It was another Osprey-filled morning with numerous individuals around the harbour, although the Wareham Channel seemed quieter than normal mid-morning, although male 022 went into full display mode, sky-dancing with a fish over the Arne area, very conveniently just as our Osprey Cruise passed by. This was a real thrill to stand and watch this behaviour with a boat full of guests, knowing that this behaviour hasn’t been seen in southern Britain for around 200 years until this year. We also had images from one of our harbour nest platforms showing a new ringed bird had arrived with ‘blue 8C’ seen near Wareham Forest. This female is a 2014 hatched bird from the Glaslyn nest in Wales, although it’s un-known currently whether she’s breeding anywhere in the UK. Regardless, its great to be able to learn a bit more detail about some of the birds that are visiting and staging at the harbour each year. Un-ringed individuals were also logged at Middlebere, Lytchett Bay, Morden Bog the Wareham Channel and Shipstal. There were some other exciting arrivals today too including the first 3 Wigeon of the autumn/winter over the Wareham Channel and 3 Pochard on Swineham GP. A sub-adult male Marsh Harrier floated over Giggers Island and a fresh juv was in Middlebere. Also in Middlebere were 5 Spoonbill, 1 Spotted Redshank, 24 Avocet, c90 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Peregrine. The Brownsea Lagoon was busy and saw 300+ Oystercatcher, c100 Dunlin, c30 Ringed Plover, 2 Spoonbill, 2 Knot, 8 Greenshank and1 Kingfisher. A slow ringing session at Lytchett Bay saw only 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Sedge Warbler, 11 Willow Warbler and 1 Whitethroat. There was also a Common Redstart at Middlebere, 1 Whinchat on Hartland and 2 at Lytchett Fields and there were still 2 Nightjar using the Osprey nest cam perch last night.

Newly arrived Osprey ‘blue 8C’ a 2014 Glaslyn female