Here at Birds of Poole Harbour, we love this time this time of year. So many exciting species can be encountered as they pass through on their epic migrations. An adult male Hen Harrier is scarcely observed here in the harbour these days, however an adult male graced Hartland Moor today while a nearby male Merlin dashed around Soldiers Road chasing down migrant finch flocks. Lytchett Bay also weighed in on the action, attracting an un-ringed Water Pipit on Pool Field, a Jack Snipe in Approach Field and the (semi)long-staying Hoopoe putting on another performance. Moving into the urban sprawl, Baiter Park clocked 226 Oystercatcher and 15 Turnstone. Brownsea Lagoon held 339 Avocet, 381 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Brent Goose, 38 Ringed Plover, 9+ Greenshank, 4 Spoonbill and singles of Spotted Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit, and Knot. To finish it all off, a White-tailed Eagle was seen perching on a distant fence line to the left of Middlebere hide around midday. This evening in Brands Bay there were 42 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Black-necked Grebe, 54 Brent Geese, 44 Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Goldeneye and 1 Scaup. Brownsea Lagoon held 339 Avocet, 381 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Brent Geese, 38 Ringed Plover, 9+ Greenshank singles of Spotted Redshank, Bar-tailed Godwit and Knot plus 4 Spoonbill.

White-tailed Eagle (yesterday) – Middlebere – Nigel Gidney

Merlin (yesterday) – Middlebere – Nigel Gidney