What a great start to September! The boat this morning went out on a rising tide, with the mudflats buzzing with activity as we reached the top end of the Wareham Channel. Amongst the large numbers of Black-tailed Godwit was a small flock of 20+ Dunlin, as well as rising numbers of 30+ Avocet. 1 Spoonbill was seen in flight over the channel, and a few streams of 40+ Curlew were seen departing the mudflats later in the morning. There were at least 3 Osprey active in the area through the day, with close views of a juvenile over the boat this morning. White-tailed Eagle G801 was visible on the Arne shoreline for much of the day, while the young male G816 was seen over Lytchett Bay. Marsh Harrier activity picked up again in the Wareham Channel, with a moulting adult male putting on a show for the boats, as well as a juvenile visible quartering over the marsh regularly.

The highlight of reports today was a male Ruff was sighted in Brands Bay near Redhorn this morning, though was not able to be re-located later ing the day. Elsewhere in Brands Bay, a count produced  15 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Brent Geese, 153 Teal, 13 Ringed Plover, 2 Knot, 1 Greenshank, 112 Redshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 141+ Black-tailed Godwit, 13 Dunlin, 14 Sanderling, 2 Turnstone, and a summer plumage Grey Plover. A Redstart was also seen amongst the vegetation in Brands Bay. 1 Spotted Redshank was reported from Lytchett Fields this morning, as well as 1 Marsh Harrier. On top of Hartland there were 40+ Yellow Wagtail in amongst the cattle and 1 Whinchat and 3 Whitethroat there. A different Osprey from yesterday was seen hunting in Holes Bay. Around Middlebere there was a good passage of Sand Martin, House Martin and Swallow and in the channel there were c180 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Avocet, 4 Greenshank, 1 Spoonbill, 1 Snipe, 1 Hobby, 1 Sparrowhawk, a late Swift, 1 Whinchat, 5 Stonechat, 2 Chiffchaff and a couple of fresh in Shoveler and Pintail.

White-tailed Eagle (G801) – Arne shoreline – Mark Wright

Juvenile Osprey – Wareham Channel – Mark Wright