With the Ring-billed Gull turning up in Lytchett Bay two evenings in a row, it made sense to see if it came in for a third night too. So, like the two previous evenings a vigil was set up to watch for its return. Well, a Ring-billed Gull did turn up, and it too was an adult but was amazingly a different individual from the previous two nights, as obvious dark streaking could be seen on the head and nape, where as the bird from the two previous evenings had been completely clean headed. How many more are out there? Whilst watching for the Ring-billed gull, the Lesser Yellowlegs came into view, feeding out in the bay and both Hen Harrier and Merlin were also seen, whilst the Green-winged Teal was re-found on Sherford Pools in the morning. A chilly school bird boat saw 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Common Scoter, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Sandwich Tern and 12 Spoonbill, with zero Goldeneye seen the whole way around the harbour. There were also lesser numbers of Great Crested Grebe, but still plenty of Red-breasted Merganser. In Poole Harbour west, 2 ringtail Hen Harrier are currently now the only representatives of the over-wintering gang and both a male and female Merlin dashed around chasing each other up on Hartland Moor. At night ringing session in the lower Frome Valley saw a minimum of 4 Woodcock seen but none ringed as totals are now much reduced with birds beginning to move off. We did however ring our first ever ‘lamped’ Wigeon! The Corfe Mullen Waxwing were again moving around near the Poole Harbour boundary up near Springdale Road, Corfe Mullen. 

Waxwing – Corfe Mullen 

Wigeon – Lower Frome Valley

Redwing – Holton Lee

After yesterdays Ring-billed Gull in Lytchett Bay, efforts were made to try and see whether it came back in again before going to roost, most likely in the Wareham Channel. An early evening watch saw good numbers of gulls arriving in Lytchett Bay and then all of a sudden, low and behold there it was! A full adult Ring-billed Gull out in the center of the bay where it was settled for 20 minutes before disappearing into a deep channel. The Lesser Yellowlegs was also out in the bay feeding with several Redshank. The 4 Corfe Mullun Waxwing were again sat in a tree near Lesley Shand funeral directors and were also seen on the corner of Hanham Road again. Out in Poole Bay a single Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver and 12 Great Crested Grebe with a single Fulmar west. 

Waxwing – Corfe Mullen

Common Buzzard – Holton Lee