Despite the clear sky and benign conditions there was a small arrival of migrants uncovered by the few observers out looking today. Willow Warblers crept into double figures for the first time this autumn at the Bill, where 20 Sand Martins, 3 Sedge Warblers, 2 Whimbrel and singles of Turnstone, Yellow-legged Gull, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Wheatear also showed up. Nothing of any consequence was reported from the sea there. Ten Sanderling, a Knot and a Whimbrel were amongst the waders at Ferrybridge.
The Knot at Ferrybridge - a nice looker in the dawn sun © Pete Saunders:
This morning's Great Spotted Woodpecker - always a peculiar sight in full flight over the Bill...
...adult (above) and juvenile (below) Sedge Warblers - we sometimes have to try harder to tell some look-alike species apart then we do to distinguish the two age-classes of Sedge Warbler at this time of year...
...and a nice bright young Willow Warbler - looking very different to the adults we were seeing back in the spring © Martin Cade:
Still not much to report on the migrant moth front but the first Rusty Acorn Piercer Cydia amplana of the year from the Obs traps this mrng - a former rarity that may or may not be established here these days
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) Jul 26, 2024 at 8:40
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