Another extremely hot day, with brief showers and thunderstorms showing up this afternoon. As the storm moved in, hundreds of hirundines were seen foraging over Wareham, mostly consisting of Sand Martin, as well as Swallow and a few House Martin. On the rising tide at Studland this morning, 3 Brent Geese, 4 Whimbrel, 69 Curlew, 31 Mediterranean Gull (including 4 juveniles), 2 Common Gull were counted between the House Boats and Brands Bay, as well as the usual stream of Common Tern and Sandwich Tern. At Lytchett Fields decent numbers of waders are gathering now and this evening there were 15 Green Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank and 4 Common Sandpiper. Also, today a newly fledged juvenile Marsh Harrier appeared from one of the Wareham Channel nests which is fantastic news.

It’s only a matter of days now until the Osprey chicks fledge, and they are really demonstrating just how ready they are. They are strengthening their muscles through wing flapping and helicoptering, meaning that they are taking off from the nest for just a fraction of a second before re-landing, very almost ready for their first flight…