Adding to yesterday’s stream of migrants, today 2 Pied Flycatcher were reported from RSPB Arne on Grip Heath from the Red Trail. This morning’s Osprey Cruise truly delivered, with at least 5 Osprey visible at the same time over the Wareham Channel, 3 of which were hunting. 4 Osprey were reported from Coombe Heath at Arne during the morning, with 2 of the translocated juveniles from this year’s cohort were amongst the sightings in that area, and a lone Osprey reported hunting over Lytchett Bay earlier in the day. Towards midday, a further 2 Osprey and a Marsh Harrier were seen over Lytchett Fields, along with 10 Greenshank feeding on the fields. A Marsh Harrier was also seen in the Wareham Channel from this morning’s cruise, as well as the first signs of Great Crested Grebe numbers building, with a raft of 17 individuals seen from the boat. 4 Greenshank and a Spotted Redshank were also seen were feeding on the mudflats at the mouth of the River Frome. There was an interesting sighting yesterday of a probable Little Stint on Brownsea Lagoon (see video below), though hard to confirm from the footage. We’ll be scanning the lagoon from tomorrow’s Osprey Cruise to confirm if the bird is still around.

Osprey with fish – Coombe Heath – Kate Plater

I managed to convince myself this wasn't a Stint on Brownsea yesterday because it looked like it had a dark belly but obviously a trick or the light as clearly smaller and paler than the Dunlin! @harbourbirds @DWTBrownsea @DorsetBirdClub @BrownseaNT pic.twitter.com/8H2NN7qRZx

— Martin Adams (@MartinAdams) August 28, 2021