There were some more signs of passage and bird movements this morning when a Corn Bunting dropped down onto Ballard, sung for 30 seconds, before then moving off north again. Although Corn Bunting are making a good come back in Dorset, they’re still are rare bird in Poole Harbour with only 1-2 records per year. Also noted moving at Ballard this AM included 3 Yellowhammer, 7 Siskin, 27 Meadow Pipit and a few alba Wagtails. At Holmebridge the 2 Mandarin Duck were still present, a Barnacle Goose was on Holme Lane Gravel Pit, a Long-tailed Duck was seen off Jerry’s Point with a Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 3 Great Northern Diver, in Middlebere there was a Merlin and 2 Marsh Harrier, with another 2 Marsh Harrier in the Wareham Channel plus a White-tailed Eagle eating a fish. A Wheatear was out on Greenlands, Studland and the redhead Goosander was still in Holes Bay NE.

Northern Wheatear – Greenlands Farm, Studland – Rob Johnson

Stonechat – Ballard Down – Nick Hopper