What a perfect way to see out February and the end of metrological winter, with what we hope is setting the tone for a beautiful and perfect spring to come. After the frost thawed out, we were left with pristine, perfect early spring day with signs of Spring all around the harbour. Another Northern Wheatear appeared, this time at Middlebere, with a handsome male on show. Common Chiffchaff were singing at Holme Lane, Carey Secret Garden, RSPB Arne and Swineham. The first 3 Sandwich Terns of the season were on the Brownsea Lagoon and Woodlark were in full song at traditional sites. Buzzards were in full display mode right across the harbour skyline and both Goshawk and Sparrowhawk were both seen displaying over harbour airspace too. Winter specialities remained, with the 5 Black-throated Diver still off Evening Hill, 10 Black-necked Grebe were off Middle Beach, Studland, the Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver were off Jerry’s Point. Other signs of movement included a Golden Plover over Holme Lane this AM with 3 Goosander over Hatch Pond, Poole and a small trickle of Meadow Pipits were arriving in off the sea. A Great White Egret arrived in down the Frome Valley mid-morning and 5 Cattle Egret were in the Piddle Valley, and this evening 18 Cattle Egret went into the Swineham Roost along with 1 Great White Egret, 15+ Little Egret and 5 Spoonbill dropped down onto the Piddle floods to roost, plus a Barn Owl also flew through. This afternoon six different White-tailed Eagles were in the west of the harbour, moving between the Wareham Channel and the Frome Valley. The Barnacle Goose was still at Holmebridge this morning and there were single of Spotted Redshank in Middlebere and Lytchett Bay.

Goshawk – Poole Harbour south

Spotted Redshank – Middlebere