Today saw a hat-trick of surprises which sadly didn’t allow for further indulgence, but were surprising none the less. The first shock was when local residents (and birders) in Upton were sat at home and heard a few snippets of what sounded like a Golden Oriole in the woods opposite their house near Lytchett Bay. They heard a few calls and snippets of song but sadly not for very long and despite some searching nothing could be found. Perhaps an early morning visit tomorrow could yield some results?

The second surprise was when an Osprey was photographed down in Devon this morning with a ring number that possibly read ‘5H5’. If correct, then this would be another of our 2023 birds back, and interestingly was ringed as a female in the nest, but the photos suggest otherwise highlighting that if it is 5H5, then it could actually be a male. Frustratingly the photo isn’t quite sharp enough to confirm, but hopefully he’ll appear again over the coming days/weeks and perhaps even visit the harbour before the summer is out?

Finally, another Osprey return story with an Osprey photographed up at Leighton Moss, Lancaster recently which clearly shows ring number 5H4…..ANOTHER Poole bird back. The photo shows what looks to be an adult female, which would make sense if she’s been seen t’up north.

If we can confirm that todays Devon bird was 5H5 that would mean we’ve seen six ‘Poole’ chicks return out of a possible eight (1 in 2022 as 5H2 was killed by a Goshawk prior to migration), 3 in 2023 and 4 in 2024) averaging an incredible 75% return rate!!!

Other sightings from today included a Honey Buzzard over Organford, 7 Spoonbill and 10 Common Sandpiper on Brownsea, 4 Cattle Egret, 2 Spoonbill, 1 Osprey and 1 White-tailed Eagle over Middlebere and a totally fresh juvenile Common Redstart was ringed at Lytchett Heath suggesting local breeding somewhere close by.

Juvenile Common Redstart ringed at Lytchett Heath this AM – Shaun Robson