15th September

A pretty ripping day saw the largest fall of migrants of the autumn to date that were enjoyed in lovely warmth and under an almost cloudless sky. Three Wrynecks - 2 at the Bill and another at Portland Castle - and a passing Honey Buzzard provided some scarcity interest but it was common migrants that stole the show. Chiffchaffs shot to the fore with more than 200 at the Bill, where other grounded totals of note included 120 Wheatears, 60 Willow Warblers, 30 each of Yellow Wagtail and Blackcap, 20 Whitethroats, 15 each of Tree Pipit and Sedge Warbler, 10 Whinchats, 8 each of Redstart and Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers (with another up-island), 2 Turtle Doves and singles of Whimbrel and Grasshopper Warbler. Given the conditions, overhead passage was maybe a little disappointing but still included 1000 Swallows, 700 Meadow Pipits, at least 2 Hobbies and a Siskin. The sea was the poor relation, with 100 Mediterranean Gulls lingering off the Bill but no more than 2 Balearic Shearwaters passing through there.