We're on repeat at the moment: there's plenty about and migration's pretty entertaining but the content has become a wee bit samey, with
Chiffchaffs and
Blackcaps in abundance everywhere and
hirundines streaming through overhead but not a great deal changing by way of variety. With fuller coverage of the hinterland we wouldn't be at all surprised if the all-island
Chiffchaff and
Blackcap totals weren't well in excess of 500 each, whilst
House Martins numbered in excess of 1000 just along one flight line off the Bill with just as many again uncounted along West Cliffs. A good deal of the rest of visible passage was poorly enumerated, but 50
Siskins, the first 13
Jackdaws of the season, 9
Grey Herons, 5
Golden Plovers and singles of
Lapwing,
Osprey,
Hen Harrier and
Hobby provided worthwhile variety overhead. On the ground, 2
Dartford Warblers were the pick of the new arrivals at the Bill.
Auks again featured in quantity offshore, with 9
Pintail, 7
Arctic Skuas, 5
Wigeon, a
Shoveler and a
Grey Phalarope the best of the rest off the Bill.
No Brown Shrike or Dark-sided Flycatcher from today's heavy duty flog around the south of the island but there was a nice lot of routine migration underway - Lapwing, House Martin, Sand Martin, Chiffchaff and Dartford Warbler © Joe Stockwell:
And later in the day, the Osprey making a beeline for France way up high over the Obs © Martin Cade:
No change in the weather @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social NE wind, gusty at times ,hot again in the afternoon. 125 birds were ringed with CC 48 and Blackcap 16 main species. 25 House Martin and 8 Swallows netted amongst the big numbers around most of the day. 2 each of Spot.Fly and Goldcrest of note.
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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) September 25, 2025 at 7:46 PM
