There was no sign of yesterday’s Common Crane at Keysworth today. However, a single Cattle Egret was with a herd on Arne Moors and 22 Spoonbill were observed in the channel early morning. West Poole Harbour also produced 4 Marsh Harrier, 1 Osprey and 2 Hobby – a fine morning for birds of prey. Osprey were also logged several times over Lytchett Bay and Holes Bay today with 2 individuals recorded in the morning and an additional sighting in the afternoon.

PC World Drain contained a splattering of passage migrants including several Chiffchaff, Blackcap and Spotted Flycatcher. Large Black-tailed Godwit movement was seen moving from Wareham Channel direction towards Holes Bay totalling 800+ birds. Godlington Heath picked up a single Hobby hunting and Red Kitepassing over while over on Brownsea Island 2 Curlew Sandpiper were observed late morning.

Spotted Flycatcher – PC World Drain – Ian Ballam

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Keysworth shoreline, Wareham Channel this morning produced a welcome vagrant to the Harbour – Common Crane. One individual was observed mid-morning along with trios of both Marsh Harrier and Hobby. With populations increasing in Eastern and Central-Southern England it’s no surprise we’re seeing more records of Common Crane in the harbour in recent years. The previous record was earlier in the year (January 8^th – 29^th) with the bird commuting regularly between Middlebere and Hartland Moor.

There was no sign of the recent Little Ringed Plover or Little Stint at Lytchett Fields today, but the 2 Ruff remained present. A brief visit to Holes Bay NE on a rising tide this morning produced 124 Wigeon accompanied by c800 Black-tailed Godwit and singles of Kingfisher and adult Yellow-legged Gull. A nice mixture of migrants also frequented Baiter Beach with 2 Wheatear, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover and c30 Turnstone all logged this morning.

Brownsea Lagoon harboured 5 Avocet, 15 Dunlin, 5 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 63 Cormorant, 36 Spoonbill, 5 Little Egret, 11 Greenshank and 5 Redshank. Migrant Osprey were also observed over Greenslands, Studland and Lytchett Bay.

Holton Lee Pools; 1 Little Egret, 2 Black Tailed Godwit & an Osprey over the bay.

Middlebere;58 Avocets, 272 Black tailed Godwits, 1 Hobby, 1 Curlew & a heavy passage of Swallows & House Martins.

Wytch Channel; 36 Mallard, 8 Black-tailed Godwits & more Swallows & House Martins.

In the field between Middlebere Farm & Wytch Channel; 9 Stonechats, 2 Meadow Pipits, 2 Whinchats & a flyover Yellow Wagtail.

Keysworth shoreline, Wareham Channel this morning produced a welcome vagrant to the Harbour – Common Crane. One individual was observed mid-morning along with trios of both Marsh Harrier and Hobby. With populations increasing in Eastern and Central-Southern England it’s no surprise we’re seeing more records of Common Crane in the harbour in recent years. The previous record was earlier in the year (January 8^th – 29^th) with the bird commuting regularly between Middlebere and Hartland Moor.

There was no sign of the recent Little Ringed Plover or Little Stint at Lytchett Fields today, but the 2 Ruffremained present. A brief visit to Holes Bay NE on a rising tide this morning produced 124 Wigeonaccompanied by c800 Black-tailed Godwit and singles of Kingfisher and adult Yellow-legged Gull. A nice mixture of migrants also frequented Baiter Beach with 2 Wheatear, 1 Common Sandpiper, 3 Ringed Ploverand c30 Turnstone all logged this morning.

Brownsea Lagoon harboured 5 Avocet, 15 Dunlin, 5 Shelduck, 10 Shoveler, 63 Cormorant, 36 Spoonbill, 5 Little Egret, 11 Greenshank and 5 Redshank. Migrant Osprey were also observed over Greenslands, Studland and Lytchett Bay.

