The tides this week have been huge! Many of the flood plains have been under water for much of the week creating excellent feeding areas for waders and wildfowl that have been forced out from their normal high tide roosts.

There is still a large group of between 1000-1500 Black-tailed Godwit feeding out on the Stoborough Causeway flood with around 200 Lapwing.

The floods at Lytchett Bay produced 123 Redshank, 31 Dunlin, 17 Lapwing, 1 Spotted Redshank, 83 Wigeon, 4 Shoveler, 5 Green Sandpiper, 432 Teal, 183 Wigeon and a Peregrine Falcon.

At Holes Bay 502 Wigeon, 213 Teal, 410 Black-headed Gull, 1 Pintail, 1 Spotted Redshank, 10 Little Grebe, 2 Spoonbill, 1 Kingfisher and a Water Rail.

My favourite sighting of the week goes to a Black Redstart that was seen near Asda at Holes Bay. Not an easy bird to find in Poole Harbour.

At Arne, still 24 Spoonbill off Shipstal, also a Common Scoter and small parties of Siskin with the odd Redpoll.

There were 10 Black-necked Grebe off Middle Beach, Studland also 2 Common Scoter and 1 Red-breasted Merganser.

There were 4 Marsh Harrier ‘playing’ over the Swineham area early evening, the male Hen Harrier dashed across Arne Moors as did a Merlin and a Barn Owl was out hunting at Arne. 

Don’t forget to book on to the next ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ Field Trip – 3 Bay Bumble, a gentle amble looking at the bays of the western harbour in seach of waders, wildfowl sea ducks, grebes and geese. For more information and to book on click on HERE 

Autumn tactics crept in today with a day of glorious sunshine, sandwiched in-between two days of wind and rain.  No two days are the same at the moment, but with this mornings northerly breeze and clear sky’s it seemed some passage could be on the cards. Despite a few decent sized groups of Wood Pigeon, the migration never picked up and a flock of 300 was the maximum over Lytchett Bay and South Haven.

A School Birdboat trip that left the quay at 10am were spoilt with a whole manner of decent birds. 26 Spoonbill are always an incredible sight, a Long-tailed Duck flew down passed Brownsea, settled on the water for a couple of seconds and then headed down towards Arne. Both Peregrine and a female Merlin were upsetting the Brownsea Lagoon regulars as 300+ Avocet, 200+ Black-tailed Godwit, 200+ Oystercatcher, Redshank, Dunlin, Knot, Grey Plover, a few Bar-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank all had to dive foe cover more than once. To complete the trip two Seals made an appearance off Shipstal point, Arne.

A ‘vis-mig’ session at South Haven, Studland produced 10 Crossbill, 23 Siskin, 6 Redpoll, 23 Chaffinch, 2 Brambling, 19 Goldfinch, 1 Linnet, 2 Bullfinch, 3 Meadow Pipit, 9 Reed Bunting, 4 Greenfinch, 9 Starling and 2 Fieldfare as-well as a stunning male Merlin and 300+ Wood Pigeon.

A short ringing session a Holton Lee produced 2 Marsh Tit. This species is becoming increasingly rare in the harbour and it now seems that Holton Lee and Slepe Copse are the only reliable places to see them. They’re not even regular at Arne any more. Also there a Barn Owl hunting over the marsh.

No, the title isn’t a self-assessment of recent days, but a comment on how things have seemed to slow up a bit bird wise.  Updates from various sites include –

Hatch Pond where an Oystercatcher was present, also 2 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 7 Shoveler, 17 Teal, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 5 Snipe.

Holes Bay saw another 3 Spoonbill feeding on the falling tide.

Both the male and juvenile Hen Harrier were seen hunting together over the mouth of the Frome.

At Lytchett Bay 7 Brent Geese, 6 Green Sandpiper, 55 Lapwing, 38 Dunlin and 2 Stonechat.

Around Swineham and Bestwall, 2 Marsh Harrier were playing/fighting together, 1000+ Black-tailed Godwit were still feeding on the flood at Bestwall with 300 Lapwing.  On the pits 100+ Teal, 20 Tufted Duck, 14 Wigeon, 1 Pochard, 1 Pintail and a Peregrine over.

This morning looked good for possible thrush passage through the harbour, but what started off looking hopeful, petered fairly quickly.  A few small groups of Redwing passed over Arne, followed by my first Fieldfare of the autumn as a flock of 32 settled in a tree. A few smaller groups of 3-5 passed over and then it was over. A male Brambling was near Arne farm, and there were 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Kestrel, 1 Buzzard and a Sparrowhawk out over Swineham.

In Holes Bay the falling tide attracted 4 Spoonbill, 300+ Wigeon, 200+ Teal, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 50+ Dunlin along with Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, 8 Little Grebe and a fly over Grey Wagtail.

Out on the Wareham to Stoborough causeway the flooded fields are currently attracting about 1000 Black-tailed Godwit on a high tide with plenty of Lapwing mixed in.

Don’t forget to check out our up and coming field trips starting with our next one on Saturday the 30^th of November – Three Bay Bumble, Studland

‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ Events

There seems to be a pretty regular pattern now with sun and rain constantly competing against each other, and with it still being so mild it makes it a real pain knowing exactly what to wear when out birding. I know, not exactly dilemma of the centaury, but it’s always good to have a moan once in a while.

The best bird from the last few days was actually a late report from October 22^nd when a Short-eared Owl was flushed from Holton Lee, where it then flew out across Lytchett Bay. During the winter of 2011/12 one possibly two SE Owls over wintered in the harbour, and it would be great if the same happened again this year.

Lytchett Bay also produced some new arrivals with 2 Water Pipit making use of the flood meadows along with a handful of Rock Pipit. Also there, 11 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Stonechat, 1 Kingfisher, 2 Redpoll a handful of Redwing and a Chiffchaff, as well as the usual Redshank, Snipe, Black-tailed Godwit, Teal and Wigeon.

Out on Hartland Moor the grey male Hen Harrier was joined by another a young male as 2 Merlin also dashed about the place.

At Middlebere a juv Marsh Harrier was present a Merlin flew over the NT cottages and a Peregrine took a Redshank.

At Holton 2 Marsh Tit were ringed with this site being the only reliable site for Marsh Tit nowadays!

On Brownsea Avocet numbers are around 600 with Grey Plover numbers rising into double figures.

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Well, the storm was as quick to disappear as it was to arrive, but a trail of destruction was obvious with trees, fences, branches, boats! Strewn all over the place on my way to Branksome Chine this AM. The magical sea watch I had in my head with masses of rare Atlantic species piling by out at sea wasn’t to be. A small tally of 1 Kittiwake, 7 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Pintail, 4 Brent Geese and 3 Razorbill was our reward for the early start.  

The Swineham, Bestwall, Stoborough Causeway area is looking fantastic at the moment as all the fields have flooded creating a stunning network of pools and wet grassland, perfect for waders and ducks. Out on Bestwall a Ruff was feeding with 50+ Lapwing, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Pintail, 9 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler and a Merlin was sat on a post.

At Swineham a late Wheatear, 1 Rock Pipit, Kingfisher, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, whilst out on the gravel pits 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 158 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall and 2 Bearded Tit.

Elsewhere Arne Moors and the Stoborough Causeway were also hugely flooded with both sites holding over 200+ each of Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit.

At Middlebere 3 Spoonbill, 1 Barn Owl (that sat on the hide for a short while) 48 Brent Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 adult Yellow-legged Gull, Redwing and a Dartford Warbler.

Male Hen Harrier were recorded at Lytchett Bay, Bestwall and Middlebere today. It could be the same bird, but possibly a new male has arrived in the last few days?

Also at Lytchett bay today 7 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Marsh Harrier.

Finally there was a report of a Black Brant that flew into the harbour around 9am, so well worth scanning through the Brent Flocks to try and locate it.

Have just seen on the news that the south coast storm is on its way…excellent news for sea watching! The last time strong south-westerly’s hit the south coast Weymouth and Portland was littered with Leach’s Storm Petrels and species like Grey Phalarope, Sabine’s Gull and Skua’s can all get blown on to our shores. Obviously take care if you are out, and take advise from local news channels, but weather systems like this can produce really fascinating bird watching.

Today ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ and Stour Ringing group were invited to do a ringing demo at the RSPB Arne reserve. Unfortunately, persistent rain all morning stopped the session in its tracks, but not before a few decent birds were ringed in-between showers. Firescrest, Treecreeper, 2 Blackcap, Long-tailed Tit and Chaffinch were just a few of the species shown to the public today. Also at Arne today 22 Spoonbill at Shipstal, 4 Firecrest in the carpark and Redwing were passing over in good numbers.

The male Hen Harrier and a juv Marsh Harrier tumbled together in the wind out towards Swineham. Also 5 Red-breasted Merganser out in the Wareham Channel, 100+ Lapwing around Swineham and a Jack Snipe at Sunnyside Farm.

On Brownsea today 1 Curlew Sandpiper, 2 Little Stint and 400 Avocet, along with Knot, Grey Plover, Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank and Spotted Redshank.

