The recent heavy rain led to very high water levels observed across the Harbour. The ephemeral water bodies can draw in large numbers of wildfowl and waders, making for great birding spectacles. Sunnyside attracted 42 Mallard and 9 Gadwall, 1 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler and a Kestrel. Swineham and Bestwall also experienced flooding and new Swineham scrapes along the Two-Rivers walk look fantastic with a pair of Wheatear, 6 Cetti’s Warbler, 17 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Peregrine, 1 Hobby and a passage of Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin all observed. The gravel pit featured 130 Coot, 20 Gadwall, 70 Cormorant. Numerous Black-headed & Lesser Black-backed Gulls, c50 Black-tailed Godwit, 8 Curlew and c40 Lapwingfrequented Lower Piddle flood fields.

At least one Cattle Egret was present in the flooded fields between River Frome and Bog Lane along with abundant hirundine movement, 15 Lapwing and 12 Mute Swan. 2 Marsh Harrier were spotted at Holton Pools this afternoon. Lytchett Fields harboured great species diversity racking up totals of 2 Osprey, c150 Black-tailed Godwit, c120 Redshank, 26 Dunlin, 6+ Greenshank, 4 Green Sandpiper, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Curlew Sandpiper and a single Ruff.