Wednesday 12^th was a wet and horrid day, with no let up in the wind or persistent rain all day. Unsurprising that reports were few and far between. The summer plumaged Ruff was still at Swineham, as were the two Little Ringed Plover and a new colour ringed Black-tailed Godwit. The two Roseate Terns on Brownsea lagoon are beginning to look rather settled as Sandwich Tern chick numbers carry on increasing, also there 11 Avocet, 5 Turnstone, 6 Dunlin, 1 Grey Plover, 1 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit and numerous Shoveler and Gadwall.

There has been a special request by an out of county ringing group for any birders who are out and about in Poole Harbour to keep an eye out for colour ringed Shelduck and Black-tailed Godwit. If you do see either of these species with a ring or combination of rings on their legs could you please note the colours, and what legs they’re on and email us the information, or better still email us in a photo. Thank you.

It’s “Wild About Brownsea” this weekend – Come and meet Birds of Poole Harbour in the ‘Mac Hide’ http://ow.ly/lZ9MV …

With a warm muggy morning awaiting us when we woke up, and a very light SE breeze it felt like a few birds may have arrived, and sure enough they did.

A likely Great White Egret was photographed flying over Lytchett Bay at around 8:30am heading SW. The attached photograph shows an Egret sp with very long broad wings and long trailing legs. If accepted, it would be the second record for the site in two years. Even more stunning was a full summer plumaged Ruff that was found on the muddy pools at Swineham. Also the there 225 Black-tailed Godwit and 2 adult Little Ringed Plover, which are either very late on migration north, or very early on migration south. The 2 Roseate Terns on Brownsea Island were showing brilliantly on the webcam all afternoon and also still on Brownsea 5 Avocet, 2 Sanderling, 1 Little Tern, 1 pair of Yellow-legged Gulls and good numbers of Shelduck ducklings and Gadwall.

Saturday 8^th had very few reports. Some lovely images were sent in though from the Brownsea Lagoon where 2 Roseate Terns were frequenting the islands in front of the Mac Hide. They were picked up on the webcam for a few minuets showing really well, but flew off before news could be put out. Also still Mediterranean Gull present and more and more Sandwich Tern chicks are hatching. Also on Brownsea still 5 Avocet.

Thursday 6^th June – Another hot, muggy day with a gentle NE winds blowing through. Not much coverage of the harbour today but sightings included…

3 Ringed Plover and a summer plum Dunlin at Lytchett Bay were a bit of surprise at Lytchett Bay, also there of note was 3 Lapwing, 1 Cetti’s Warbler, 1 Skylark, 4 Linnet, Moorhen with chicks, Pied Wagtail with young, Grey Heron with two young and a very pale morph Buzzard. The Roseate Tern was again on Brownsea Island along with 5 Avocet and a Sanderling. Another Nightjar ringing session on Canford Heath resulted in another male being caught and ringed. Sandwich Tern chicks are now popping up here and there on the islands in front of the Mac Hide. Keep an eye out on the webcam for them here…

http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/dwt-webcam

The next ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ field trip will be at the fabulous Arne RSPB reserve look at the myserious Nightjar. Follow this link to find out how to book on to this FREE event…

http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/nightjars-arne

Wednesday 5^th – Yet another blissful day of hot sun and gentle breezes. More and more young birds are emerging with Stonechat broods becoming a common site on all the local heathlands.  Highlights included…

A male Redstart was seen down near the Shipstal Hide at Arne. On Brownsea the Roseate Tern remained along with a handful of passage Sanderling. At Swineham a passing Marsh Harrier drifted over the reedbed, where Reed Warbler, Reed Bunting and a pair of Sedge Warbler all seem to be doing well. Nightjar are really active at the moment most heathland sites with some great views on the RSPB’s Nightjar walk at Arne last night. At Middlebere 2 possible Green Sandpiper were seen near the NT hide and a Grey Plover was at Lytchett Bay. There is still some passage in evidence with Swift and small parties of Swallow passing through. 

Do you know any or are you a teacher from a Poole or Purbeck school and teach years 4-8? then the new RSPB/BoPH Educational Bird Boat timetable is now ready. If you think your pupils could benefit from learning about the birds and wildlife of Poole Harbour then please contact us on 01202 641003. For more info floow this link..,

http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/childs-bird-boats

Finally summer is here and all our breeding birds are well under way pretty much. Already there are plenty of young birds around from family parties of Gadwall and Mallard to young Mistle Thrush and Siskin. Everywhere you look there is evidence that birds are working their socks off  to succeed.

Best from the last couple of days include….

Monday 3^rd – The long staying Poole Harbour Osprey was again seen over Middlebere. A Brent Goose is still at Brands Bay. Good numbers of Swift can now be seen over Poole and Wareham Towns. in good numbers. At Swineham still at least 5 Cetti’s Warbler singing, 2 Sedge Warbler, 3 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Teal. A ringing session took place on Canford Heath where 2 Nightjar were successfully ringed. A Roseate Tern was on the Brownsea Lagoon briefly.

Tuesday 4^th – A ringtail Harrier sp was seen over South Haven and then over Brownsea showing characteristics of Montagu’s Harrier.  Also at South Haven 45 Swift north, 3 Jays crossed the harbour mouth along with Great Spotted Woodpecker and a pair of Lesser Redpoll were found. 

Late news from Friday a Red Kite and Honey Buzzard drifted over Brownsea Island

Apologies for the lack of news in the last week, we’ve been having a few back office issues which are now resolved.

The new ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ walk is available to book on to. This month we’ll be looking for Nightjars at Arne….

http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/nightjars-arne

Highlights from the last week include…(in date order)

May 28^th – A large fall of House Martin at Lytchett Bay with 150+ hawking over the wetland areas

May 29^th – On Brownsea over 140 Sandwich Tern nests were counted on the lagoon. Also on Brownsea the 2 Nightjar are still in the center of the Island and the Yellow-legged Gulls are still raising young at the back of the lagoon. At Lytchett Bay a pair of nesting Redshank was notable, also there  Whitethroat on territory, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Linnet, 15+ Reed Warbler,  1 late Sand Martin, 30+ House Martin, 20+ Swift.

May 30^th – No reports

May31st – An early morning walk at Greenlands Farm saw 3 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 late Wheatear. In Brands Bay 1 Brent Goose, 9 Curlew, 2 Whimbrel and 2 Turnstone and at South Haven a Red Kite over, 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Teal and 35+ Sandwich Tern.

June 1^st – 1 Roseate Tern on the Brownsea Lagoon

June 2^nd – At Old Harry just 1 Spotted Flycatcher and 1 Siskin and a t Little Sea 1 Hobby and 1 Reed Warbler. On Knoll Farm road there were 2 Red-legged Partridge. There was also a Nightjar sat on the road in Ridge, plus 2 birds churring on Hartland. 

Of local interest Portland BIll saw just under 1000 (yes 1000) Spotted Flycatcher arrive in a single morning on June 1st!

It was a beautiful bank holiday in the end with the sun shining down on us for most of the time, but despite the good weather reports were few and far between.

Best was still 30 Black-tailed Godwit in Holes Bay, also there, 2 Common Tern, 2 Little Egret, 1 Sedge Warbler and numerous Shelduck. At Lytchett Bay a Whitethroat was still holding territory near the cottage on Slough Lane, also Swallow, House Martin and Pied Wagtail showed signs of breeding.  At Middlebere the male Pochard was still present along with a Ringed Plover and Sandwich Tern.  On Brownsea a pair of Yellow-legged Gull currently have one chick continuing the on-going success of this species at this site. 

Read about the latest ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ field trip here… http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/poole-harbour-news

With May almost coming to an end and the temperature still yet to go above 18 degrees, I’m quite looking forward to June beginning and for the summer to actually begin. Still some  nice birds about, mainly birds that are hanging on from the spring or winter at favoured sites…

May 22^nd  – Lytchett Bay still had the 1^st winter Little Gull out on the mud at low tide, also the Red-throated Diver was in the Turlin channel, 1 Whimbrel, 3 Lapwing and 1 Black-tailed Godwit. A Red Kite drifted low over the Bakers Arms roundabout. At Middlebere a male Pochard was a strange late May record, also there 2 Spoonbill. Just outside the Poole Harbour area a Woodchat Shrike with in Southborne, Bournemouth.

May 23^rd – Only reports from today were from Lytchett Bay where a Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Lapwing, 1 Whimbrel, 2 Blackcap, 2 Chiffchaff and a Common Gull were located. Also a pair of Dartford Warbler were on Lytchett Heath, Lytchett Bay.  

A few days of settled weather meant birders were able to get out, hence the slight increase in reports from the last few days…

Monday 20^th May first record was of a Turtle Dove sat in the middle of the Arne approach road, which was narrowly missed by one of the Arne wardens in his car. Up on Old Harry only a Spotted Flycatcher represented any migration while Skylark, Blackcap and Chiffchaff were all on territory.  In Brands Bay still a Whimbrel and 1 Dunlin.  At Lytchett Bay the highlights were a Greenshank, 3 Lapwing, a singing Lesser Whitethroat, the long staying Red-throated Diver and 10+ Singing Reed Warbler.  The long staying Osprey was again off Rockely Point, and 5 Jays were seen flying into the harbour at South Haven.  At Littlesea, Studland there was a Gadwall, 1 Dark-belled Brent Goose and a Yellow-legged Gull.

Tuesday 21^st May was a bit quieter.  Best was a male Garganey at Hatch Pond this morning.  At Greenland’s Farm today still 2 Wheatear, a singing Woodlark, and a Hobby and at Middlebere today 2 Yellow-legged Gull and 1 Hobby, whilst this evening just 1 Wigeon and 1 Whimbrel.