A far better day today with the wind dropping right off over night. The harbour resumed being back to it’s calm tranquil self this morning, and as a result good birding resumed. From our Summer Safari cruise this AM we were treated to a spectacular show of a male Osprey catching a fish, only to then be chased down by male White-tailed Eagle G463. Thankfully the Osprey got away. We thought initially the Osprey was 022, but looking at photos we think it may have been new male 5H3. Also caught up in the middle were 1 Peregrine and 2 Hobby, which also had ‘a pop’ at the eagle. At Swineham 10+ Bearded Tit were flying around the reed beds, with multiple juveniles sitting high on reed heads giving great views. Out on the mud in the Wareham Channel c250 Black-tailed Godwit were feeding super close to the boat and there were also 3 Greenshank and 2 Whimbrel. On the Brownsea Lagoon today there were 6 Spoonbill, 2 Avocet, 12 Common Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank, c400 Sandwich and Common Tern and 10+ Dunlin. During our Carey Osprey Tours today, there were plenty of flights around the nest from the three chicks, with 5R6 still remaining on the nest, although doing some impressive helicoptering. We’re pretty sure an ‘intruder’ Osprey came towards the nest, with CJ7 alarm-calling and quickly seeing it off. Potentially 5H3? It was another raptor fest, with 4 Common Buzzard, 1 Hobby, and 1 juvenile Peregrine. Also of note were 1 adult and 1 juvenile Green Woodpecker. The ringing season got off to a flying start in the Lower Piddle Valley with the first 6 Grasshopper Warbler of the autumn ringed, along with the first passage Willow Warblers, Sedge Warblers, Whitethroats and a Kingfisher. Finally, after several hours of watching, the Purple Heron re-appeared this morning and then again this afternoon at Little Sea, Studland, where there was also a Great White Egret. 

White-tailed Eagle G463 chasing male Osprey 022 in the Wareham Channel this AM from our Summer Safari Cruise – Martin Wright

Black-tailed Godwits – Wareham Channel – Alison Copland

Grasshopper Warbler – Lower Piddle Valley – Ed Betteridge