Plenty going on in the harbour today, with clear blue skies adding to the enjoyment of today’s boat trips. A summer-plumage Great White Egret was present on the Arne shoreline of the Wareham Channel on the low-tide this morning, as well as 1 Cattle Egret up at Swineham. Feeding on the exposed mud were c.800 Black-tailed Godwit, as well as 6 Greenshank and 1 Spotted Redshank. Around 5 Osprey were active over the channel through the morning, with 2 Marsh Harrier patrolling the reedbeds. Similar Osprey activity in the Wareham Channel through the afternoon, with a persistent juvenile attempting to hunt near Gigger’s Island, along with two adults. There was a high count of 24 Spoonbill on Brownsea Lagoon today, with 5 Avocet, 50 Dunlin and 40 Ringed Plover. 3 Osprey were hunting over Lytchett Bay this morning, and 1 was also seen over Holes Bay just after midday. Also at Holes Bay today were 2 Wigeon, 22 Teal, 250+ Black-tailed Godwit and 100+ Redshank. Highlights at Sunnyside included 1 Redstart and 1 Green Sandpiper. At Swineham in the early evening another Green Sandpiper was present, along with 9 Yellow Wagtail moving through. The Forster’s Tern was reported again at from Shipstal at RSPB Arne, along with 3 Black Tern.

Osprey CJ7 with freshly caught fish – Wareham Channel – Robin Morrison