Loads of good birds about today with spring landing with bang. Hobby were active over several sites including Godlingston, Hartland, Piddle Valley and Middlebere. Tree Pipit seemed to have suddenly arrived with 3 at Morden Bog, and 5+ at other sites around Wareham Forest and 2 at Godlingston, 2 at Rempstone and 1 at Arne. Cuckoo were also calling at several sites including Morden Bog, Godlingston, Studland and Hartland. Lytchett Fields was apparently looking great this evening with 8 Little Ringed Plover, 3 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 6 Whimbrel, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and there were also 4 Wheatear and 2 Whitethroat. Strangest sighting of the day was 2 Egyptian Geese ‘standing proud’ on top of Corfe Castle…not something we thought we’d ever see. At Greenlands Farm there were 17 Wheatear, 1 Whinchat, and 2 Common Whitethroat and a reeling Grasshopper Warbler was at Studland Heath plus there were 3 Common Tern fishing in Brands Bay. In the PCW Drain there were 2 Willow Warbler, 1 Cetti’s Warbler and 3 Blackcap. CJ7 was pretty quite staying mostly around the nest site but being seen out in the Wareham Channel too. These nest 2-3 weeks can be an incredibly exciting and busy time with plenty more spring migrants yet to arrive (300 Wheatear were on Portland today)! But it often finishes as fast as it starts, so make the most this exciting passage and who knows what goodies are lurking around the corner.

Peregrine (top right) and Egyptian Geese (lower left) seeing in the sunrise on Corfe Castle

Woodlark – Godlingston

Hobby high over Hartland

Osprey CJ7 – Middlebere – Pennhillman