30th May: quiet save for the lingering Turtle Dove at the Obs & a brief Tree Sparrow - yesterday's bird? - also at the Bill; singles of Chiffchaff & Spot Fly the only new passerine arrivals there; 300 Manx Shearwaters still offshore + singles of GNDiver, Balearic & Arctic Skua thru on the sea
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 11:08 PM
Still plenty of migrant moths last night but the overall catch at the Obs was noticeably reduced; Eastern Bordered Straw, 3 Striped Hawks & Small Marbled the best there along with 102 Small Mottled Willow & 170 Diamond-backs. Exciting up-island news from @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social to follow...
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 12:14 PM
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Permission to steal @alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social's thunder as he's currently indisposed birding elsewhere: fantastic reward for him after sticking to his usual trapping spot at Freshwater Bay, Southwell, in what looked to be unpromisingly cooler, breezy conditions with a Mediterranean Brocade...
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 1:52 PM
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...a Portland first and think it's about the 12th for Britain. Also there for Alan an Eastern Bordered Straw and a Striped Hawk.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 1:55 PM
The island's Eastern Bordered Straw tally advances to 9 in the last two nights with 2 more from last night in our garden at the Grove; also another Striped Hawk from there.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 1:27 PM
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Red-veined Darter numbers at Yeolands Quarry much improved since last weekend - must have been a good 20 if not more scattered about the slopes beside the pool this afternoon although none seen in tandem or egg-laying
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) May 30, 2026 at 11:03 PM
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