In the context of this week today passed off very satisfactorily, with far more about than was expected. Despite the continuing stiff westerly it was soon apparent after dawn that under a clearer sky migrants were on the move in decent quantity, with good passages of departing
Wood Pigeons and a variety of
finches along with a few tardy
Swallows, 2 more
Woodlarks and the like. On the ground, a
Water Pipit was the highlight at the Bill,
Snow Buntings at the Bill and at Reap Lane were additional to the lingerer still on East Cliffs, whilst 2 each of
Black Redstart,
Dartford Warbler and
Firecrest, and a lone
Yellow-legged Gull were also at the Bill. At Ferrybridge, the
Brent Goose tally increased to 345, with 8
Bar-tailed Godwits amongst the waders there. With plenty about on the land the sea didn't get long coverage but 3
Red-throated and 2
Great Northern Divers passed through off the Bill.
Water Pipit is a really infrequent visitor to Portland with barely double figures of records ever, so today's bird on East Cliffs at the Bill was a notable highlight © Joe Stockwell:
The new Snow Bunting at the Bill was showing really well...
...which couldn't be said of the day's Firecrests © Joe Stockwell:
Snow Bunting has long been an inexplicable absentee from the Portland ringing tally - over the years plenty of attempts have been made to catch them but none has ever been successful until this afternoon when we nipped down and netted the bird on East Cliffs just before the onset of the rain marking the arrival of Storm Austen. Not wanting to handle the bird any longer than necessary we banged off a few photos of the salient features before quickly releasing it and it was only when going through these that we took on board just how complicated ageing, sexing and even sorting the subspecific identification can be; we think that we can work that this bird is a first year female nivalis (the much more widespread subspecies as opposed to the more local insulae that's confined as a breeder to Iceland and Scotland) but happy to take advice from anyone who knows Snow Buntings better than we do © Martin Cade:
Portland Day 10 - Ending on a high with a banger of a find in Water Pipit, a true Portland rare! 10 days of scrutinising pipits kind of paid off, a fly through Snow Bunting was found a short while after hopping around the bill like people didn't exist. A Woodlark and 2 Black Reds made for a nice day
— Joe Stockwell (@joestockwell.bsky.social) October 22, 2026 at 5:36 PM
As ever my thanks must go to Martin and Jodie for their hospitality at the obs while I embark on this mad bird finding mission each October, Grahame Walbridge for the encouragement to keep going and Glen, Chris, Martin others for a few beers along the way, even if some were a bit early in the day!
— Joe Stockwell (@joestockwell.bsky.social) October 22, 2026 at 5:36 PM
I didn't think I'd have much time after becoming a dad but with careful planning and plenty of "I'll look after her" when I got home it all worked out pretty well! 'Till next year...
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— Joe Stockwell (@joestockwell.bsky.social) October 22, 2026 at 5:36 PM
