Well, the good news is that the Avocet pair are still sitting tight on the Brownsea Lagoon. Its not know when the eggs were laid but with Avocet chicks hatching at other sites around the UK it could be any day now we see young arrive, that’s assuming the eggs are fertile and still alive. The 5 Spoonbill were back on the lagoon again too. At Lytchett Fields there was just the 1 Little Ringed Plover today but an increase of 6 Green Sandpiper already. This evening we also helped out Terry Elborn from the Borough of Poole Heathland management team along with Stour Ringing Group as we carried out a Nightjar ringing demo on Canford Heath. Terry and other members of Stour Ringing Group have been researching Nightjar populations on Canford for several years now and its great to be able to showcase some of this work to local residents. Although the forecast was a bit touch and go, by dusk the wind had dropped off completely and right on cue the Nightjar activity began. As the anticipation amongst the keen group of visitors grew, one of our team returned from a net-round with a Nightjar in hand and eyes grew wide as it was extracted from the bird bag. Seeing Nightjars is special in any circumstance, but to be able to see one this close is a real treat and after many questions and much discussion the group went away with beaming smiles. 

Female Nightjar – Canford Heath – Simon  Treasure