Its about time Poole Harbour had a scarce gull with the Weymouth/Portland area seeing its fair share and Hengistbury/Stanpit also cashing in. Apart from the 5 minute Glaucous Gull that appeared on the Brownsea webcam we’ve not had a sniff, that was until this morning when an Iceland Gull was found sitting on some rocks at Poole Park. March is a great time for gull watching, so it wouldn’t surprise me if a few more appear at various locations around the harbour. Also on Poole Park the Goosander is still present and at least 6 Goldeneye and the Scaup. Elsewhere, off Baiter there was 1 Razorbill, 1 Sandwich Tern, 1 Black-necked Grebe, 11 Ringed Plover and 20+ Med Gulls. Around the Studland area 1 Red-throated Diver off Jerry’s Point with 25 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Avocet, 8+ Grey Plover, 5+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot and 2 Sanderling.

The warmth of yesterdays sun really got many birds ‘in the mood’ as apposed to todays wind and rain that just put everyone in a bad mood! At Soldiers Road 3 Woodlark were chasing each other with one bird producing a full repertoire of notes and song. Alongside the Woodlark at least 6 Dartford Warbler were very vocal and 5 Stonechat including 3 males battled for territory. Mistle and Song Thrush have been very vocal for a few weeks now and the odd Chiffchaff can be heard in the early spring sunshine. Other sightings include a Spotted Redshank, Water Pipit, 5 Greenshank at Lytchett Bay. In Studland Bay 1 Eider, 28 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Med Gull, 3 Sanderling, 2 Grey Plover and 20 Brent Goose. Still at least 8 Marsh Harrier have been leaving the winter roost. At Shore Road there were 150 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Sanderling, 7 Med Gull and 1 Sandwich Tern. Out in the harbour still at least 3 Great Northern Diver, but there’s also been a mass departure of Merganser and Goldeneye with only around 50% left compared to previous months. There are still 20 Spoonbill at Arne. Elsewhere in the country Wheatear, Garganey, Common Whitethroat and Swallow have all made landfall in single figures so keep your eyes peeled for more spring migrants arrive.