After two rather blank days passage resumed in earnest in today's much finer conditions. It was perhaps a little too fine to have expected a big arrival of grounded migrants but
Blackcaps and
Chiffchaffs were well represented everywhere, including more than 50 of each at the Bill; a presumed
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat trapped at the Obs was a welcome scarcity, whilst
Dunnocks,
Robins,
tits and other under-the-radar species appeared in decent numbers. The day's highest numbers were overhead, with 3170
Meadow Pipits, 2100
Swallows and 560
House Martins through along West Cliffs alone, with plenty more unquantified movement both at the Bill and elsewhere;
Pied Wagtails,
Skylarks and
Chaffinches all got into the few dozens over the Bill for the first time this season and there was plenty of variety including a
Short-eared Owl amongst the lower totals overhead. Offshore,
auks were moving in numbers, with 730 through off the Bill, where 50
Balearic Shearwaters and a
Great Northern Diver also passed by.
It's hard to believe that this afternoon's Lesser Whitethroat is going prove to be anything other than a blythi Siberian bird © Martin Cade:
Nice to have a lovely clear, windless Portland to wake up to…
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
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— Glen Maddison (@orioleglen66.bsky.social) September 28, 2024 at 7:12 AM
Light northerly at dawn and clear still resulted in 155 birds of 15 species ringed at PBO @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social New 8 Dunnocks,4Robins and Tits new with departing CC 39, B'cap 30, Swallow 24, House Martin 9,Spot Fly 1 whilst real1st eastern migrant in putative Siberian Lesser Whitethroat.
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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) September 28, 2024 at 8:41 PM
