With the increase in breeding totals of Great White Egret elsewhere in the country its no surprise these large white herons are becoming a more regular visitor to the harbour. This morning one went over the southern shores of the harbour and was later seen in the Wareham Channel. The Spoonbill total has now risen to 9 which is typical for early/mid August and we expect that number to continue to increase up until mid October with last year seeing a UK record of 60 Spoonbill in the harbour. Lytchett Fields was busy again with 106 Dunlin, 65 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Greenshank, 27 Little Egret, 80 Redshank, 70 Lapwing, 6 Common Sandpiper and 15+ Green Sandpiper. Migration through Ballard Down included 1 Redstart, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, several Common Whitethroat, 10+ Willow Warbler, a few Blackcap and a juv Great Spotted Woodpecker. All 8 Osprey chicks continue to do well and are now becoming more frequent in other areas of the harbour. Arne and Middlebere are still great places to look but they’ve also started venturing towards the Wareham Channel too which is great news. 

Common Redstart – Ballard Down

Juv (left ) and adult (right) Common Whitethroat – Ballard Down

Grasshopper Warbler – Ballard Down