The Black Guillemot was again off the south-east corner of Brownsea Island, favouring the area in between the green and red marker posts that sit fairly close together. Again, viewing is really only possible from the houseboats at Bramble Bush Bay. At dawn a Short-eared Owl was hunting over Slepe Heath…we wish this bird would be a bit more consistent! It doesn’t currently seem to have a set routine or favoured spot to hunt making it quite difficult to view. Maybe as the winter progresses it will find its rhythm! A night ringing session at a site next to Hartland Moor was a bit more productive than last week with 2 new Woodcock caught and ringed (both adults) along with 1 Common Snipe, 1 Redwing and 1 Stock Dove. There was also a decent passage of Redwing overhead for most of the night with many birds being heard over urban areas between 7pm and 10pm.

Woodcock – Hartland Moor – Mike Gould