With looming dark clouds putting a stop to any large movement of hirundines, it was all the more acutely obvious how quiet migration has become in recent days. A mini-arrival of
Short-eared Owls was a slightly overdue event for the autumn, with 3 in-off at the Bill and another lingering briefly at Coombefield. In terms of other visible migration,
Meadow Pipits were by far the most numerous new arrival with 250 overhead, with 47
Siskin, 9
Yellow Wagtails, 6
Grey Wagtails and singles of
Merlin and
Tree Pipit also logged over the Bill. On the ground, variety was in particularly short supply with the lingering
Wryneck at Barleycrates Lane and a
Hen Harrier at dusk at the Bill the only sightings beyond the most routine fare. The southerly airflow did little to change the selection on the sea, with 2,200
Auks, 34
Common Scoter, 18
Pintail, 8
Arctic Skuas and 2
Balearic Shearwaters past the Bill.
The Wryneck at Barleycrates Lane showed very nicely at times © Matthew Barfield:
Migrant insects have been in relatively short supply all week so it was good to find a fair number of Red-veined Darters still on the wing at Yeolands Quarry this afternoon © Martin Cade:
Overcast with S wind with sprinkle of rain at 1100 hrs. Far fewerbirds @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social especially hirundines. 61 birds ringed of 11 species, 20 CC, 9 Bcap, 2 Garden & 1 Reed W, 1 Grey Wagtail. No crests ringed. Jodie Mae Henderson showing my granddaughter her holding and ringing skills.
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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) September 27, 2025 at 6:55 PM
