Another decent early autumn day, with all the feel of a chilly mid-September morning for our first Autumn Safari of the season this morning. There were loads of mid-September goodies on the Brownsea Lagoon including 1-2 Little Stint, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 59 Spoonbill, 2 Common Sandpiper, c40 Dunlin, c200 Avocet, 2 Sanderling, c100 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Sandwich Tern, 1 Med Gull and small numbers of Gadwall and Shoveler. We were also in for a real surprise when we learnt that one of our Carey Osprey chicks from this summer, male 5R4, who hasn’t been seen for about a month, suddenly appeared in Middlebere and then ventured to the Wareham Channel where we saw him from the cruise. Where he’s been over the last few weeks is anyones guess, but he’s obviously doing well and fending for himself already! This is the first time a Poole Harbour fledged Osprey chick has stayed and taught it’s self how to fish before departing on migration. Long staying ‘Poole male’ Osprey 5H3 was also around this morning, and was seen fishing in Lytchett Bay. It really looks like he’s eyeing the harbour ready for next spring. At Swineham 2-3 Marsh Harrier were moving around and yesterday morning 10 came out of the west harbour roost. The river valleys are now brimming again and saw 5 Glossy Ibis drop onto RSPB Arne Moors this afternoon, and the scrapes at Swineham are filling with Teal, Gadwall, a few Wigeon and Shoveler and masses of Egyptian Geese. This afternoon female White-tailed Eagle G466 was hanging out in the Wareham Channel and wandering 2021 female G486 visited the Wareham Channel this morning too. Elsewhere a Pied Flycatcher was at Hatch Pond, and another was in the PCW Drain, opposite KFC. This afternoon 3 different Osprey were in Brands Bay and a Great White Egret was in Middlebere.

Juvenile Osprey 5R4 – Middlebere – Kate Plater

Wigeon – Lytchett Bay