16th November

If autumn passage had nearly fizzled out in recent days then today qualified as rock bottom since there wasn't a single entry for a new arrival on the day sheet or the ringing log at the Obs. Winterers there included singles of Water Rail and Black Redstart, whilst a constantly freshening westerly perked up numbers on the sea that included 2 lingering Great Skuas. Elsewhere the Ferrybridge Mediterranean Gull total got up to 650, with 5 Pale-bellied Brent Geese also there and 2 Black-necked Grebes nearby in Portland Harbour.

The increasing breeze spoilt overnight mothing, with 12 Rusty-dot Pearl and a Silver Y the only immigrants trapped overnight at the Obs.

It's sometimes difficult to believe just how many birds manage to cram themselves into what's a very small space at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders: