Despite promising-looking conditions - lots of cloud and a fresh north-easterly - dawn was disappointingly quiet for migrants but the day proved to be a late-starter with a good arrival both on the ground and overhead ahead of the threat of rain towards mid-morning. The first
Yellow-browed Warbler of the season put in an appearance at Thumb Lane and patches of cover everywhere overflowed with
Chiffchaffs; at the same time a strong passage of
Swallows and
House Martins developed that, sadly, wasn't particularly well covered. Beyond the expected, variety on the ground was limited but did include singles of
Great Spotted Woodpecker,
Tree Pipit,
Reed Warbler and
Firecrest at the Bill, with a
Hobby lingering for a while over Bill Hill. Some waterfowl passage at sea saw 44
Common Scoter, 19
Brent Geese, 15
Cormorants and a
Teal - along with 20
Balearic Shearwaters - pass through off the Bill.
The juvenile Hobby lingered over Bill Hill and permitted unusually excellent views © Pete Saunders:
NE gusty wind with showers at midday resulted in 146 birds of 15 species ringed at 3 sites of @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social Chiffchaffs at 72 ,Blackcap at 28 and Meadow Pipits 18 were again dominant A Tree Pipit (pic),female Firecrest& Reed Warbler were the main interest to birders on the patio.
[image or embed]
— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 2, 2024 at 8:23 PM
