We were fortunate to have summer linger on for so long into late September but there's no doubt that autumn's blown in with a vengeance as we end the month. Today's ever increasing southwesterly saw to it that attention remained focused on the sea, resulting in another c200 tally of Balearic Shearwaters off the Bill; two Sooty Shearwaters and singles of Arctic and Great Skua also passed by there, with six Arctic Skuas through at Chesil Cove and two Little Gulls grounded at Ferrybridge. The stormy conditions also boosted the build up of grounded gulls at the Bill, with at least one Caspian Gull and two Yellow-legged Gulls joining the Culverwell flock during the afternoon. A pretty steady flow of Swallows and Meadow Pipits departed from the Bill, whilst an aggregation of 30 Blackcaps at Old Hill suggested there might have been more to be uncovered on the ground but for the profoundly unhelpful conditions.
The Balearic Shearwaters were affording great views at the tip of the Bill © Martin Cade (video) and Mike Trew (stills):
Several hours in the wind and rain at the Bill flock paid off this afternoon with this 1st winter Caspian.. Thousands of gulls around, and lots of other pics to check out. 😄 pic.twitter.com/aQwsC7eUIF
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) September 30, 2021
A Yellow-legged, also from Portland today. I will continue checking these photos tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/xr0bZ74ECV
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) September 30, 2021
A second Casp.? from today. Check it out for me please. I am pretty sure the flight shot is of this bird, not the one already posted. pic.twitter.com/6jVapwmKF2
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) September 30, 2021
The winds at PBO @PortlandBirdObs have reduced ringing capacity over the last four days even with low set nets around the pond. No perseverance increased the migrant tally from the odd.Blackcap or Chiffchaff.Roll on October. pic.twitter.com/kwWZzaJffQ
— Peter J Morgan (@PBOprof) September 30, 2021