Another beauty of a day, and a real taste of spring. Comma, Speckled Wood, Brimstone, Peacock and Red Admiral Butterfly were all on the wing and in sheltered spots out of the wind plenty of bee’s were attracted to newly early emerged early spring flowers. The high pressure once again forced the tide much lower than predicted and this evening all of the harbours bays were drained of water with thousands of gulls entering the harbour before dark. Med Gulls were streaming over Poole Quay, heading towards Brownsea and Whitley Lake. There were still 2 Guillemot off Poole Quay The high pressure got a few more birds of prey moving with Red Kite of Candford Heath and Fleetsbridge. Brownsea Island opens tomorrow and there was still plenty on the lagoon with c100 Avocet, 3 Greenshank, c50 Oystercatcher, c50 Black-tailed Godwit and a few Shoveler, Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon. At Lytchett Fields this evening a Merlin was hunting and a Sand Martin passed over. White-tailed Eagle G801 was on the Keysworth side of the Wareham Channel first thing, but we’ve since heard from Tim Mackrill that she’s now in mid-Devon! Our events manager Joe, was also at Swineham last night and managed to get a great recording of the two Bittern leaving at dusk.

Two Bittern departing Swineham GP – 17/03/22 – Joe Parker