26th August

A rather promising forecast sadly came to naught with the dawn rain barely more than a few specks and the incoming south-westerly far stronger than originally hoped. The numbers of grounded migrants remained fairly woeful, with 2 Reed Warblers, 2 Whitethroats and singles of Sedge Warbler and Pied Flycatcher from the Bill trapping areas and 2 Turnstones and a Common Sandpiper the only other sightings of note from the shore. A bit of early promise on the sea quickly fizzled out with 17 Balearic Shearwaters and 7 Arctic Skuas through in the first couple of hours after dawn but precious little thereafter. Ferrybridge remained rather static, with 3 Knot, 2 Curlew and a Sanderling among the more expected fare.

The three Knot at Ferrybridge this morning © Pete Saunders:

Passenger for @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social at Freshwater Bay the night's show-stopper migrant moth. Only modest increases in numbers at the Obs with no stand-out rares; small arrival/emergence of Western Conifer Seedbugs of interest

[image or embed]

— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 26, 2025 at 9:50 AM

Passenger from Freshwater Bay, Portland last night; actually the fourth of the recent run here and perhaps this suggests local breeding? @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

[image or embed]

— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 26, 2025 at 7:05 PM

It's not been a great year so far for Convolvulus Hawk-moth, so very pleasing when this appeared next to the trap at Freshwater Bay, Portland, but no Striped Hawk-moth for me!

[image or embed]

— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) August 26, 2025 at 7:08 PM

A few immigrant moths in last night’s traps including 3 Olive Tree Pearl, a Delicate and a Bordered Straw @migrantmothuk.bsky.social #mothsmatter

[image or embed]

— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) August 26, 2025 at 3:03 PM