A Survey boat departed this morning and meandered down the Wareham Channel logging a plethora of species. Highlights included huge wader numbers comprised of 1874 Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel and 16 Avocet among others. Other notable sightings include 11 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Brent Geese, 240 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 48 Little Egret, 6 Greylag Geese, 2 Sandwich Tern, 240 Black-headed Gull and singles of Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Snipe and Greenshank. Hirundine passage continued to trickle through with a splattering of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin sightings. Additional sightings from Swineham include 197 Coot, 1 Pochard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Ruff and 22 Lapwing.

Our second consecutive Osprey watch morning at Holes Bay came up trumps again with an un-ringed juvenile Osprey fishing over the bay, attracting a crowd of 50 or so onlookers. Feeding flocks of Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatcher were also observed along with Black-headed Gull, Wigeon, Teal, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail.

Last night our sound recording equipment was set up in the Corfe Castle Gap and identified 21 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, and singles of Brent Goose, Oystercatcher and Moorhen. Sunnyside recorded passage Goldcrest and Blackcap whilst Lytchett Fields there were 15 Spoonbill, singles of Hobby, Whinchat, Grey Plover and 5 Bearded Tit. The max Spoonbill count was recorded at over, logging a flock of 50 individuals. 

A juvenile Honey Buzzard was logged over the Piddle Valley late afternoon and another Osprey was in Brands Bay too. Around Swineham/Piddle floods there were 2 Ruff, 22 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Snipe.

Osprey – Holes Bay South – Fiona Liddiard