From Shore Road, Sandbanks a few Bar-tailed Godwit are gathering with a few Turnstone, Sandwich Tern and Oystercatcher.

The Ring Ouzel and Scaup were still present at Swineham yesterday.

A small break in the weather this morning allowed birders all over the county to get out quick before the wind and rain took over again. After such long periods of un-settled weather birds are desperate to get on the move again, so it was a little surprising that with the routine finches and thrushes at South Haven this morning a Hoopoe was spotted from the Studland Chain Ferry, flying across the harbour mouth and heading over the Haven Hotel towards Sandbanks. Hoopoe are normally associated with being a scarce spring passage migrant, although the two that have occurred in Poole Harbour this year occurred during the first winter period of this year and in the autumn! Also from the harbour mouth this morning a light passage of Siskin and Redpoll north, Linnet, Goldfinch and Skylark west and 2 Red-throated Diver in.

At Swineham today and yesterday a Ring Ouzel was feeding on berries along the main track and a Greater Scaup was on the main pit today with 2 Pochard and an adult Yellow-legged Gull.

At Lytchett Bay a Jack Snipe was flushed from a reedbed and the Ruff was still present out on the mud and juv Curlew Sandpiper was on the pools field. Also there 2 Green Sandpiper, 6 Greenshank, 1 Kingfisher and some ‘vis mig’ of Skylark and Linnet passing overhead.

Over on Hartland Moor at least 3 juv Marsh Harrier, the male Hen Harrier and a male Merlin.

Off Middle Beach only 4 Black-necked Grebe along with a female Common Scoter, 5 Razorbill, 3 Med Gull and a Sandwich Tern.

At Holton Lee a Firecrest was present with 2 Fieldfare, 10 Redwing and good numbers of the usual finches.

At Arne 26 Spoonbill remain, small numbers of Redwing arrived and a Peregrine put on a good show.

WOW – Just had a phone call to say PALLAS’S WARBLER at South Beach, Studland now!  The below map shows that this is the most southerly and westerly occurance of this species in the whole of the UK this autumn.

Can you believe it’s almost November! Where has this year gone? It’s certainly turned very wintery, despite being a very unseasonal 17 degrees today.

The strong southerly wind may be keeping many of our visitors from the north away but there is still a decent mix of birds coming from various sites.  

At Upton CP 6 Spotted Redshank were present from the concrete bench, along with good numbers of Teal and Wigeon.

A watch from Middlebere saw 20 Brent Geese arrive, 1 Marsh Harrier, 5 Lapwing, 6 Grey Plover, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Redshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 20+ Dunlin and 1 Green Sandpiper.  

In the last two days Swineham has seem 2 Spotted Redshank, 3 Greenshank, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Marsh Harrier, 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Rock Pipit, 2 Yellow-legged Gulls, 1 Stonechat and 2 Raven.

Out near Shore Road 2 Sandwich Tern were fishing and 3 Turnstone were on the sea wall.

A high tide survey at Lytchett Bay saw 1 juvenile Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 2 Spotted Redshank, 9 Green Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 54 Lapwing, 55 Redshank and 4 Black-tailed Godwit.

A Merlin and Peregrine were both hunting over the lagoon today where 500+ Avocet are now present, 400+ Black-tailed Godwit and 22 Grey Plover.

Some nice coverage from around the harbour today with our monthly guided walk taking place this morning around the Greenlands Farm/Brands Bay area. Highlights included overhead passage of Redwing, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Lesser Redpoll, Linnet, Siskin, Goldfinch and Chaffinch. On the heathland Dartford Warbler and Stonechat were seen with Bullfinch, Raven, Peregrine, Kestrel and Meadow Pipit also present. On to Brands Bay where 1 Common Scoter, 12 Red-Breasted Merganser, 41 Great Crested Grebe, Brent Geese, 50+ Redshank, 30+ Curlew, 3 Ringed Plover, 12 Pintail, Teal and Wigeon all showed well.

Off Middle Beach, Studland Black-necked Grebe numbers have risen from 6 to 11, also there 2 Common Scoter.

At Arne 25 Spoonbill, 1 Marsh Harrier, (possible Greenland race) Wheatear, 10 Brent Geese, 200+ Oystercatcher, 2 Snipe, 40+ Meadow Pipit and 8 Pintail.

A huge high tide around the whole harbour forced many wildfowl and waders out of their usual haunts, but at Lytchett Bay 2 Greenshank, 1 Green Sandpiper, 32 Lapwing and 2 Snipe, 5 Brent Geese and 11 Black-tailed Godwit managed to find a bare piece of ground to roost on.