We thought we’d got rid of the stormy weather, but no! It came back with vengeance today. As usual a good place to check during stormy weather is Baiter and as expected several large pools were created, providing bathing and feeding zones for a number of birds. Of note, 6 Sandwich Tern were present including 5 with full black hoods suggesting these are new arrivals, whilst at the same time 2 were on the Brownsea Lagoon webcam highlighting there are a minimum of 8 in the harbour. Also out on Baiter were 11 Ringed Plover, 4 Dunlin, 6 Turnstone and 30+ Med Gull later in the afternoon.  On Brownsea 2 Spoonbill were again feeding amongst c100 Avocet.

There was also a late report from Friday where 4 Common Crane were seen flying low across the flood meadows of Swineham and Wareham water meadows with 2 seen again the following day. This fits in with Saturdays sighting at Holton Lee too.

We’re also putting out a request for information from local student Elli Rivers who is carrying out a study in Poole Harbour over the next few years. Elli is after any wader corpses that are found in and around Poole Harbour as part of her research. If you do come across a wader corpse please let Elli know and if she can’t collect it right away then please call our office (01202 641003) and we can come out too. See below text…….

Dear Poole Harbour birdwatchers

I am an MSc Biodiversity Conservation student at Bournemouth and am currently undertaking a research project looking at the potential impact of plastics on the energy budgets of shorebirds in Poole Harbour. One factor is whether the birds have ingested any plastics, so if possible I am hoping to collect dead specimens which could be analysed. 

If anyone comes across a wader corpse in their travels around the harbour please do let me know – and if you were prepared to bag it up and keep hold of it for me I would be very grateful! I live about 50 mins away from Poole but I am quite flexible in my schedule so could come down to collect at short notice – so please be assured you wouldn’t be stuck with it for any length of time.

My mobile number is 07814 575848 and my email address is ellimarie.rivers@gmail.com

Many thanks,

Elli Rivers