After a pretty exciting weekend it was back to a more typical Monday theme today with reduced reports, but the day wasn’t without interest. A Hobby was seen arriving in through the harbour entrance by a chain ferry staff member, and another was seen getting grief by gulls over Wareham. A couple of small parties of Swift were also seen passing over Wareham and 1 was over Poole Town Centre. Of course, the custom Red-spotted Bluethroat makes it on to the daily sightings page with it continuing to favour the eastern end of Swineham GP. The Springs first Spotted Flycatcher was in the Corfe River Valley, a Cuckoo was on Hartland Moor, the 3 Glossy Ibis were seen over Swineham this AM, but later found this afternoon in the Frome Valley below the Bog Lane SANG. There were still 500+ Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit in Holes Bay this morning, and 5 Whimbrel passed over Middlebere, with 1 also in Lytchett Bay this evening along with a Curlew Sandpiper again.

Freshly fledged juvenile Song Thrush – Middlebere

Another perfect Spring day, although the frost at dawn was a bit unnecessary! A sunrise check at Ballard Down yielded a reeling Grasshopper Warbler on top of the ridge, plus 1 flyover Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 5 Willow Warbler, 15+ Common Whitethroat and 5 Swallow through. In Brands Bay a Great White Egret was feeding and there were 3 interacting in Middlebere this morning too. The Bluethroat was still entertaining the crowds at Swineham GP, with visitors having to queue up along the narrow track, waiting for their turn to see the bird, just like you would in a bakers when a prize winning Danish Pastry was on sale. Lytchett Bay also fared well for common migrants this AM with 1 male Whinchat, 1 male Redstart, 1 female Wheatear, 1 Common Whitethroat, 1 Sedge Warbler (singing) and 6 Reed Warbler on territory, plus Osprey and Marsh Harrier there. Out in Lytchett Bay the years first Curlew Sandpiper was feeding in amoungst the Dunlin. It seems quite a poor spring for Whimbrel so far, with only small numbers (twos and threes) being logged at traditional sites like Brands Bay, the Lower Frome Valley and Lytchett Bay. Having not been reported for a few days, it was good to hear the 3 Glossy Ibis are still around having been seen over Swineham mid-morning, and there was also a report (but un-confirmed) report of a Bonapartes Gull around Swineham at lunchtime. Cuckoo’s were calling at Hydes Heath, RSPB and Soldiers Road, Stoborough Heath. On the Brownsea Lagoon 2 Spoonbill were snoozing and another was out on Shipstal Point, RSPB Arne. A few White-tailed Eagles were seen over Studland, Corfe Castle and wider Purbecks.

There was also an interesting development in regards to Ospreys when today, during the mid-morning we had what looked like a displaying male Osprey over the Wareham Channel which wasn’t our local male 022 as he was on the nest at the time. We havn’t been able to get any photos of this new mystery bird and he/it hasn’t landed on any of our other nest platforms yet, but maybe he will over the coming days, hopefully allowing us to get a positive ID……5H3 we hope!

Northern Wheatear – Ballard Down this AM 

The day started off with a huge amount of promise with what seemed like a pretty decent coastal fall of common migrants. At dawn a good number of Wheatear were up around Old Harry and Ballard Down with 29 counted, along with 2 Whinchat, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Redstart, 15 Common Whitethroat, lots of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler and a Swift came in off the sea. However the star bird appeared just after dawn with a Red-rumped Swallow seen coming in off the sea at Ballard and seen pushing straight through north. Sadly it seemed the fall didn’t make it’s way further in land with very few reports of other migrants from elsewhere around the harbour. That said the Red-spotted Bluethroat was still giving superb views at Swineham GP and the Forster’s Tern, which has now nearly acquired it’s full black cap was on the Brownsea Lagoon this morning. There were multiple sightings of White-tailed Eagle with juvs seen over Lytchett Bay and Brownsea and an adult over Middlebere. A Common Snipe was heard drumming near Hartland this AM, a Cuckoo was at Hydes Heath and a Willow Warbler was at Shipstal, RSPB Arne. This morning a lone Cattle Egret was in Lytchett Bay roosting on a boat and a full summer plumaged Great White Egret was in Middlebere.

There was high drama at the Osprey nest site on and off during the day with several visits from intruder Osprey(s) just after first light, mid-morning and late this evening. Sadly on no occasion did the visiting Osprey(s) land on the nest, so we couldn’t see who they were and whether they were any of our returning birds looking to annoy their parents from years gone by. The roaming Ospreys were also seen out in the harbour too, with our local male 022 seen quietly escorting one of them along the Middlebere Channel. Hopefully if it (or they) stick around then they could be seen over the next couple of days and be photographed, or they could decide to land on one of our other platforms which also have cameras on them. Knowing that 2-year old 5R0 is already back, it would be great for 5H3 to appear, who knows….there could be more!!

Summer plumage Great White Egret – Coombe Bog – Mark Wright

Mystery visiting Osprey – Over Coombe Heath – Mark Wright

The weather this spring has been a bit up and down to say the least, never feeling particularly warm other than on a couple of random days where temperatures hit 22+ degrees.  However, with many more migrants still  yet to arrive it was a real surprise to hear today of the first fresh juvenile Siskin already visiting local feeders, with 2 newly fledged birds ringed at the Lower Piddle Vally Ringing Station at Carey this morning. This seems really early with juv Siskins not normally fledging until very late April at the earliest, and more typically in early May. There have also already been plenty of newly fledged Blackbird, Song Thrush and Robin logged, so perhaps things haven’t been slowed down too much because of the cooler start to Spring. This morning a stunning adult male Ring Ouzel was on the edge of Hartland Moor and up to 8 Wheatear were spread across the southern ridge of the moor. A Cuckoo was calling in the Corfe Valley this afternoon and another was heard near Slepe Heath. The Red-spotted Bluethroat was still at the eastern end of Swineham GP and a few Yellow Wagtail passed overhead calling too. The Forster’s Tern settled on Brownsea briefly this afternoon, a ‘new’ Osprey was seen fishing whilst our local pair were on the nest, a White-tailed Eagle was in Middlebere along with 1 Great White Egret and 7+ Wheatear along the track

It was a grim start to the day, but amazingly it cleared really quickly and produced some decent birding, especially for raptors. Around the Lower Piddle Valley this AM there was an adult White-tailed Eagle, 1st winter Goshawk, 2 Red Kite and 2 Peregrine, with the White-tailed Eagle opting to gently josh with the local Ospreys, before soon getting escorted out of their airspace. The Forster’s Tern was again on the Brownsea Lagoon this morning, and seems to be fast moulting into summer plumage. In Holes Bay NW the Ruff was still feeding, an Osprey flew through Lytchett Bay this morning and the years first Garden Warbler was in scrub there too. A Turtle Dove was reported flying over Middlebere yesterday which is an incredibly good Poole Harbour record these days. Finally, the Red-spotted Bluethroat was still at Swineham showing on and off all day. Over the last couple of days we’ve had a small static sound recorder located down near where the bird has been vocalising in the hope we could sound record it sub-singing. We retrieved the recorder today and have found some lovely examples of the bird performing plastic song, filled with multiple imitations of other species songs and calls. We plan to extract several examples to put on our sightings page for tomorrow, so make sure you visit this page again tomorrow to listen to some incredible mimicry!

Red-spotted Bluethroat – Swineham – Clive Hargrave

Today had lots of eastern promise which sadly didn’t deliver. But when you’ve already had Bluethroats and Hoopoes in the harbour who cares! The Red-spotted Bluethroat showed well again on and off during the course of the day at Swineham GP at the eastern end. The Hoopoe seems to have moved on, but there were 2 Northern Wheatear in it’s place. From our Spring Safari this AM were were treated to 2 juvenile White-tailed Eagle again, active in the Wareham Channel, following each other around, trying to teach themselves how to catch fish. The Marsh Harriers were active in and around Swineham too, plus a decent number of Sand Martin, 5+ House Martin and 4 Swallow were buzzing around the gravel pit. The Brownsea Lagoon had 20+ Common Tern, 20 Avocet, 15 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Greenshank and a very late dark-bellied Brent Goose. The years first Swift was seen briefly over Wareham Common, a male Pied Flycatcher was seen on private land near Middlebere during a BBS (Breeding Bird Survey), the Ruff was once again in Holes Bay NW this morning, and an Osprey (neither of our local pair) was in Lytcehtt Bay this morning seen carrying a fish. Also great news today that our local Osprey pair CJ7 and 022 laid their first egg of the 2026 season, just 24 hours later than last year. All being well another two will be laid in the coming few days, but the big question is, will we see a fourth for a third year in a row?

Finally, there are many sounds of spring that bring joy to the ears…..the first singing Blackbird, a newly arrived Nightingale…..a passage of Mediterranean Gulls? Yep….without doubt, one of the true sounds of spring for us here in the harbour is when our local, and passage Mediterranean Gulls move around the harbour, calling in small flocks, most typically during the morning. Here’s a great example recorded last week from a survey boat.

Flock of 7 Meditteranean Gull passing over Shipstal – 01/04/26 – Mark Constantine

Being a Monday, there were fewer rare birds found today, but the long staying gems were pinned down early doors with the Red-spotted Bluethroat seen at Swineham this morning and the Hartland Stud Hoopoe still favouring the field next to the entrance of the ‘Kitchen Cafe’. A small number of common migrants were grounded and saw 1 each of Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler and Common Whitethroat, plus 6 Blackcap in the PCW Drain and in the Lower Piddle Valley at the Carey ringing station there was a good return with 2 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Blackcap and a pair of Lesser Redpoll ringed, plus a pair of Goosander flew over Wareham Common at first light. Also, a first milestone of this 2026 Spring season with the first fledged Robin to be out and about. Later this afternoon the Forster’s Tern was reported off ‘Blue Lagoon’, near Evening Hill. On Brownsea 3 Spoonbill were still present and a few new Common Sandpiper were recorded with individuals in Lytchett Bay and Holes Bay, plus a Ruff was also in Holes Bay.

Sedge Warbler – First to be ringed at Carey ringing station this year – Ed Betteridge

(Lesser) Redpoll ringed at Carey ringing station  – Ed Betteridge

Goosander pair over Wareham Common early this AM – Ed Betteridge

1st fledged Robin of 2026 at Carey Ringing Station

Once again, a very European vibe today, despite yesterdays cold, SW wind persisting. The Red-spotted Bluethroat showed a bit better today, but remained elusive along the enclosed track at the eastern end of Swineham GP. The Hoopoe from yesterday was still feeding in the same area at Hartland Stud, below the pine block just to the south of the entrance track of ‘The Kitchen’ cafe. And if Bluethroats and Hoopoes weren’t enough, then to top it off 2 Common Crane were seen touring high above the NW fringes of the harbour, first being seen over Holton Heath train station, then a bit later over Swineham GP. Equally rare was the finding of a male Pied Flycatcher in Kingswood, just above the Studland Road. Over the last 10 years, Hoopoe have been commoner than Spring Pied Flycatchers! Other birds of note were the 2 Whinchat from yesterday still present on Hartland Moor, at the tope end of Soldiers Road near the pick your own farm, 3 Reed Warbler were at Swineham with good numbers of Sand Martin were over the gravel pit early morning and the 3 Glossy Ibis were seen there this AM too and this afternoon the Forster’s Tern was reported off Shipstal Point, RSPB Arne.

1st of 2 Common Crane to pass over Keysworth this afternoon

2nd of 2 Common Crane to pass over Keysworth this afternoon a few minutes later

Red-spotted Bluethroat – Swineham – Peter Moore

Hoopoe – Hartland Stud – Peter Moore

Difficult not to get blown away in the harbour, but the high winds brought in new arrivals in the shape of 1 Hoopoe at Hartland Stud. It was feeding throughout the afternoon just south of the pine block next to The Kitchen at Hartland Stud. 2 Whinchat were also in the pig rootled field across the road to the south-east of here, along with a smattering of 4 Wheatear and 1 Woodlark. The Red-spotted Bluethroat was still at Swineham point. 3 Spoonbill were still on the Brownsea Lagoon along with c60 Avocet and 8 Bar-tailed Godwit. 1 Great Northern Diver was off Stoney Island in the mouth of the harbour. 1 White-tailed Eagle flew over the Wareham Channel this morning. On the low tide here there were 2 Greenshank, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 summer-plumaged Dunlin, and 4 Grey Plover.  At Swineham Stilt Pools there was 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Common Sandpiper and overhead, 3 House Martin and big arrivals of Sand Martin and Swallow. 1 Osprey was in Lytchett Bay early morning and 1 was in Newton Bay. Also in Lytchett Bay there were 2 Knot and 1 Whimbrel.

Hoopoe – Hartland Stud – Phyl England

Red-spotted Bluethroat – Swineham Point – Peter Moore