June Ospreys are pretty scarce in Poole harbour, however one was seen this morning circling and hunting above the Wareham Channel before being driven off by one of the local Marsh Harriers.

Today seemed as if it had the potential to produce something rare somewhere but to such luck. The Marsh Harrier pair in Poole Harbour west seem to be doing well with the male currently doing all the work. The female has barely left the nest to help with parental duties yet, relying on the male to feed the chicks and her…not a bad life if you can work it out that way! 

This morning was our June field trip which was hosted at Holton Lee courtesy of Livability, the charity that runs the site. Holton Lee is a wonderful reserve however it is a private site which you gain access too simply by becoming a friend of Holton Lee. It holds a good-sized piece of heathland, mixed woodland, reed beds, great views of Lytchett bay and the Wareham Channel as well as open pasture and mixed scrub habitats. Highlights from our trip included 2 Woodlark, 2 Tree Pipit, 1 Cuckoo, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 1 Whitethroat, 5 Dartford Warbler, 5 Stonechat, 1 Hobby, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 7 Mistle Thrush, 1 Marsh Tit, family parties of Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. On Lytchett Fields a single Curlew, 2 Redshank, 5 Teal and 26 Gadwall were recorded. A night recording session around the harbour produced nothing more than several Nightjar, although one did literally come down and practically sit on top of one of our microphones!

Nightjar – Churring of male – Arne Road – 04/06/16

Cuckoo – Holton Lee – Paul Morton

Holton Lee Field Trip – Barbara Bisset

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.