Not the most enjoyable day to be out in the field, what with the ever present threat of a good soaking at the hands of the frequent heavy showers coming in off the Channel, but minimal coverage saw one or two folk get lucky: a Caspian Gull at the Bill was a first for the season, the Black Brant was back at Ferrybridge and a Yellow-browed Warbler was at Easton. The conditions were likely a little too inclement for most overhead migrants but 3290 Wood Pigeons still gave it a try and headed off south from the Bill; a few Starlings and finches were likewise inclined but the overall volume of movement was considerably less than in recent days. There were arrivals on the ground but they weren't especially plentiful, with 2 Firecrests (at Pennsylvania Castle) amongst a fair spread of Goldcrests and 2 Ring Ouzels and a Woodlark at the Bill the best on offer. The sea continued to offer good numbers of auks and Kittiwakes, with 4 Balearic Shearwaters and a Sooty Shearwater also through off the Bill, whilst the Brent Goose total at Ferrybridge increased to 1190 (that include 49 juveniles - a big jump from the measly 7 a couple of days ago).
The season's first Caspian Gull was amongst the loafing gulls below Culverwell this morning but it lasted barely more than a minute before lifting off in a flush of the flock © Martin Cade:
Hours of gulling and still managed to miss a drop in Casp. at the Bill flock today. This 2nd winter Yellow-legged Gull was some consolation. More October YLGs of this age can be seen here: https://t.co/X2mGmM2l8G pic.twitter.com/iulUdbhWW3
— Keith Pritchard (@portlandbirder) October 27, 2023
