Portland Bird Observatory
@portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
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portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Again, far too clear and cool overnight for successful mothing: at the Obs, a single Toadflax Pearl the best of a limited catch of migrants; an unseasonable Swallowtail was an oddity there
Toadflax Pearl catalaunalis Swallowtail Moth
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
...also on the ringing front, a single Redpoll took their year total to 25 (all in the last 10 days) which is a new PBO record + the first migrant Song Thrush of the autumn was trapped
Lesser Redpoll Song Thrush
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Today's weak weather front passed too late to jazz up the ringing numbers at the Bill - just 69 new at the Obs/Crown Estate Field (no nos received yet from Culverwell) with the best the first Greenfinch ringed this year - before the ravages of Trichomonosis we've ringed as many as 566 in a year!...
Greenfinch
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
...also on the ringing front: we've received notification of a fantastic recovery of a Firecrest ringed here last October that was controlled a few days ago by a ringer in the Czech Republic - the first movement of a UK-ringed Firecrest to the Czech Republic or indeed to anywhere in central Europe
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Ringing gathered a bit of momentum at the Bill today: 180 new incl 74 Swallows, 22 Chiffchaffs and 18 Blackcaps; nice variety of other seasonable movers incl 7 Pied Wagtails, 5 Long-tailed Tits, 4 Redpolls and a Firecrest...
Pied Wagtail Stonechat Firecrest Linnet
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Last night's migrant moth catch not really up to expectations - stayed too clear and moonlit for too long? An Old World Webworm, 2 Olive-tree Pearl, 3 Vestal and 5 White-speck the best of the less regulars at the Obs.
Vestal Old World Webworm Olive-tree Pearl White-speck
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Resumption of ringing activities today after the weather-enforced hiatus. Relatively quiet with just 66 new birds between the Obs, the Crown Estate Field and Culverwell; 15 CCs and 13 Bcaps the only numbers but 6 more Redpolls and the first Siskin of the year amongst some nice variety
Siskin Lesser Redpoll Sparrowhawk
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Will certainly be on view all day today if you want to see it
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Despite the howling wind there's nothing like the arrival of much, much milder air to perk up migrant moth interest: Silver-striped Hawkmoth caught overnight at the Obs
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Wryneck at the Bill - in pathside brambles just before the Privet Hedge per Dan Houghton
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Yes, James, quite a freaky looking bird
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Likely Siberian Lesser Whitethroat trapped in the Crown Estate Field
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Wryneck still at the end of Barleycrates Lane per Graham Bright
portlandbirdobs.bsky.social
Glossy Ibis over the Higher Light and on north up West Cliffs