Wonderful spring-like conditions emerged after the thick fog lifted this morning with the undoubted highlight being the first 2 Sand Martin and a Swallow of the spring appearing over Swineham late afternoon. Two Golden Plover passed over Swineham and the Little Gull returned to the Lower Piddle Valley flood fields, along with 6 Chiffchaff, 1 Snipe, 13 Reed Bunting, Treecreeper, Nuthatch and Marsh Harrier, but there was no sign of the Ring-necked Duck on the Gravel Pit. Keysworth reedbed attracted 2 Marsh Harrier and 2 Bearded Tit. A Great White Egret was picked up over Wareham Channel and a single redhead Goosander was off Hamworthy Beach. Central harbour featured 1 Red-throated Diver new in and 2 Great Northern Diver. A single Long-tailed Duck was off Brownsea, and the lagoon featured c.2500 Black-tailed Godwit, many in partial summer plumage. There has been a complete clear out of Goldeneye with the only bird logged was at Holes Bay. The site also saw a couple of Kingfisher. Other records across the harbour included 4 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Sandwich Tern, 8 Spoonbill at Shipstal, still plenty of Brent Goose along the southern shore (including the Brand’s Bay Pale-bellied Brent) and c.150 Red-breasted Merganser displaying out on the water.

Little Gull, Sand Martin and Swallow – Swineham GP – Peter Moore