Post-breeding dispersal getting going with Med Gull nos up to 35 off the Bill, also 31 Common Scoter 'departing' west; the Sooty Shearwater still offshore + 3 Balearics. Just 9 birds ringed between the Obs & Culverwell with a CC the only migrant. First Clouded Yellow of the year on the Slopes.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) June 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Last night's moth migration a wee bit disappointing at the Obs: Bird's Wing only the second island record and Chequered Grey a good local scarcity; first 4 Olive-tree Pearls of the year, 2 Small Mottled Willows and small influxes of Four-spotted Footman and Mottled Oak Tortrix of note.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) June 13, 2025 at 10:57 AM
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Over the last few weeks we've frequently mentioned just how dire this spring was for numbers of common migrants, likely a consequence of both fewer birds returning each year and the consistently fine weather that no doubt saw many arrivals pass straight over without stopping. This was particularly apparent in our daily ringing activities, with the total number of new birds ringed falling well below the recent average: this year's March to May tally of 1187 compares very unfavourably indeed with the 2015-24 mean of 2555 and is barely even a quarter of the record spring total of 4608 in 2012. Taking a closer look at the monthly break down for the last few years we see that the only comparable recent spring was 2020 that was also characterised by long spells of fair weather; however, it should also be borne in mind that 2020 was the Covid lockdown year when the ringing effort was considerably less than it was this year:
A deeper delve into the fortunes of our three most commonly encountered species - Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap - reveals some interesting disparities:
Despite the low number of birds ringed, there were still a number of interesting ringing recoveries this spring which are detailed in full below. Of particular note were a 6-year old Chiffchaff to Hilbre Bird Observatory, a 5-day movement of a Goldfinch to Ferndown, Dorset, and only our 4th ever ringing movement of a Grey Wagtail.
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