A fascinating day for a number of reasons. Most significantly was a flock of 19 Cattle Egret that entered the harbour through the harbour entrance this morning around 8am, logged by Graham Armstrong. This is the second highest total for this species in the. harbour after 23 were logged togther late in August 2017 entering the harbour. An over-wintering flock of 17-19 were also present in East Holme during the 2017-18 winter period. Where they’re heading is anyones guess, and we’re not sure if they’ve stopped off or pushed on straight through, but either way, still a great visual spectacle. To compliment the Cattle Egret there were 2 Great White Egret in Middlebere and another at Lytchett Fields where the Pectoral Sandpiper also reappeared. Male White-tailed Eagle G461 entered the harbour again today and was seen a couple of times over the Wareham Channel and then again over Middlebere. He definitely seems to enjoy the Wareham Channel and Middlebere area whenever he comes back this way. Is over-wintering a possibility? More Redwing pulsed over last night and this morning with the first of the season being ringed at our ringing demo event this AM at Lytchett Bay, along with the first arriving crests as 5 Firecrest were ringed along with several Goldcrest. It seems like its going to be a poor autumn for crests with ringing sites and east coast sites reporting very very few numbers so far this autumn. In Brands Bay the Scaup was present along with 7 Red-breasted Merganser and a Red-throated Diver was off Shipstal Beach, Arne where c50 Spoonbill are still present.

Distant pectoral Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Garry Hayman