October 2002

October 31st Another very gloomy, damp day that saw thrushes and finches trickling through all the time. At the Bill, 250 Chaffinches, 150 Goldfinches, 75 Redwings, 75 Song Thrushes, 60 Blackbirds and 60 Fieldfares passed through during the day; also there were 5 Short-eared Owls, 5 Chiffchaffs, 4 Lapwings, 3 Firecrests, 2 Black Redstarts, a Golden Plover, a Snipe and a Curlew, as well as small numbers of other finches. At least 6 more Black Redstarts and 3 more Firecrests were seen around the centre of the island. Poor visibility hampered seawatching, but a Black-throated Diver and a Red-necked Grebe passed by off the Bill. October 30th After a damp, misty night with thrushes overhead in good numbers, the day itself was disappointingly quiet. A handful of Song Thrushes and Blackbirds were in evidence, but otherwise the only new arrivals among the commoner migrants were a few Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs, Goldcrests and finches. There were still 4 Firecrests at the Obs, with another 6 scattered around the centre of the island; 5 Black Redstarts were at the Bill and Southwell, Short-eared Owls increased to 4 at the Bill and the late Willow Warbler and a Treecreeper were at Pennsylvania Castle. The only rarity seen was a Serin that settled briefly in the Obs garden before flying off north early in the morning. Seawatching at the Bill produced a Great Northern Diver and a Little Gull, as well as 33 settled Common Scoter.

 

               

      'eastern' Chiffchaff - Portland Bill, October 29th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 29th There was a small arrival of new migrants today, including an 'eastern' Chiffchaff and 7 Firecrests trapped and ringed at the Obs. The Bill area also produced a few thrushes, a Black Redstart, a late Whinchat and a little overhead passage including 300 Linnets and 200 Goldfinches leaving to the south. It was surprisingly quiet elsewhere, with just 6 Firecrests dotted around the centre of the island. Off the Bill, there was a steady westward passage of more than 500 Kittiwakes, as well as 35 Common Scoter, 3 Little Gulls, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Great Northern Diver and a Sooty Shearwater. Two Black-throated Divers remained in Portland Harbour, where there was also a single Red-necked Grebe.

 

               

      Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, October 28th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 28th In quieter weather there were a few birds about on the land and some steady passage overhead. At the Bill, there were counts of 1000 Linnets, 300 Goldfinches, 150 Greenfinches, 100 Chaffinches, 70 Wood Pigeons and 50 Siskins leaving to the south; a lone Woodlark also passed through along with small numbers of Skylarks. On the ground, the Pennsylvania Castle/East Weares area produced small numbers of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and crests, together with a Coal Tit and a late Willow Warbler, but the only noteworthy birds elsewhere were 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Black Redstarts, a Merlin and a Firecrest at the Bill and a Mistle Thrush at Avalanche Road. Two Sandwich Terns passed the Bill and 2 Black-throated Divers were in Portland Harbour. October 27th The stormy weather intensified and seawatching was the only the only birding possible today. Chesil Cove produced most of the birds, with small numbers of Storm Petrels and Little Gulls noted throughout the day, a couple of Grey Phalaropes passing through and a Mediterranean Gull lingering. Elsewhere the only reports were of a single Storm Petrel past the Bill and an Arctic Tern in Portland Harbour. October 26th After another very stormy night there were few new grounded migrants in evidence anywhere, with sheltered spots around the island holding just a handful of Chiffchaffs and crests; a lone Merlin was still at the Bill, a Black Redstart was at Southwell and the late Lesser Whitethroat was still at Wakeham. Despite the strong winds, finches were again on the move overhead, with counts of 600 Goldfinches and 300 Linnets leaving to the south at the Bill; an unidentified harrier also left to the south from there. The only bird of interest on the sea was a single Little Gull lingering in Chesil Cove.

 

        

      Corncrake - Portland Bill, October 25th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 25th Most unexpectedly the Corncrake seen briefly in a private garden at Southwell yesterday was rediscovered, seemingly trapped inside a high-walled neighbouring garden, during the morning; it was caught and successfully released at the Bill. In very strong south-westerly winds no common migrants of note were seen on the land and overhead passage had reduced to a trickle. At the Bill, seawatching produced 4 Little Gulls, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, a Great Skua and a Sandwich Tern, whilst another Little Gull lingered in Chesil Cove.

 

                     

               

      Hen Harrier - Portland Bill, October 24th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 24th The Snow Bunting was still at the Bill early in the morning and was later refound on the West Cliffs at Southwell in the evening. A Hen Harrier lingered for much of the morning at the Bill and a Corncrake was seen in a private garden at Southwell. In improved weather conditions commoner migrants were well represented everywhere, with plenty of visible passage overhead and better numbers of grounded migrants than in recent days; scarcer species included 10 Bramblings, 8 Redpolls, 3 Firecrests, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Merlin and a Black Redstart at the Bill, 3 Ring Ouzels at Verne Common, 3 Black Redstarts at Southwell, 2 Firecrests at Weston and a Woodlark overhead at Easton.

 

        

