Today's birding was a real tale of contrasts, with the Obs and Crown Estate Field mist-nets tapping into a nice pulse of new arrivals that somehow managed to pass by largely unnoticed anywhere else. Willow Warblers once again made up the bulk of grounded migrants, with at least 100 through, whilst a late afternoon Wryneck provided the day's moment of quality. Other new arrivals at the Bill included 30 Wheatears, 6 Tree Pipits and singles of Pied Flycatcher, Spotted Flycatcher and Hobby, whilst another Pied Flycatcher was at May Bower Gardens. With 2 Sanderling, a Greenshank and a Little Ringed Plover present at the Bill, it was clear a fair bit of wader activity was underway, and Ferrybridge once again scored well with 6 Knot, 4 Black-tailed Godwits and singles of Grey Plover, Little Stint, Curlew Sandpiper and Wood Sandpiper amongst others.
There was almost an inevitability about a Wryneck turning up today but that didn't make it any the less enjoyable for those that were present to see it in the hand and be amazed at its 'wrynecking' behaviour © Duncan Walbridge:
Curlew Sandpiper, Little Stint and Yellow-legged Gull amongst today's Ferrybridge miscellany © Pete Saunders:
little stint, grey plover, knot, redshank ferrybridge, still some sanderling in amongst the dunlin & ringed plover. half doz wheatear n single clouded yellow
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— andylportland.bsky.social (@andylportland.bsky.social) August 20, 2025 at 3:03 PM
A bit too breezy overnight but stayed very mild and two of the sheltered moth-traps in the Obs garden we're rammed with noctuids in particular. Highest totals so far this yr of DSGrass, Turnip, Bordered Straw and Scarce Bordered Straw. Marsh Oblique-barred a second for Portland and first for the Obs
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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 20, 2025 at 12:56 PM
A good selection of immigrant moths in last night’s trap. Star of the show was Striped Hawkmoth with supporting cast of 3 Bordered Straw, 2 Scarce Bordered Straw, White-speck, 11 Dark Sword-grass, 5 Olive-tree Pearl and several of the other common immigrants #mothsmatter @migrantmothuk.bsky.social
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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 20, 2025 at 6:24 PM
