Plenty of signs of spring today with the Barclays male and female Peregrine soaring over the George Roundabout, semi-displaying and seen to be visiting the nesting ledge again which is great news. In mild, sheltered spots along the Frome and Piddle Valley, Snowdrops, Crocus’s and Daffodils are all now fully in flower and Mistle Thrush, several Firecrest, Goldcrest and Chaffinch now all refining their spring songs, and almost delivering fully crystallised renditions of their familiar sounds. The water levels in Poole park are currently quite low, attracting in plenty of Black-tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher, some Redshank and Turnstone too, as well as a few Red-breasted Merganser. In Middlebere there were 3 Spotted Redshank. A Lesser Redpoll was over Middlebere, 2 Marsh Harrier were off Swineham and a Great White Egret was on the main pit. Finally, we often visit the ‘Straight of Gibraltar Bird Observatory‘ website this time of year as it provides info on the latest raptor and migrant bird passage across the straights, and although not mentioned on their website (yet), we read on Twitter this AM that the first Osprey of the spring crossed from Africa over to Gibraltar. This could well have only been over-wintering in North Africa (as apposed to West Africa), but the fact it’s headed north in recent days with the first Black Kites and Short-toed Eagles of the spring highlights some Osprey are now on the move! With the first UK birds arriving in mid-March, it’s now only weeks away until the possible excitement of Spring 2022 can begin.

Snowdrops, Crocus’s and Daffodils in Frome Valley