31st October

Quality replaced quantity today as persistent, dreary low cloud reduced overhead passage to a trickle and looked to have put the block on overnight groundings of many nocturnal migrants. A Pallas's Warbler discovered at Weston Street by seekers of yesterday's now departed Siberian Stonechat was much appreciated, whilst a back-up cast of the likes of 7 Black Redstarts, 2 fly-by Grey Phalaropes, 2 Great Spotted Woodpeckers, 2 Cetti's Warblers and singles of Water Rail, Short-eared Owl, Ring Ouzel, Firecrest and the long-staying Snow Bunting ensured there was plenty to entertain the weekend visitors. There was still overhead passage taking place, with 5000 Wood Pigeons, 24 Redwings, 10 Bramblings, 5 Fieldfares and a Redpoll the best of it over the Bill, with Goldcrests and Robins making up the bulk of the new arrivals on the ground including reaching totals of 40 apiece at the Bill; a lone late Wheatear at Reap Lane was also of note amongst the grounded arrivals.

Always a pleasure to see - the first Pallas's Warbler of the autumn obliged by remaining in the same isolated tree beside Weston Street for the best part of the day © Jodie Henderson...

...and © Nick Hopper...

...and a little bit of one-third speed video - it was just too super-active at normal speed to either keep up with or to really appreciate all the features! © Martin Cade:

22:45 Cigarette break on the Obs front step from writing the blog and a Bittern has just flown south right overhead calling really loudly - fantastic!

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 31, 2026 at 10:58 PM

Today's Pallas's Warbler Weston Road, following this bird was challenging, a fast moving tiny ball of energy in a large shrubby Sycamore

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— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) October 31, 2026 at 6:52 PM

Really big influx of common migrant moths at the Obs last night incl 129 Rush Veneer, 93 Rusty-dot Pearl and 78 SY (+another 19 at the ORI lure); a Red-headed Chestnut best of the rares.

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— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 31, 2026 at 11:46 AM