The strong winds (although westerly) saw a few seabirds moving through Poole Bay. A dedicated watch from Branksome Chine offered 1 Balearic Shearwater, 7 Manx Shearwater and 2 Fulmar. Time visits with strong winds, especially southeasterly, anytime between now and October for a chance to connect with passage skuas, petrels and shearwaters, all species you would be hard pressed to find elsewhere in the harbour area. The Holes Bay Common Redshank count halved on yesterday’s count totaling c.50, bolstered by 96 Black-tailed Godwit, 46 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Common Sandpiper at low tide. Last night’s Nightjar walk on Slepe Heath wrapped up a magical end to our series for the year. Again, we were treated to numerous flybys, including one bird that briefly hovered in front of the group, allowing one of our guests to capture a photo of the action in very limited light!

Steve Grundy – Male Nightjar – Slepe Heath Nightjar Experience Walk