Any hopes that the hot weather would end with a migrant bonanza as Atlantic-influenced conditions begun to make headway were dashed in the early hours when fog rolled in and blanketed the island until well into the morning. Any passing migrants were likely oblivious to Portland's existence and were it not for a conspicuous influx of immigrant moths the day would have passed off quietly.
The Obs barely visible from the Crown Estate Field: today wasn't to be one of those rare days when fog dropped migrants in quantity © Martin Cade:
Portland Bill
Grounded migrants Willow Warbler 30, Wheatear 10, Whitethroat 10, Sedge Warbler 8, Pied Flycatcher 2, Garden Warbler 1.
Visible passage Tree Pipit 4, Ringed Plover 2, Hobby 1, Dunlin 1.
Sea passage Lesser Black-backed Gull 12s, Kittiwake 7e, Balearic Shearwater 2e 3w, Common Scoter 2w, Arctic Skua 2, Shelduck 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1; also Harbour Porpoise 2, Bluefin Tuna 1.
Visible passage Tree Pipit 4, Ringed Plover 2, Hobby 1, Dunlin 1.
Sea passage Lesser Black-backed Gull 12s, Kittiwake 7e, Balearic Shearwater 2e 3w, Common Scoter 2w, Arctic Skua 2, Shelduck 1, Yellow-legged Gull 1; also Harbour Porpoise 2, Bluefin Tuna 1.
Ferrybridge
Ringed Plover 103, Dunlin 60, Sanderling 3, Curlew 3, Knot 1, Whimbrel 1, Redshank 1.
Ringed Plover 103, Dunlin 60, Sanderling 3, Curlew 3, Knot 1, Whimbrel 1, Redshank 1.
Moths
Selected immigrants Obs: Diamond-back 248, Rush Veneer 70, Rusty-dot Pearl 26, Glasswort Case-bearer Coleophora salicorniae 12, Dark Sword Grass 7, Spindle Knot-horn 3, Silver Y 2, Chamomile Conch Cochylidia implicitana 1, Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella 1, Narrow-winged Pug 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Pearly Underwing 1, Shining Marbled 1, Small Marbled 1. Easton: Olive-tree Pearl 1. Grove: European Corn-borer 1, Dark Spinach 1, Painted Lady 1, Bordered Straw 1, Scarce Bordered Straw 1.
Selected immigrants Obs: Diamond-back 248, Rush Veneer 70, Rusty-dot Pearl 26, Glasswort Case-bearer Coleophora salicorniae 12, Dark Sword Grass 7, Spindle Knot-horn 3, Silver Y 2, Chamomile Conch Cochylidia implicitana 1, Bulrush Veneer Calamotropha paludella 1, Narrow-winged Pug 1, Hummingbird Hawkmoth 1, Pearly Underwing 1, Shining Marbled 1, Small Marbled 1. Easton: Olive-tree Pearl 1. Grove: European Corn-borer 1, Dark Spinach 1, Painted Lady 1, Bordered Straw 1, Scarce Bordered Straw 1.
Portland's second Shining Marbled - the first was way back on 26th August 2013 - was the night's immigrant highlight; it's still a decent quality moth with just 22 British records up to the end of last year © Martin Cade:
