There seem to be a lot of Blackcap being reported from people’s gardens around the Poole and outer conurbation area with some gardens in central Poole even seeing up to and between 5-10 different individual birds visiting at any one time. One way to attract Blackcap at this time of year is by placing ‘fat cakes’ out but they also love fruit too. These birds have an interesting background and aren’t hangers on from of our own summer population here in the UK but have in fact all been found to come from central Europe where they prefer to spend the winter in the south-western and southern shores of our country, rather than making the long journey all the way down into the Mediterranean which is where our summering Blackcap go. This behaviour is nothing new, and has been going on for several decades now, however it seems more and more are choosing to over-winter in the UK, taking advantage of food rich gardens and warm winters which makes you wonder how long it will be until our summering Blackcap just decide to stay too. For more info READ HERE.

Highlights from today included 3 Goldeneye and 2 Red-breasted Merganser in Poole Park, 20+ Spoonbill on Shipstal Point, 1 Great Northern Diver from the Chain Ferry, good variety of wildfowl in Holes Bay north and Upton Country Park and a Marsh Titat Holmebridge. At last a Bittern has been seen in the harbour with a bird seen in flight over the mouth of the Frome at dawn which we hope may show again throughout the rest of the winter. Swineham Point would be a good place to check at dawn and dusk. Also a tight group of 10 Cattle Egret were seen heading west along the Arne Moors shoreline which are likely to be the Holme Lane birds heading out to feed. Its also nice when out birding to spot other interesting wildlife sightings and this morning we found fresh Otter tracks underneath Holmebridge.

Otter Tracks – Holmebridge