Much calmer weather and some sunshine made for good conditions for birds of prey soaring in the harbour today. Plenty of Osprey activity in different parts of the harbour with a third Osprey flying over the nesting pair at least twice today. From our Spring Safari Cruise this afternoon we also had 2 Osprey, 1 hunting over the Wareham Channel and then heading to Lytchett Bay and 1 in Shipstal Bay. We also had 1 Red Kite over the Wareham Channel, 1 male Marsh Harrier and 1 Hobby hunting over Swineham. We had stunning views of a first winter Little Gull on the mud of the Wareham Channel, just off Swineham. 2 Great Northern Diver were still using the harbour with 1 off Ham Common and 1 in Ball’s Lake.

The Forster’s Tern has been reported throughout the harbour today being at Shipstal, Holes Bay and Lytchett Fields, so clearly travelling far and wide. Also at Lytchett Fields was the first singing Sedge Warbler of the year for the site, 3 Reed Warbler, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper and a good record for the site of 1 female Goosander from Rock Lea View. At Holes Bay there was 1 Whimbrel in the south-west and 1 Common Sandpiper in the north-east. A good record from South Haven of a singing Lesser Whitethroat at the Studland car park this morning. There were lots of Red Kite moving around today with at least 7 seen from our Osprey viewing session this afternoon. There was a redhead Goosander in Lytchett Bay

This evening what looked good for a 2nd cal year Bonaparte’s Gull was found on Wareham Common, just below the hospital. It didn’t hang around though and seemed to head towards Swineham.

1st winter Little Gull from this afternoon’s Spring Safari – Mudflats off Swineham Point – Julie Ryde