It was all go today, with plenty of new arrivals and some interesting activity logged of a certain species. Firstly, it was definitely a Wheatear day with 7 at Greenlands Farm, 5 at Sunnyside, 1 at Lytchett Fields and 1 at Stoborough Heath. Today also saw the first Little Ringed Plover with 1 at Lytchett Fields. A Common Crane flew over Middlebere mid-morning and headed towards Arne Moors before heading off south east again. A Goshawk dashed through Middlebere this afternoon, hunting godwits and at Swineham 6 Sand Martin were feeding. On the Brownsea Lagoon, 13 Sandwich Tern were now back and a single Spoonbill was feeding. This evening 3 Cattle Egret settled on Sherford Pools at Lytchett Fields and 1 Black-necked Grebe was off Middle Beach . This morning, an interesting photo was taken of the White-tailed Eagle pair, G466 and G463 sat on an old dilapidated Osprey nest platform. This doesn’t really mean too much, other than it was a good place to sit, but it seems their bond is strengthening. It will be fascinating to see what happens as the spring develops with these 2 birds as to whether they choose a preferred location within the harbour to settle. Finally, it seems we’re probably only days away from seeing our first migrant Osprey in the harbour as more arrived on breeding grounds further north today. Regarding our Osprey nest cam, we’re currently getting asked quite a bit about when our’s will be up and running and we’re glad to say it won’t be long at all now. After doing some final last minute tweaks today, all being well it should be up and running in the next couple of days.

White-tailed Eagles – Clive Hargrave