The very unstable airflow introduced by a whopping low pressure area anchored west of Britain unleashed a spectacular storm and torrential rain towards dusk but not before the daylight hours had been reasonably bird-able. Sadly, the migration hiatus continued (...how long is it before a hiatus morphs into something more profound like a pointer toward an unfolding ecological breakdown?) and a dawn Ortolan Bunting over the Obs proved not to be the harbinger of better things; the first Little Stint of the season and another Caspian Gull were additional decent scarcities but common migrant numbers remained woefully low.
Portland Bill
Migrants Grey Wagtail 15, Wheatear 10, Willow Warbler 10, Yellow Wagtail 5, Blackcap 4, with singles including Caspian Gull, Yellow-legged Gull and Ortolan Bunting.
Sea passage Balearic Shearwater 7e 4w, Shoveler 2e.
Ferrybridge
Sanderling 7, Bar-tailed Godwit 4, Knot 2, Whimbrel 1, Little Stint 1.
Moths
Selected immigrants Obs: Rusty-dot Pearl 59, Rush Veneer 23, Delicate 4, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Turnip 1, Pearly Underwing 1, Dark Sword Grass 1, Scarce Bordered Straw 1, Silver Y 1.
Amazing pictures of the storm approaching Dorset
— Tess Of The Vale (@tessofthevale) September 5, 2022
Photos from #billwatch on The Isle of Portland#dorset #storm #clouds pic.twitter.com/pYrWKKBXaf
little stint, 7+sanderling, 4+ barwits, 1+knot amingst normal stuff at ferrybridge pic.twitter.com/chJubw4cnP
— andy (@andy33082645) September 5, 2022
A different 1st winter Caspian Gull at Portland Bill briefly at early this morning. pic.twitter.com/eexSt56cXS
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) September 5, 2022
This 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull was at Portland Bill this morning as well. It's nice to get some of the more interesting birds closer for a change .. pic.twitter.com/7meHc4iX2p
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) September 5, 2022