Isn’t it funny that when discussing the lack of Osprey, three come along at once…well, three sightings at least. Around mid morning one was seen circling above Lytchett Bay only then to disappear off west, heading towards Wareham Forest. Then, in the early afternoon another (the same?) was seen sat in the normal dead trees over at Middlebere. Whilst this bird was being watched one of the Arne wardens was watching one feed on a fish off the bottom of Grip Heath. Now that we have birds arriving in the harbour, it would be great to receive all sightings where and when possible to monitor how long they’re hanging around for. Brittany Maxted who carried last years autumn Osprey study (which will be published soon) has independently set up a new online Osprey recording form. Please report all your Poole Harbour Osprey sightings over the coming year HERE.

Elsewhere there were a scattering of Migrants with a Wheatear up on Hartland Stud and 2 Willow Warbler along Soldiers Road. At the PCW Drain 5 Willow Warbler were in song along with 10+ Chiffchaff and 5 Blackcap were present. At Holton Lee 2 Tree Pipit, 10+ Chiffchaff, 2 Green Sandpiper and 2 Greenshank were noted. On Brownsea, Sandwich Tern totals had increased to 33 with 3 Brent Geese still present on the lagoon with 2 Spotted Redshank and 2 Greenshank with both Chiffchaff and Blackcap singing in the wood. At Lytchett Bay a male Brambling was seen with a colour-ringed Greenshank, 39 Sand Martin, a male White Wagtail, 2 Blackcap and 200+ Black-tailed Godwit. At Holes Bay 2 Knot were in amongst 519 Black-tailed Godwit. Whilst collecting in our sound equipment from our listening station before the rain set in a modest passage of Swallow, Sand and House Martin passed over. Highlights from Monday nights recording session included our first Water Rail and Greenshank of the spring, also 1 Moorhen, 1 Redshank, 3 lateish Redwing calls, 7 Song Thrush calls and numerous Oystercatcher and Curlew calls. 

Water Rail – calls of a night time migrant – Listening Station, Old Town Poole – 05/04/16

Not a Water Rail night call we experience that often. Below is a more typical call you’d expect from a Water Rail whilst migrating at night. 

Water Rail – Flight calls of a night time migrant – Lytchett Matravers

Osprey – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam

Green Sandpiper – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam

Tree Pipit – Holton Lee – Paul Morton