News came in from Swineham today that the first view of a Harrier chick was confirmed. The youngsters are probably still a day or so away from fledging, but they will be strengthening their wings, lofting just above the reed bed for short periods of time. Once fledged they will hang around the nest site area for a number of days whilst they continue to be fed by the parents. Young Marsh Harriers are a rich chocolate brown with a striking golden crown, however the ‘adult’ male of the parents has also got a very similar plumage to it’s offspring, meaning dad may not be a fully grown adult.

Elsewhere in the harbour, waders continue to be the main feature. On the Brownsea Lagoon 112 Dunlin arrived in, 6 Spotted Redshank, 12 Greenshank, 243 Oystercatcher, 103 Redshank, 56 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover and 1 Avocet.  At Lytchett Bay there were 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 3 Snipe and 2 Lapwing. Elsewhere in the county the first Willow Warblers and Grasshopper Warblers of the autumn are passing through and many young birds are now dispersing from their breeding grounds, so be on the look out for young Terns, Waders even birds like Skua’s along the coast.