Despite being a fairy yucky day in the end, a good range of species were logged across the harbour. Nothing really ‘springy’, but plenty of winter interest still about. A male Hen Harrier dashed across Arne Moors, heading towards Swineham, which is a new bird in. An Eider was off South Haven, Studland and the Black Brant was tucked in amongst 200 Brent Geese off Shipstal where there were also 8 Spoonbill. The White-fronted Goose was still out on Bestwall fields with a few Greylag Geese. At Lytchett Fields counts consisted of 1 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank and 1 Green Sandpiper. Before the wind and rain kicked in, a peaceful morning was enjoyed as four species of thrush were in full song at Holton Lee with Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush and Redwing. Everyone tends to be familiar with Redwing flight calls which is the thin descending ‘zeeet’ call they often use at night, but only in early March do we ever hear them actually sing before then departing later in the month. Also at Holton Lee the Little Owl was getting grief from the local Nuthatches and Goldfinch charm, a Woodlark was in song, a Peregrine was on one of the pylons and on the heath several Dartford and Stonechat were active. The big female Peregrine was again on the tall section of the Asda building.
Spring seems to be creeping along with more displaying and nest building birds today, including multiple Raven pairs/territories…
Find out moreAlthough you couldn’t see further than 100m for much of the day, there were birds to be found…
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