Wow, it's amazing what a bit of rain and sea fog can do to migratory birds. All morning and in fact all day we endured heavy rain, drizzle and the occasional dry spell. It looked like there was a break in the weather so it was off to the OBS to see what was about.
This Spring according to the PBO has been very poor, with many birds passing overhead to their breeding grounds with very few stopping off on Portland. Today though, that all changed with lots of grounded birds.
There were Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs everywhere moving through the hedgerows. And in amongst them several Blackcaps and Garden Warblers. At the quarry I managed a pair of Common Redstarts, along with 3 or 4 Common Whitethroats.
In the hut field alongside the Obs wall there were a few more Blackcaps, Garden Warblers and a Firecrest. Overhead 5 Swallows passed through.
A very wet and miserable day here at the Bird Observatory........
.....but that's just what was wanted with Blackcaps.........
.........another.........
..........Common Whitethroats........
.........and Willow Warblers dropping in everywhere.
This resident Dunnock must have wondered where they were all coming from.