26th May

Very fair, almost cloudless conditions seem to be setting in which is a shame as there are clearly still late migrants on the move and the chances of them dropping look to be diminishing. Today's Bill tally included 17 Spotted Flycatchers, 7 each of Whinchat and Willow Warbler, 5 Black-headed Gulls, 2 Reed Warblers and singles of Turnstone, Tree Pipit, Wheatear, Redstart and Blackcap, with a handful of Swifts and hirundines still arriving overhead; a second singing Corn Bunting there was additional to the long-stayer still present. Spotted Flycatchers in particular were spread quite liberally elsewhere, whilst an Osprey passed over at Portland Harbour; Ferrybridge waders included 26 Ringed Plovers, 8 Dunlin, 4 each of Bar-tailed Godwit and Sanderling, 3 Turnstones and a Whimbrel. A surprise offshore was a surge in commic terns, with 288 through off the Bill; sea passage was otherwise almost non-existent although Manx Shearwaters were again milling around offshore in numbers.

A bit of the recent Ferrybridge wader action: Bar-tailed Godwits and Whimbrel today © Pete Saunders and Grey Plover © Pete Saunders and Knots © Martin Cade from two days ago: