Today saw another slight hint of spring with harbours second Swallow of the year dashing over the Wareham by pass, being blown east against its will. There was also a slight increase in Sand Martin with c12, possibly up to 15 over Swineham GP at midday. We were also sent a photo of a Common Chiffchaff that had made landfall in Langton Matravers which was not only sporting a nice BTO metal ring, but also a full face of pollen too, indicating that this was a freshly arrived migrant and not a hanger on from the winter. With so many Chiffchaff over-wintering in the area now it’s difficult to know whether the Chiffchaff we see and hear at this time of year are true, fresh arrivals from the south, but with faces full of pollen like the bird below, there’s really no question. In Middlebere there were 3 Spoonbill and in Poole Park, 281 Black-tailed Godwit were feeding, many of them almost in full summer finery. The female Hen Harrier was seen again at Middlebere and it seems there has been a small amount of exchange in the number of Marsh Harrier visiting the harbour in recent weeks with 2 young males since early March which seemed to have moved on, but three others (looking all female types) leaving the west harbour roost this AM. Many thanks Peter Hadrill for this info. Will this be another blank breeding season for Marsh Harrier in the harbour? We really hope not!!!

Common Chiffchaff – Langton Matravers – Pete Christie

Black-tailed Godwit – Poole Park – Ian Ballam