17th October

It's becoming evident that we've perhaps had too much of a good thing with the current well-established spell of north-easterlies and a change or stir-up in the weather won't do any harm. That's not to say there wasn't any happening since there was a scatter of less frequent migrants about, but the numbers of routine fare have been diminishing by the day and rarities aren't featuring at all. The day's interest came in the form of at least 5 Short-eared Owls, 4 Firecrests, 3 Ring Ouzels, 1 or more Dartford Warblers, a Long-eared Owl and a Mistle Thrush at the Bill, 4 more Short-eared Owls around the north of the island and another Dartford Warbler at Suckthumb. Grounded commoner migrants included a thin spread of Wheatears, Blackcaps, Chiffchaffs and Goldcrests, whilst small numbers of thrushes and finches made up the bulk of what was on the move overhead. The autumn's first Great Northern Diver passed through over the Bill, but 4 Brent Geese were the only other birds of note on the sea there.


Wheatear - Portland Bill, 17th October 2015 © Roger Hewitt

...and, also from Roger, another angle on last week's Red-backed Shrike: