It was another great day to be out, as although it was overcast there was zero wind making looking and listening for birds a sheer delight and much easier. We were keeping an eye on the Brownsea Lagoon all day as it felt like the kind of day when birds could just ‘drop in’ and sure enough early morning saw a mixed flock of 30 Dunlin, 1 Sanderling and 1 Ringed Plover settle on the ‘boomerang’ all day before heading out to feed on the afternoons low tide. By mid afternoon it was worrying to see that no Common Tern were settled on the main breeding island on the lagoon although several were there in the morning. Its possible they only went out to feed and breeding evidence may evolve over the coming week but several Canada Geese and Graylags are also making the islands a regular dinner and supper spot it seems so are we seeing a level of disturbance that’s preventing the terns from settling? At Lytchett Fields there were just shy of 100 Black-tailed Godwit (98) feeding all bar three were still in winter plumage, also 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin and 2 Whimbrel there.

Oystercatcher – Baiter – John Pick