So rare these days as to be worth a mention in its own right: Small Tortoiseshell in the Obs garden this afternoon - think it's only the second one seen at Portland all year
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) September 11, 2024 at 1:36 PM
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11th September
Today reminded us why generally we're not great fans of brisk northwesterlies - it was rubbish! That's a slight exaggeration since the day's list wasn't too bad, but within it numbers were very much on the low side and the strength of the wind always made for uncomfortable fieldwork. Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs were surprisingly well represented in what sheltered spots there were but grounded migrants weren't otherwise at all plentiful, with 5 Whinchats, 2 Redstarts and singles of Marsh Harrier (the very long-stayer), Merlin, Whimbrel, Knot, White Wagtail and Firecrest about the best of it at the Bill; another 6 Knot were at Ferrybridge. The clear sky was bereft of much by way of visible passage save for more evidence of Meadow Pipits beginning to get going. The sea was given plenty of looks just in case but the rewards were negligible: a Sooty Shearwater passed by off the Bill but even the Balearic Shearwater tally there was reduced to a paltry 9.