      Snow Bunting - Portland Bill, October 23rd 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 23rd A Snow Bunting found at the Bill in the evening was the best of the few new arrivals today. Other newcomers included 3 Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle and another lone bird at the Obs, 2 Ring Ouzels at both Avalanche Road and Penn's Weare, 2 Coal Tits at Pennsylvania Castle and a Dartford Warbler at Avalanche Road. In very windy weather the only commoner grounded migrants of note were a few Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests in sheltered areas around Easton and Wakeham. Visible passage was very conspicuous with alba wagtails, Linnets, Goldfinches and Chaffinches leaving from the Bill in numbers all morning; also overhead were the first few passage Wood Pigeons of the autumn. Seawatching at the Bill produced a Balearic Shearwater and a Little Gull. October 22nd The pitiful total of just 3 new birds trapped and ringed at the Obs was a sad but accurate reflection of the dismal numbers of common migrants everywhere today. A few thrushes struggled through the poor weather to make landfall, but otherwise there were just ones and twos of the other common migrants. Scarcer species included a couple of Merlins, a Hobby, a Black Redstart and a Yellowhammer at the Bill, and single Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle and the Grove. Seawatching at the Bill produced just a Red-throated Diver, a Manx Shearwater and a Mediterranean Gull, whilst 7 Little Gulls and a Mediterranean Gull lingered in Chesil Cove through the morning. October 21st Something of nothing today, with promising-looking conditions on the land and sea but, in the event, little to show for plenty of effort. Thrushes were fairly conspicuous everywhere, and included more than 100 Blackbirds scattered around the southern half of the island and 3 Ring Ouzels at Suckthumb Quarry. Grounded migrants were otherwise thin on the ground, with warblers and crests particularly scarce; the only oddities were 2 Black Redstarts at the Bill and another at Reap Lane, a Woodcock at Avalanche Road and a Coal Tit at Wakeham. The wintering flock of Brent Geese at Ferrybridge increased to 200, and there was also a Mediterranean Gull and the first 5 settled Red-breasted Mergansers of the autumn there. Seawatching at the Bill produced just 30 Common Scoter, 2 Red-breasted Mergansers, a Great Skua and a Little Gull.  October 20th A complete change today to very strong south-easterlies and occasional showers. The sea provided most of the interest, with Little Gulls conspicuous off the Bill all day; it was thought that more than 50 passed through, although counting was made tricky by the presence of many lingering individuals. Eight Wigeon, 3 Tufted Ducks, a Sooty Shearwater, a Teal and a Sandwich Tern also passed through there. Observations on the land were hampered by the weather, although a few thrushes and finches were still on the move overhead, and a Merlin and a Firecrest were at the Bill. October 19th Another crisp, moonlit night saw to it that common migrants remained sparsely spread and even overhead passage was disappointingly quieter than expected. Among the few grounded migrants at the Bill there were 5 Short-eared Owls, a Woodcock and a Bullfinch, whilst elsewhere there were 2 Ring Ouzels at both Priory Corner and Tout Quarry, a Black Redstart at Reap Lane and a Coal Tit at Reforne. The best of the fly-overs was a lone Woodlark at the Bill. Four Little Gulls lingered offshore at the Bill, where seawatching also produced 45 Common Scoter, 5 Brent Geese, a Red-throated Diver and a Red-necked Grebe. A Little Gull and a Mediterranean Gull were settled at Ferrybridge in the morning. October 18th After a clear, cold night migrants were pretty thin on the ground. There was a scatter of thrushes, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, whilst oddities included 8 Ring Ouzels at Suckthumb Quarry and another 3 elsewhere, 3 Short-eared Owls at the Bill and a Firecrest at the Obs. Good numbers of hirundines and finches, including a late Sand Martin at Weston and a few Bramblings and Siskins at the Bill, were on the move overhead, but seawatching at the Bill produced just 2 Little Gulls and a Teal.

 

         

      Firecrest - Southwell, October 17th 2002 © Pete and Debby Saunders

  October 17th A new arrival today was a Yellow-browed Warbler seen briefly at the Obs early in the morning; what was perhaps the same individual was then refound behind the Mermaid Inn at Wakeham later in the morning. Common migrants were again present in good numbers at the Bill, where counts included 100 Song Thrushes, 50 Redwings, 50 Blackbirds, 30 Blackcaps, 30 Chiffchaffs, 16 Golden Plovers, 15 Wheatears and 10 Goldcrests, as well as scarcer species such as 8 Bramblings, 4 Ring Ouzels, 3 Short-eared Owls, a Merlin and a Firecrest. Elsewhere, there were another 10 Ring Ouzels dotted around the island, 9 Long-tailed Tits and a Firecrest at Southwell, a Buzzard at Reap Lane, a Mistle Thrush at Delhi Lane and a late Spotted Flycatcher at Penn's Weare.  October 16th The wind and rain of yesterday was replaced by the first really chilly easterly blast of the autumn. Thrushes and finches trickled in off the sea all day, with counts at the Bill of 1000 Linnets, 500 Chaffinches, 75 Song Thrushes, 45 Redwings, 30 Siskins and 6 Ring Ouzels. Grounded migrants were only sparsely spread, with the best being a couple of Firecrests, a Short-eared Owl and a Merlin at the Bill, 2 more Firecrests at Wakeham, 3 Ring Ouzels at Barleycrates Lane and another at Suckthumb Quarry and a Black Redstart at Reap Lane. There was little in the way of seabirds passing the Bill, although Black-headed Gulls (as well as 3 Little Gulls and a lone Mediterranean Gull) trickled east all day and 3 Red-necked Grebes passed west. October 15th After a days respite, wind and rain swept back in overnight and, for the most part, seawatching was the only birding possible. Off the Bill, there was a pulse of action for an hour before midday as the heaviest rain cleared though, when 14 Great Skuas, 24 Little Gulls, 3 Sooty Shearwaters, a Manx Shearwater and an Arctic Skua passed by, however there was little else seen during the rest of the day. The only storm-driven birds elsewhere were 25 Little Gulls and an Arctic Tern at Ferrybridge. Little birding was possible on the land, although 3 Ring Ouzels, 2 Redwings, 2 Firecrests and a Snipe were found in sheltered spots at the Bill.

 

       

      Wryneck - Southwell, October 14th 2002 © Pete and Debby Saunders

  October 14th In quieter weather, the best of the new arrivals today were a Wryneck at Southwell and a Coal Tit at Wakeham. There were still 5 Ring Ouzels around the southern half of the island and 3 Firecrests at the Obs, whilst the 2 long-staying Short-eared Owls around the Bill were joined by 2 new individuals in the evening. Commoner migrants were only present in relatively small numbers everywhere, with the most interesting being a late Whitethroat at Reap Lane and a late Spotted Flycatcher at Wakeham. Seawatching at the Bill produced just a lone Arctic Skua. October 13th An almost unbirdable day of gale-force south-easterlies and dawn till dusk rain. A couple of Firecrests were still at the Obs, 2 Ring Ouzels were at Avalanche Road and a Merlin and a Black Redstart were seen at the Bill.

 

        

      Siskin - Portland Bill, October 12th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 12th A night of heavy rain that heralded a change to clear, blustery north-westerly weather put paid to any hope of another sizeable flurry of migrants. However, there were still birds to see, with the Yellow-browed Warbler remaining at Reap Lane, at least 15 Ring Ouzels still scattered around the sheltered east side of the island, at least 5 Firecrests still at the Obs and 3 Short-eared Owls at the Bill. New arrivals included a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Wakeham, a Black Redstart at Southwell and fair numbers of finches passing through everywhere. Waders at Ferrybridge included 134 Ringed Plovers, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Grey Plover and a Redshank. October 11th Lots more movement through and a few more birds grounded today. The Yellow-browed Warbler remained at Reap Lane and a new arrival was a Stone Curlew that was heard calling over Southwell before dawn and subsequently showed several times around Top Fields early in the morning. Thrushes were still on the move in good numbers, and included around 20 Ring Ouzels scattered about the area, whilst Firecrests were also conspicuous, with at least 6 at the Obs alone. The 2 long-staying Short-eared Owls were again at the Bill in the evening. October 10th The first Grey Phalarope and Yellow-browed Warbler of the autumn - off the Bill and at Reap Lane respectively - were the highlights today, and there were plenty more commoner migrants about everywhere. Thrushes were particularly well represented, with a scattering of 35 or more Ring Ouzels including 14 at Nichodemus Knob and 12 at Priory Corner, and lots of Blackbirds and Song Thrushes passing through (550 of the latter flew north at Avalanche Road in half-an-hour soon after dawn). Other visible migrants included a fairly heavy passage of hirundines and finches, and single Woodlarks passing over at the Bill and Avalanche Road. Grounded migrants were not so numerous but did include up to 10 Firecrests and 4 Black Redstarts, whilst other oddities included 2 Short-eared Owls and a Little Egret at the Bill. October 9th Any last vestiges of the recent Indian Summer were well and truly swept away by a blasting easterly wind that also saw to it that the few birds around the island remained very well hidden. At least 7 Firecrests were dotted around the Bill area where they outnumbered both Goldcrests and Chiffchaffs. Also there were a Merlin and a Redwing, whilst elsewhere a Ring Ouzel was at Weston. A Lapland Bunting passed over at the Bill, where the bulk of visible passage otherwise consisted of Linnets and alba wagtails. Seawatching at the Bill produced 18 Common Scoter, 6 Wigeon, 3 Brent Geese and a Little Gull, and there were 100 Brent Geese and 2 Mediterranean Gulls settled at Ferrybridge. October 8th Much quieter today, with a strong south-easterly wind making birding on the land pretty difficult. There was little on the move overhead, and grounded migrants were reduced to a sprinkle of the commonest species along with 4 Firecrests and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill and a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Avalanche Road. The sea was surprisingly quiet, with just 46 Common Scoter, a Brent Goose, an Arctic Skua, a Great Skua and a Mediterranean Gull off the Bill. October 7th A heavy rain shower at dawn and a generally overcast day prompted common migrants to drop in in fair numbers but rarities remained conspicuously absent. Counts at the Bill included 70 Goldcrests, 50 Wrens, 30 Song Thrushes, 30 Chiffchaffs, 25 Stonechats, 20 Blackcaps, 7 Redwings and the first 2 Fieldfares of the autumn; oddities there included 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Firecrests and a Ring Ouzel. Despite the seemingly unfavourable conditions there was also a lot of overhead passage that included 700 Linnets and 300 Goldfinches leaving to the south at the Bill. After an autumn of unprecedentedly abysmal seawatching there was a hint of interest picking up offshore, with 71 Common Scoter, 51 Brent Geese, 24 Great Skuas, 7 Arctic Skuas and a Sooty Shearwater passing the Bill. October 6th Very little change today, with a another light scatter of common migrants everywhere. Oddities included a Lapland Bunting early in the morning at Barleycrates Lane, a Great Spotted Woodpecker at Avalanche Road, and 2 Short-eared Owls, 2 Firecrests, a Ring Ouzel and a Cetti's Warbler at the Bill.

 

        

     Jack Snipe - Portland Bill, October 5th 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 5th Grounded migrants, with the conspicuous exception of Meadow Pipits and Goldfinches, were again at a premium, although visible passage overhead was still very strong. Along with small numbers of Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests there were a few Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and Blackcaps, a couple of Lesser Whitethroats, and single Merlin, Redstart, Reed Warbler and Firecrest at the Bill. Rarities were limited to another fly-over Lapland Bunting at Barleycrates Lane and a Jack Snipe trapped and ringed at the Obs. Among the heavy overhead passage, oddities included a few Siskins and Reed Buntings, 3 Golden Plovers, 2 Bramblings and 2 Redpolls at the Bill. The highlight on the sea was a single Great Skua passing the Bill. October 4th A clear night and a summer-like day seemed unlikely to produce large numbers of grounded migrants, and in the event there was a lot less about than yesterday. Meadow Pipits, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests still dominated but variety was otherwise rather poor; the only scarcer species logged were 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Firecrests and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill. Plenty of birds were on the move overhead, with 20 Siskins, 3 Grey Herons, a Woodlark and a late Swift amongst the large numbers of hirundines, alba wagtails and commoner finches passing over at the Bill. October 3rd Better numbers of the commonest migrants today, with an arrival of 150 Chiffchaffs, 25 Goldcrests, 20 Stonechats and 20 Wheatears at the Bill. Also there were 600 Meadow Pipits and 200 alba wagtails, a sprinkle of other scarcer migrants including another fly-over Lapland Bunting, 4 Turtle Doves, 3 Short-eared Owls, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Dartford Warbler and a Firecrest, and some good overhead passage. The sea remained extremely unproductive, with just 38 Black-headed Gulls, 20 Brent Geese and a Great Skua off the Bill.

 

        

     Short-eared Owl - Portland Bill, October 2nd 2002 © Andrew Slade

  October 2nd Grounded migrants included plenty more Meadow Pipits, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, but variety was otherwise quite limited with just ones and twos of a few other expected species. Oddities included several Firecrests dotted around the island, 3 Short-eared Owls still at the Bill (with one trapped and ringed at the Obs), an Osprey over the Bill in the afternoon and a Dartford Warbler lingering on at the Bill.

 

      

     Leucistic Whinchat - Portland Bill, October 1st 2002 © Martin Cade

  October 1st Heavy cloud overhead during the morning seemed to have dropped a few more migrants, but ultimately the day was spoilt when rain set in at midday and prevented any serious birding afterwards. Grounded Meadow Pipits, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were fairly numerous, and scarcer migrants included 3 Short-eared Owls, 2 Firecrests, a Merlin and a Dartford Warbler at the Bill, a Ring Ouzel at Suckthumb Quarry, and 2 Curlew Sandpipers and a Merlin at Ferrybridge. An almost completely white Whinchat - first seen two days ago - was also still at the Bill. Seawatching at the Bill produced a Red-necked Grebe, a Great Skua and an Arctic Skua.

September 2002

 

      

     Dartford Warbler - Portland Bill, September 30th 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 30th Barely any increase in grounded migrants today, although there was plenty of visible passage overhead in the continuing unseasonably settled conditions. A Dartford Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs was the best of the new arrivals, with other interest provided by 3 Short-eared Owls, a Hobby, a Merlin, a Cetti's Warbler, a Firecrest and a Corn Bunting at the Bill; a Sooty Shearwater and a Great Skua also passed through on the sea there. Overhead, the bulk of passage consisted of Linnets, with 550 counted leaving to the south at the Bill. September 29th Another early-morning fly-over Lapland Bunting - this time at Reap Lane - was the bird of the day, although more visible were 2 Short-eared Owls that again showed well at the Bill in the evening. The dismal total of only 8 new birds trapped and ringed at the Obs all day reflected the almost complete lack of grounded migrants anywhere. Seawatching at the Bill produced 3 Balearic Shearwaters, 3 Sandwich Terns, a Brent Goose and a Great Skua. September 28th Unfortunately there was no increase in migrant numbers to mirror the customary influx of weekend birders, and the best birds seen were a fly-over Lapland Bunting at Barleycrates Lane at dawn, 2 Little Stints at Ferrybridge, a Buzzard at Verne Common, a Merlin at the Bill and a Firecrest in the Obs garden. With nothing more than a handful of grounded common migrants anywhere, most attention was paid to overhead passage; Linnets were on the move in fair numbers for the first time, along with plenty of hirundines, Meadow Pipits, wagtails and other finches.  September 27th More quiet weather and pretty quiet birding. A Common Rosefinch was reported to have been seen briefly at Verne Common at midday, but the only visible oddities around the island were 2 Merlins, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Turtle Dove and a Firecrest at the Bill, and another Firecrest at Delhi Lane. Movement of commoner migrants was largely restricted to a light scatter of grounded Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests everywhere, with little visible passage overhead. The sea produced the first Red-throated Diver of the the autumn off the Bill, as well as 16 Common Scoter, 2 Arctic Skuas, a Brent Goose and a Wigeon there. September 26th Still no great change despite some heavy cloud cover overhead early in the day. A Firecrest remained at the Obs, whilst other common migrants at the Bill included double figure counts of Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests as well as smaller numbers of most of the other expected species. Grounded and overflying Meadow Pipits are now numerous everywhere and passage Skylarks and alba Wagtails are becoming more conspicuous at the Bill. The only interest on the sea was a party of 5 Eider passing the Bill. September 25th Lots more good weather for sunbathing but nothing that offered much prospect of any numbers of birds on the land or sea. A couple of Firecrests at the Obs and another at Southwell, and a Short-eared Owl at the Bill were the only scarcer migrants reported from around the island. Visible passage was much less conspicuous than in recent days and grounded migrants were positively scarce, with only Wrens, Robins, Dunnocks and Chiffchaffs at all numerous. The sea came up with nothing more than 22 Common Scoter, 6 Teal and a Great Skua. September 24th With the remarkably settled weather showing no signs of ending there were precious few changes today. Visible passage dominated, with a strong broad-front movement of hirundines and Meadow Pipits overhead all morning; the first Redwing of the autumn was seen among the sprinkle of other species noted passing through. On the ground, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests were conspicuous, and oddities included the Cetti's Warbler still at the Bill, along with a Merlin and a Short-eared Owl there. Seawatching at the Bill produced 20 Wigeon, 6 Brent Geese, 4 Golden Plover and an Arctic Skua. September 23rd More of the same today, with lots of overhead passage and a fair variety of grounded migrants. Rarities of the day were a Richard's Pipit seen briefly at the Grove early in the morning, a Great Spotted Woodpecker in Top Fields and a Cetti's Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs. Among the commoner migrants there were no especially noteworthy counts but 2 Siskins and a Brambling overhead at the Bill were both first records for the autumn. In stiff offshore winds seawatching remained very unproductive, with 3 Brent Geese and a Wigeon the only worthwhile sightings off the Bill. September 22nd Plenty of typical mid-autumn movement today, with good numbers of pipits, wagtails and hirundines passing overhead and a decent sprinkle of grounded migrants, particularly Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs, everywhere. Wrens, Robins and Dunnocks are now passing through in good numbers and were conspicuous everywhere and the first few migrant Song Thrushes, Blackbirds and Chaffinches also put in an appearance. Among the scarcer migrants there were 3 Hobbies, 3 Short-eared Owls and a Merlin at the Bill. A Little Stint was at Ferrybridge and 5 Arctic Skuas passed overhead there.

 

                        

     Woodchat Shrike and Peregrine - Portland Bill and Verne Common, September 21st 2002 © Martin Cade and Kelvin Pearce

  September 21st A Woodchat Shrike was the best of the new arrivals today; it showed well for much of the day in the Huts Fields and the Obs garden and was trapped and ringed in the afternoon. Other oddities included an Osprey that flew over the Bill early in the morning, a Tree Sparrow that spent an hour in and around the Obs garden in the morning, 3 Short-eared Owls that again showed well in the evening at the Bill, a Firecrest at Avalanche Road and single Hobby and Merlin at the Bill. Common migrants were again fairly plentiful under heavily overcast skies through the morning but most quickly moved on as conditions improved in the afternoon.

 

           

     Common Rosefinch - Portland Bill, September 20th 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 20th After more than a week of relatively unproductive easterlies, a decent rarity - a Common Rosefinch trapped and ringed at the Obs in the early afternoon - finally showed up today. A little overnight rain also dropped a reasonable flurry of common migrants, with the Bill area producing 35 Wheatears, 25 Whitethroats, 25 Blackcaps, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Chiffchaffs and 8 Spotted Flycatchers. Scarcer migrants around the island included 3 Short-eared Owls at the Bill, with another at Barleycrates Lane, single Firecrests at the Bill and Pennsylvania Castle, single Turtle Doves at the Bill and Barleycrates Lane, a Ring Ouzel at Avalanche Road and a Merlin at the Bill. September 19th Precious little change today, with the only faintly interesting sightings being of a Ring Ouzel and a Firecrest behind the former Weston Craft Centre, 2 Short-eared Owls, a Marsh Harrier, a Turtle Dove and a Firecrest at the Bill, and a Little Stint at Ferrybridge. Migrant numbers fell markedly at the Bill, where there were just 35 Wheatears, 25 Yellow Wagtails, 15 Chiffchaffs, 6 Spotted Flycatchers and ones and twos of a few of the other expected species.  September 18th Not a lot to show for plenty of effort today. A fly-over Woodlark and a new Firecrest were the highlights at the Bill, where the only worthwhile counts of common migrants were of 50 Wheatears, 25 Yellow Wagtails and 25 Chiffchaffs, as well as 500 Meadow Pipits passing through overhead. Seawatching at the Bill produced 60 Black-headed Gulls and a Balearic Shearwater. Elsewhere there was another Firecrest at Pennsylvania Castle, and 25 Knot, 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Ruff, 3 Redshank and a Little Stint at Ferrybridge. September 17th Another day of fair variety but poorish numbers of migrants, with visible passage a good deal less conspicuous than recently. Grounded birds included 40 Wheatears, 25 Chiffchaffs, 20 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Whinchats and 10 Spotted Flycatchers at the Bill, with oddities including a Golden Plover and a Turtle Dove there, a Ring Ouzel at Avalanche Road and single Firecrests at the Grove and Pennsylvania Castle. Overhead, counts of Swallows and Meadow Pipits reached the low hundreds and 4 Kestrels passed through at the Bill. September 16th A good variety of common migrants today although numbers were hardly impressive. The Bill area held 50 Yellow Wagtails, 40 Wheatears and 25 Chiffchaffs along with small numbers of all the other expected mid-autumn migrants, whilst overhead there were again plenty of pipits, wagtails and hirundines on the move. Oddities around the island included 3 Short-eared Owls and a Marsh Harrier at the Bill, 2 Firecrests at Pennsylvania Castle and a Buzzard ranging around the centre and north of the island. In the continuing offshore wind the only birds of note off the Bill were single Arctic and Great Skuas and the first Brent Goose of the autumn.

 

        

     Ring Ouzel and Sparrowhawk - Portland Bill, September 15th 2002 © Martin Cade and Anna Hughes/Charlie Wilkins

  September 15th A veil of heavy cloud overhead at dawn dropped a better variety of common migrants around the island, with counts at the Bill including 50 Wheatears, 40 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Whinchats, 20 Spotted Flycatchers, 20 Willow Warblers and 20 Chiffchaffs; oddities there included 3 Hobbies, 2 Merlins, 2 Turtle Doves, 2 Grasshopper Warblers, a Marsh Harrier, a Short-eared Owl, a Cuckoo and a Ring Ouzel. Among the similar numbers and variety elsewhere the highlight was another Ring Ouzel at Barleycrates Lane.

 

         

     Short-eared Owl, Spotted Flycatcher and Kestrel - Portland Bill, September 14th 2002 © Adrian Webb (top), Martin Cade (above left) and Ben Sheldon (above right)

  September 14th The Semipalmated Sandpiper was still at Ferrybridge for the first couple of hours of the day before it flew off south with several Dunlin and was not seen again; also there were 6 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, a Sanderling and a Curlew Sandpiper. Raptors were conspicuous everywhere, with 7 Short-eared Owls lingering at the Bill, as well as 3 Hobbies, 2 Marsh Harriers and 2 Merlins passing through there and an Osprey overhead at Portland Harbour. Swallows were again on the move in good numbers, whilst the few grounded newcomers at the Bill included the first Ring Ouzel of the autumn. A Dotterel flew north over the Top Fields in the afternoon.

 

         

Semipalmated Sandpiper - Ferrybridge, September 13th 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 13th A major surprise today came in the form of an adult Semipalmated Sandpiper at Ferrybridge - it had probably been present since yesterday but was only identified today when it showed well in the late afternoon and evening; also there were 5 Bar-tailed Godwits, 4 Knot, a Ruff and a Merlin. A Honey Buzzard flew north at Tout Quarry at midday and 4 Short-eared Owls patrolled Top Fields in the evening, but the island otherwise remained disappointingly quiet, with plenty of visible passage but few birds except Wheatears grounded in any numbers. 

 

        

Wryneck - Portland Bill, September 12th 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 12th Highlight of the new arrivals today was a Wryneck at the Bill, with a motley collection of back-up oddities there including a Marsh Harrier, a couple of Hobbies, a Short-eared Owl and a Wood Warbler. In stiff easterlies, most routine movement was of diurnal migrants passing straight through, with plenty of pipits and wagtails among the wealth of hirundines. Grounded migrants around the Bill included 60 Wheatears, 10 Blackcaps, 8 Spotted and 6 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Redstarts and a Turtle Dove. Seawatching at the Bill produced 6 Arctic Skuas, 6 Wigeon and a Teal. Belated news was received in the morning of 2 Bee-eaters seen by a local resident yesterday afternoon on the southern edge of Southwell village - just before a Bee-eater was heard but not seen over the Obs.

 

        

Melodious Warbler - Portland Bill, September 11th 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 11th Evening update. A little more interest today with a Melodious Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs, an Ortolan Bunting heard over Southwell and then seen briefly at Barleycrates Lane early in the morning and a report of a Bee-eater heard calling high over the Bill in the afternoon. Grounded nocturnal migrants were still thin on the ground but Swallows were moving south along the West Cliffs at an estimated 3000 per hour during part of the morning and there were also 100 Yellow Wagtails and 30 Whinchats around the southern half of the island. Scarcer migrants included 2 Firecrests, a Merlin and a Golden Plover at the Bill and a Little Ringed Plover at Ferrybridge. September 10th Still not a lot to report, with poor numbers of migrants and nothing more unusual than a Merlin, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Firecrest at the Bill and a Wood Warbler at Weston Craft Centre. Common migrants at the Bill included 60 Yellow Wagtails, 25 Wheatears, 16 Grey Wagtails, 15 Whitethroats and single figure counts of the other expected species. Seawatching at the Bill produced 25 Common Scoter, 3 Arctic Skuas, a Great Skua and 2 Balearic Shearwaters.  September 9th Truly dismal day-long wet weather saw to it that coverage was poor today. The Bill area produced 2 Short-eared Owls, a Merlin, a Greenshank, a Turtle Dove, a Mistle Thrush and a Firecrest along with a sprinkle of commoner migrants, whilst waders at Ferrybridge included 8 Bar-tailed Godwits, a Knot, a Curlew and a Sanderling. September 8th Almost a repeat of yesterday, with Wheatears and Grey Wagtails the only common migrants in any numbers; the only oddity seen was a Blue-headed Wagtail among the few Yellow Wagtails in Top Fields. September 7th Not a lot of change today in more bright and breezy weather. The Bill area produced 90 Wheatears and 22 Grey Wagtails but otherwise just a handful of other common migrants. Elsewhere a lone Crossbill was at Weston. seawatching at the Bill came up with nothing more than 3 Great Skuas. The good selection of waders at Ferrybridge included 7 Bar-tailed Godwits, 5 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Knot; a Merlin was also seen there. September 6th Very quiet today in distinctly autumnal blustery westerlies. Yesterday's rarities had all moved on and common migrants were few and far between, with the Bill area producing just a handful of birds including 3 Redstarts, 2 Pied Flycatchers and a Turtle Dove. Elsewhere, the only news was of 5 Curlew Sandpipers and 3 Knot at Ferrybridge. September 5th Another pulse of rarities today produced sightings of an Icterine Warbler at Culverwell, an Ortolan Bunting at the Grove, a Wryneck at Suckthumb Quarry and 6 Crossbills over Verne Common. Commoner migrants were again well spread in small numbers, and included 19 Grey Wagtails through at the Bill and a Merlin there. Wader numbers dropped at Ferrybridge, although there were still 6 Curlew Sandpipers there in the morning.

 

      

      Whimbrel, Curlew Sandpiper and Bar-tailed Godwit - Ferrybridge, September 4th 2002    © Martin Cade

  September 4th The most interesting new arrivals today were at Ferrybridge, where the variety of waders included 17 Bar-tailed Godwits, 7 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Knot, a Whimbrel, a Curlew, a Grey Plover, a Little Stint and a Sanderling. Elsewhere around the island there was a decent sprinkle of birds but numbers remained low; in the Bill area counts included 35 Wheatears, 25 Yellow Wagtails, 20 Whitethroats, 12 Willow Warblers, 10 Whinchats, 5 Spotted and 4 Pied Flycatchers, 5 Blackcaps and 4 Redstarts. The only minor rarity reported was a Crossbill at the Bill.

 

        

Kingfisher - Portland Bill, September 3rd 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 3rd With an east wind and heavily overcast sky at dawn there was a lot of promise in the air but in the event little of note was found today. The unlikely highlights were a Kingfisher trapped and ringed at the Obs, a Crossbill in Top Fields and a report of a Honey Buzzard at Verne Common. Commoner migrants were once again very thin on the ground, with Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails liberally scattered but otherwise just ones and twos of most other species; a Hobby at the Bill was the first of the autumn there. September 2nd Common migrants remained extremely sparse and with the Wryneck having finally moved on from the Obs Quarry it was left to a few rarities to salvage the day. An Icterine Warbler showed up in the bushes beside the Pulpit Pub in the evening, and at the same time the Ortolan Bunting at Reap Lane also reappeared. Earlier, 5 Crossbills had lingered at Verne Common during the morning, and a Honey Buzzard overhead at the Bill had eventually drifted off northwards up the West Cliffs. Among the few common migrants there were a couple of Pied Flycatchers and a Turtle Dove at the Bill, whilst at Ferrybridge a Little Stint was a new arrival.

 

       

Ortolan Bunting - Reap Lane, September 1st 2002 © Martin Cade

  September 1st The Wryneck continued to show well in the Obs Quarry but the highlight of the few new arrivals wasn't found until the evening when an Ortolan Bunting showed well at Reap Lane. A Crossbill over Barleycrates Lane and 5 Little Egrets over Weston were the only other noteworthy newcomers. Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails still dominated the common migrant scene, with most other species only present in very small numbers. Waders at Ferrybridge again included 3 Knot and 2 Curlew Sandpipers.

August 2002

August 31st The long-staying Wryneck remained at the Obs Quarry and a second individual was found at Broadcroft butterfly reserve during the afternoon. A good variety of common migrants were present around the island but numbers were still on the low side, with only Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears at all conspicuous. Scarcer species included a Merlin, a Short-eared Owl and a Grasshopper Warbler at the Bill. Three Knot and 2 Curlew Sandpipers were still at Ferrybridge.

 

     

Icterine Warbler - Portland Bill, August 30th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 30th After a night of dense fog, new arrivals were in very short supply and it seems likely that the Icterine Warbler trapped and ringed early in the morning at the Obs was the bird seen briefly yesterday at Culverwell. The Wryneck at the Obs Quarry was also still present, although at times it could be very elusive. Commoner species around the Bill area included 25 Wheatears, 20 Yellow Wagtails and ones and twos of most of the other expected species. Seawatching promised much in blustery south-westerlies but produced nothing more than 10 Common Scoter. August 29th The Wryneck at the Obs Quarry continued to steal the show, although an Icterine Warbler seen briefly in the morning at Culverwell was the best of the new arrivals today. Among the commoner migrants there was a flurry of 10 new Pied Flycatchers at the Bill, where other counts included 80 Yellow Wagtails, 60 Wheatears, 12 Willow Warblers, 6 Spotted Flycatchers, 4 Lesser Whitethroats and 3 Purple Sandpipers. Three Balearic Shearwaters and an Arctic Skua were the only worthwhile sightings off the Bill. August 28th The Wryneck remained at the Obs Quarry all day but an Ortolan Bunting seen at Barleycrates Lane at midday proved less obliging and flew off north after the initial sighting. The first Short-eared Owl of the autumn was a new arrival at the Bill, but common migrants were still in below average numbers there. Elsewhere, 10 Crossbills flew over at Verne Common and there were 4 Knot, 3 Sanderling and 2 Curlew Sandpipers at Ferrybridge.

 

     

Ortolan Bunting - Southwell, August 27th 2002 © Pete and Debby Saunders

  August 27th New arrivals today were an Ortolan Bunting seen briefly when it visited a garden pond at Southwell in the morning, and a road-casualty Nightjar found moribund at Easton; the Wryneck remained in the Obs Quarry all day. A Tawny Owl heard calling in the early hours of the morning at Southwell was a good record for the island. The dismal total of only 6 new birds trapped and ringed at the Obs reflected the almost total lack of warblers and flycatchers anywhere on the island; fortunately Wheatears, Yellow Wagtails and Whinchats were still widely distributed in good numbers. Two Balearic Shearwaters passed the Bill, whilst waders at Ferrybridge included 5 Curlew Sandpipers, 3 Sanderling, 2 Knot, a Curlew and a Redshank.

 

     

  Ortolan Bunting - Portland Bill and Knot - Ferrybridge, August 26th 2002 © John Hurst (top), Chris Trott (above left) and Chris Courtaux (above right)

  August 26th New rarities continued to arrive but there was no great increase in common migrant numbers, with only Wheatears, Whinchats and Yellow Wagtails at all conspicuous. An Ortolan Bunting showed well at Lloyds Cottage in the late afternoon, 2 Crossbills showed up briefly at Suckthumb Quarry and the Wryneck is still at the Obs Quarry all day. An Eider lingered off the Bill, whilst seawatching there produced 2 Arctic Skuas, 2 Black Terns, a Great Skua and a Balearic Shearwater. Two Curlew Sandpipers, 2 Sanderling and a Knot were at Ferrybridge.

 

  

Wryneck - Portland Bill, August 25th 2002 © Chris Trott

  August 25th Single Wrynecks were new arrivals today at the Obs Quarry and at Weston and a Honey Buzzard flew out to the sea from the Bill at midday, but the flow of new grounded common migrants has fallen to little more than a trickle. Wheatears and Yellow Wagtails were still present in fair numbers but none of the other commoner migrants even achieved double figure counts at the Bill. August 24th Not much change today, with Yellow Wagtails and Wheatears continuing to dominate. The Bill area produced more than 80 of each, along with 10 Pied Flycatchers and smaller numbers of most of the other expected common migrants. Pied Flycatchers were numerous elsewhere, with at least another 10 around Southwell, Easton and Weston. Two Knot remained at the Bill, whilst at Ferrybridge a Mediterranean Gull was a new arrival and the 2 Curlew Sandpipers were still present. August 23rd Most of the migrant action again involved Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears, Whinchats and the like, which were conspicuous in all the open areas of the island; Swallows and Sand Martins also passed through in numbers, but warblers and flycatchers were few and far between in the trees and scrub. The Bill area provided totals of 500 Swallows, 150 Sand Martins and 75 Yellow Wagtails, whilst oddities there included 2 Snipe, 2 Knot, a Hobby, a Turtle Dove, a Sanderling and a Purple Sandpiper. Seawatching there remained very slow, with just a trickle of Black-headed Gulls, 2 Tufted Ducks and a Balearic Shearwater passing. Two Curlew Sandpipers were at Ferrybridge in the morning. August 22nd No sign of the Woodchat Shrike today, and not too many new common migrants about either. Wheatears still numbered about 100 at the Bill, but otherwise the only decent counts from there were of 40 Yellow Wagtails and 10 Whinchats; a Blackcap there was the first of the autumn, as was a Turtle Dove at Weston. Seawatching at the Bill produced single Balearic and Sooty Shearwaters, and a Great Skua, whilst 3 Knot and a Curlew Sandpiper added to the variety of waders at Ferrybridge.

 

       

    Woodchat Shrike - Portland Bill, August 21st 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 21st A Woodchat Shrike was a surprise new arrival today, although it proved to be very mobile and elusive as it ranged around the Pulpit Inn/Obs/Strips area during the afternoon. Common migrants were more numerous than yesterday, and included a high count of 100 Wheatears at the Bill, where there were also 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, a Grasshopper Warbler and the first Merlin of the autumn. A lone Balearic Shearwater was the only bird of note on the sea at the Bill.

 

        

   Redstart - Portland Bill, August 20th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 20th After a clear, moonlit night it was perhaps predictable that the Melodious Warblers and the Booted Warbler had moved on, and it was no great surprise that common migrants were thin on the ground. Swifts and hirundines remained conspicuous overhead, but among the grounded migrants only Yellow Wagtails, Wheatears and Willow Warblers reached double figures around the Bill. A couple of Arctic Skuas and a Mediterranean Gull passed by on the sea, whilst a Little Stint was another new arrival at Ferrybridge. August 19th Another excellent day, with the 2 Melodious Warblers and the Booted Warbler still present at the Bill, and the best arrival of common migrants so far this autumn. Willow Warblers numbered around 300 at the Bill, where there also 75 Wheatears, 15 Spotted and 8 Pied Flycatchers, 10 Yellow Wagtails, 8 Sedge Warblers, 7 Garden Warblers, 4 Redstarts, 4 Whinchats, 3 Grey Herons and a Grasshopper Warbler. Seawatching at the Bill provided 58 commic Terns, 3 Balearic Shearwaters and 2 Arctic Skuas, whilst a Knot was a new arrival among the waders at Ferrybridge. August 18th The Booted Warbler and 2 Melodious Warblers remained at the Bill, but new arrivals were in short supply everywhere. The pick of the commoner migrants were a couple of Pied Flycatchers at the Bill, where Swifts and hirundines were the only birds on the move in any numbers. Seawatches at the Bill produced little more than 2 Arctic and a Pomarine Skua, and another passing Mediterranean Gull.

 

          

Icterine Warbler - Portland Bill, August 17th 2002 © Andrew Slade

  August 17th Plenty more action today, with the Booted Warbler and 2 Melodious Warblers still present, a new Ortolan Bunting seen for a while early in the morning in Top Fields, an Icterine Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs, and another fly-over Little Egret at the Bill. There was a fair variety of common migrants scattered around the island, but numbers were considerably lower than of late, with no noteworthy counts logged at the Bill. Seawatching was also again very unrewarding, with 5 Sanderling and a Mediterranean Gull the only worthwhile sightings off the Bill.

 

          

Booted Warbler - Portland Bill, August 16th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 16th The Booted Warbler was still present and showed on and off all day. Melodious Warblers remained a feature in and around the Obs garden, where the 3 birds present included a new individual that was trapped and ringed. A less obliging new arrival was an Ortolan Bunting that was seen twice early in the morning at Windmill Riding Stables, whilst a fly-over Spotted Redshank at Suckthumb Quarry was a good island rarity. Common migrant numbers increased, with totals around the Bill area including 200 Swifts, 100 Willow Warblers, 75 Sand Martins, 35 Wheatears, 12 Yellow Wagtails, 10 Tree Pipits, 4 Reed Warblers, 3 Sedge Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers and 2 Lesser Whitethroats. Seawatching at the Bill produced virtually nothing except 3 unseasonable Velvet Scoters.

 

  

        

Aquatic Warbler and Booted Warbler - Portland Bill, August 15th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 15th The island hit the jackpot today, with an exceptional arrival of rarities. The highlight was a Booted Warbler found early in the morning in the Hut Fields next to the Obs garden; it was trapped and ringed there (biometry and more in-hand photos) and, although usually very elusive, it showed from time to time through the afternoon and evening. At midday an Aquatic Warbler was found, and also trapped and ringed (more in-hand photos), in Top Fields; it was not seen after release. Finally, at least 2 new Melodious Warblers were seen in and around the Obs garden, and 2 Little Egrets flew north over the Bill. Surprisingly, commoner migrants were not at all numerous, with counts from the Bill of just 18 Wheatears, 15 Willow Warblers, 6 Yellow Wagtails, 5 Garden Warblers, 4 Pied Flycatchers, a Golden Plover, a Sedge Warbler and a Reed Warbler.

 

            

Melodious Warbler - Portland Bill, August 14th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 14th Another new Melodious Warbler trapped and ringed at the Obs late in the afternoon was the highlight today. This aside, common migrant numbers fell slightly, with totals around the Bill of 40 Willow Warblers, 20 Wheatears, 5 Garden Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Sedge Warblers, a Yellow Wagtail and a Tree Pipit. Three Balearic Shearwaters passed the Bill, and counts of waders at Ferrybridge included 160 Dunlin and 154 Ringed Plovers. August 13th With the same few species continuing to dominate, the only real change was in numbers today. Most of the island was fairly quiet, but the Bill area produced 60 Willow Warblers, 30 Wheatears, 5 Common Sandpipers, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Garden Warblers, 2 Tree Pipits and a Yellow Wagtail. Seawatching there provided 15 Common Scoter, 5 Teal, 3 Balearic Shearwaters and an Arctic and a Great Skua. August 12th Meagre reward again today, with 50 Wheatears, 40 Willow Warblers, a Ringed Plover, a Pied Flycatcher and a few Swifts and Sand Martins at the Bill. A lone Curlew was the only oddity amongst the commoner waders at Ferrybridge. August 11th Wheatears and Willow Warblers remained the only really conspicuous migrants, with 40 of the former and 50 of the latter at the Bill, where there were otherwise just 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Greenshank, 3 Tree Pipits, 2 Sedge Warblers and a Pied Flycatcher. Despite the wind strengthening as the day went on, the sea produced nothing more than 10 Common Scoter, an Arctic Skua and single Manx and Balearic Shearwaters. August 10th Just a trickle of migrants on land and sea today. The Bill area produced 50 Wheatears, 25 Willow Warblers, 6 Sedge Warblers and smaller numbers of other common species, whilst elsewhere there was a Marsh Harrier over Chesil Cove and Ferrybridge, and a Grasshopper Warbler at Reap Lane. Three Great and an Arctic Skua were the pick of the few birds on the sea off the Bill. August 9th Interest picked up on the sea today as a slow moving low pressure area passed through; light southerly winds produced a steady trickle of birds in the morning, whilst late in the afternoon there was another pulse of movement ahead of the wind veering to the north and heavy rain setting in. Morning watches at the Bill produced 48 Common Scoter, 17 commic and 2 Black Terns, 6 Great and an Arctic Skua, and 3 Balearic and 2 Sooty Shearwaters. Late afternoon passage was mainly of Manx Shearwaters, which numbered over 300 off the Bill, with otherwise just 3 more Balearic Shearwaters and a lone Storm Petrel passing through there. Common migrants were all but absent on the land, with just a handful of Willow Warblers, a Grasshopper Warbler and a Pied Flycatcher at the Bill. August 8th After a slow start, the arrival of increasingly heavy cloud overhead dropped unexpected numbers of migrants through the morning. Counts at the Bill included 120 Willow Warblers, 60 Wheatears, 8 Robins, 5 Pied Flycatchers, 4 Sedge Warblers, 3 Garden Warblers and 2 Whinchats; a flurry of waders, including a Greenshank and a Wood Sandpiper, also passed through. Heavy rain swept in during the afternoon and prevented any serious birding elsewhere.

 

              

Pied Flycatcher - Portland Bill, August 7th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 7th Quieter today, with just 60 Willow Warblers, 40 Wheatears, 4 Pied Flycatchers, 3 Common Sandpipers, 2 Sedge Warblers, 2 Garden Warblers, a Whimbrel and a Greenshank at the Bill. August 6th The combination of overcast skies and the new moon period again produced plenty of birds, particularly at the Bill where there were 150 Willow Warblers, 30 Wheatears, 15 Sedge Warblers, 10 Garden Warblers, 4 Pied and 2 Spotted Flycatchers, a Cuckoo and a Yellow Wagtail; diurnal passage also picked up, with 150 Swallows, 100 Swifts and 100 Sand Martins passing through there. The only oddities seen were a Green Sandpiper and a Yellow-legged Gull at the Bill. August 5th Another small arrival of migrants produced totals of 25 Willow Warblers, 20 Wheatears, 8 Sedge Warblers, 3 Pied Flycatchers, 2 Garden Warblers, a Whinchat and a Grasshopper Warbler at the Bill. The Mediterranean Gull was still at Ferrybridge.

 

              

Mediterranean Gull - Ferrybridge, August 4th 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 4th More of the same in the way of common migrants, although numbers were generally lower than those logged yesterday. Counts at the Bill included 50 Wheatears, 40 Willow Warblers, 5 Sedge Warblers, 5 Garden Warblers and 3 Pied Flycatchers, with oddities there including a Marsh Harrier flying through early in the morning. A Balearic Shearwater and 30 Common Scoter were the only seabirds of note off the Bill, whilst elsewhere there was another Mediterranean Gull at Ferrybridge.

 

     

         

 Melodious Warbler and Vitelline Masked Weaver - Portland Bill, August 3rd 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 3rd Rain in the night and muggy, overcast weather by day did the trick and there was the first decent flurry of common migrants of the autumn. At the Bill, totals included 100 Willow Warblers, 25 Wheatears, 10 Garden Warblers, 8 Sedge Warblers and smaller numbers of other species including the first 2 Spotted and single Pied Flycatchers. The Melodious Warbler first trapped on 31st July was retrapped in the Obs garden and later seen briefly in the adjacent Hut Fields, an escaped Vitelline Masked Weaver visited the Obs garden during the afternoon, and elsewhere there was a Hobby at Reap Lane and 10 Sanderling at Ferrybridge. August 2nd The clear skies and fine weather of recent days continued and saw to it that migrants were still not at all plentiful. The Bill area produced 30 Swifts, 25 Sand Martins, 25 Willow Warblers, 7 Wheatears, a Whimbrel, a Turnstone and a Garden Warbler, with just 7 Common Scoter and 2 Great Skuas passing on the sea there.

 

   

Mediterranean Gull - Ferrybridge, August 1st 2002 © Martin Cade

  August 1st The flurry of interest yesterday proved short-lived, with migrants in very short supply today. The Bill area could muster no more than 50 Sand Martins, 4 Willow Warblers and a Whimbrel, with 10 Common Scoter the only birds of any note on the sea. Two Mediterranean Gulls were new arrivals at Ferrybridge, where there were also 120 Dunlin, 100 Ringed Plovers, 7 Sanderling, and 3 Sandwich and a Common Tern.