The final stages of autumn migration 2021 are now drawing to a close, but not without one last push of certain species. Fieldfare, Redwing and Blackbirds are still arriving in and Brambling seem to be having a great autumn so far. Middlebere saw c100 Fieldfare this morning with several smaller flocks logged at Holmebridge and in the Piddle Valley. A newly arrived Siberian Chiffchaff was ringed at Lytchett Bay along with 3 late Common Chiffchaff and there now seems to be a late flurry of Lesser Redpoll coming through now with 20 also ringed at Lytchett Bay. A Great White Egret also flew over Lytchett Bay with another in Brands Bay. There was no sign of the Snow Buntings at Redhorn, but 2 Great Northern Diver were on the water there with 2 Black-necked Grebe and 5 Common Scoter were near the harbour mouth. A minimum of 7 Marsh Harrier were in the Wareham Channel and 2 Merlin were between Hartland and Soldiers Road.

Siberian Chiffchaff – Lytchett Bay – Shaun Robson

Highlights from today include 1 Razorbill seen feeding in the Poole Harbour mouth. At Studland, 2 Scaup were seen of Goathorn from Redhorn Quay, though the Snow Bunting were not reported as present. A count in Holes Bay recorded 116 Avocet off Pergins Island, as well as 25 Pintail, 32 Shoveler, 66 Dunlin and 1 Common Sandpiper in Holes Bay NW. Fieldfare movement has continued with c.60 seen flying SW over the Piddle Valley this afternoon.  Another nice record at Lytchett Fields this morning, with a ringed Water Pipit photographed. “1K” was ringed at Lytchett Fields on the 07.11.20, and was also seen in October this year. Our first Sunnyside Ringing Demo of the year last night set them off to a great start, with 2 Jack Snipe, 1 Common Snipe and 2 Woodcock ringed. We still have a few spaces left on our later sessions in the series, which can be booked here.

Water Pipit (1K) – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Woodcock – Sunnyside Ringing Demo

Definite highlight of today’s harbour sightings is the first report of a Great Northern Diver for the winter. Usually arriving late October/early November, the numbers will build over the next few weeks and start to drop off again in February/March. This first arrival was seen at Studland from Middle Beach, along with 10 Common Scoter. Also at Studland, the Snow Bunting were showing well again on Redhorn Quay this morning. In Whitley Bay, 25 Turnstone were feeding on the high-tide shoreline, as well as 11 Brent Geese on the water. During a ringing session at Lytchett Fields this morning, 2 Water Pipit and 1 Rock Pipit were ringed, as well as 1 male Merlin and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier reported in the area.

Merlin – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

There’s been a lot of Fieldfare movement today with a flock of 96 on the track at Middlebere this morning, as well as a smaller flock of 10 seen over Holton Heath. Also at Middlebere, 1 Great White Egret flyover was reported. 1 Marsh Harrier reported at Lytchett Fields. At Baiter, 13 Turnstone, 7 Ringed Plover, 1 Dunlin, 6 Brent Geese and 3 Sandwich Tern were seen this morning. In Holes Bay, highlights from a count were 1100+ Wigeon, 100+ Avocet and a flock of 35 Dunlin. The Barnacle Goose was seen flying over Lytchett Fields amongst 500+ Canada Geese and low numbers of Greylag. The 2 Snow Bunting were still showing well at Redhorn Point.

Wigeon – Holes Bay – Martin Adams

A decent late autumn day, with winter slowly creeping up on us. The two Snow Bunting on Redhorn Quay were still present all day, but as is often the case, when several birders descend on a certain site, other good birds often get found, which is what happened to day when Phil Saunders found a 1st winter Caspian Gull on the exposed sand spit off Jerry’s Point this evening on the low-tide. Still a really tricky bird to catch up with in the harbour, more Caspian Gull are now being recorded in the harbour and should now certainly be on birders radars when out and about. At Lytchett Fields 3 un-ringed Water Pipit were on the wet fields and a Jack Snipe was flushed. Middlebere was flus with Redwing, Blackbird and Fieldfare feeding on berries along the main track with a Firecrest along there too, 3 different Marsh Harrier and a Merlin. On Poole Park lake a male Goldeneye, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 7 Sandwich Tern were counted with 2 Kingfisher busy around the main lake. Brands Bay still had 4 Scaup and Middle Beach had 4 Black-necked Grebe.

1st winter Caspian Gull – Jerry’s Point – Phil Saunders

Both Snow Bunting were present around Redhorn, Studland for most of the day, showing well. Off Jerry’s Point, Brands Bay area there were 44 Great Crested Grebe, 34 Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Scaup. Off Middle Beach an evening roost count logged 8 Black-necked Grebe, 8 Common Scoter and 1 Red-breasted Merganser. At Arne there were 32 Spoonbill logged off Shipstal, at Middlebere 4 Spotted Redshank were in the channel with a ringtail Hen Harrier seen too and a Brambling was along the Middlebere track.

Snow Bunting – Redhorn, Studland – Chris Snook

Plenty of top birding to be had across the harbour today. The Poole Harbour Snow Bunting count doubled, with two showing well all afternoon around Redhorn Quay while a female-type Scaup remained offshore. Middlebere weighed in on the action with a smart trio of Ring Ouzel, Brambling and Goosander (logged flying west past hide at 10:35). High-speed action at Studland also logged a Merlin causing havoc beyond Jerry’s Point, chasing down Dunlin while a Spoonbill passed over west. On the Brownsea Lagoon a whopping c700 Cormorant left the roost and headed out to the harbour. A Red Kite drifted north of the harbour, observed from Bere Regis and a late Swallow dashed over Lytchett Fields, keen to avoid this morning’s harsh frost. Lytchett Bay also yielded a very successful pipit ringing session, colouring 10 new birds (3 Water Pipit & 7 Rock Pipit) this morning. Certainly worth keeping an eye out for these birds if birding locally (and wider area) over the coming weeks and months! Other notables included a Marsh Harrier hunting over Holton Pools, the male Hen Harrier quartering Hartland Moor again and RSPB Arne recording 37 Spoonbill and a Great White Egret.

Brambling – Middlebere – Gary Hayman

Ring Ouzel – Middlebere – Gary Hayman

Another blissful late autumn day with bright sunshine and autumnal tones to set the scene. Redwing were arriving at dawn, along with the first real passage of Fieldfare with several groups over Hartland, the Piddle Valley and Arne. The Snow Bunting was still near Redhorn Quay, Studland and a redhead Goosander was in Shell Bay. An incredible total of 8 Long-tailed Duck flew into the harbour at dawn which is we believe one of the highest totals for this species in several decades. They could be just be on passage but really hope they stay for the winter. At Lytchett Bay a ringtail Hen Harrier was logged and also at Middlebere where there were 3 Marsh Harrier. A dawn watch logged 11 different Marsh Harrier depart the west harbour roost and in Brands Bay the Scaup was still around with 2 Goldeneye and 9 Red-breasted Merganser. In Holes Bay NE there were 1094 Wigeon. Red Kite were seen over Fleetsbridge and Hartland. No sign of male White-tailed Eagle G461 today.

Goosander with Brent Geese – Shell Bay – @BirderOtbt on Twitter

White-tailed Eagle on Brownsea Lagoon yesterday from Bird boat – Stuart Pentland