The wind dropped enough overnight that the moth-traps left on at the Obs attracted a surprising number of immigrants including singles of Cosmopolitan and Delicate; by day, a Painted Lady was still on the wing at the Bill.
3rd November
Visible passage saved the day today in circumstances that looked entirely unpromising. Despite heavily overcast skies and frequent showers after dawn a very respectable 358 Siskins topped a tally over the Bill that also included 285 Meadow Pipits (a high count for this late in the season), 208 Goldfinches, 129 Chaffinches, 210 Wood Pigeons, 113 Starlings and 79 Linnets; a solitary Woodlark was the only oddity tagging along with this passage. New grounded arrivals were in evidence once birdable conditions replaced the cloud and rain, with several dozen Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs fresh in around the south of the island, where 5 Firecrests, 4 Black Redstarts and the lingering Cetti's Warbler were also logged; at least another 3 Black Redstarts were dotted about the north of the island. Sea interest diminished, with 100 lingering Mediterranean Gulls and a single passing Great Northern Diver the best from the Bill.
