Huge fall today at Portland – in fact a staggering 470 birds were ringed at the Observatory by midday! Turning to the Harbour, migrants arrived in the form of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler on Wareham Common and Willow Warbler recorded in good numbers across the recording area.  There was late news of two singing Cuckoo at Middlebere briefly on Friday, the first of the year for Poole Harbour. The gorgeous weather encouraged Woodlark into full song across heathlands and 2 Spotted Redshank was still present from Rock Lea View. There were 4 Common Sandpiper at Lytchett Fields with a Sedge Warbler and 14 Whimbrel and a Common Sandpiper were at Holes Bay while Wheatear were thinly spread with individuals at Lytchett Bay, Holton Lee and Arne. Venturing beyond the recording area, a Hoopoe occupied the cricket field in Swanage. Upton Skylines enjoyed 2 Yellow Wagtail and a circling Red Kite. A White-tailed Eagle was logged over the northern fringes of Poole Town as well as the western shorelines of Arne/Hydes Heath through the day. At Swineham this evening there were over 1000 hirundines this evening with c820 Sand Martin, c205 Swallow and 25 House Martin, also 1 Cuckoo, 3 Sedge Warbler and 6 Reed Warbler. There are still a few Spoonbill kicking about with 1 on Brownsea and 2 in Middlebere.

Wheatear – Lytchett Bay – @nikodogtwite