Another Spring Day, another new arrival (or several) including a drake Garganey on RSPB Lytchett Fields briefly this morning. Although they’re typically annual, over the last decade we have had a few years where they’ve been absent in both spring and autumn, so it’s good to get one logged so early in the year. At Swineham this morning there were 10 Sand Martin along with a Cattle Egret in trees next to the B&B. Plus 4 Marsh Harrier were off Swineham Point, both White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel along with an adult male Hen Harrier and a Peregrine was hunting over RSPB Arne Moors. At Holme lane GP the Barnacle Goose was present again, off Jerry’s Point, Studland the Long-tailed Duck was still there and 2 Slavonian Grebe were off Redhorn, a Spotted Redshank was on Lytchett Fields where there was also another Sand Martin, 4 Spoonbill were on the Brownsea Lagoon, the redhead Goosander was still in Holes Bay NE and up to 25 Cattle Egret were still out on Wareham Common.

Drake Garganey – RSPB Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam