The stifling weather of the last week seems to have suppressed the early autumn migration. A quiet week has seen few new arrivals. Long-staying rarities include Wilson's Phalarope at Old Hall Marshes, now moulted into winter plumage. The Long-billed Dowitcher remains on the Oare Marshes, and the juvenile male Two-barred Crossbill remains on the Isle of May. A White-winged Black Tern graced Draycote Water early in the week and a Red-necked Phalarope has been showing well at Seaforth and Crosby Marine Park. A Rose-coloured Starling frequented Suffolk for several days early in the week.
A trickle of Pomarine Skuas powered down the east coast on the 31st July, whilst much of the more interesting seawatching has been provided by excellent numbers of Balearic Shearwaters off many south coast watchpoints, a few large Shearwaters from the southwest, together with a couple of Wilson’s Petrels on pelagic trips. The week has also seen the first passerine movement of the autumn, the best of which were Melodious Warblers in Suffolk, Dorset and Gwynedd.
The forecast change in the weather will hopefully encourage a bit more movement over the coming week.
