What another perfect early spring day in all regards. We appreciate we may have been a bit hasty stating that our male Osprey 022 had returned on Wednesday. There was definitely an Osprey at the nest site as we saw it fly off, but can only conclude it must have been a passing migrant as theres been no sign since. All being well one of the pair will arrive back perhaps over the weekend seeing as the weather is perfect for Ospreys to arrive. Despite no Osprey sightings today, the harbour provided a perfect transitional spectacle with elements of winter still in view, but Spring certainly taking over. A handful of Great Northern Diver are hanging on with 2 off the Brownsea shorelines and c20 Red-breasted Merganser were out in South Deep. There seems to be more Sandwich Tern about with their calls ringing out off the lagoon sea wall this morning from our Spring Safari, along with multiple calling and displaying Mediterranean Gulls. The Brownsea Lagoon hosted the Forster’s Tern this morning also 2 Eurasian Spoonbill (including a breeding plumaged individual), c30 Avocet, 2 of which were seen copulating, 8 Greenshank, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, c400 Black-tailed Godwit and 20 Turnstone. At Swineham up to 5 Marsh Harrier were active plus a White-tailed Eagle flew across central harbour. There were also 4 Little Ringed Plover on the Stilt Pools at Swineham and 4 Sand Martin and 1 Water Pipit flew over. A bit later in the afternoon 3 White-tailed Eagle were circling over Upton, a few more Red Kite were on the move with 3 over Keysworth, 1 over Rockley Park and another over Godlingston. Another Willow Warbler arrived with 1 at South Haven, Studland and the 3 Glossy Ibis were spread across Wareham Common.

Mediterranean Gull – Brownsea Lagoon – Joe Parker

Sandwich Tern – Brownsea Lagoon – Joe Parker

Spoonbill and Avocet – Brownsea Lagoon – Joe Parker

Great Northern Diver – North Channel, off Baiter – Alison Copland