27th August

A day that was at least enjoyable for the return of summer-like conditions after all the recent turbulence but, sadly, was far from memorable on the birding front. A notable exception was a Caspian Gull that showed up during the evening at Ferrybridge, but migrant numbers remained woefully low with warblers of any sort remarkably conspicuous absentees. Dribs and drabs of overhead movement at the Bill included 200 Swallows and 75 Sand Martins, along with single figure totals of Yellow Wagtail, Grey Wagtail and Tree Pipit but no grounded arrivals there even managed a double figure total; minor quality came in the form of 4 Grey Herons, 4 Common Sandpipers and a lingering Pied Flycatcher at the Bill, the lingering Marsh Harrier around the centre of the island, a Whinchat at Reap Lane and a Pied Flycatcher at Bowers Quarry. Wader numbers remained steady at Ferrybridge, although only 8 Sanderlings and 2 Knot provided interest amongst the regulars. The sea provided some entertainment immediately after dawn when 100 Manx Shearwaters, 52 Balearic Shearwaters, 2 Sooty Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skuas passed by off the Bill.

An almost windless dawn was an overdue pleasure © Martin Cade:

The Ferrybridge Caspian Gull © Thomas Miller:

And one we forgot yesterday - a notably short-billed juvenile Whimbrel at Ferrybridge © Pete Saunders:

The moth-traps revealed a small overnight uptick in migrant activity but for us the highlight was a nice specimen of the Blackthorn Blister Moth Lyonetia prunifoliella; although recently re-establishing itself across southern England after a long absence this remains a rare visitor to our moth-traps: we still have fewer than 10 records in total since our first in 2018 and despite searching the copious amounts of blackthorn in the vicinity of the Obs we haven't managed to find the characteristic blister-like leaf mines of the early stages - perhaps our records just involve strays from further afield? © Martin Cade:

Modest catch of 24 Sand Martins gave the day's ringing total a little bit of respectability - 53 birds of 15 species; 6 Grey Wagtails from Culverwell a notable total. Remarkably, the total included just 4 warblers - singles of Willow, Sedge, Blackcap and Whitethroat - an all-time low for this date?!

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) Aug 27, 2024 at 23:42