Perfect birding conditions and decent numbers of routine migrants which, together with the added bonus of 2 Common Cranes overhead, made for a pretty enjoyable day. Grounded arrivals noticeably increased and included 100 Chiffchaffs, 50 Blackcaps and 25 Goldcrests at the Bill, where 2 Dartford Warblers, a Snipe, the lingering Whimbrel and a Cetti's Warbler were the best of the oddities. Overhead passage was also strong, with 360 Meadow Pipits, 280 alba wagtails, 210 Linnets, 120 Siskins, 70 Chaffinches and 40 Redpolls making up the bulk of the numbers at the Bill; a lone Crossbill also passed over, whilst after midday the 2 Common Cranes that had arrived over the Bill from the west tried to leave out to sea before returning and eventually heading away north over Portland Harbour. The sea was quiet, with singles of Red-throated Diver and Balearic Shearwater the best off the Bill.
The two Cranes were very nearly a gripping semi dip from the Obs: Joe had tipped us off that they'd passed east over Abbotsbury but since very few larger migrants that pass over there make it out to Portland we had little expectation of them putting in an appearance; cue some panic a while later when we could suddenly hear Cranes calling to the east of the Obs but inexplicably couldn't get on them visually; however - and fortunately for us - they chickened out of making a Channel crossing and ten minutes later flew back in off the sea and eventually headed away north to the mainland © Jodie Henderson:
Ringing numbers on the up again at the Bill with 157 new in perfect conditions. Good arrival of 44 Chiffchaffs and 35 more Swallows the highest totals; 13 more Redpolls and the third Cetti's Warbler of the autumn the best of the variety. Ta Rob Stephens for the Cetti's photo from Culverwell.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 10, 2025 at 12:21 AM
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