As predicted the weather really set in today and by mid afternoon it was lashing down….oh the joys of June! There was a bit of birding to be had through the morning and amazingly last weeks Common Crane was seen again flying west along the Arne Road at 6:15am and was again seen later flying over Wareham around 10:30am. We also managed to ring our first Barn Owl chicks of the year with 4 healthy chicks at a nest box in Ridge. We had only put this box up within the last couple of years so are really pleased its now being used after a blank first year. Its been a good season for Barn Owls so far this year with pairs at Middlebere, Arne, Ridge, Swineham, Worgret and also a likely pair near Holton Lee.The Arne Osprey wasn’t seen today, however Marsh Harriers were seen over Arne Moors and at Middlebere where there were also 6 Grey Plover out on the mud. There were also still 5 Spoonbill on Lytchett Fields. A brief sea watch at Branksome Chine produced 46 Manx Shearwater, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Fulmar and 5 Gannet.

Barn Owl chicks – Ridge