3rd September

In the face of unrelenting brisk westerlies migration's really ground to a halt on all fronts. The lingering Wryneck in the Obs Quarry continued to provide the occasional glimpse but Wheatear was the only common migrant managing a double figure total either on the ground or overhead at the Bill. Waders were more numerous at Ferrybridge but numbers and variety there have hardly changed all week. Three Arctic Skuas and 2 Balearic Shearwaters provided the only interest on the sea at the Bill.

2nd September

A day that would otherwise have been relegated to the annals as a weather-induced write-off ended up making the history books for all the right reasons when 2 Northern Bottlenose Whales - the first recorded at Portland - were discovered close in off the East Cliffs; the simultaneous discovery of a Rose-coloured Starling at the Bill made for an even more exciting day. In fact, the rest of the day's migration happenings were an almost complete non-event, with a Wryneck in the Obs Quarry likely to be the the lingering but extremely elusive individual from the weekend, along with only the lightest scattering of Willow Warblers, Blackcaps and Wheatears by way of more routine arrivals. Overhead, a Merlin was the only notable sighting, with things faring only marginally better on the sea where a report of a Sabine's Gull via the news service was the undoubted highlight among totals of no more than 100 Kittiwakes, 10 Balearic Shearwaters and 7 Arctic Skuas also logged there.

We've subsequently learnt that the two Northern Bottlenose Whales were seen off Hastings, Sussex, a few days ago so perhaps there's slightly less concern for their welfare than might be the case with an occurrence of this usually deep-water animal so close inshore © Jodie Henderson (stills) and Martin Cade (video):

Sometimes a time and a place for a particular species gets embedded in the consciousness and for juvenile Rose-coloured Starling it has to be the Bill lighthouse cottage roof in September © Martin Cade (video) and Pete Saunders (still):



These must be the closest ever 'from shore' photographs of a Balearic Shearwater ever taken at the Bill although they came about in circumstances that sound a lot like they're not going to end well for the bird since it was attracting the close attention of a marauding Great Black-backed Gull and was likely in questionable health © Andy Swash:



Not a bad start to September with another new moth for the garden in the form of Old world webworm thanks to Martin cade in helping with I'd. Quickly followed by 2 Northern bottlenose whales and a juv rosy starling.

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— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) September 2, 2026 at 4:53 PM

Oops! Forgot the moth

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— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) September 2, 2026 at 4:54 PM

1st September

A nice start to September saw quieter conditions result in a good drop of grounded arrivals at the Bill where there was a noticeable shift in species composition as mid-season fare begins to come to the fore. Yellow Wagtail and Willow Warbler on 100 and 90 apiece did still take top spots numbers-wise, but 50 Robins and 20 Blackcaps were sure signs of things to come; other worthwhile totals there included 35 Wheatears, 23 Grey Wagtails, 20 each of Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat, 19 Tree Pipits, 2 Redstarts and singles of White Wagtail, Reed Warbler and Chiffchaff. Overhead, hirundines were a wee bit disappointing, with no more than 100 each of Sand Martin and Swallow. Coverage elsewhere showed up a Curlew Sandpiper amongst an otherwise samey selection of waders at Ferrybridge. It wasn't really a seawatch sort of day so 76 Balearic Shearwaters and 3 Arctic Skuas was a decent return from the Bill.

Curlew Sandpipers seem to have been turning up in some quantity elsewhere so it's been a bit of a surprise that it's taken this long for the first youngster of the autumn to show up at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:



After a week when they were really numerous, large gulls have suddenly dropped right away in numbers with hardly any feeding offshore or loafing in quantity in the fields either yesterday or today. Their departure has included taking away nearly all the Yellow-legged Gulls that were a feature over the last fortnight; the only one that we saw today was this youngster that dropped in at Ferrybridge this evening - through moult and/or wear it's already looking quite different to how most were looking only a short time ago; just out of esoteric interest, through some sort of mishap this one's showing a couple of next generation tail feathers © Martin Cade:


After a turbulent bank holiday weekend nice to start September with far quieter conditions. Quite a little arrival of seasonable fare at the Bill with a freaky yellow-headed Willow Warbler amongst the catches in the mist-nets.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) September 1, 2026 at 7:57 AM

31st August

Tomorrow's another day which is fortunate since, apart from providing an opportunity to catch up with seriously overdue admin and Obs garden maintenance, on the bird front today was pretty hopeless. Migrant-wise, there was a light scatter of entirely expected arrivals on the ground and a few hirundines overhead, with the Ferrybridge waders slightly better and including 5 more Black-tailed Godwits in their midst. On the sea, a likely Cory's Shearwater was unexpected bounty for one fortunate observer at the Bill on a day when the blustery north of west wind offered little expectation and no other worthwhile reward beyond a couple of Balearic Shearwaters.

30th August

Not a great deal to excite today, with a few extra waders and the smallest of arrivals of new Willow Warblers on the ground and no more than a trickle at sea. There were peak counts of 24 Knot, 6 Sanderling and 5 Redshanks at Ferrybridge although there looked to be quite a turn over of individuals through the day. Passerines didn't put on much of show, with 20 Willow Warblers and a White Wagtail the best of the meagre selection on offer at the Bill. The sea ticked over all day without ever getting busy, with 45 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Arctic Skuas, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls and a Black Tern the best of it off the Bill.

Some of the day's Knots at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:

Well that was a bit of jam: completely rubbish night for moths with very little in the Obs garden traps but amongst the handful of migrants is a Dotted Footman - new for Portland and seemingly fewer than ten records for Dorset as a whole.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 30, 2026 at 9:03 AM

29th August

The predicted downturn in the recent spell of settled weather arrived on cue this morning, with a wet couple of hours post-dawn compounded by increasingly blustery conditions from the southwest that saw regular gusts over 40mph. Naturally attentions were largely focused on the sea, where visitors struck seawatch gold in the form of 2 passing Cory's Shearwaters - along with 4 Little Gulls amongst others - before the rain fizzled out; subsequent events were rather more mundane with around 50 Balearic Shearwaters, 45 Common Terns, 8 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Arctic Skuas and singles of Great Skua, Dunlin and Black Tern the best on offer. On the land, a group of 8 soggy Cattle Egrets provided a rather sorry sight as they briefly sought refuge in the Crown Estate Field, with a further individual logged simultaneously further up the Bill Road. Nearly 80 grounded Lesser Black-backed Gulls (with unquantified numbers also on the move offshore) contained in the midst another Caspian Gull - this one a colour-ringed bird so more details on that once we receive them.

The flock of Cattle Egrets that dropped into the Crown Estate Field contained a really dark-billed presumed juvenile in their midst. A smaller group of Cattle Egrets seen passing the Bill yesterday were reported by observers at the Bill tip to contain a single Little Egret - could this be the same bird? © Martin Cade:




Black Terns used to be a regular sight on late August/early September seawatches but they've become extremely infrequent these days © Martin Cade:


With no joy for us on the large shearwater front we had to make do with a few Balearics © Martin Cade:


With the garden mist-nests well and truly closed for the foreseeable, visiting ringers Tony Galsworthy and Roger Booth provided sterling service by refurbishing our stock of birdbags- we'll be well prepared if/when the next fall arrives © Jodie Henderson

28th August

Whether today proves to be the beginning of the end of the long, hot summer remains to be seen but by evening seeking shelter in the lee of the Pumping Station as squalls swept across the Bill made it feel a lot like the autumn's well and truly set in. A passing party of 7 Cattle Egrets and a last gasp Wryneck trapped in the Crown Estate Field just before the mist-nets were furled up for what sounds like a turbulent upcoming few days proved to be the day's highlights (whether the latter was the same as the bird seen yesterday and early doors again today in the Obs Quarry wasn't established), with routine passage dominated by three figure totals of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Swallows and Yellow Wagtails; other arrivals were sparsely spread and of no particular note, whilst lingerers included the Little Gull still at Ferrybridge. Stirrings on the sea as the wind freshened included 25 Balearic and a few Manx Shearwaters, and 2 Arctic Skuas through off the Bill. 

Lesser Black-backed Gulls have been one of the most conspicuous migrants all week © Martin Cade:



This year's crop of juvenile Kittiwakes have begun to come to prominence offshore © Martin Cade:


Wryneck just trapped in the Crown Estate Field

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 9:22 AM

A somewhat underwhelming trapping session at a breezy Eight Kings last night, with migrant/disperser interest ltd to a single Purple Marbled, 2 Pearly Underwing, & a variety of Portland-only scarcities (incl'g 2 Latticed Heath, Horse Chestnut, & Small Wainscot) #TeamMoth @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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— Phil Saunders (@beardybirder.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM

The @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social Fridge of Delight again saved the day, with my 1st ever Passenger (a gorgeously geometric species that I've longed to see since my teens) & the decidedly funky Zelleria oleastrella (Olive Spinner) #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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— Phil Saunders (@beardybirder.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 4:10 PM

27th August

A right old stir up in the weather saw a storm and associated torrential rain move northward across the Channel overnight and clear through before dawn - a scenario that it was hoped would drop migrants in numbers. Sadly, what looked good in the imagination didn't come to pass in the real world and, a not unexpected but very elusive Wryneck in their customary haunt in the Obs Quarry aside, numbers were very disappointing. At the Bill, the first Merlin of the season was more or less on cue and a Black-tailed Godwit was a notable oddity, but 300 Swallows, 150 Sand Martins and 40 Willow Warblers were the only worthwhile common migrant totals; elsewhere, a Little Gull was new at Ferrybridge. Offshore, Balearic Shearwaters reached a minimum of 87 with some rafting in numbers by the afternoon, but the sea was otherwise also on the quiet side, with 3 Teal and 2 Arctic Skuas the only extras of particular interest.


Portland & Ferrybridge 30 Balearic Shearwater, Little Gull, 9 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Wheatear, 3 Willow Warbler, Whinchat, Knot, 4 Sanderling, Curlew (red ring), 150 Ringed Plover, 5 Adonis & 3 Chalk Hill Blue, 2 Wall, Autumn Lady's Tresses, Maidenhair Fern, Grey Seal @naturetrek.bsky.social

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— tombrereton.bsky.social (@tombrereton.bsky.social) August 27, 2026 at 7:05 PM

Overnight mothing at the Obs distinctly underwhelming with the violent electric storm and torrential rain that arrived from across the Channel seemingly delivering few new migrants. Our garden trap at the Grove rather better incl a Passenger and a heathland stray Beautiful Yellow Underwing.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 27, 2026 at 6:44 PM

Horse Chestnut the most interesting here, also Vestal and Scarce Bd. Straw

— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 27, 2026 at 6:48 PM

26th August

The return of very birdable conditions wasn't really accompanied by as many migrants as might have been hoped today. An early doors Nightingale from the mist-nets at Culverwell gave hope but it was already apparent elsewhere around the Bill that, 100 or so Yellow Wagtails aside, migrants were pretty thinly spread and included little else of note beyond 5 Tree Pipits, 3 Yellow-legged Gulls and singles of Whinchat, Reed Warbler and Pied Flycatcher. It was evidently considerable busier in places around the middle of the island, including 25 Blackcaps, 22 Whitethroats and 7 Lesser Whitethroats at Coombefield/Thumb Lane. It was also considerably busier overhead, with 200 Lesser Black-backed Gulls departing to the south and 500 Sand Martins making up the bulk of some good gatherings of hirundines and 3 late Swifts over the Bill; an Osprey passed south down the west side of the island before departing from the Bill and several Sparrowhawks were in evidence stirring up the hirundines. The light passage evident at sea in recent days continued, with 10 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skuas the best of it off the Bill.


Despite the return of beautifully benign conditions today's been underwhelming on the migrant front. A Nightingale for @slashercutts.bsky.social at Culverwell was only the second at the Bill this year but it's been pretty dreadful for other grounded arrivals; fair gathering of Sand Martin overhead.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 26, 2026 at 12:19 PM

Improved moth-trapping conditions overnight and better variety amongst the catch at the Obs. Main feature a precipitous decline in Rush Veneers from many hundreds a few nights ago to barely double figures last night. A Passenger pick of the migrants (apparently another taken at Durlston CP as well)

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 26, 2026 at 12:37 PM

25th August

Something of nothing today, with the brisk easterly hindering meaningful fieldwork but also seemingly not turning up much in the way of seasonable common migrants or scarcities. A Caspian Gull grounded at the Bill - where there were also as many as 10 Yellow-legged Gulls through the course of the day - was the day's migrant highlight, with a departing Osprey there also of note. However, routine fare was really quite poorly represented, with nothing in quantity or of other quality either on the ground or overhead. The sea provided a little compensation, with 400 Mediterranean Gulls, 69 commic terns, 49 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Manx Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua amongst the conventional movers and 9 Grey Herons, 3 Wigeon, 2 Teal and a Grey Plover amongst the weather-related oddballs.

Another Caspian Gull - this one beginning to moult out of juvenile plumage so a little more advanced than last week's more or less full-blown juvenile - was the pick of the gulls amongst the Culverwell gull flock today (with thanks to Brett for his comments that continue to further our large gull education)...



...with the flock also again containing an interesting miscellany of Yellow-legged Gull plumages © Martin Cade


24th August

 A shocker weather-wise, with a blasting easterly freshening still further as the day went on and scuppering any real chances on the passerine front. What toil there was on the land revealed it to be single figures quiet for passerines on the ground, with only singles of Redstart and Grasshopper Warbler of note at the Bill; a little bit more overhead included three figure totals of Swallow and Sand Martin through over Ferrybridge and a fair numbers of Yellow Wagtails bombing about all over the place. Waders were a little better, notably including a high total of 7 Greenshanks overhead at Ferrybridge, whilst grounded gulls included an autumn peak count of 10 Yellow-legged Gulls at the Bill and a Common Gull at Ferrybridge. Sea movement included 196 Kittiwakes and 76 Balearic Shearwaters through off the Bill.


