15th November

What's not to like about a millpond calm and overcast dawn in mid-November? - quite a bit on the strength of today's happenings: it was beautifully birdable and netable but if migrants were on the move they gave us a pretty wide berth today. A steady passage of 150 Chaffinches passed overhead at the Bill but beside them it was unexpectedly quiet on all fronts. Six Redpolls, 5 Bramblings and 4 Siskins also passed over there but the fact that Redwing didn't even manage a double-figure total was evidence enough about the state of play overhead. It wasn't much different on the ground at the Bill where 7 Reed Buntings, 3 Blackcaps and a Bullfinch were new but many if not all of the likes of Black Redstarts, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were lingerers; elsewhere, a Firecrest was at Avalanche Road. Gulls weren't quite a prominent offshore as in recent days but 2 Great Northern Divers, 2 Red-breasted Merganser and a Balearic Shearwater did provide some interest off the Bill.

Very nice to have an excuse (Trustees' meeting!) to enjoy a day's bird ringing at PBO @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social 23 birds of 10 species with Redwing and Redpoll especially nice. A fine day in contrast to last few in South Wales with good sunset and full super moon.Business tomorrow!

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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) November 15, 2024 at 6:17 PM