Today saw a rather unhelpful set of conditions to contend with as persistent bands of rain for the better half of the morning were gradually replaced by an increasingly blustery and cold northwest wind. Despite this, it was clear that the overnight rain had dropped a few migrants our way, with
Chiffchaffs once again in bountiful supply as well as a single
Redwing from the Obs garden and, from the comparative shelter of private gardens at Southwell and Weston respectively, new arrivals in the form of both
Barred Warbler and
Yellow-browed Warbler. Whilst the looming grey clouds seemed to dissuade many of the routine diurnal movers from departing over the island, several scarcer birds were recorded overhead with singles of
Great White Egret,
Cattle Egret,
Short-eared Owl and
Marsh Harrier at the Bill/Southwell. Unsurprisingly there were those that decided to stick it out in the dreary weather, with the lingering
Cetti's Warbler still at Culverwell and yesterday's
Hobby continuing its aerial assault on the migrant Red Admirals.
This morning's Cattle Egret over the Bill - still nowhere near frequent enough here not to demand attention © Jodie Henderson:
Heavy rain overnight not clearing until noon was followed by gusty N/NW winds at PBO. @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social Limited to only a few nets 32 birds eventually ringed, 22 CC, 8 Blackcap, 1 Wren & 1 Song Thrush. Crown Estate field with cover and two new ponds excavated. Hobby obs bird of the day.
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— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 7, 2026 at 7:30 PM
