There was evidence of a small fall this morning, but only a tiny area of the harbour (Lytchett Bay to be exact) was being covered. Out in the bay was a stunning summer plumaged Grey Plover, also 3 Ringed Plover, 3 Dunlin, 2 Whimbrel and 36 Black-tailed Godwit with 1 Bar-tailed Godwit hiding in amongst them.  Also around the site were 3 Whitethroat, 4+ Sedge Warbler, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Wheatear, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Swift and big numbers of hirundines passing through all day. On Lytchett Fields there were 12 Dunlin, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Lapwing and 32 Black-tailed Godwit.

I’ve also been continuing my night sound recording study from my Lytchett Matravers garden and have had some great results recently. Firstly I managed to get Coot added to my garden list with two separate birds over the garden on two nights on April 25^th and 26^th. I have also sound recorded several more Moorhen on various nights along with a nice range of Tawny Owl calls. But last night was the most productive night, especially for Whimbrel with individual birds and numerous flocks passing over-head between 9:30pm and 4:30am. Another surprise, and another garden tick was a Ringed Plover, which went over the garden around 2:15am. Below are two recordings of the Ringed Plover and one of three Whimbrel flocks that passed over-head in the dead of night.

Ringed Plover – Flight calls of a night migrant – Lytchett Matravers 07/05/15

Whimbrel flock – Flight calls of a flock migrating at night – Lytchett Matravers 07/05/15