Finally a bit of quality delivered its self today when a Common Crane drifted high over the A35 heading north. A male Marsh Harrier arrived at Lytchett Fields for a short while causing a bit of mischief. The Firecrest in the Arne car park is still singing frequently and a male Common Whitethroat seemed to be on territory at South Haven, Studland which doesn’t seem to be a regular occurrence. There was a large haul of Swift hawking over Poole Town and Baiter. 

Firecrest – Arne car park – Song of male – 01/06/16

Common Whitethroat – South Haven, Studland. Song and display flight of male 01/06/16

The Red Kite passage was in evidence again today when one drifted low over Canford Heath heading towards Poole Crematorium. A Spotted Flycatcher was at Arne along with a Redstart still. There are several Great Crested Grebe about with 6 still on Littlesea, 2 in Holes Bay and 2 in the Wareham Channel, whether they’re breeding or not we’re not sure as its not typical breeding behaviour or in some cases even habitat but we’ll keep an eye out. 

There was a report of a Quail calling in the lower Frome Valley mid morning, although despite some listening efforts it couldn’t be relocated or heard. Not much else to report other than a Nightjar passing low over Lytchett Way, Upton. Presumably one from Lytchett Heath just up the road? At Arne, the Nightjar walk saw an intense amount of activity at dusk with males really chasing hard and plenty of wing clapping.

Yet another Red Kite was seen, this time drifting low along the Studland Road, heading towards South Haven plus another 2 were seen drifting over Canford Heath at around 11:30am. On Littlesea an unseasonal 11 Great Crested Grebe had formed a small feeding raft. Up on Hartland a silent Cuckoo was busy feeding from a telegraph pole and a Hobby passed over there. 

Although the migration season has now pretty much finished, its still a great time of year go get out and familiarise yourself with bird sound as males are still busy defending territories and others still desperately trying to pair up before its too late. Reed and Cetti’s Warbler at Swineham can be heard in good numbers at the moment, Woodlark are still singing out on the heathland and Dartford Warbler can still be seen and heard display flying. Obviously Nightjar are back and their familiar churring call can be heard just before dark, but see if you can hear any of the other call types they do in-between churring sessions. Out on the Spartina Redshank song rings out and sitting in the hide at Middlebere will currently allow you to encounter this, whilst Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler sing from the scrub woodland behind. And if you’re really lucky you may encounter something a bit different like this male Common Redstart we heard singing at Arne last week. 

Common Redstart – song of 1st summer male – Arne RSPB Reserve – 23/05/16

Red Kite – Studland Road – Paul Morton

Around 14:00 2 Red Kite drifted high east above Upton. Common Tern numbers are now building slowly on the open islands in front of the Lower Hide on the Brownsea Lagoon. 2 Hobby were high above Slepe Heath. 

Only highlight was a Red Kite that drifted up along Soldiers Road mid-morning. 

Still pretty quiet in terms of sightings. Lytchett Fields is still hosting up to 60 over-summering Black-tailed Godwit on the high tides and there were 2 Shoveler on site. Nightjar activity is building slowly, but it does seem to be late this year, as was the same for many other summer migrants during April and early May. Amazingly a handful of Swallow and a few Swift are still arriving having been held up by cold weather and northerly winds in the early part of spring. 

Today’s sightings were mostly normal run of the mill sightings with breeding birds reported most of all. However, there was some evidence of some early return passage/movement of birds with Lapwing at Lytchett Fields, suggesting these are failed breeders from elsewhere that are already on the move, looking for somewhere to feed and spend their summer hols. Nightjars up on Coombe Heath, Arne performed well in the lighter, earlier part of dusk, dazzling as their white wing patches beamed through the silhouettes of Gorse and Silver Birch. Dartford Warbler, Stonechat and Woodlark have all fledged young on most heathlands around the harbour and on Brownsea Common Terns numbers are now beginning to build on the islands in front of the lower hide.

If you’ve never seen or experienced Nightjars before then why not join us on one of our two Nightjar walks this summer at Arne RSPB reserve. The staff at Arne have kindly granted us access to off limits part of the reserve to encounter these amazing birds. For more info or to book on then just CLICK HERE

Nightjar – Coombe Heath, Arne – Paul Morton

No sign of yesterdays Red-backed Shrike unfortunately, but partial compensation came when an Osprey was seen fishing through the shimmering heat haze in the Wareham Channel mid morning. With easterly winds picking up again some wader passed picked up again with 12 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin out on Lytchett Fields, 1 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin at Arne and a Whimbrel in Middlebere. The male Marsh Harrier seems to be a good provider as he makes frequent return trips to his female and chicks with talons full of goodies. There was just a single Hobby over Moors today. 

Med Gull nesting on Brownsea Tern Islands

The day started off quietly but finished with a sparkle when it was discovered that a female Red-backed Shrike had spent some time tucked up in a remote corner of Hartland Moor all afternoon and evening. Until the 1950’s this species could be found on most heathlands of east Dorset… but a decline started in 1951 and was complete by 1962. Todays record is only the 9^th Poole Harbour record since 1961. Nightjars on Upton Heath were active at dusk, but activity at sites like Slepe Heath and Arne was limited with just 2-3 birds at each site. Out in the harbour there was a single late Red-breasted Merganser and good numbers of Sandwich and Common Terns out feeding. 

Red-backed Shrike – Hartland Moor