A gorgeous day to be in the harbour: with clear skies and relatively little wind, those who ventured out were well rewarded. By far the highlight was a juvenile Goshawk, only the fourth recorded in Lytchett Bay, which perched briefly in the trees on the far side of Sherford Pools. Also of note on the Fields were 2 Green Sandpipers and 1 Water Pipit – remember to keep an eye out for colour ringed individuals when visiting!
There were flocks of 12 Lesser Redpolls and 18 Redwing on Wareham Common, along with a wintering Chiffchaff amongst the bushes. Downstream there were 2 Marsh Harriers over Swineham and Arne Moors, and the Wareham Channel itself hosted several Spoonbill.
The east of the harbour was teeming with wetland species, including the returning the Bar-tailed Godwit flock off Shore Road at Sandbanks. In Bramble Bush Bay there were 10 Turnstone, 41 Oystercatcher, 2 Sandwich Tern, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Great-crested Grebe, 6 Brent Goose and a highlight of 15 Sanderling, four of which were carried metal rings on their legs. Moving round to Jerry’s Point and looking out towards the islands and South Deep, there were 4 Scaup, single figures of Black-necked Grebe, Common Scoter, and Great Northern Diver, plus a tight raft of 10 Goldeneye.
By the evening low tide, Brands Bay was absolutely packed with 100s of Wigeon and twice again of Dunlin. Mixed in amongst these were dozens of Teal, Curlew, Black-tailed Godwit, Lapwing, Redshank and Oystercatcher, and the occasional treat of Pintail, Grey Plover, Knot, Greenshank and 12 Avocet. Sadly just before sunset this glorious scene was interrupted as wildfowling activity began, after which fewer of the disturbed birds returned to settle, hopefully finding refuge elsewhere nearby.
Juvenile Goshawk – Lytchett Fields – Garry Hayman
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