Seven Greenshanks is a really high total for the modern era - in fact we're struggling to remember that many since the 1970s/early 80s when there used to be a fair-sized wintering flock visible from within our recording area a little way up the Fleet towards the Bridging Camp © Pete Saunders:



A few juvenile Knot are beginning to take the place of the adults that have been quite regular at Ferrybridge for a while © Pete Saunders:


In a relatively indifferent late summer/early autumn for Yellow-legged Gulls today's 10 represented their peak total to date; although the majority have been the expected juveniles there's been a much higher than usual turn over of birds of other age classes - hitherto, second calendar year birds like this one below Culverwell this evening have been really rare visitors at this time of year © Martin Cade:


Scarcer than Yellow-legged Gulls at this time of year, the odd Common Gulls like this adult at Ferrybridge this evening continue to show up © Martin Cade:

23rd August

23rd August: A tad disappointing for a northeasterly on the migrant front, with 100 each of Swallow & Sand Martin, 70 Yellow Wag, 60 WW & 20 Wheatear making up the nos at the Bill; 2 Redstart & 1 Pied Fly the best there. 238 Kwake, 110 LBBGull, 20 Balearics, 2 Arctic Skua & a Little Gull thru at sea

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 23, 2026 at 10:46 PM

Ferrybridge this morning 19 Turnstone, 6 Sanderling, 2 Redshank, Knot, Curlew, Yellow Wagtail

— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 23, 2026 at 7:24 AM

Pied Flycatcher at Sweethill today...


...and yesterday's Bar-tailed Godwit and Greenshank at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:
 

22nd August

 

22nd August: Migration ticking over on a really fine and warm day. Bill total incl 75 WW, 50 Yellow Wag, 20 Wheatear, 10 Tree Pipit, with single Pied Flys at Sweethill and Blacknor. 100 LBBGulls ↓ with c140 Manx & c100 Balearics also thru off the Bill.

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 22, 2026 at 10:36 PM

A great hours birding with paul rendel today on local patch , nfp icterine warbler,plus a minimum of 12 lesser whitethroat 3 common whitethroat 2 common redstart 1 garden warbler blackcaps few sedge about 20 willow .

— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) August 22, 2026 at 3:53 PM

Here's some pics of icterine always difficult to photo and look through bins

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— dunccrip.bsky.social (@dunccrip.bsky.social) August 22, 2026 at 3:54 PM

Ferrybridge this morning 9 Redshanks, Knot, 2 Sanderling, 3 Wheatear

— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 21, 2026 at 8:42 AM

21st August

A really nice day with the light northerly breeze allowing for good coverage and mist-netting of a decent arrival of grounded and overflying migrants. Willow Warblers were still strongly to the fore on the ground, with 120 at the Bill where in truth there wasn't really a great deal of other variety beyond the very routine expecteds in much lower numbers; signs of some new Dunnocks dropping in was a little unexpected this early in the season. It was more rewarding overhead, where the first good showing of the season of the customary late August trio of Yellow Wagtail, Tree Pipit and Grey Wagtail chipped in with totals of 80, 25 and 3 respectively. Waders were well-represented, with 9 Redshank, 4 Sanderling, 3 Knot, 2 Black-tailed Godwits and the first Bar-tailed Godwit of the autumn at Ferrybridge. Given the wind direction, the sea was the day's surprise package, with 165 Manx Shearwaters, 160 Kittiwakes, 100 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, 42 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Arctic Skuas, 2 Teal and a Little Egret amongst others through off the Bill.

Some random migrants that popped up in front of us or in our mist-nets during the course of what turned out to be the most enjoyably varied day of the autumn so far - Tree Pipit, Yellow Wagtail, and Black-tailed and Bar-tailed Godwits © Martin Cade



The daylight hours were varied enough but the Obs nocmig recorder revealed that the nighttime hours had been just as interesting, with a whole lot of Tree Pipits along with waders that included (multiples in most cases) Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Little Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Curlew, Green Sandpiper and Common Sandpiper; however, very much the highlight came in the form of a Night Heron that circled about overhead after midnight - as far as we can make out there are a total of 69 calls between 00:34 and 00:44; here's a sequence of a few of them at the beginning of this period:


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
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