6th August

A day best forgotten: the cool, dreary and increasingly blustery conditions were completely uninspiring and did nothing for the quality of the birding. There were a handful of grounded migrants about including 5 Yellow-legged Gulls at the Bill, but amongst the commoner fare only Wheatear and Willow Warbler managed double figure totals on the ground there, with a single Tree Pipit all there was of note overhead. An early flurry of 33 Balearic and 2 Sooty Shearwaters through off the Bill gave hope for sea but interest there entirely fizzled out as the day went on.

The daily sight of Bluefin Tuna has added a hitherto undreamt of dimension to autumn seawatching at the Bill; however, they remain staggeringly difficult to get a decent photo of so this effort today is certainly to be commended © Duncan Walbridge:

Yellow-legged Gull fix from this evening. 1 of 3 seen below Culverwell at Portland Bill. There had been 5 seen earlier, before I got there. Very much scarcer this Autumn in our area, so far. A smart individual this. Plus, cracking views of Barn Owl later on.

[image or embed]

— luvaducksbutt.bsky.social (@luvaducksbutt.bsky.social) August 7, 2025 at 9:39 PM

Wakeham this afternoon and my first ever Wasp Spider (Argiope bruennichi). More videos and photos on portandwey.blogspot.com/2025/08/7-au...

[image or embed]

— Port and Wey (@portandwey.bsky.social) August 7, 2025 at 9:08 PM