7th July: Beginning to get pretty hot again which curtailed fieldwork. A raft of 18 Balearic Shearwaters becalmed off the Bill at dawn likely accounted for the majority of their later reports, with 12 Common Scoters the only movers of note on the sea. Overhead, 26 more Sand Martins departed south.
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 8, 2026 at 12:19 AM
Last couple of night's mothing at the Obs have been good for variety although not particularly busy on the migrant front. Small Mottled Willow back up to nearly 200 last night, also Blair's Mocha a first for the yr; less than annual waifs and strays incl things like Gold W, Mocha & Bulrush Wainscot
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 7, 2026 at 4:15 PM
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Another evening dusking for the super-rare tineid Little Ghost borreonella - this time on the screes above Chesil Cove where it's never been recorded before - was successful with 3 netted and sev others seen. Likely been here since time out of mind without ever before being seen by human eyes!
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) July 8, 2026 at 12:58 AM
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