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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