Although we’re only in the early stages of the summer months, the first signs of autumn migration occurred today right on cue with the first 2 Green Sandpiper of the autumn appearing at Middlebere this evening, with another logged in north Dorset the day before. The BTO also announced today that some of their sat-tagged Cuckoo’s from this summer are already now down in central France, also having started their autumn migrations south. There were 2 on Hartland today, but these were probably birds that have been around for most of the spring. Also another possible sign that autumn is creeping in was an adult Yellow-legged Gull in Middlebere. These are the southern European equivalent to our Herring Gulls, and tend to breed a bit earlier in the year. Many then have a northerly Autumn migration with adults often arriving mid-late summer and fresh juveniles often following suit it August. There were 2 adult Little Ringed Plover on the Stilt Pools, Swinheam, and 3 different White-tailed Eagles were seen including both our resident adults (G463 & G466) which were around Middlebere and the Wareham Channel, and recently arrived 2024 juvenile G704.

Green Sandpiper – Middlebere – Garry Hayman

Adult Yellow-legged Gull – Middlebere – Garry Hayman