Autumn migrants are coming through thick and fast currently with plenty of nice birds to see. Redstart and Whinchat numbers are building with 2 Whinchat at Lytchett Bay, 1 at Greenlands Farm, 1 at Godlingston 1 at Hartland and 2 on Arne. Redstart were flitting around the fringes of Hartland, Middlebere, Greenlands Farm and Slepe Heath and they’re often joined with Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler and a few Chiffchaff. Spotted Flycatcher are also being logged in good numbers around the heathland edges, certainly in the south of the harbour and Wheatear are numerous out on rough patches of high ground, plus one was in Holes Bay too. Also 6 Grasshopper Warbler were ringed during a morning ringing session at Lytchett Bay and Yellow Wagtail were logged at Holton Lee, Godlingston and Hartland. There were good numbers of Swallow and House Martin high above the Wareham Channel with c500 in total which attracted the attention of 2 local Hobby. There were 2 different Marsh Harrier in the Wareham Channel and between 3-4 Osprey were seen with individuals seen catching fish in the Wareham Channel, Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. At Baiter there were just 3 Turnstone, but 36 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin. In Middlebere there were 10 Spoonbill and 50 Avocet and the 2 Bottlenose Dolphin were seen again in the harbour mid-morning.

Osprey bathing in Middlebere a couple of days ago – Ken (PenHillMan)

Curlew and Redshank – Brands Bay – Nick Gadenne