It looked as if it could have been a good ‘fall’ morning with low cloud cover and a light northerly wind but sadly it wasn’t to be. There was still a nice variety of species logged from across the harbour. At Little Sea, Studland a Great White Egret was seen leaving the heron roost. At Lytchett Bay 2 Osprey circled together around lunch time and another was seen in Middlebere. There were 2 Hobby seen in Middlebere with 1 Marsh Harrier and c60 Avocet and another Hobby seeing off a Buzzard in the Piddle Valley where a Green Sandpiper was on the river. On the Brownsea Lagoon it was reported that up to 38 Spoonbill were present. In the PCW Drain 1 Whitethroat and numerous Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were feeding in the blackberry bushes. At Lytchett Fields the Little Stint was still present along with 2 Ruff and the Little Ringed Plover also a decent count of 56 Yellow Wagtail. On Poole Quay the first Kingfisher of the autumn was present on the quay front, hopefully several more will join it over the coming weeks.

It looked as if it could have been a good ‘fall’ morning with low cloud cover and a light northerly wind but sadly it wasn’t to be. There was still a nice variety of species logged from across the harbour. At Little Sea, Studland a Great White Egret was seen leaving the heron roost. At Lytchett Bay 2 Osprey circled together around lunch time and another was seen in Middlebere. There were 2 Hobby seen in Middlebere with 1 Marsh Harrier and c60 Avocet and another Hobby seeing off a Buzzard in the Piddle Valley where a Green Sandpiper was on the river. On the Brownsea Lagoon it was reported that up to 38 Spoonbill were present. In the PCW Drain 1 Whitethroat and numerous Chiffchaff and a Blackcap were feeding in the blackberry bushes. At Lytchett Fields the Little Stint was still present along with 2 Ruff and the Little Ringed Plover also a decent count of 56 Yellow Wagtail. On Poole Quay the first Kingfisher of the autumn was present on the quay front, hopefully several more will join it over the coming weeks.

Another great day for birds of prey in the Harbour following the Goshawk sighting two days ago. A total of 3 migrant Osprey were observed enjoying varied success fishing. Towards Arne Moors 3 Marsh Harrier were logged while 3 Hobby (including 2 juveniles) were seen on the wing over Slepe Heath. A Peregrine Falcon was also located perching on the ASDA supermarket overlooking Holes Bay. Holes Bay is beginning to bustle with activity day on day featuring a minimum of 500 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great White Egret, 4 Knot, 17 Little Egret, and c78 Wigeon along lower numbers of Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Common Gull, Kingfisher and a flock of 16 Goldcrest.

Although fewer hirundines were observed today compared to the previous few days, the recent passage continued throughout the day with good numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin recorded over the River Piddle near Swineham.

Lytchett Fields logged several species of passage passerine including Wheatear, Whinchat, Whitethroat and several Spotted Flycatcher. The first Wigeon have returned to Lytchett Bay with a flock of 10 arriving today, accompanying the 2 Ruff still present. Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit are also beginning to return to the Harbour in numbers for the winter with at least 50 and 110 individuals observed respectively at Arne today.

Another great day for birds of prey in the Harbour following the Goshawk sighting two days ago. A total of 3 migrant Osprey were observed enjoying varied success fishing. Towards Arne Moors 3 Marsh Harrier were logged while 3 Hobby (including 2 juveniles) were seen on the wing over Slepe Heath. A Peregrine Falcon was also located perching on the ASDA supermarket overlooking Holes Bay. Holes Bay is beginning to bustle with activity day on day featuring a minimum of 500 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Great White Egret, 4 Knot, 17 Little Egret, and c78 Wigeon along lower numbers of Oystercatcher, Common Sandpiper, Redshank, Dunlin, Curlew, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Cormorant, Common Gull, Kingfisher and a flock of 16 Goldcrest.

Although fewer hirundines were observed today compared to the previous few days, the recent passage continued throughout the day with good numbers of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin recorded over the River Piddle near Swineham.

Lytchett Fields logged several species of passage passerine including Wheatear, Whinchat, Whitethroat and several Spotted Flycatcher. The first Wigeon have returned to Lytchett Bay with a flock of 10 arriving today, accompanying the 2 Ruff still present. Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit are also beginning to return to the Harbour in numbers for the winter with at least 50 and 110 individuals observed respectively at Arne today.

With mild 5mph winds it’s felt warmer than the high of 19°C in the Harbour today. There has been a continued passage of Meadow Pipit and Hirundines (Swallows, Sand Martin and House Martin) passing over the harbour in large numbers.

Spectators at Holten Lee were lucky enough to watch 2 Osprey hunting over the pools and 2 Marsh Harrier were also quartering over the area.  Osprey were also logged at Middlebere and Lytchett Fields. Singles of Little Stint, Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and some Greenshank 3 Whinchat and a pair of Ruff were also seen at Lytchett Fields.  

Brownsea Lagoon is seeing increased numbers of Autumn waders with 29 Spoonbill, c45 Avocet, 32 Greenshank recorded in addition to 4 Little Egret, a Green Woodpecker and several Shoveler.

A Cattle Egret is still present over at Swineham in addition to a Sedge Warbler, Reed Warblers, Chiffchaff and Swallows. A Merlin was also recorded flying over Lytchett Matravers.

With mild 5mph winds it’s felt warmer than the high of 19°C in the Harbour today. There has been a continued passage of Meadow Pipit and Hirundines (Swallows, Sand Martin and House Martin) passing over the harbour in large numbers.

Spectators at Holten Lee were lucky enough to watch 2 Osprey hunting over the pools and 2 Marsh Harrierwere also quartering over the area.  Osprey were also logged at Middlebere and Lytchett Fields. Singles of LittleStint, Little Ringed Plover, Spotted Redshank, Common Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper and some Greenshank 3 Whinchat and a pair of Ruff were also seen at Lytchett Fields.

Brownsea Lagoon is seeing increased numbers of Autumn waders with 29 Spoonbill, c45 Avocet, 32 Greenshank recorded in addition to 4 Little Egret, a Green Woodpecker and several Shoveler.

A Cattle Egret is still present over at Swineham in addition to a Sedge Warbler, Reed Warblers, Chiffchaffand Swallows. A Merlin was also recorded flying over Lytchett Matravers.

What a day to be out and about with a high of 22°C and a warm NNE 12mph wind, perfect conditions for a Poole Harbour bird survey to be conducted.

Some of our team spent the day out on a survey boat around the harbour including a trip up the Wareham River and then over to Brownsea which saw an excellent range of species and autumn migration in full swing. The highlight in terms of a visual spectacle was the constant passage of Meadow Pipit, Swallow, House Martinand Sand Martin that pulsed north for the majority of the day. Over the hours we were on the boat several thousand must have passed through the harbour, which was an incredible sight to see. There seemed to be plenty of other birds on the move too with numerous Wheatear in open pasture fields and Chiffchaff abundant in hedgerows. There were plenty other highlights from across the harbour too with a large female Goshawkseen over Slepe Heath, a Great White Egret at Lytchett Bay and a Cattle Egret on the Swineham floodplain. An Osprey passed very close to the Survey boat at the mouth of the Frome and one caught a fish in Lytchett Bay and headed over Holton Lee. A mixture of 18 Pale Bellied and Dark-Bellied Brent Geese were also recorded in Ower Bay, on the South side of the Harbour which is a great early autumn count.

The Spoonbill were seen early over at Shipstal Point, Arne with 22 recorded and 30 were later seen back at Brownsea Lagoon. Also seen at the Lagoon were; c400 Oystercatcher, 12 Black–tailed Godwit, 12 Avocet, 5 Little Egret, 30 Spoonbill, 4 Greylag Geese, c20 Redshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 1 Whinchat and 1 Peregrine.  Over Arne Moors 2 Marsh Harrier were logged with another in the mouth of Middlebere.

A fair amount of activity at Lytchett Fields with 3 Green Sandpiper, 1 Little stint, 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 8 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Wheatear, 1 Little Ringed Plover and 2 Marsh Harrier logged.

Holton Pools saw Whinchat, Wheatear, Stonechat, Marsh Harrier and Kingfisher whilst Yellow Wagtail were seen heading over Poole Quay and Swineham GP.

Along numerous sandy shorelines around Arne and Furzey Island migrant Bar-tailed Godwit hunkred up with the roosting Oystercatchers and Great Crested Grebe numbers are increasing with a raft on 35 in Brands Bay.

With ESE winds forecast over the weekend the harbour will surely offer another mouth watering array of birds, so don’t start that long over due painting or decorating just yet and make sure you get out there and explore. Its perfect conditions for a Wryneck or Red-backed Shrike to drop in so don’t leave any bush un-checked because you never know what you could find.

Cattle Egret – Swineham – Paul Morton