26th October

With turbulent, Atlantic conditions seemingly now firmly established and prospects for the land looking pretty bleak it was nice to begin the day with some stronger than expected visible passage: Goldfinches and Chaffinches dominated, with a sample one hour count at the Bill revealing totals of 359 and 140 apiece; additional variety was limited but did include an attendant Merlin, whilst a lone Brambling was the pick of a few laggards later in the day. The returns from the ground were indeed sparse, with singles of Snipe, Wheatear and Reed Bunting among the very few new arrivals at the Bill; the long-staying Rosy Starling at Easton and 2 Black Redstarts at Blacknor provided interest elsewhere. Two Great Northern Divers and 2 Great Skuas passed through off the Bill, with another sickly Great Skua grounded at Ferrybridge; one of the Black Brants also pitched up at Ferrybridge, whilst 3 Mute Swans were nearby at Smallmouth.

The Ferrybridge Great Skua did make it far as Chesil Cove at least once but it was always looking distressed and was eventually picked up and taken into care © Angela Thomas:


Winter fare on the shoreline at the Bill included a Purple Sandpiper along with the ubiquitous Rock Pipits © Roy Norris: