The Purple Heron was seen today but earlier in the day around 16:30 flying towards the northern end of Littlesea but despite a prolonged evening watch it didn’t come into the egret roost at dusk sadly. Still, a mass hirundine flock containing c200 birds, consisting of mostly Sand Martin that came in just before dark to feed on the surface of the water was a picture in its self and there were 8 Great Crested Grebe, some with juveniles still in tow. At Middlebere an Osprey was on the post for most of the afternoon and in the channel 1 Spoonbill, 7 Greenshank, 1 sum plum Spotted Redshank and a Whimbrel were present during the afternoon. At Lytchett Fields there were c20 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 9 Dunlin and 1 Greenshank with a particularly showy Water Rail too. In Lytchett Bay Curlew totals rose to 39 and there were 25 Little Egret and an adult Yellow-legged Gull. There were also reports of Osprey over the Wareham Channel and at Morden Bog. A new Marsh Harrier entered the harbour too with a young male over near Swineham early morning.

Water Rail – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Grey Heron and Red-eared Terripins – Poole Park