28th August

Whether today proves to be the beginning of the end of the long, hot summer remains to be seen but by evening seeking shelter in the lee of the Pumping Station as squalls swept across the Bill made it feel a lot like the autumn's well and truly set in. A passing party of 7 Cattle Egrets and a last gasp Wryneck trapped in the Crown Estate Field just before the mist-nets were furled up for what sounds like a turbulent upcoming few days proved to be the day's highlights (whether the latter was the same as the bird seen yesterday and early doors again today in the Obs Quarry wasn't established), with routine passage dominated by three figure totals of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Swallows and Yellow Wagtails; other arrivals were sparsely spread and of no particular note, whilst lingerers included the Little Gull still at Ferrybridge. Stirrings on the sea as the wind freshened included 25 Balearic and a few Manx Shearwaters, and 2 Arctic Skuas through off the Bill. 

Lesser Black-backed Gulls have been one of the most conspicuous migrants all week © Martin Cade:

This year's crop of juvenile Kittiwakes have begun to come to prominence offshore © Martin Cade:

Wryneck just trapped in the Crown Estate Field

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 9:22 AM

A somewhat underwhelming trapping session at a breezy Eight Kings last night, with migrant/disperser interest ltd to a single Purple Marbled, 2 Pearly Underwing, & a variety of Portland-only scarcities (incl'g 2 Latticed Heath, Horse Chestnut, & Small Wainscot) #TeamMoth @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social

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— Phil Saunders (@beardybirder.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 3:56 PM

The @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social Fridge of Delight again saved the day, with my 1st ever Passenger (a gorgeously geometric species that I've longed to see since my teens) & the decidedly funky Zelleria oleastrella (Olive Spinner) #TeamMoth @dorsetmoths.bsky.social @migrantmothuk.bsky.social

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— Phil Saunders (@beardybirder.bsky.social) August 28, 2026 at 4:10 PM