It was not the most auspicious of starts to October, with neither the quantity or quality of migration able to meet the lofty expectations that come with this time in the birding calendar. Cloudier conditions saw overhead passage ease off slightly, with reduced totals of 300
Meadow Pipits, 45
'Alba' Wagtails, 27
Siskin, 22
Chaffinch, 17
Skylark, 14
Redpolls, 5
Ravens and a
Hobby departing the Bill, with a noticeable absence of h
irundines compared to recent days; elsewhere, 14 more
Ravens and a
Crossibill amongst others passed over at the Heights. On the ground, a
Dartford Warbler trapped and ringed in the Crown Estate Field and the lingering
Siberian Lesser Whitethroat were the only real oddities from the Bill, with 3
Bearded Tits logged at Coombefield and the long-staying
Wryneck at Barleycrates the only other additions of quality from further up island. On the sea, a total of 300
Mediterranean Gulls and 250
Kittiwakes provided plenty of target practice for the marauding 8
Arctic Skuas, with 1
Balearic Shearwater and 1
Wigeon the only other sightings of note.
Firecrest at Coombefield Quarry this morning © Duncan Walbridge:
Fine October autumn fare of 1sty male Dartford W, 7 Redpoll and 5 Goldcrest were among 124 birds of 16 species ringed @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social today. Meadow Pip 43, CC 41, Bcap 12 highest in slow day with weather clearing and reaching 18 degrees in the afternoon. Red sunrise spectacular.
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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 1, 2025 at 8:23 PM
2 Sandwich Terns at Ferrybridge at dusk. Also one knot.
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— Steve M (@steveweynature.bsky.social) October 1, 2025 at 9:44 PM
