This morning was our June field trip which was hosted at Holton Lee courtesy of Livability, the charity that runs the site. Holton Lee is a wonderful reserve however it is a private site which you gain access too simply by becoming a friend of Holton Lee. It holds a good-sized piece of heathland, mixed woodland, reed beds, great views of Lytchett bay and the Wareham Channel as well as open pasture and mixed scrub habitats. Highlights from our trip included 2 Woodlark, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Dartford Warbler, 5 Stonechat, 1 Hobby, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Tit, family parties of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. On Lytchett Fields a single Curlew, 2 Redshank, 5 Teal and 26 Gadwall were recorded. A night recording session around the harbour produced nothing more than several Nightjar, although one did literally come down and practically sit on top of one of our microphones!

Nightjar – Churring of male – Arne Road – 04/06/16

Cuckoo – Holton Lee – Paul Morton

Holton Lee Field Trip – Barbara Bisset