Another stunning spring day started off a bit grey and murky, but produced one of my favourite spring migrants, a Ring Ouzel. It was up on top of the ridge at Challow Hill, Corfe and quite happily sat in a bush whilst I photographed and filmed it. There were a number of other migrants present including 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, c10 Chiffchaff, c10 Swallow and 2 Stonechat as well as a bit of vis-mig too as Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin and Meadow Pipit were all passing in small numbers overhead.

Ring Ouzel – Challow Hill – Corfe Castle

To watch in HD press the play icon and hover the curser over the cog shaped symbol and click on 1080.

I have also been sent some interesting photos that shows a pair of Avocet mating on Brownsea Island at the weekend, which I also witnessed on the Brownsea webcam today too. Now, this doesn’t mean they’re necessarily going to stay to raise young, as there is still time for them to depart back to a breeding ground elsewhere, however the courting behaviour seems faithful to one particular area, looking as if they could be setting up a territory. We’ll be keeping a close eye on things as this would be the first Avocet nesting attempt in Poole Harbour since 2006.

p.s Yesterdays mystery sound was a Shelduck.