A busy day across the harbour, mainly because it was Poole Harbour WeBS day, so although it was eagle-less today there was plenty more to whet everyones appetites. In Middlebere there were 2 Great White Egret, 1 Osprey, 10 Spotted Redshank and up to 18 Spoonbill, with 28 Spoonbill logged across the whole harbour. At Lytchett Fields there was 2 Ruff and 2 Little Stint still with another Little Stint at Brands Bay. On the Brownsea Lagoon there was a Cattle Egret (scarce here) and a juvenile Curlew Sandpiper. At Swineham a flyover Woodlark was a good record and there were 2 Green Sandpiper on the pools and another Cattle Egret with the cows there. There seemed to be a huge hirundine movement this afternoon with what seemed like thousands and thousands of Swallow and a few Sand Martin moving WNW just after the rain finished this afternoon. A rough guess would suggest a minimum of 8,000+. Winter birds are certainly much in evidence as Curlew, Oystercatcher, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Wigeon, Teal and Pintail numbers are all on the rise. Passerine wise it was rather quiet with just Whinchat and c15 Yellow Wagtail logged at Hartland. A Redstart was at Greenlands Farm and a Pied Flycatcher was at Rempstone. Birds of prey included Marsh Harriers at Lytchett Bay, Swineham and Middlebere, Peregrine at Middlebere, 1 Red Kite over Holes Bay and a possible Merlin at Greenlands.

Two different Great White Egret – Middlebere – Mark Wright (@markwright12002)