The last few days has provided a chorus of birdsong from all corners of the harbour. Wherever you go there seems to be a bird giving 110% from the bottom of its lungs as it tries its best to impress a mate. Starting at Swineham where both Reed and Sedge Warbler are well and truly established and Blackcap seem to fill every hedgerow. There are now 3-4 Marsh Harrier off Swineham point with nest building continuing as the odd ‘drifting’ bird passing through. On the gravel pits a 1st summer Little Gull, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Pochard, and 2 Little Grebe. There was also a big arrival of hirundines over the ‘stilt pools’ with around 300-400 Sand Martin with a few Swallow and House Martin mixed in and 3 Swift, 3 Wheatear, 1 Cuckoo and 6 Cetti’s Warbler around Bestwall. Also 6 Spoonbill on the stilt pools. At Lytchett Bay there was 1 Little Ringed plover, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whimbrel, 1 Spoonbill, 3 Greenshank, 6 Wheatear and bizarrely a drake Pintail. An Osprey was on the Middlebere pole again but wasn’t seen yesterday. In Brands Bay still 1 Grey Plover, 95 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel, 8 Knot with Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin all passing through. Up on the edge of the Corfe Ridge 2 Nightingale were in full voice along with 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Whitethroat, 3 Blackcap, 4 Stonechat, 5 Yellowhammer and 2 Tawny Owl. Up on Hartland Moor there were 5 Wheatear and 1 Cuckoo.
Some additional news from today where on Brownsea there were 2 Spotted Redshank, 100+ Dunlin, 4 summer plumage Grey Plover, 7 Spoonbill, 1 Ringed Plover, 11 Common Tern, 40+ Sandwich Tern, 1 Sanderling, 4 Greenshank, 7 Wheatear (on the lagoon wall), 10 Brent Geese, 6 Shoveler, 3 Avocet, 2 Yellow-legged Gull and a few Bar-tailed Godwit. At Lytchett Bay this evening 2 Whinchat, 1 Redstart, 38 Wheatear and 3 Common Sandpiper as well as many Sand Martin and House Martin.
Although you couldn’t see further than 100m for much of the day, there were birds to be found…
Find out moreSo cold! Mid-week was delightful with even a hint of spring warmth, but today was proper chilly. Cold…
Find out more© 2025 Birds of Poole Harbour Registered Charity No. 1152615