12th September

Another nicely varied tally today but perhaps not quite including the numbers of common migrants that looked to be on the cards as dawn broke with patchy cloud overhead, a waft of an easterly and an enticing warmth in the air. The Bee-eater remained marooned on the island and, as the day wore on, begun to exhibit signs of getting pretty cheesed off with life as the weather took a downer and it undertook increasingly rapid circuits of much of the centre and south of the island. Yet another Honey Buzzard scooted through and yet again escaped the attention of nearly everyone, a second Wryneck joined yesterday's bird at Suckthumb and an Ortolan Bunting at Broadcroft was a nice addition to the scarce list.

Portland Bill
Migrants Yellow Wagtail 40, Blackcap 25, Tree Pipit 20, Wheatear 20, Stonechat 20, Grey Wagtail 12, Whinchat 5, with lower totals including Hobby 1, Kingfisher 1, Bee-eater 1, Cetti's Warbler 1, Siskin 1.
Sea passage Common Scoter 20e 7w, Lesser Black-backed Gull 20s, Arctic Skua 2e 1w. 

Mid-island
Swallow c1000, Blackcap c50, Redstart 6, Spotted Flycatcher 3, Wryneck 2, Honey Buzzard 1, Bee-eater 1, Ortolan Bunting 1.

Moths
Selected immigrants Obs: Rusty-dot Pearl 1, Rush Veneer 91, Turnip 6, Pearly Underwing 3, Delicate 3, Silver Y 2, Diamond-back 1, Olive-tree Pearl 1. Grove: Beautiful Marbled 1.

The Broadcroft Ortolan Bunting © Martin Adlam: