Unlike most passage migrants that pass through the harbour in both spring and autumn there are some that just pass through during the latter part of the year and can sum up Autumn migration all on their own. One of those species is Yellow-browed Warbler, a bird that was once considered an extreme rarity but is now a regular migrant each October. Although several had appeared across the UK in recent weeks, it was no where near as ‘busy’ with YBW this autumn compared to recent years…that was until today. An estimated 500 turned up across the UK, mostly along the east coast but one did manage to trickle its way down to us with one ringed and logged moving through Ballard Down. With so many in the UK now (and more probably arriving) its well worth keeping an eye and an ear out for these dinky autumn delights. Also logged moving through Ballard was 27 Chiffchaff, 44 Blackcap, 1 late Common Redstart, 1 Song Thrush but only 1 Goldfinch…where are the finches??? On Brownsea there were 8 Spoonbill and c350 Avocet and later 8 Spoonbill were also in Lytchett Bay including colour-ringed bird ‘AE’ which was ringed in Holland in 2006 and has been seen regularly in Lytchett Bay/Poole harbour since 2013. Lytchett also had its first Merlin of the autumn. In Wareham at least 1 Cattle Egret remained along the causeway. A nocturnal sound recording session at Holton Lee saw thrush passage increase slightly with almost equal amounts of Redwing (45 calls) and Song Thrush (42 calls) passing over during the course of the night.
Eight Spoonbill – Lytchett Bay – Shaun Robson
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