Wow, the first of July…where is this year going? Although I feel we’re partly to blame for constantly wishing the summer away, just so we can see some autumn migrants arrive. Well, the June doldrums are now out of the way, and July heralds the true beginning of Autumn and we’re already seeing things begin to turn. We’re really beginning to think its been a good breeding season with plenty of young birds of numerous species being encountered around the harbour. Young Chiffchaff are already joining Long-tailed Tit flocks and it won’t be long before the first lovely lemon yellow Willow Warblers follow suit too. Today at Lytchett Fields there was an increase in waders again for a third day in a row with Green Sandpiper reaching double figures with 10 in totals, also 3 Little Ringed Plover again, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 52 Redshank, 59 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Marsh Harrier. Osprey’s were seen out over the Wareham Channel and it looks like LS7 was out over Morden Bog too. Sadly we also received a phone call that one of the Little Owl’s at Holton Lee was found dead on Saturday evening. We took it for an X-ray today and it thankfully highlighted no foul play, but did show a badly broken wing and it was very emaciated so could have been hit by a female Sparrowhawk or similar. On the Brownsea Lagoon 5 Spoonbill were still feeding at the back from the Mac Hide and at Middlebere the Great White Egret was seen again and there was also 1 Hobby, 30+ Black-tailed Godwit and 50+ Swallow.

Great White Egret – Middlebere – Keith Rawling

Little Owl – Holton Lee