Today we gave the harbour some good coverage by taking a survey boat up and down and across the harbour. There were still signs of passage with some respectable numbers of waders on the lagoon including 7 Knot, 21 Bar-tailed Godwit, 43 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover and 1 Turnstone. Birds now settled on the lagoon included 2 Spoonbill, 7 Avocet, c150 Common Tern, c200 Sandwich Tern and up to 3 pairs of Oystercatcher seemed to be nesting along the Seymers shoreline. On the southern shores a lone Barnacle Goose was in the Rempstone Fields and up at Swineham a male and female Cuckoo were plotting against the local Reed Warblers of which 29 were present along with 9 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Bunting, c40 Swift, c50 Swallow, c30 House Martin and a pair of Bearded Tit. On the edge of the Wareham Channel an amazing count of 110 Mute Swan were gathered, all assumed to be 1-2 year old non-breeding birds. We see this happen each summer but believe it to be our highest count in recent years but there were 219 on the 16th August 1999. At Lytchett Fields there was s ingle Grey Plover in the bay with the rising tide.
As we’ve spoken about many times before, we’re really keen on learning about which birds are migrating or moving about out and around the harbour at night. Last night, just north of the harbour we recorded this Nightjar over the rural village of Lytchett Matravers. Now it’s not unusual to hear these calls at night, as after all, Nightjar are nocturnal. However, hearing these calls away from the heathlands is quite rare so this particular bird could either be a migrant passing through the area, or a foraging individual moving off from the heath to feed before making it’s way back again.
Nightjar – Call of migrant/foraging bird – Lytchett Matravers – 20/05/19 @ 01:05
Cuckoo – Swineham – Keith Rawling
Yellowhammer – Challow Hill, Corfe – Keith Rawling
So cold! Mid-week was delightful with even a hint of spring warmth, but today was proper chilly. Cold…
Find out moreAnother beautiful February day, although the slight NE wind added an edgy chill. There was both a male…
Find out more© 2025 Birds of Poole Harbour Registered Charity No. 1152615