After being flushed by a Buzzard yesterday the Black-winged Stilt returned to Lytchett Fields in the evening after a 31-hour absence from the site. Where it went during this time period is anyone’s guess, but it’s a shame to think it may have been gracing another site with its presence within the harbour totally unnoticed. Throughout the day at Lytchett Fields 80+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Dunlin, 2 Greenshank, 1 Hobby, 12 Whimbrel and a pair of mating Redshank were logged. At Swineham a Cuckoo was calling in the paddocks by North Bestwall House, a single Common Sandpiper was on the newly exposed area of mud bank on at the far end of the main pit whilst out on the mud 2 Ringed Plover were present with 3 Dunlin. The ‘Hobby Fest’ continued in the south of the harbour with no less than 7 hunting closely together over the Slepe Heath/Arne moors area, best viewed from the top of the Slepe Heath Ridge. Also out in the Wareham channel there were 3 Marsh Harrier and evidence suggesting that the Marsh Harrier nest is now active with chicks which is excellent news.