4th October

From the bare bones of a few day-totals of, for example, Blackcap and Chiffchaff it might be construed that today was barely more than a match for yesterday but in reality it felt a lot more birdy and autumnal what with there being, amongst other things, a notable influx of Robins and the first day with even a small arrival of Song Thrushes in evidence. Chiffchaffs certainly continued to dominate on the ground, with a constant throughput - totalling maybe 100 - evident at the Bill, where Robins featured strongly (21 trapped and many more about) and Blackcaps totalled in the dozens; the first double-figure arrival of Song Thrushes was notable, whilst 2 early morning Ring Ouzels in Top Fields, a Hobby at Verne Common, a Black Redstart at Blacknor and 3 Lapwings and a Firecrest at the Bill were all of interest. Overhead passage at the Bill included 630 Linnets and 500 Meadow Pipits making up the bulk of the numbers, with variety that included 12 Cormorants, 2 Kestrels and a Sparrowhawk all departing to the south. Strong movements of auks and Kittiwakes - 1250 and 360 respectively - featured off the Bill, where 60 Mediterranean Gulls, 47 Common Gulls, 45 Common Scoter, 10 Balearic Shearwaters, 5 Eider, 4 Brent Geese, 2 Wigeon, 2 Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater made for some varied back-up.

6mphSE wind and cloud provided a real autumn feel @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social this being reaffirmed by arrival of Robins, 23 ,SongThrush 5 &Dunnocks 5 ringed along with new Great Tits and Goldcrest. In all 115 birds of 15 species were ringed, Chiffchaffs 35 and Blackcap 15 continue to feature.

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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 4, 2024 at 7:03 PM