This morning was our monthly field trip, this month hosted at Challow Hill, near Corfe Castle. Despite the cold NE wind, the Challow Ridge provided shelter and a good range of species including 1 Nightingale, 2 Whinchat, 1 Wheatear, 3-4 Dartford Warbler, 5+ Yellowhammer, 5+ Whitethroat, 1 Blackcap and several Chiffchaff, House Martin and Swallow. At Swineham GP a summer plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit had settled on the newly cleared area with a Common Sandpiper and Greenshank also there. Around the pits several species of warbler were counted including 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff, 1 Willow Warbler and 6 Cetti’s Warbler. On Lytchett Fields 2 Dunlin and 2 Ringed Plover flew in together, also 2 Greenshank and 5 Spotted Redshank were observed with 1 Whitethroat and 1 Cetti’s Warbler. Local Harrier water Peter Hadrill has confirmed that a pair of Marsh Harrier have been courting all spring with the female now on eggs in the west of Poole Harbour. 

Bar-tailed Godwit – Swineham – Peter Moore

Lesser Whitethroat – Swineham – Peter Moore

Common Sandpiper – Swineham – Peter Moore

Birds of Poole Harbour Field Trip – Challow Hill – Barbara Bisset