29th September

Rain late in the hours of darkness came just in the nick of time to down good numbers of migrants throughout the island; variety was unexpectedly limited but with totals of Blackcap and Chiffchaff unlikely to be fewer than 500 apiece over the island as a whole there was plenty to look at during the vain quest for some quality.

Portland Bill

Migrants Swallow 300, Meadow Pipit 250, House Martin 200, Chiffchaff 180, Blackcap 150, alba wagtail 75, Stonechat 30, with other totals including Siskin 4, Reed Bunting 3, Turtle Dove 1, Grasshopper Warbler 1, Firecrest 1.

Sea passage Balearic Shearwater 38w 25e.

Moths

Selected immigrants Obs: Turnip 16, Rusty-dot Pearl 12, Pearly Underwing 11, Delicate 7, Rush Veneer 4, Brindled Green 1, Silver Y 1.

For such an enjoyably busy day variety was remarkably limited today with, for example, just three Wheatears logged at the Bill (along with a handful more elsewhere like this bird on Hamm Beach) © Pete Saunders:

Autumn Turtle Doves are not averse to making long stays on the island: the rather elusive youngster at the Bill has now been with us for eleven days © Martin Cade: