A crisp and clear start to the day saw many birds on the move for the first few hours post-dawn before the arrival of thick cloud cover from the north that persisted for the rest of the day saw things come to a rather abrupt halt. House Martins dominated overhead, with 2000 through east off the Bill and at least as many again arriving over West Cliffs and lingering over the fields; 550 Meadow Pipits, 500 Swallows, 82 Siskin, 37 Chaffinches and the first Redpolls and Reed Buntings of the autumn were also logged at this time. Things on the ground were decidedly quieter with Chiffchaffs in their lowest numbers of the week; 2 Firecrests, 2 Whinchats, the first presumed migrant Song Thrush of the autumn, a Reed Warbler and a lingering Dartford Warbler were the best that could be mustered from the Bill, with several Spotted Flycatchers and Firecrests also scattered around Southwell. Wader-wise, 2 Knot, 2 Sanderling and a Curlew Sandpiper were at Ferrybridge. Numbers on the sea remained high even if variety was limited; over 3000 auks and 200 Kittiwakes made up the bulk of the numbers, with 18 Common Scoter, 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Teal and singles of Great Northern Diver and Balearic Shearwater also logged.
The House Martins were swarming like midges for a while before vanishing in an instant once the cloud rolled in © Martin Cade:
One of several Spotted Flycatcher at Southwell © Ralph Todd:
We were a little disgruntled when this flock of 26 interesting-looking black shapes coming over the Bill proved not to be the Glossy Ibises they perhaps ought to have been but a large but altogether more prosaic party of migrating Cormorants © Martin Cade:
A NE wind but with cloud from the east since dawn @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social A total of 377 birds of 16 species were ringed with 307 being those of House Martins,all being juveniles with none being trapped more than once. Also. 35 CC,25 Bcap & 5 Goldcrest. 1100+ birds ringed in the last 5 days.
— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) September 26, 2025 at 6:47 PM
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