The on/off down pours made it difficult to get out birding today for long periods but there were several highlights including a very late juv Common Tern which was flying around the Brownsea Quay. If both the Arctic Tern from the last few days and this Common Tern hang around for a few days more, then there’s the ridiculous possibility of having 3 tern species (possibly 4 if the Forster’s Tern is still about) still present in the harbour into November as there were also 5 Sandwich Tern in Poole Park this morning. Also on Brownsea was 1 winter plumage Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 17 Greenshank, 35 Grey Plover and 12 Knot, with a Brambling there yesterday too. The Red-throated Diver flew into the harbour early doors and an amazing 18 Marsh Harrier left the west harbour roost. A Ringtail Hen Harrier was over the mouth of the River Piddle in the Wareham Channel and 4 Cattle Egret were with 6 Little Egret up at Holmebridge. Finally, there were 5 Spoonbill in the mouth of Wytch Mouth this evening.

Spoonbill – Wytch Lake