Its fair to say Dorset is having a pretty good year with Poole Harbour certainly benefiting from extra coverage too. Today, despite the rain, saw pots of gold at either end of the rainbow when to begin with Poole Harbours second Stilt Sandpiper turned up at Lytchett Fields. Initially playing hard ball at the very back of French’s Pools, it finally gave its self up and flew and landed on the pools next to the viewpoints giving point blank views. There’s still some question as to whether it’s the same bird as the Lodmoor bird and giving its rarity status it’s probably likely, however there seem to be some slight plumage differences showing in some photos, so I guess we’ll see. Then, at the other end of the day a Red-necked Phalarope was found swimming around in exactly the same pool as the Grey Phalarope that was found on Sunday with both feeding shoulder to shoulder with one another in the NW corner of Arne Moors. As the site is private and the birds were found during a survey, access wasn’t granted immediately but with thanks to Ridge Wharf Boat Yard who later kindly agreed access through their yard, people were able to come an enjoy the birds from a safe distance up on the sea wall. For directions to try and see the birds CLICK HERE. Lytchett Fields had a great supporting cast of 2 Ruff, 3 Knot, 2 Little Stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 200+ Dunlin, 40+ Lapwing, 100+ Redshank, 300 Teal and 7 Wigeon. A sea watch from Branksome chine produced 4 Eider east and a pale morph Arctic Skua harassing an Arctic Tern. The seasons first school bird boat also took place today and despite the wind and rain 2 Arctic Tern, 6 Spoonbill and a good selection of waders on the Brownsea Lagoon including 1 Little Stint, 5 Common Sandpipers, 3 Spotted Redshank, 18 Greenshank, 1 Sanderling, 3 Ringed Plover and 38 Dunlin kept spirits high. A Peregrine was hunting just off Poole Quay mid morning and another was roosting on he tall part of the Asda building. 

Stilt Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Stilt Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam