8th July

In the late hours of yesterday evening another single Storm Petrel was tape-lured and ringed at the Bill. With slightly fresher Atlantic conditions having set in the daylight hours were mainly fair and bright, although now and then marred by a few spots of rain from passing shower clouds. Swifts and Sand Martins were again leaving in small numbers - for example, 13 and 25 respectively at the Bill - and there was even the first hint of Swallows at least thinking about heading off; the only other reports of early movement concerned a total of 5 Grey Herons overhead at various times at the Bill. The sea was still worth a little attention, with 90 Manx Shearwaters, 39 Common Scoter and a lone Balearic Shearwater though off the Bill. Finally, the Hooded Crow - which hasn't been looked for several days - was found again at Admiralty Quarry.

A Four-spotted Footman was the only out of the ordinary immigrant moth caught overnight at the Obs; 3 Dark Sword Grass and a Diamond-back Moth were the only immigrants logged there.


Thrift Neb Aristotelia brizella - Portland Bill, 8th July 2014 © Martin Cade
 
...by no means a Portland special but probably as easy to see here as anywhere else in Dorset where it's strictly a coastal species.