There was exciting news today in that the Stilt Sandpiper was relocated in the harbour, this time in Middlebere on the low tide. It was seen from the Coombe viewpoint on the Arne side at 15:15, unfortunately just as the poor weather began to creep in. It’s likely it’s been present in the harbour since disappearing from Lytchett Fields on Thursday last week, but where it’s been roosting/feeding prior to today is anyone’s guess. The Brownsea Lagoon is a good bet, but no reports or possible sightings of this bird have come from there in recent days so until (if) it appears again we’ll just have to wait and see where it ‘pops up’. The Red-necked Phalarope was present again all day on Arne Moors but the Grey Phalarope disappeared early doors by all accounts, although the Little Stint that turned up yesterday remained faithful to the pool. Again, Spoonbill totals crept up, now with 44 in Middlebere. This autumn their behavior is very different to the last 5 years, deciding to roost mostly on Middlebere rather than Brownsea. Why this is we’re not sure but it’s looking as if it could be another great autumn/winter for this species and will we see another record breaking year? The Yellow-browed Warbler was seen and heard again at Arne, this time mostly in the overflow car park. On Lytchett Fields there were 4 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint, 2 Ruff, 1 Marsh Harrier and the usual good numbers of commoner waders and wildfowl including a drake Cinnamon Teal, presumably a feral escapee from somewhere? In Holes Bay NE the Wigeon numbers have grown with 218 now along with 3 Kingfisher in the area. With this fine weather, migration through Ballard was slow again with just 19 Blackcap, 11 Chiffchaff, 14 Meadow Pipit and a Swallow ringed. In Poole Harbour west 2 Merlin woke up in a foul mood and began hassling up to 5 Marsh Harrier that came out of the Poole Harbour west roost!

Stilt Sandpiper – Middlebere – Neil Telfer