12th September

Perfect conditions for birding and some good variety on offer around the island today. An fly-by Ortolan Bunting at Blacknor and 2 Wrynecks retrapped at the Bill (one of which has been in residence for a fortnight now) provided some seasonable quality, whilst a Quail flushed up in Top Fields was a surprise bonus; decent numbers of hirundines (including 1400 over Ferrybridge) and Grey Wagtails (including 45 over the Bill) were making full use of the clear sky and Wheatears again topped 100 on the ground at the Bill. Among a good spread of other expecteds 3 White Wagtails and singles of Merlin, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Grasshopper Warbler were of interest at the Bill, where 12 Balearic Shearwaters passed by on the sea.