Brands bay was busy on a rising tide with growing numbers of Teal (11) and Great-crested Grebes (14). 67 Curlew, 104 Black-tailed Godwit and 64 Mediterranean Gulls were also present.

Lytchett Bay had another unringed Osprey this evening plus a second Osprey that took eight attempts to finally catch a fish! 19 Greenshank and 25 Carrion crow were also recorded here.

Hartland moor was busy with autumn migrants this morning with 10 Spotted flycatchers, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 4 Blackcap, 4 Woodlark and 1 Redstart. Chiffchaff (10) are beginning to out number Willow warbler (2) as most of the latter would now have migrated.

The Osprey cruises began their morning and afternoon trips today. The morning was on a high tide and 3 Osprey were seen perching in a dead tree on the Arne peninsula. A White-tailed eagle provided distant views as it flew across the Wareham channel. Spoonbill were on the move with 9 seen flying in the Wareham channel and later 36 recorded on the Brownsea lagoon. The Brownsea lagoon had growing numbers of Ringed plover (50), Dunlin and Avocet numbers are now in the 30’s. Two year old male Osprey, 5H3 was also seen and photographed at the mouth of the River Frome.

The afternoon cruise was on a lower tide with good numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, a Greenshank and 6 Great-crested grebes seen in the Wareham channel. A White-tailed eagle briefly flew and landed almost completely camouflaged in a pine tree. Thankfully, a second, more obliging White-tailed Eagle (female G466) was found perched on a low, dead tree. After a few minutes, an adult Osprey was seen mobbing the eagle persistently before heading off to hunt for fish in the Lytchett Bay area. A Peregrine, Hobby and small groups of Whimbrel were also observed whilst cruising around the Wareham channel.

Hobby – Wareham channel – Harry McBride

Greenshank – Wareham channel – Harry McBride

White-tailed Eagle, female G466 – Wareham Channel – Harry McBride