Another blisteringly cold day, but not too cold for our School Bird Boat that ventured out this morning up the Wareham Channel. Once again there were plenty of Marsh Harrier buzzing around Swineham Point, plus a Peregrine bombed through. A Black Redstart was on houses along Austin Avenue, Lilliput this morning and the Northern Wheatear was still on private land at Wallisdown Waterworks. Both adult Peregrines were on the Asda building this morning, with a Water Rail head found below the feeding ledge this afternoon having been blown off the cache area. Water Rail are common night migrants during October and November, many arriving with the Woodcock from eastern Europe. With the lights of Poole making hunting easier for the Peregrines, catching passing night migrating species such as Water Rail, Woodcock, Redwing, Fieldfare and Golden Plover isn’t uncommon for them. A strong wind ofen blows the Peregrines remains off the feeding ledge, giving a great insight into what our urban Peregrines are feeding on.

Water Rail head outside Asda flats, remains of a Peregrine kill – Tanya Hart