September already! Wow, this year is going so fast. It only seemed like last week that CJ7 and 022 arrived back from West Africa, and here we are with the just about to leave (if they haven’t done so already)? Both were on a harbour nest platform this morning, being just as intimate as they day 022 arrived which bodes well for spring 2022. It all seems to perfect….022 to breed in 2022? Who knows, but if they have left today, we wish them both a safe journey and really look forward to their safe return in about 7 months time. There were a couple of un-ringed Osprey around the harbour today, with 2 in Lytchett Bay and 1 over the Wareham Channel. A sub-adult Marsh Harrier was also in Lytchett Bay with an adult Hobby over Lytchett Fields. A stunning full summer plumage Grey Plover was in Brands Bya along with 2 Wigeon (the first of the autumn for Brands Bay), 5 Ringed Plover, 68 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank, 10 Knot, 6 Dunlin and 1 Common Snipe. In Holes Bay north there were 2 Common Sandpiper and 87 Wigeon back. Middlebere was a bit quieter with 1 Great White Egret, 5 Grey Plover and 37 Avocet. On Brownsea yesterday there was 1 Little Stint. Up on Ballard there were 2 Wheatear and 11 Yellow Wagtail were at at Hartland Stud.

Reed Warbler – Holes Bay ( a few weeks ago) – Clare Slade