Early October normally sees a transition of migrants from warblers and chats to finches and thrush’s. We’re currently right at the beginning of that transition and any night now thrush passage should pick as mainly Song Thrush, Redwing and Blackbird arrive from the north with finches hopefully becoming more conspicuous at dawn. This morning a ringing session on Lytchett heath saw a mixture of both mid-autumn and late autumn passage with 3 Blackcap and 24 Chiffchaff still being ringed but also a light passage of Goldfinch, Chaffinch and Greenfinch overhead along with 4 migrating Mistle Thrush and a couple of Song Thrush. Also ringed during the ringing session was 1 Firecrest, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting and a mixture of common species. This evening a large flock of c650 alba Wagtail also roosted at Lytchett Heath. In Holes Bay NE there were 381 Wigeon, 4 adult Yellow-legged Gull and a single Knot. In Poole Park a Sandwich Tern opted for an easier meal by fishing in the main boating lake. In Middlebere there were 150+ Avocet, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank and 3 Spoonbill and on Shipstal 32 Spoonbill. Several winter Kingfisher are now back on territory with birds regularly being seen at Holton Pools, Holes Bay NW near the PC World outflow, Brownsea Lagoon and hopefully soon Poole Park!

Firecrest – Lytchett Heath – Shaun Robson

Cetti’s Warbler – Lytchett Heath – Paul Morton