Great news today as it was reported that the first (and maybe only) Marsh Harrier chick semi-fledged today in Poole Harbour west with the female luring it out by dropping food on the ground. It will be fascinating to see how many bob their heads above the reedbed’s in the coming days. Will it be one, two, three or possibly even four like one the 2014 pairs raised? At Lytchett Fields a newly arrived winter plumaged Dunlin was found which for mid June is odd in its self, showing no sign of any black on the belly at all. Up on Hartland a Hobby was hunting briefly and at Arne, despite the mist and murk Nightjars were out in force again. On Brownsea there was a single summer plumaged Spotted Redshank

Today was the beginning of our first ever Dorset Discovery Summer Tour in partnership with the Dorset RSPB team. We’ll produce a full write up in the coming days but highlights from Arne included great views of Dartford Warbler, Firecrest, Stonechat, Grass Snake and Slow Worm, as well as an unbelievable display from a minimum of 6 Nightjar just before dark. There was also a late report of an Osprey in the Wytch Channel yesterday afternoon. At Lytchett Fields there was another Green Sandpiper and at Hatch Pond the Great Crested Grebes now have young. 

Not much to report today other than wader numbers are building nicely on Lytchett Fields with 50+ Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Redshank, 16 Lapwing and 1 Green Sandpiper from the viewpoints. 

There were several large flocks of Swifts assembling at different locations around the harbour, taking advantage of the warm, still, muggy weather and abundance of insects. Over Harland Moor 100+ gathered with another 50+ over Challow Hill, whilst over near Poole Park another 100+ fed over the Baiter, Whitecliff area. At Challow Hill 4 Whitethroat were still singing along with 2 Yellowhammer and 2 Blackcap. On the Brownsea Lagoon, the Med Gulls are causing a bit of mischief amongst the Terns, but as the Tern chicks get bigger the Med’s should become less of an issue. Also on Brownsea the first returning Redshanks arrived with 2. At Lytchett Fields there was a single Green Sandpiper and c20 Black-tailed Godwit. 

Today saw some more evidence of early wader passage at Lytchett Fields with 2 newly arrived Ringed Plover and a Little Ringed Plover, all three of the adults with another Green Sandpiper and the first young Reed Warblers are beginning to fledge along with Reed Buntings too. 

Little Ringed Plover – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Ringed Plover – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Newly fledged Reed Warbler – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Today saw a really nice mix of birds (for mid-summer at least). Highlight was a Honey Buzzard that drifted over Godlingston Heath mid afternoon. At Lytchett Fields there were clear signs autumn migration was just around the corner with the first returning Green Sandpiper with 3 present. These are most likely first year, failed breeders it being so early in the season but as June turns into July more and more Green Sandpiper will arrive with peak usually around early August of up to 15 birds. Also on site was 1 juv Stonechat, presumably venturing away from Holton Lee, 11 Lapwing, 10 Teal and 50+ Black-tailed Godwit. In Poole Town a Ring-necked Parakeet flew over calling and a Red Kite drifted over Sandy Lane, Upton. From Hamworthy Park, looking out across to Arne 4 1^st summer Med Gulls were on the water and central harbour was busy with feeding Common and Sandwich Terns.

First returning Green Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Black-tailed Godwits – Lytchett Fileds – Ian Ballam

Lytchett Fields is still building interest with 30-40 Black-tailed Godwits now present, 10 Lapwing flitting between Holton Pools and Lytchett Fields and 4 Redshank. At Arne a Spotted Flycatcher was near the main car park and the Firecrest was still singing there. 2 Hobby were over Hartland again and the Marsh Harrier pair still doing well feeding their young in Poole Harbour west. 

A Barn Owl was seen flying along the Upton bypass up near Policeman’s Lane. On Lytchett Fields up to 30 Black-tailed Godwit and 10 Lapwing were the only birds of note. At Arne the Redstart was again on Coombe heath and the Firecrest was in the car park. 

Nightjar were out in force last night with Arne seeing a good deal of action, as well as Hartland Moor and the Soldiers Road area. At this time of year males will be defending territories so listen out for their charismatic coo-ick type calls as they move from song post to song post as well as there their more familiar churring. A quick dash around the harbour highlighted several Willow Warbler still singing on territory at Soldiers Road, Slepe Copse, South Haven and Swineham. A Hobby was over the Arne Road again, and a female Marsh Harrer was seen in Middlebere.  

At Lytchett Fields up to 20 Lapwing were seen lifting off Holton Pools suggesting more return/early movement passage of failed breeders. However it won’t be long before the first fresh juvenile birds start arriving too. This year we’re also conducting a full Poole Harbour breeding gull census and today whilst trying to survey the Old Town end of Poole we were dive bombed and splattered by protective parents as almost all Herring Gull chicks have now hatched and can be seen scrabbling around on numerous roof tops. At Arne a female Marsh Harrier was seen off Coombe with a Tree Pipit, Redstart and several Dartford Warbler family parties. 

Herring Gull chick – Old Town Poole

Woodlark – Poole Harbour Heathland