22nd September

Something of nothing today with the promised cloud cover not materialising and migrant numbers and variety both on the ground and overhead less than impressive.

Portland Bill
Migrants Meadow Pipit c100, Blackcap 20, Chiffchaff 10, with lower totals including singles of Cattle Egret, Hobby, Grey Plover, Snipe, Whimbrel and Siskin.
Sea passage Common Scoter 20e 14w, Balearic Shearwater 6w 2e, Wigeon 2e, Brent Goose 1w.

Coombefield
Great Spotted Woodpecker 1, Ortolan Bunting 1.

Ferrybridge
Bar-tailed Godwit 8, Knot 2, Merlin 1, Whimbrel 1.

Moths
Selected immigrants Obs: Rusty-dot Pearl 19, Rush Veneer 11, Delicate 6, Silver Y 5, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Turnip 1, Pearly Underwing 1.

A typical view of a Portland Cattle Egret. With more horses than a whole series of Rawhide you'd think the fields of the island might be quite a draw for a passing Cattle Egret but only a very few of the burgeoning total logged here have ever pitched in on a horse field © Roger Hewitt: