29th July
All things considered, today was pretty impressive. Portland isn't necessarily known for its grand numbers in July but a steady passage today, including a selection of warblers, was an excellent bonus. The majority of the netted birds came out of the Crown Fields, the highlights being a pair of Grasshopper Warblers, six Sedge Warblers, 11 Willow Warblers and (a personal highlight) three Skylarks. Away from the nets a constant passage of low numbers of Sand Martins and singles of Garden Warbler and Blackcap added to the migrant tally, whilst the Long-eared Owl continued to irritate the garden dwelling Blackbirds. The sea was reasonably quiet, and was rapidly obscured by a thick heat haze as the morning progressed. The only birds of note included 36 Manx Shearwaters, two Yellow-legged Gulls and a variety of single waders with one each of Curlew, Turnstone, Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Ferrybridge also saw a trickle of Sand Martins with 20 through during the mornings watch, as well as four Sanderlings and 20+ each of Dunlin and Ringed Plover.