Today's migration happenings played out in a similar fashion to yesterday, albeit at a much small magnitude, with a trickle of common migrants dropping in throughout the day without any real suprises among them. Around the Bill, Willow Warblers were once again the most numerous of the new arrivals with 75 logged, as well as 50 Blackcaps and just 15 Chiffchaffs, whilst clearer skies saw overhead passage increase to 682 Meadow Pipits, 142 Linnets, 19 alba wagtails and a trickle of hirundines that included only the second House Martin of the spring. From an entirely local perspective, a pair of Mallards flying close in along the East Cliffs provided high excitement value, whilst the rest of the day's sea passage was all very routine with the likes of 9 Red-throated Divers, 2 Great Northern Divers, an Arctic Skua and a single Puffin logged. The day's sunshine proved ideal for encouraging butterflies on the wing, with both Small Tortoiseshell and Orange-tip recorded new for the year.
Manx Shearwater from a couple of days ago, Portland Bill
— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) April 2, 2026 at 4:49 PM
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3 Blackcaps in the garden today. Down from the 9 a few days ago, we think these are new in
— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) April 2, 2026 at 4:54 PM
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