A nice lot of variety in pleasantly quiet conditions today including firsts for the autumn in the form of singles of Grasshopper Warbler and Pied Flycatcher, both at the Obs; sadly, the Bee-eater heard calling over Culverwell didn't oblige by either coming into view or lingering. On the ground at the Bill, Willow Warbler just about managed double figures, whilst a few Sedge Warblers and a single Garden Warbler were also logged along with 3 Greenfinches - the latter might be their highest count there this year! Overhead there, a Little Ringed Plover was the pick of a small passage of routine fare. Offshore, Balearic Shearwaters clearly aren't finding food in local waters and were reduced to just 3 all day; 61 Manx Shearwaters, a Yellow-legged Gull and an Arctic Skua also passed by but the surprise was a total of 210 auks - the local breeders are long gone and passing 'outsiders' rarely reach anything like this sort of total before late September.
Two firsts for the autumn from the Obs mist-nets this mrng: Pied Flycatcher and Grasshopper Warbler. Bee-eater heard calling over Culverwell at 09.30 but no sight/sound since. Just 1 Balearic thru off the Bill.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 24, 2025 at 10:33 AM
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Slightly reduced migrant variety from the Obs moth-traps last night but the year's first Porter's Rustic, another Old World Webworm, first Bordered Straw for a while and the year's highest totals of Rush Veneer and Dark Sword Grass all of note
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 24, 2025 at 10:46 AM
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A few phone pics of the more interesting moths from last night’s trap
— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) July 24, 2025 at 2:48 PM
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