12th October

Although we're quick to apportion blame for lack of birds on weather conditions or a variety of often less than plausible intangibles it would have been hard to conjure up anything to find fault with today: the weather was near-perfect for birding and there were certainly plenty of eyes out looking; the rewards might have been far from earth shattering but they at least continued yesterday's little flourish that it's hoped can be maintained for a while yet. Two Yellow-browed Warblers were entirely expected in this day and age, whilst singles of Siberian Chiffchaff, Woodlark, Cetti's Warbler and Common Rosefinch - the latter presumed to be yesterday's bird although, since it only showed briefly, that couldn't be established for sure - were a nice supporting cast. Common migrants weren't nearly as plentiful as yesterday: the evidence from the mist-nets was that, at the Bill at least, Blackcaps outnumbered Chiffchaffs by two to one, with the former likely just managing a three figure total; other than that the seasonable offerings were many and varied although few especially numerous, with only a noticeable increase in Jackdaws overhead and the continued early departure of fair numbers of Wood Pigeons worth a comment.

This morning's fly-by Woodlark at the Bill © Joe Stockwell:


Finally, we've heard back on the ringing details of the colour-ringed Caspian Gull that was sighted amongst the Culverwell gull flock at the end of September and again a week later. Evidently the bird was ringed as a nestling at the Ijsselmeer, Noord-Holland, Netherlands, on 28th May; it was first sighted as a fledged youngster nearby on 16th August but there had been no further sightings until it pitched up at Portland © Martin Cade: