Shearwaters in amongst the 10 Balearic Shearwaters. Skuas also began moving in earnest with three species recorded throughout the morning: a single juvenile Pomarine Skua, three Bonxies and six Arctics. The supporting cast was made up of all the common fare plus a strong showing of Kittiwakes topping 200 birds and a lone Tufted Duck. Passerine migrants were very thin on the ground at the Bill with just a Reed Bunting, Yellow Wagtail and a smattering of Hirundines. Away from the Bill, in some of the more sheltered areas of the island, singles of Firecrest and Goldcrest were accompanying a handful of Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps around Church Ope and Bumpers Lane. 

The long-staying Ferrybridge Little Stint © Simon Craft: