What a difference a change in wind direction makes! The epic day began with a ringing session at Lytchett Heath unveiling 1 Wryneck, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 5 Grasshopper Warbler and 2 Redstart. An excellent start to an eventful Sunday only beginning to unfold! Our fourth Osprey cruise then set off into the Wareham channel providing delightful sightings of 6 different Osprey, including at least one juvenile and various adults. On top of the excellent views of hunting Osprey, other species encountered included 3 Arctic Tern, c10 Common Tern, c20 Sandwich Tern and 1 Common Seal. A scan of Brownsea Lagoon to end the fruitful cruise produced 18 Spoonbill and 25 Avocet.

By the afternoon things were really cranking up. The Harbour’s third record of Tawny Pipit was heard calling over Hartland Moor, 400m west along the tramway opposite the Middlebere parking lay-by. The same site recorded movement of Tree Pipit, Willow Warbler and 2 Redstart. Sunnyside scrape is becoming increasing productive with 6 Wheatear, 1 Green Sandpiper and 2 Whinchat all observed. A slender ringtail Harrier sp. flew west at Upton Country Park at 14:30 – given the time of year and current wind direction the last two days, Montagu’s Harrier is a serious candidate.

Wryneck – Lytchett Heath – Terry Elborn