Marsh Tit are a species that has all but vanished from the harbour landscape in recent years, so an individual at Holton Lee today was an excellent and encouraging find. Osprey continue to be present in the harbour was we progress into late September, with sightings of an adult (successfully fishing) and juvenile both viewed from Hyde’s Heath, Arne. Moving closer towards to town centre picked up 28 Turnstone, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Sandwich Tern and 4 Wheatear on Baiter Park first thing. Lytchett Bay continues to deliver, fully embracing autumn passage with visits from a couple of colour-ringed birds over last two days. Yesterday saw a juvenile Yellow-legged Gull on the Fields, originally ringed in the Camargue, France while today welcomed a Norwegian colour-ringed  Curlew Sandpiper that had only been ringed 13 days ago and seen in Holland 10 days ago! The site featured a total of 4 Curlew Sandpiper, as well as a Little Stint among the 154 strong Dunlin flock.

Norwegian colour-ringed juv. Curlew Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam