A perfect visit to end our series of Morden Bog Dawn Chorus ID Courses this morning with 2 Nightjar logged in broad daylight. A few sequences of the churring song were followed by brief flight views of a male and female coupled with the distinctive co-ick flight calls, probably flushed by a nearby cow. The species-rich visit also enjoyed singing Woodlark, the squeaky song of Common Snipe delivered from a tree, 2 Common Redstart singing & carrying food, 2 vocal Tree Pipit, 2 Yellowhammer and a healthy population of Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Stonechats and Dartford Warblers. A female Marsh Harrier and single Crossbill also passed overhead to the song of several Cuckoo. There are still 4 dark-bellied Brent Geese in Brands Bay, which will almost certainly now be staying for the summer given the late date. In recent years 1-2 have stayed each summer, possibly due to ill health, but regardless, it’s interesting to see them on blazing warm days rather than on a cold, dark January day. The Brownsea Lagoon had c50 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Avocet, c50 Oystercatcher, 3 Spoonbill and 4 Dunlin. 

Redstart (male and female) carrying food – Morden Bog Dawn Chorus ID Course