20th October

Not quite as wet as yesterday but increasingly windy to the extent that today it was really hard work looking for passerines in anywhere but the most sheltered spots up-island: these did look to be harbouring plenty of birds, with at least 4 Firecrests scattered amongst a lot of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests; the Red-breasted Flycatcher also lingered on at Avalanche Road - as did the Wryneck at the Bill - to provide a bit of scarcity interest, whilst singles of Short-eared Owl, Black Redstart and Cetti's Warbler were at the Bill. The sea was again awash with auks and Kittiwakes, amongst which a passing Little Auk off the Bill was of high interest; more mundane fare there included 5 Manx Shearwaters and singles of Balearic Shearwater, Sooty Shearwater, Great Skua and Arctic Skua.

Kittiwake, Sooty Shearwater and Great Skua from the day's seawatching at the Bill © Joe Stockwell:

On the land, the Red-breasted Flycatcher continued to entertain © Pete Saunders...

...and the most Firecrests since their early flurry back in late September were uncovered amongst some really good concentrations of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests © Joe Stockwell:

Avalanche Road hump this morning and the Red-breasted Flycatcher gave birders there, really good views. portandwey.blogspot.com/2025/10/20-o...

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— Port and Wey (@portandwey.bsky.social) October 20, 2025 at 2:26 PM

Poor reward at the Obs on the migrant moth front last night: low numbers and duff variety, with 2 White-specks and singles of Old World Webworm and Hummingbird Hawk the best.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 20, 2025 at 4:29 PM