It was another busy autumnal day with a plentiful spread of new arrivals that included several on-cue firsts for the season, with 1 or more Dartford Warblers at the Bill along with singles of Redwing and Ring Ouzel in the middle of the island. Whilst Blackcap numbers appear to have waned in the recent settled weather, the same could not be said for Chiffchaffs, with 400 recorded from the Bill alone and reports of many more from the denser vegetated patches further up island. A varied list of less frequents were also on offer, with 2 Pied Flycatchers, a lingering Cetti's Warbler plus singles of Great Spotted Woodpecker, Garden Warbler, Grasshopper Warbler, Whinchat and Common Sandpiper present as well as 3 Woodlarks, 2 Golden Plovers and a Hobby overhead. The sea was comparatively poor, with just 15 Dark Bellied Brent Geese of note.
One of two Pied Flycatchers present around the island today © Nick Hopper:
Cloud cover at dawn PBO @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social with 179 birds of 15 species ringed. Primarily CC 132, 18 Blacap, 7 Stonechat, 2 Song Th, 1 of GardenW, GrasshopperW, Whinchat,Goldcrest & Blackbird of note +Rtrp CettisW. Pond creation at PBO haven for bathing & preening migrants,Spring& Autumn.
— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 6, 2026 at 7:59 PM
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Portland - First Redwing of the Autumn near The Hump. Wheatear 3, Linnet 160, Goldfinch 75 Top Fields. Chiffchaff 100+, Grasshopper Warbler Culverwell ringing station. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social
— Dorset Bird Tours (@dorsetbirdtours.bsky.social) October 6, 2026 at 9:10 PM
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Obs moth-traps quietened a little last night but still a pretty decent catch of migrants with a Toadflax Pearl catalaunalis the best of the new arrivals
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 6, 2026 at 11:43 PM
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