21st August

 

20th August

Brisk westerlies were again the order of the day but only one heavy shower making landfall towards midday. Grounded passerine arrivals were limited to a very thin scatter of Willow Warblers and Wheatears, with a few Yellow Wagtails and singles of Ringed Plover and Grey Wagtail also overhead at the Bill and a few Yellow-legged Gulls coming and going from the East Cliffs gull flock. The best of the day's newcomers was the first Little Stint of the autumn at Ferrybridge. The sea got precious little serious coverage (...away from the Obs and Ferrybridge where does get serious coverage these days?), with 14 Manx Shearwaters and singles of Dunlin and Arctic Skua the only worthwhile reports from the Bill.

After a few false starts this autumn it was good to finally see a 'proper' juvenile Little Stint drop in at Ferrybridge...


...where a semi-juvenile Common Gull was the latest in a good run of recent sightings of this species that's usually very irregular in summer/early autumn © Martin Cade:


Cooler nights are beginning to seriously knock back migrant moth numbers, with Small Mottled Willow finally usurped from top spot at the Obs last night by Rush Veneer; Golden Twin-spot the pick of the catch there.. .

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 20, 2026 at 11:05 PM

...if anything, our little 40w garden trap at the Grove was relatively busier including a particularly good catch of 5 Striped Hawks - 4 made quite a handful...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 20, 2026 at 11:07 PM

...with the fifth not fancying company and diving straight off to the nearest valerian for some sustenance

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 20, 2026 at 11:10 PM

19th August

After a long summer of Storm Petrel and moth induced sleep deprivation the sound of long-awaited heavy rainfall at dawn was very welcome in allowing for a decent lie in. A big disappointment when the rain eventually stopped was the almost complete absence of new passerine migrants, with single Pied Flycatchers at the Obs and the Grove the only worthwhile finds amongst a tiny handful of Yellow Wagtails, Wheatear and Willow Warblers. Waders and terns fared slightly better, with 8 Black-tailed Godwit, a Knot, 40 Sandwich Terns and 30 Common Terns downed at Ferrybridge, whilst later a Caspian Gull was a quality arrival at the Bill amongst an increase to at least 7 grounded Yellow-legged Gulls.

Although of virtually no interest to most birders who seem to be acute laro-phobes, we remain oddly gripped (even if we don't seem to be quite autistic enough to pick up on all the little nuances and knowledge of minutiae required to be that good at it) by the likes of Caspian Gulls and were super-excited when Brett discovered our first ever full-blown juvenile in the East Cliffs gull flock - a really fascinating bird that could go from being extremely subtle and totally overlook-able in one instant to being blindingly obvious in the next © Martin Cade:





The first substantial rainfall in several months might have been expected to have dropped more in the way of waders than just these Black-tailed Godwits at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:

Mothing's quietened off a little over the last couple of nights but still plenty enough migrants to get amongst - best of last night's catch at the Obs the first Mugwort Pearl sticticalis of the year and yet another good array of hawks

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 19, 2026 at 2:54 PM

The second Pale Shoulder in five days from our garden moth-trap at the Grove last night. This little 40w actinic tucked away under trees in the corner of the garden (it has to be that way so the sun doesn't get on it as we don't get to check the contents until we come home at teatime)...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 19, 2026 at 8:31 PM

...has been having a great run - it was rammed again today with the catch also including Purple and Small Marbled, Ni, 2 Striped Hawks and a hatful of other routine migrants. Don't know if this summer's mothing will turn out to be a flash in the pan but we're going to miss it when it's over!

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 19, 2026 at 8:39 PM

A few more from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social from Sunday night: Herald, Small Marbled (15 trapped here), Blair's Mocha and Tufted Oak Knot-horn (A. tumidana):

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 19, 2026 at 10:23 PM

18th August

 

18th August: Atlantic weather didn't really do us any favours today, with much reduced numbers on the land and surprisingly little action on the sea. LBBGulls were an honourable exception, with 190↓ and min150 coming and going from the fields; 4 Arctic Skuas & 3 Balearics the best on the sea

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 19, 2026 at 12:31 AM

17th August

17th August: Migrant-wise, the last few mornings have been quite productive and today followed in that vein, with 200 LBBGull, 120 WW, 15 Wear, 10 Sedge W, 5 Yellow Wag, 4 YLGull, 4 Pied Fly, & 1-2 each of Tree Pipit, Whinchat, Gropper, Bcap & Spot Fly on offer around the Bill, with Green Sand...

