There was a strange occurrence today when the Stilt Sandpiper, which had been feeding quite happily in Middlebere, arrived at Lytchett Fields mid morning with just one leg! Hopping around it eventually began feeding before then moving off high over the Bakers Arms a few hours later.  How this happened we don’t know, but will this see it remain in the harbour even longer or does it highlight the beginning of the end for this pretty incredible long-distance trans-Atlantic migrant? Also at Lytchett Fields 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Little Stint, 1 Spoonbill, 3 Ruff, 1 Peregrine, 1 Merlin, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Yellow-legged Gull in Lytchett Bay. The Brownsea Lagoon was given a full count and produced 330 Avocet, 21 Greenshank, 15 Spotted Redshank, 245 Common Redshank, 2 Little Stint, 160 Dunlin, 2 Turnstone, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, 1 Knot, 2 Grey Plover and 36 Spoonbill. There are now 3 Hen Harrier about, with the adult male again seen near Middlebere and now 2 ringtails were seen together briefly. 

Hen Harrier – Middlebere –  Mark Wright (Twitter)