There were more firsts today with the harbours first Wheatear of the spring in fields around Sunnyside Farm. Plus, the first UK Ospreys were logged today at different sites including Rutland, Hertfordshire and the Loch of the Lowes in Scotland. Although we don’t expect to see some of our Ospreys back until later in March or early April, the first Poole Harbour passage migrant could be any day now, with last years 1st occurring on March 23rd. Female White-tailed Eagle G801 was once again active around the Wareham Channel and viewed from Slepe Heath. At Swineham, an evening vigil for Bittern resulted in a negative count however a roosting Cattle Egret in scrub along the south edge was good to find and could well be the individual that was in a field up near Purbeck school this morning, plus 2 Sand Martin were hawking over, 2 Marsh Harrier were off Swineham Point and 2 redhead Goosander flew over, heading NW. The Black Brant was off Ower again and 2 Red Kite were over Wareham during the morning. At the mouth of the Middlebere Channel, 5 Spoonbill were feeding and the Velvet Scoter was still off out in central harbour. There were 5 summer plumaged Black-necked Grebe off Jerry’s Point yesterday evening.

Spoonbill – Middlebere Channel – Alison Copland