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 11:17 PM

...& Pied Fly additions at Freshwater Bay. 4 Balearics, a Storm Petrel & an Arctic Skua passed thru on the sea.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 11:19 PM

Despite losing one of the Obs moth-traps that was bowled over in the middle of night by frolicking animals of some sort there were still some prodigious migrant totals logged eg 812 Small Mottled Willows was their second highest total ever and 24 Small Marbled was their highest total ever.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 2:30 PM

Passenger - Freshwater Bay, @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night - that's 3 trapped in the area in the last few days, but still exciting when you turn over an egg box and this thing is sat there!

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 8:21 PM

Other highlights at Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night included Golden Twinspot and 3 Ni Moths amongst a deluge of the commoner migrants and a selection of the resident species.

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 8:57 PM

A welcome addition to the Portland suburban soundscape: Verge Cricket giving it some stick in our back garden at the Grove this evening - could almost imagine you're somewhere beside the Mediterranean.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 9:19 PM

Just got back to the Obs and there's another Verge Cricket stridulating right beside the patio (we were out listening yesterday and it wasn't there then) - regular visitors will not be at all surprised by the sight of David Murdoch on his hands and knees stalking it underneath the Obs washing line

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 17, 2026 at 10:08 PM

16th August

16th August: An unexpected overcast sky at dawn dropped a decent arrival at the Bill incl 120 WW, 15 Sedge W, 10 Wheatear, 6 Ringed Plover, 3 Pied Fly, 2 Grey Wag, 2 Garden W & singles of GSWoodpecker, Redstart, Gropper & Reed W; waders also up at Ferrybridge incl 231 Ringed Plover, 4 Sanderling...

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 16, 2026 at 11:19 PM

...3 Knot & 3 Redshank, with the first 3 Wigeon of the autumn also thru there. Sea again full of moving & lingering gulls incl 248 Kittiwakes w, 80 LBBGulls s + 300 Med Gulls & 100 BHGulls; also an Arctic Skua thru but only a single Balearic.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 16, 2026 at 11:23 PM

Continuing high nos in the Obs garden moth-traps last night. Bedstraw Hawk a first for the year; 696 Small Mottled Willow, 124 Turnip, 13 Delicate, 8 Scarce Bordered Straw, 8 Small Marbled, 3 Striped Hawk, 2 Cosmopolitan, a Purple Marbled, a Golden Twin-spot & a Verge Cricket among the catch.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 16, 2026 at 11:46 AM

A good selection of migrant moths in last night’s trap #mothsmatter

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 16, 2026 at 12:21 PM

15th August

Early birding slightly scuppered by the strength of the stiff ne'ly today but by mid-morning baking hot again. Plenty of com migrants about incl the first flurry of Tree Pipits overhead and another 4 Pied Flys trapped at the Obs. Big inc to min 78 Balearics offshore + huge nos of Med & BhGulls

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 15, 2026 at 12:42 PM

Waders numbers were a little up at Ferrybridge, with 140 Ringed Plovers, 35 Dunlin, 3 Sanderling and this Black-tailed Godwit amongst the tally © Pete Saunders:

Weird night in the Obs moth-traps: several completely blown out and very quiet but the ones within shelter were rammed full. The first island record of Large Conehead the highlight, with the first Obs gdn Verge Cricket and a Passenger great back-ups; also E ocellea, 7 Striped & 3 Convolvulus Hawks.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 15, 2026 at 10:40 AM

Another nice migrant moth from last night: a Pale Shoulder from our garden at the Grove; also 3 Striped and a Convolvulus Hawk there and 3 Striped Hawks for John Lucas in his garden at Southwell.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM

A butterfly-tastic stroll in Bowers Quarry, Portland this afternoon. 🦋 Parched, like everywhere, but plenty to see incl Clouded Yellow, Painted Lady, Red Admiral, Peacock, Grayling & blues: Chalkhill, Adonis, Common & Holly! Plus Hummingbird Hawk-moth & fab views! 😍 @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

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— Sarah (@sarahfaulkner.bsky.social) August 15, 2026 at 7:12 PM

14th August

14th August: Easily the best day of the autumn to date with a brisk nw wind dropping arrivals throughout the island, incl 200 WW, 25 Wheatears, 15 Sedge W, a Gropper & a Reed W at the Bill, with 3 more Pied Flys amongst the arrivals elsewhere; overhead, Swallows topped 100 for the first time...

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 10:38 PM

...A strong gull passage offshore incl 1500 Meds & 220 BhGulls w off the Bill, along with 7 Balearics, 4 Manx, 3 Com Gulls & 2 Arctic Skuas. It was the best ringing day so far this autumn, with the total of 139 new birds incl 117 WW.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 10:42 PM

Quite a fall this morning: 50 WWs and 4 Pied Flys ringed already between the Obs and the CEF. Also a really strong movement of Med Gulls offshore: 1100 thru so far.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 7:35 AM

The brisk northwesterly breeze that precipitated the earlier drop of migrants has already abated but there's still birds dropping in: Grasshopper W trapped at Culverwell per @slashercutts.bsky.social and another Pied Fly further up-island at Thumb Lane per Peter Coe

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 9:13 AM

had a whinchat and a redstart under the corner of the verne moat and looks like this little owl has set up shop opposite the bottom of the steps at the verne moat. surprised just how quiet it has been at the rn cem.

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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 10:04 PM

Lulled by several progressively quieter moth nights and then suddenly hit by rammed full traps last night - hard work what with so much counting to do in between equally busy rounds of the mist-nets! Nothing particularly special but really strong arrivals/local hatches of a good range of migrants

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 12:56 PM

This cricket from last night's moth trap looks like it may be a Verge Cricket, Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis. The 2nd of these for Britain was caught at Freshwater Bay 4 days ago and reported by @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social. We had another in the garden 3 days ago. #Crickets

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 14, 2026 at 3:51 PM

13th August

13th August: It was hard work in today's stifling heat and the rewards weren't plentiful with new grounded migrants almost absent. A Pied Fly at the Obs, 2 YLGulls and a few lingering moulting Yellow Wagtails were the best of it at the Bill, with 6 Balearics and a Bonxie of interest on the sea.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 13, 2026 at 10:59 PM

Convolvulus Hawk nectaring at nicotiana on the Obs patio this evening

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 13, 2026 at 9:34 PM

12th August

The spectacle of an eclipse when it didn't even get dark was maybe on a par with today's migration happenings - something of a damp squib. WWs just about struggled into double figures at the Bill, where a miscellany of waders - 13 Whimbrel, 9 Ringed Plovers & a Knot - provided a little interest.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 12, 2026 at 10:26 PM

Of course, taking no notice of the ‘official’ way to watch the eclipse, reaped its own rewards….as with this joint team effort on the Portland Obs Patio this evening… 😉

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— Glen Maddison (@orioleglen66.bsky.social) August 12, 2026 at 11:08 PM

11th August

 

Defeated by the strength of the blasting easterly today, with only token fieldwork and ringing possible. A single Pied Flycatcher was the best of what looked to be low numbers of grounded migrants at the Bill; 75 Sand Martins overhead there; 5 Balearics & an Arctic Skua thru on the sea.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 11, 2026 at 9:55 PM

After another hot day, it was nice to catch up with a second gen pretty fresh Adonis Blue, near the Pulpit Pub on Portland this afternoon…. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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— Glen Maddison (@orioleglen66.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 4:39 PM

10th August

10th August: Willow Warblers & Lesser Black-backed Gulls made up the bulk of the Bill numbers today, with a strong post-dawn movement of 200 WWs and a steady passage of 85 LBBGulls heading way south/west. The Serin was still around, with singles of Green Sand & Grasshopper W of further note...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 10:46 PM

...350 Med Gulls, 6 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Arctic Skuas & a Bonxie the best thru on the sea. 97 birds ringed today of which 72 were Willow Warblers

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 10:54 PM

Positive signs from the Obs moth-traps last night with an uptick in numbers and variety. Many of the current usual suspects represented in plenty although for us the highlight was a Bog Grass-moth silvella - a heathland stray and national scarcity with only a handful of previous records here

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 10:33 PM

Also, some better photos of the Verge Cricket Eumodicogryllus bordigalensis caught last night by Nigel Jones and Mark Edgeller whilst they were moth-trapping at Freshwater Bay

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 10:57 PM

An exciting find for Nigel Jones and Mark Edgeller at their moth-trap at Freshwater Bay last night: a Verge-cricket - seemingly the second record for Britain after the recent discovery in Sussex.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 10, 2026 at 8:35 AM

9th August

9th August: Grounded passerine migrant numbers dropped across the board with only WW just managing a double figure total at the Bill; the Serin was still about there, with 100 LBBGulls & a Whinchat the best of the rest. 250 Med Gulls, 52 Sandwich Terns, 12 Balearics & an Arctic Skua thru on the sea.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM

A very juvenile-looking Whinchat from the CEF nets this mrng - quite an oddball plumage for us as migrant youngsters usually look much more grown up by the time they reach us.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 7:53 AM

Three relatively quiet moth nights at the Obs - numbers up and down but variety all rather samey; best of the interest in the form of the year's first Porter's Rustic on Thursday night and an influx of 4 Hawthorn Moths last night (a common species elsewhere but hitherto just three Portland records)

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 1:13 PM

Just a few phone pics of moths from last night’s trap

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 12:05 PM

@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social is such a great area for inverts and the micro-moth diversity is amazing; here are Eyed Totrix (wanderer from Wormwood colonies), Samphire Knothorn (food plant is Golden Samphire), Madder Pearl and Yellow Marbled Pearl, the latter 3 from 8/8/26 [AI backgrounds]:

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM

8th August

8th August: Not a lot changing at the moment, with another 80 WWs making up the bulk of new arrivals at the Bill; the Serin was still about & 6 Wheatears, 4 Yellow Wagtails, a Grey Heron & a Garden W were among the other migrants. 3 Balearic Shearwaters & 2 Arctic Skuas were the best from the sea

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 9, 2026 at 12:50 AM

Thanks to Graham who got me on only my 3rd Serin in Britain this morning. Pleased to watch it charge around calling back and forth. Anyway time to head back mrs and kids will be waking soon @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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— Gareth Clements (@birdergaz.bsky.social) August 8, 2026 at 7:10 AM

Couldnt read the ring sadly

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— Gareth Clements (@birdergaz.bsky.social) August 8, 2026 at 7:23 AM

7th August

7th August: Another hot, sunny day with the birding much as would be expected in these conditions. The Serin continued with regular fly-overs at the Obs, with the Bill migrant tally incl 75 WW, 20 Sedge W & the first Spot Fly of the autumn. Sea quiet and shearwater-less.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 7, 2026 at 11:04 PM

By chance found photo of Bll Oddie's last Autmnwatch,10th Oct.2008.Where else would he be but at Portland where many 'Goodies' filmed in the quarries & where he found during his visits a Yellow billed Cuckoo in 1979. Enjoyed stories after 1961 at the obs,pulled rank! 4 months older than me.Big Loss.

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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) August 7, 2026 at 4:29 PM

6th August


6th August: More rewarding on all fronts, with the Serin that reappeared around the Obs the highlight. Bill migrants incl 75 WW, 12 Sedge W, 5 YLGulls, 5 Yellow Wags, 3 Wheatears, 2 LWT & a Garden W. Sea passage there incl 200 Med Gulls, 100 Kittiwakes, 8 Manx, 3 Balearics, a Bonxie & an Arctic Skua

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 6, 2026 at 11:40 PM

Huge reductions in moth numbers at the Obs on the last two cool/windy nights - Small Mottled Willows down to just double figures last night! - but sprinkle of presumably nearly all home-bred migrants still about to provide some interest.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 6, 2026 at 11:16 AM

How cool is this? Just got home and there's a Striped Hawk nectaring in broad daylight in the back garden - fantastic!

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 6, 2026 at 6:05 PM

We've been working on subalpine warblers from this spring. Still a couple to do but: North Ronaldsay, 30/4: Western Calf of Man, 10/5: Western Isle of May, 28/5: Western Troswick, Shetland, 3/5: Western Portland, 12/5: Western Sumburgh Head, 9/6: Eastern @birdguides.bsky.social

— Martin Collinson (@docmartin2mc.bsky.social) August 6, 2026 at 9:07 AM

5th August

5th August: When you have a bit of a lie in because it's too windy for the mist-nets and are greeted on rising with the news that the ongoing seawatch is the poorest of the year you know the day's going to be hard work - and it was. Bill quiet on all fronts but waders a little on the up sums it up.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 10:29 PM

The Fleet Ferrybridge - An evening with Pete Coe learning new photography skills, Ringed Plover c100 and Dunlin c45, Redshank, Sanderling 5, Turnstone 2 Med Gull ring 3LL2 (Black on white), Little Tern 4 (2juv), Com Tern 2, Sandwich Tern 8, @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

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— Dorset Bird Tours (@dorsetbirdtours.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 10:03 PM

quiet at blacknor gully, no skippers nor adonis but good numbers of chalkhills, loads of HHMoth in the area and a couple of jersey tigers.

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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 9:04 PM

migrant hawker at old hill this morning, really quiet, no sign of autumn ladies tresses coming through the brown fields yet and virtually no chalkhills where usually there are loads.

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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 9:02 PM

4th August

 

4th August: Despite fresher conditions and even some mizzly outbreaks there was a meagre return migrant-wise today. The very mobile Serin remained at the Bill, a Quail was flushed from the Obs Quarry Field and the first Redstart of the season was trapped at the Obs... soundcloud.com/portland-bir...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 11:22 PM

...5 Yellow Wagtails were still about at the Bill but singles of Turnstone & Whinchat were the only other less regulars amongst a few Wheatears, Sedge Ws & WWs. 2 Arctic Skuas & a single Balearic Shearwater the best from the sea at the Bill. 2 newly fledged Little Terns were at Ferrybridge.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 11:31 PM

Just two nights ago our all time largest catch of Small Mottled Willows saw the 500 mark exceeded, last night that was more than doubled to 1007 - barmy times! Busy traps for everything else as well last night incl obvious arrivals of Diamond-backs and Beet Moths; 9 Small & a Purple Marbled of note

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 4, 2026 at 12:42 PM

Banded Goldenrod Straw Phalonidia curvistrigana 2nd August. A successful couple of hours dusking/LepiLED-ing for this obscure species in a tiny patch of good quality grassland with plenty of Goldenrod south of Yeolands; known from Portland by the Victorians but latterly only found as early stages...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 12:13 AM

...so it was nice to see an adult in a spot it's likely never been recorded before. Couldn't help but ponder on what the Victorians would have made of what turned up on the sheet - they'd have been familiar with local specials like Beech-green Carpet but Small Mottled Willow and Jersey Tiger...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 12:27 AM

...were by far the commonest macros despite being unknown here back in their time, whilst Tree-lichen Beauty, Tawny-fronted Straw molliculana & Common Masoner adustella amongst others are also all things that have arrived since then

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 5, 2026 at 12:44 AM

3rd August

 

3rd August: Increasingly hot and humid today with the new Serin an appropriate arrival at the Bill; grounded migrants quite sparse with the season's first Whinchat the best & 2 Grey Herons & a Redshank of further note. 135 more Sandwich Terns thru on sea + 2 Balearics, a Little Gull & an Arctic Skua

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 10:56 PM

After umpteen flight views, finally a deck glimpse of the Serin; it's got a yellow rump so isn't a full-blown juvenile and we're guessing from the dowdy colouration, super-fresh plumage and moult discontinuity in the greater coverts that it's a first winter. Really rare here in August/September.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 4:39 PM

There's a Serin about at the Bill - no photo yet bec it's super-mobile and has bombed back and forth over the Obs numerous times in the last hour - so have a nice Whinchat instead (our first of the autumn)

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 10:41 AM

Fabulous display of anting Med Gulls along the causeway at Ferrybridge this evening - every possible plumage and state of moult for this time of year on show at point blank range...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 10:47 PM

...such good birds even when they're as scruffy as a lot of these were

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 10:49 PM

Last night's Obs moth-traps still busy with migrants, with 3 Purple Marbleds and singles of Convolvulus Hawk and Eastern Bordered Straw the best of the quality; beyond the Convolvulus Hawk, not really much evidence of new arrivals as opposed to mostly home-bred stock

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 3:48 PM

Scarce Zebra Moth, Helcystogramma lutatella from last night's trap #mothsmatter

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 3, 2026 at 3:27 PM

2nd August

2nd August: Just small nos of routine grounded migrants at the Bill - 25 WWs the most numerous; waders a little up incl 85 Ringed Plover, 7 Sanderling & 5 Redshank at Ferrybridge. Good totals of Sandwich Tern incl 282w off the Bill & 116 at Ferrybridge. 2 Tufted Duck & 1 Balearic thru off the Bill

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 2, 2026 at 10:23 PM

Amongst a generally reduced moth catch on a noticeably fresher night there one or two hints at new arrivals showing up, notably a Toadflax Pearl (...much prefer the former vernacular, Spanish Dot!) catalaunalis at the Obs & a Golden Twin-spot (seemingly not yet established on Portland) at the Grove

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 2, 2026 at 1:21 PM

3+ clouded yellow, first adonis of the autumn, still plenty of graylings but in places chalkhills already fading. 2nd gen wall browns up over verne moat. painted lady still moving through in lower numbers. some exceptionally small common blues.

