26th May: despite some epic fieldwork by @dorsetbirdtours.bsky.social the expectation of Bee-eaters galore came to nothing, with the day's migrant tally at the Bill consisting of grounded singles of Turtle Dove, Bcap & CC and 27 Com Scoter, 13 commic terns, 2 GNDivers & a Balearic thru on the sea
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 26, 2026 at 11:07 PM
This spring's very unexpected flurry of Turtle Doves is extremely welcome although it should be borne in mind that these numbers still fall far short of those logged even a decade or two ago that were described at the time as woefully low. Today's sightings seem to refer to one individual that was first sighted beside the Obs, later turned up at Sweethill where this photograph was taken and then returned to the Obs garden during the evening © Nick Stantiford:
