Its all much of the same currently as spring migration now winds down. Waders can continue to pass right the way through May, but with all this high pressure birds are simply by-passing the south coast/UK and making good time in terms of reaching their breeding grounds further north. Today was a good example of that with a small selection of waders dropping in briefly at Lytchett Fields including 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Curlew and the 2 (semi) resident Oystercatcher. The first Marsh Harrier for nearly a month in the Wareham Channel area was seen and 3+ Hobby were active over Slepe Heath. Cuckoo’s were in the Frome Valley and there are now numerous newly fledged Stonechats out across the heathlands. An Osprey was seen over Holes Bay heading north which could well have been the visitor to CJ7’s nest the night before, plus a Common Tern was roosting near the Stone Bench at Upton CP. Don’t forget, May is also the best time to see fresh, bright green male Sand Lizards as they begin to start chasing females around heathland fringes. Check out this gorgeous photo by Ian Ballam from his local heathland yesterday. It also clearly highlights why male Sand Lizards are so regularly taken by heathland breeding Kestrels compared to the females!

Sand Lizards – Lytchett Heath – Ian Ballam