Having been away in Somerset for the last four days it was great to get out onto a Poole Harbour heathland this afternoon. A vigil from Slepe Heath produced an Osprey over the Wareham Channel (the first to be seen over the last few days), a Hobby over the Arne Road. There were also 3 Willow Warbler singing around the fringes of Slepe Heath along with a Cuckoo. A good number of freshly fledged, yellow gaped Dartford Warbler were dotted around the heath. At Sunnyside Farm Lapwing were still active over the site, hopefully suggesting that they’re now with young. Plenty of Silver-studded Blue Butterfly were on the wing. At Lytchett Fields there were 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Teal, 12 Lapwing, 7 Redshank, 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Grey Plover. A nice record of 2 Barn Owl hunting near Greenlands Farm, Studland was a welcome surprise. We did put up a Barn Owl box there some years ago so we’re hoping this could be a pair that’s taken up residence at this site? A good total of 11 Nightjar were logged calling across Godlingston Heath and 2 Cuckoo were very vocal there too until after dark.
Although you couldn’t see further than 100m for much of the day, there were birds to be found…
Find out moreSo cold! Mid-week was delightful with even a hint of spring warmth, but today was proper chilly. Cold…
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