That’s it now, we can forget all about Covid:19 as autumn is officially here! What better distraction than the magic autumn of migration. We, know, we’re always banging on about how early autumn starts, and to get out and start looking etc etc, but it really and truthfully is the most exciting period of the birding calendar, and the best part is, is that it extends for four and a half months! Starting with the first early passage waders in July such as Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank and Common Sandpiper. Then as July moves on the first Willow Warblers, Garden Warblers and Grasshopper Warblers begin to appear before things really kick off in August as a whole suit of other passerines build in numbers such as Common and Lesser Whitethroat, Redstarts, Pied and Spotted Flycatcher, Whinchats, Yellow Wagtail and of course building numbers of Swallow and House Martin. August and September also see the passage of exciting waders like Little Stint, Ruff, Curlew and Wood Sandpiper. Then, as September grows old and gives way to October the finch, pipit, wagtail, bunting and thrush passage begin with coastal headlands being the best places visit as huge numbers can pass over these areas on a cold October morning. Then, by the end of October and early November big numbers of winter thrushes pass over, normally peaking in the first week of November. And of course….we can’t forget about the mass Woodpigeon migration which normally takes place between Nov 5^th and 15^th over the harbour, depending on the weather patterns. So, if there was ever a time to re-focus and remind our selves of the richness of our local area when it comes to our birds, now is most definitely the time.

Today, at Lytchett Fields there was an increase in Little Ringed Plover as a new migrant adult joined the family group, so 3 adults and 2 juveniles were present, so was the Spotted Redshank again, 29 Common Redshank, c60 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Common Sandpiper, 6 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier and c15 Teal. On Slepe Heath there were c6 Nightjar churring, also a Hobby was calling at dusk and a Green Sandpiper flew over calling just after sunset. On the Brownsea Lagoon the new Avocet family with 4 chicks seem to be doing well, keeping away from the Great Black-backed Gulls.

Nightjar – Slepe Heath