2nd November

Clear skies - albeit still with a pretty brisk westerly blowing - saw overhead migrants get going again today, with 1630 Wood Pigeons, 435 Starlings, 279 Goldfinches, 125 Stock Doves, 103 Chaffinches and 19 Siskins making up the bulk of the numbers over the Bill, where 2 late Swallows, a Merlin and Brambling also passed through. The Pallas's Warbler lingered on at Avalanche Road/Thumb Lane and a/the Caspian Gull was again at the Bill but it was otherwise relatively mundane on the ground, with Dark-bellied Brent Geese increasing to 720 at Ferrybridge, 2 Pale-bellied Brents, 2 Grey Plovers, 2 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Sanderling and a late Wheatear also there, and a Black Redstart at the Bill. The sea was again carpeted in feeding Kittiwakes, auks and the like, but passing singles of Great Northern Diver and Little Gull were the only additions of note off the Bill.

The Pallas's Warbler at Thumb Lane (top) © Duncan Walbridge and Avalanche Road (bottom) © Simon Craft:



Pallas's (Leaf) Warbler at Avalanche Road, @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social today - I've had a relatively poor autumn for birds, with limited time, so this little jewel may be the highlight:

[image or embed]

— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) November 2, 2025 at 9:48 PM