A warm and sunny day plus a decent stretch of low tide meant that plenty of birds were observed across the harbour. At Arne, 10 Shelduck were spotted with several almost fully grown youngsters in the group. During this time of year, many adult Shelduck migrate to the Wadden sea, off the coasts of Germany and the Netherlands for a late summer moult. This leaves many young birds to gather in creches within the harbour.

1 Whimbrel, 30 Curlew 200 Black-tailed godwit, 8 Swallow, Dartford warbler, Osprey, Marsh harrier and 6 Siskin also seen at Arne.

During our Sunset Cruise around the harbour, we had lovely views of the growing numbers of Black-tailed godwits, many of them still in their breeding plumage. At least 200 were seen on the rising tide in the Wareham Channel. Male, White-tailed eagle G463 was spotted in a distant Pine tree, but soon took off heading low across the water. G463 has only one foot, but this didn’t stop him from effortlessly grabbing prey and heading back to the Arne beach area to devour it. An amazing spectacle for everyone on board to see! 2 Spoonbill were feeding in the slightly deeper areas of the Wareham channel along with numerous Little Egret. The Mute swan ‘youth club’ appears to be getting bigger with at least 70 young swans in the mouth of the River Frome, this evening they were also joined by 2 escapee Black swans. 8 Greenshank also seen in the same area and 2 Marsh harrier over Gigger’s island.

Bearded tits were briefly seen and heard along the River Frome, and at least 20 Common sandpiper in total, with good numbers along the northern shores of Brownsea Island. The Brownsea Lagoon was getting busy as the tide was rising, 20 Curlew, 100 Dunlin, 2 Sanderling, 6 Bar-tailed godwit (newly arrived migrant birds), 8 Greenshank, 20 Redshank, 150 Common tern, 180 Sandwich tern and 40 Greater black-backed gulls (several fully grown youngsters amongst them).

An ‘unknown’ Osprey at Arne – dizzygirl66@bsky.social