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!