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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) August 2, 2026 at 1:58 PM

1st August

1st August: The Treecreeper was the day's star visitor but there was a decent variety of routine migrants about as well incl 50 WW, 15 Sedge W, 4 Wheatears & a Garden W at the Bill and an increase in waders incl singles of Ringed Plover, Curlew, Redshank and Turnstone at the Bill and 100 Dunlin...

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 9:45 PM

...55 Ringed Plover, 4 Redshank & 2 Common Sands at Ferrybridge & a Lapwing at Broadcroft. Sandwich Terns featured strongly incl 155w off the Bill & 80 at Ferrybridge; sea otherwise quiet with 2 Balearic Shearwaters, 15 Shelduck, an Arctic Skua & a few departing LBBGulls at the Bill.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 9:51 PM

A classic summer woodland disperser: a juvenile Treecreeper just turned up in a mist-net at the Obs; one day our Short-toed Treecreeper is going to drop in but it doesn't look like today's that day and the wait since 1979 will have to go on...

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 1:12 PM

Obs moth-traps ticking over overnight with 5 Striped Hawks and a Cosmopolitan the best of the 'migrants'; dispersers incl the second Obs record of Streaked Ridge-back falciformis, whilst elsewhere a Lobster Moth for John Lucas at Southwell was only the fourth for the island

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM

Another box fresh Cosmopolitan from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night, clearly breeding locally as with the Striped Hawks; rather a cold night and only ran an actinic and a lepi-LED to 00:30 but still getting quality moths; also 4 Bordered Straw, 2 P. vitrealis

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 7:49 PM

Purple Marbled at Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night - a nice 'purple one'! Left image unmanipulated by AI, but for the image on the RHS I used AI to 'mend' some scale damage on the left wing, cloning from the right wing!

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 1, 2026 at 7:34 PM

31st July

 

31st July: A short, sharp post-dawn rush of 200 Willow Warblers out of a crystal-clear sky was much appreciated even if the tag-along tally of 25 Sedge Warblers, 5 YLGulls and 5 species of wader wasn't really up to much. 32 Balearics were equally welcome returnees offshore, with 56 Sandwich Terns...

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 10:45 PM

...46 Manx, 300 Med Gulls & the first 2 Common Gulls of the autumn also through on the sea. Ferrybridge quiet, with 2 Sanderling amongst a few commoner waders.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 10:47 PM

Quieter on the moth front overnight with no particular highlights amongst the Obs garden catch - kinda extraordinary that you can get so blasé when the totals incl 255 Small Mottled Willow, 3 Striped Hawks, 3 Scarce Bordered Straw, 2 Oak Processionary, Small Marbled, Comopolitan etc etc!

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 3:42 PM

Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night gave Cosmopolitan (2), Ni (2), Vestal (2), Striped HM (2), Eastern Bordered Straw (1), Scarce BS (2), Bordered Straw (6), Jersey Mocha (1), Small Marbled (1), this would have been remarkable a year ago, but not now @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 8:25 PM

Bordered Straw, Scarce Bordered Straw and Eastern Bordered Straw from Freshwater Bay @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social last night; the 'new normal' - they really didn't want to line up for a photo - very poorly behaved!

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— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) July 31, 2026 at 8:09 PM

30th July

30th July: Nice little drop of new arrivals today incl 50 WW, 10 Sedge W, a Grasshopper W & a Garden W at the Bill + a Curlew Sand at Ferrybridge; movement of 150 Swifts over Ferrybridge in the evening. Sea still quiet, with 6 Balearics, 26 Sandwich Terns & 2 Arctic Skuas thru off the Bill.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 30, 2026 at 10:43 PM

Big moon and clear sky again overnight but it remained warm and moth numbers/variety jumped back up at the Obs. Big increase in Small Mottled Willows; influx of 6 Oak Processionary surely likely to be cross-Channel migrants; Lesser Pearl verticalis only the second modern record for Portland

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 30, 2026 at 12:17 PM

Another great night of field trapping at Eight Kings Quarry on Portland, with migrant highlights of 3 Purple Marbled, Small Marbled, Beautiful Marbled, 3 Oak Processionary (part of a small influx), 2 Striped Hawkmoths, & Bordered Straw #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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— Phil Saunders (@beardybirder.bsky.social) July 30, 2026 at 5:44 PM

Numbers increased 15 small mottled willow 1 eastern bordered straw 2 hummingbird hawk moth .

— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) July 30, 2026 at 7:40 PM

Finally! no longer a bridesmaid and another first for the garden , might be a tardy specimen but they all count.

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— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) July 30, 2026 at 7:37 PM
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