4th September

Yet another dramatic switch in our fortunes as thick cloud that rolled in early yesterday afternoon remained all night and resulted in very little movement throughout the morning. The benefit of this cloud cover was that the Ortolan Buntings, located last night at Fancy's farm, were still on display for most of the morning. Although not as dramatic as yesterday, the passage of Hirundines continued with over 200 Swallows and 60 House Martins (likely a large underestimate). Other migrants of note included: 21 Yellow Wagtails, 7 Grey Wagtails, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 2 Redstarts, 34 Wheatears, 4 Whinchats, and 2 Reed Warblers. The highlight of a rather dismal seawatch was 7 Teal. Notable by their absence were Willow Warblers with a modest 4 recorded throughout the day.

Elsewhere on the island, a Golden Plover flew over the Ortolan Buntings at Fancy's Farm as well as 2 Whinchats, 17 Yellow Wagtails, 2 Tree Pipits and a Spotted Flycatcher. Southwell also saw its share of the Hirundine passage with large numbers of both Swallows and House Martins, as well as: Redstart, 5 Spotted Flycatchers, Blackcap and Lesser Whitethroat.

After a run of brief fly-bys and sound recorded nocturnal migrants it was good to finally clap eyes on a couple of settled Ortolans © Duncan Walbridge (top) and Clive - oops, do remind us of your surname when you're here next! (bottom)

The Obs garden lingering Pied Flycatcher was putting on a good show for the guests © Paul Ward:

After reports of a dreadful breeding season in at least one part of their summer range it's been good to see that at least some of the Sanderlings showing up at Ferrybridge are juveniles © Debby Saunders:

Small Heaths are having a stunning second generation on the island and most are looking as stunning as this one from today © Martin King: