Autumn presses on with waders continuing to arrive or pass through, settling at sites around the harbour. Lytchett Fields was packed this morning with the rising tide, with totals consisting of 508 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 105 Redshank, 7 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin, 9 Greenshank, 3 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper and 60 Lapwing. In Brands Bay the last couple of days Common Gull numbers have been building (a tad earlier than normal) but there’s also been a selection of returning common waders including 2 Ringed Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 44 Black-tailed Godwit, 56 Redshank and 10 Dunlin. These strong winds have been keeping small passerines at bay, but we’re sure when these winds ease the more Wheatear, Redstarts etc will begin appearing. On Brownsea 5 Avocet were present (their numbers seem down so far this August) and Holes Bay also had a good selection of common waders including 115 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Curlew, c30 Redshank and 20 Little Egret roosting on Pergins Island. At Holme lane Gravel Pit there was a juvenile Mandarin Duck.

Dunlin – Brownsea Lagoon – Clare Slade