A stiff westerly that set in overnight freshened towards gale force as the day went on and scuppered most serious fieldwork today. The Red-backed Shrike was still present in the Crown Estate Field, singles of Merlin and Short-eared Owl were new at the Bill and 2 Purple Sandpipers were still present there but otherwise little more was logged on the land than a scatter of Chiffchaffs in sheltered spots and the Ferrybridge Brent Goose flock that had increased to 116. Singles of Balearic Shearwater and Arctic Skua passed through on the sea at the Bill.
A settled Short-eared Owl in Top Fields a nice find for Verity on her way down to the Obs this morning; ta to Jack Crowe for the photo
— Portland Bird Observatory (@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social) October 9, 2026 at 9:37 AM
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Ferrybridge this morning 116 Brent Geese, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling, Wheatear
— Debra Saunders (@debbyseamist.bsky.social) October 9, 2026 at 10:05 AM
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Strong SW winds and rain overnight with gale force winds aii day at PBO @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social curtailed any mist netting and ringing. In this my last missive before return to Cardiff I must thank 'birdwhisperer' Martin Cade & Jodie Mae Henderson for company & the pictures used over 13 days.
— Peter J Morgan (@pbo61.bsky.social) October 9, 2026 at 9:06 PM
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Southern Bridled Green @portlandbirdobs.bsky.social photographed 08/10/26 with a Brindled Green for comparison taken on the same day at Dartford, thanks to @dartfordtrapper.bsky.social - a handful of records from Dorset and a recent one from Scilly. @saturdaycatbird.bsky.social
— alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social (@alanlewiswildlife.bsky.social) October 9, 2026 at 8:22 PM
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