Sorry for the lack of updates so far this month, we’ll do a round up in this post from over the bank holiday weekend. Starting off with the discovery of a Spotted Crake out on Bestwall meadow. The bird was heard calling last night and the night before and could possibly stay for a number of days. Below is a sound recording of the bird by Nick Hopper…

There was another sighting of the/a Great White Egret near the Stoborough causeway.  Swineham area has seen a maximum of 5 drake Garganey along with 3 Egyptian Geese, 7 Spoonbill, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Hobby, 1 Marsh Harrier, 3 Bearded Tit, 3 Little Gull and stunning warbler number with 47 Reed Warbler, 20 Cetti’s Warbler, 11 Sedge Warbler, 6 Blackcap, 1 Whitethroat and 1 Willow Warbler. At Upton CP 22+ Whimbrel were dotted around and a handful of Swift were noted. The Sandwich Terns on Brownsea have now started nest building on the breeding islands so make sure you watch the Brownsea webcam for all the drama (http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/brownsea-webcam). At Lytchett Bay 1 Whinchat, 4 Wheatear, Whimbrel, Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing are all still prominent as are a few Gadwall and good numbers of Shelduck. Also noted at Lytchett Bay was a real mega in the shape of a Coot, which was then seen feeding two young! At Holes Bay 1 Wheatear and 5 Whimbrel. A Nightingale was in song very briefly on Stoborough heath. Hobby were also noted over Soldiers Road and Hartland Moor. Off Branksome Chine 4 Great Northern Diver were still around, also several Gannet, 4 Fulmar, 3 Auk sp and 30+ Common Tern. There was a big arrival of Swift over the bank holiday weekend and other common migrants continued to arrive in small numbers such as Wheatear, Yellow Wagtail, Whinchat and hirundines.