Today was a real slow-burner with, very oddly for this time of year, more migration during the afternoon than at any time during the morning. With a light headwind and a heavily overcast sky dawn had actually looked more promising than any so far this spring, but what activity there was had a distinctly wintery flavour with multiples of Redwings, a Fieldfare and a Brambling all featuring in quick time before any summer migrants showed up. The latter were tardy indeed, with the main thrust of 50 each of Blackcap and Willow Warbler not showing up until after midday when the likes of Swallows also started to dribble through frequently if not numerously. At least 2 newcomers were amongst the half-dozen Firecrests at the Bill where a Yellowhammer was a noteworthy oddity; elsewhere, a Cetti's Warbler was new at Thumb Lane. The offshore breeze saw sea passage restricted to just 5 Red-throated Divers through off the Bill.
With just two island records last year and none at all during 2021 Yellowhammer is far from the nailed-on list-padder that it once was when the island hosted a decent breeding population, so today's passing male that took a short break in the treetops at the Obs was much appreciated © Martin Cade:
Unlike Brendan Rogers and Graham Potter we did just enough to save ourselves today with the first 50+ ringing total of the year: WW suddenly jumping to top spot, a decent flurry of Bcaps, some late Redwings and yet more Fcrests. Spring finally springing?https://t.co/yhLxoQfqsA pic.twitter.com/GTToFb9i5S
— Portland Bird Observatory (@PortlandBirdObs) April 2, 2023