It felt like October was trying to make up for some of the wet, grotty weather we had back in late July/early august as temperatures soared to an almost tropical 20 degrees. This wouldn’t have felt so strange as an isolated occurrence but when 3 Whooper Swan appeared in Lytchett Bay there was certainly a backwards feeling to the moment as brow wiping rather than chattering teeth was the main bodily function! Viewable from anywhere around Lytchett Bay they stayed settled until around 15:15 before drifting out of the bay, but Bearded Tits were also logged in the reed beds near the viewing mound at Boarder Road. Spoonbill were spread out across the harbour with 7 on Brownsea, 1 in Holes Bay, 1 on Lytchett Fields and 20+ at Arne. There was a single ringtail Hen Harrier at Arne and the male was seen again near Middlebere along with a Merlin. The Stilt Sandpiper was still in Middlebere along with 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 300 Avocet, 1 Knot and 3 Spotted Redshank. At Lytchett Fields there were singles of Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper, 7 Ruff, 9 Green Sandpiper, 9 Greenshank and a Whinchat. Firecrests were at Arne with 3 in and around the car park, 1 a Knoll Beach and 1 in Upton CP. 

3 Whooper Swan – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam