Firstly, we’ve recently been sent some information from Natural England regarding the Poole Harbour SPA (Special Protection Area) and a developing initiative looking at bait digging and other recreational activities in the harbour. To read about this please click HERE.

Sightings wise, there was a bit to report including news from Middlebere of 3 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 768 Avocet, 684 Black-tailed Godwit, 427 Dunlin, 96 Redshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 300+ Lapwing, 176 Wigeon, Teal c.250, Brent Goose c.600 and a female Hen Harrier. There was a Scaup off Redhorn Quay and the Great White Egret was still in the Littlesea, Studland area. A Merlin was chasing Grey Plover, Dunlin and Knot over the Brownsea Lagoon and 25+ Spoonbill were still present at Shipstal.

Talking of Spoonbill, I’ve had information back from a colour-ringed individual that I photographed at Lytchett Bay on 30/12/14.

It was ringed as a chick at Markiezaat, Spuitkop, The Netherlands on 2^nd June 2014 at has been seen subsequently at the following sites…

30-7-2014 Scherpenisse, Scherpenissepold Kees Vliet Vlieland 51,53N  4,10E The Netherlands 15 km

12-11-2014 Grevelingen, Kabbelaarsbank Mark Hoekstein 51,75N  3,87E The Netherlands 43 km

30-12-2014  Dorset, Poole Harbour, 446 km away nesting ground –  Paul Morton