As autumn presses on, winter also begins to creep in with the seasons first Goldeneye settled in the Wareham Channel this AM in the form of a fine drake, plus there were 2 Red-breasted Merganser out in South Deep and a thin spread of Great Crested Grebes across the harbour. The Brownsea Lagoon was busy again with c400 Avocet, but only 13 Spoonbill with the rest over on Shipstal Point. Brownsea also held Dunlin, Ringed Plover, a few Greenshank, Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit, 30+ Turnstone, c200 Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Curlew. It was good for harriers again today with 6+ Marsh Harrier around the Swineham/Keysworth area and the recent juv male Hen Harrier was also bombing around Arne Moors seen from our Autumn Safari cruise this AM getting into frequent scraps with the local Carrion Crows and a the odd Marsh Harrier. This morning 6 Redwing passed over Seaview, Parkstone and 1 went over the Carey ringing station. There was a decent push of Swallow and a few House Martin over Swineham with what looked like a very late Common Swift all heading south. The small group of 5 Glossy Ibis were still out in the Wareham channel roosting at Keysworth, a Great White Egret was off Giggers Island, the lone juv Common Tern was still present off the Brownsea north shore and c15 Sandwich Tern were spread across the harbour. Up high above central harbour 2 migrant Sparrowhawk were following the migrating Meadow Pipit and 2 Red Kite were soaring over Holton Lee. later in the day a White-tailed Eagle was in Brands Bay.

Avocet flying towards Brownsea from this AMs Autumn Safari – Alison Copland