The first Yellow-browed Warbler of the Autumn was heard in the harbour today at RSPB Arne calling next to the cafe. The 2 Brambling were also still present here and both were successfully caught and ringed under license. There was a huge amount of action in the Arne Moors/Swineham area today from our Autumn Safari Cruise with 2 Pink-footed Geese feeding on the shingle islands on Arne Moors. These are likely to be the birds that have been seen over the past few weeks further West at Silverlake, and have finally arrived in the harbour, amongst the huge growing flock of Canadas and Greylags. These were visible from Slepe Heath and the growing number of geese certainly makes other rare geese a good possibility in the coming weeks. 1 immature Merlin was in the mouth of the River Piddle and was later being chased by/chasing a Peregrine. 2 immature Peregrine were in the Wareham Channel practising their hunting, diving at other birds of prey, Curlew and anything they saw. 1 White-tailed Eagle also flew straight past the boat. At least 4 Bearded Tit were in the mouth of the River Frome. On the Brownsea Lagoon there were 3 Grey Plover, c300 Avocet, 14 Greenshank, c20 Bar-tailed Godwit and a slowly growing number of Dark-bellied Brent Geese (c10). 1 Spotted Redshank was at RSPB Lytchett Fields.

Male Brambling – Caught and ringed under license