22nd September

Since we've still not really been blighted this year with anything that might be deemed autumnal conditions it seems hardly appropriate to remark on the current glorious continuation of summer as in any way unexpected; however, it's certainly making for enjoyable birding even if the quality of the discoveries leaves plenty to be desired. Today's wall-to-wall blue sky was great for the likes of Meadow Pipits and hirundines to pass through in quantity but, once again, grounded arrivals were at a premium: 4 Short-eared Owls lingered on at the Bill but there was nothing remotely unexpected amongst the newcomers there or elsewhere. The balmy conditions were far from appropriate for seawatching so three Balearic Shearwaters, two each of Teal and Arctic Skua and the first Common Gull of the autumn through off the Bill were a bonus.