Firstly, an interesting observation was made by SRG (Stour Ringing Group) this week when a control Chiffchaff was caught in the north of the harbour, which was first ringed on November 3^rd 2015 in Southampton. This is interesting as it highlights the first proven winter movement for this species to Poole Harbour. We’re currently unaware of other documented winter movements of Chiffchaff from elsewhere in the country as typically birds seem to tend to arrive at an over-wintering site and remain for the duration of the winter. The date this bird was first ringed could suggest it was still on its autumn migration though as some Chiffchaff can still be seen migrating well in to late October. SRG also had a great control of an Oystercatcher first ringed on Brownsea on Oct 2^nd 2011 and was seen in Leidschendam, The Netherlands on Feb 8^th 2016.

Todays birds included the Barn Owl again at RSPB Lytchett Fields with 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Greenshank and 4 Med Gulls. There certainly seems to be a lot more Med Gull around now with good numbers coming into roost in the evenings and they’re generally a bit more obvious around the harbour fringes now. A single Spoonbill flew over Lytchett Bay and 15 were out on Shipstal. At Holton Lee, Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming rapidly this morning and a (relatively) large flock of c80 Redwing were on the Horse Fields. Out in the Wareham Channel, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 9 Goldeneye and 1 Great Northern Diver seemed to form a loose roost at dusk and a Woodcock flew over the approach track. Siskins are very conspicuous at the moment with small groups and larger flocks feeding in numerous Alder trees, with behind PC World, Holton Lee and Poole Park being good places to look. A single possible northern race Long-tailed Tit passed through a garden in Stoborough mid-afternoon.