Apologies, there were some issues with the website so yesterday’s and today’s sightings are amalgamated.

A really stunning weekend, with calm sunny conditions both days meaning there was lots of spring activity in the harbour. More Sandwich Tern have arrived back on the Brownsea Lagoon with several pairs flying about the harbour today too. Huge total for Cattle Egret coming in to roost yesterday evening with 59 counted heading up the Piddle Valley towards the harbour which may even be a record. The 14 Spoonbill were still off Shipstal both days.

It was prime conditions for soaring birds of prey over the weekend and there were certainly plenty around from our Winter Safari Cruise this morning. 3 Goshawk were effortlessly gliding over Middlebere, 3+ Marsh Harrier were hunting in the Wareham Channel, 1 adult male Hen Harrier was hunting over Arne Moors and 1 White-tailed Eagle was here too. 4 Bearded tit showed nicely at the mouth of the river Frome from the boat trip. Later a Short-eared Owl was hunting for some time this afternoon over Arne Moors. It’s been a great weekend for Eagle sightings with multiple views of them including in Lytchett Bay, Ham Common, Middlebere, Arne, Studland with a few juveniles and the adult pair hanging around and interacting. The 3 Ruff were still present at Swineham today. 1 Bittern flew up from Swineham gravel pit late yesterday evening, along with 5 Spoonbill and 1 Barn Owl.

1 Common Guilliemot was off Poole Quay and 1 Black-necked Grebe was off Jerry’s Point. Interestingly, there were no Divers seen throughout the harbour so perhaps there’s been a clear out over the weekend. 1 early Northern Wheatear was reported on the Brownsea Lagoon this afternoon and there were plenty of waders here including c200 Avocet, 70+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 800+ Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 40 Grey Plover and 3 Ringed Plover.

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Mark Wright – Middlebere Channel

Sandwich Tern – Wareham Channel from Winter Safari Cruise this morning – Alison Copland