There was a nice general sweep of birds around the harbour today including a Wryneck reported on Ballard, another Merlin at Greenland’s Far, 22 Spoonbill, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Knot and 1 Whinchat at Middlebere, 2 Osprey at Arne, 4 Curlew Sandpiper and 30+ Yellow Wagtail and 25+ Ringed Plover at Lytchett Fields, 2 Whinchat at Sunnyside Farm, 16 Spotted Flycatcher up on Hartland Moor, 2 Black Terns off the Brownsea southern shore and 7 Spotted Redshank on the Brownsea Lagoon. 

With yesterdays mizzle and drizzle it seemed birds were keen to get on the move this morning as the autumns first decent Chiffchaff passage occurred with 40 ringed up on Ballard and certainly 100+ moved through the site, along with Blackcap being more prolific too with 26 ringed. Also moving through Ballard were 16 Willow Warbler, 4 Sedge Warbler, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Wheatear, 5 Tree Pipit, 1 Whinchat and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. At the harbour mouth 3 newly arrived Black Tern were feeding in the gull/tern flock in the tidal race around 8am. There was a late Swift over Stoborough and an early(ish) Merlin over Greenland’s Farm, Studland with 2 Redstart also there. In the Wareham Channel 22 Spoonbill were feeding at dawn and later moved round to Middlebere where there were also 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 3 Knot and 105 Dunlin. Late afternoon early evening saw a Barn Owl and Green Sandpiper over Wareham Moors. At Lytchett Fields a Great White Egret flew over with an Osprey not long after and there were 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 300+ Dunlin, 165 Black-tailed Godwit, 25+ Ringed Plover, 12 Greenshank, 100+ Redshank, 30+ Yellow Wagtail and 1 Peregrine. A single Osprey was in the dead trees at Middlebere and there were 2 Raven and 2 Wheatear on Coombe Heath. Off Shipstal Point Arne a juvenile Arctic Skua was getting mobbed by gulls and the Hooded Crowwas found again in fields near Glebelands (Manor Farm), Studland. A Wood Sandpiper on the Brownsea Lagoon was moderate compensation for the Baird’s Sandpiper not being present for a second day in a row. 

Adult Yellow-legged Gull – Middlebere – Paul Morton

This morning Lytchett Fields was looking pretty impressive with every available bit of water covered in birds. 200+ Dunlin, 30+ Ringed Plover, Greenshank, 3 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Wood Sandpiper and several Yellow Wagtail all happily fed just meters away from the two viewpoints, seemingly without a care in the world and not bother by the 10+ people stood there watching them. Other birds out on the fields included 10+ Green Sandpiper, 100+ Black-tailed Godwit and good numbers of Redshank, Lapwing, Snipe, Teal, Black-headed Gulls and Little Egrets. On the Brownsea Lagoon a Peregrine put up a large flock of Dunlin and Ringed Plover which weren’t seen again for the rest of the day, putting a stop to any hope of trying to re-find the Baird’s Sandpiper. There were 2 Curlew Sandpiper though with 8 Spotted Redshank, 1 Garganey, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Turnstone, 8 Greenshank and a marked increase in Gadwall, Teal and Shoveler numbers. As the rain poured down mid afternoon a Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Greenshank, 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Knot and the standard Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin were the highlights in Middlebere. As the rain cleared by late afternoon a few migrants could be found with 2 Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher on top of Hartland and 2 Redstart and a Whinchat at Greenland’s Farm. 

Today we began our three day Autumn Dorset Discovery which saw us venturing around the Arne RSPB reserve, a full trip report will be available to read in the coming week but highlights included 3-4 Osprey, with 2 un-ringed birds in the dead trees at the back of Middlebere, 19 Spoonbill, 3 Firecrest, 4-5 Dartford Warbler, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 1 Hobby, 6 Knot, 6 Greenshank, 15 Avocet, c300 Black-tailed Godwit c30 Dunlin plus Dunlin, Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, 1 Smooth Snake, 1 Grass Snake and both Raft and Wasp Spiders around the Coombe heath ponds. The Baird’s Sandpiper was again on the Brownsea Lagoon with a Little Stint and 2 Spotted Redshank in amongst the Dunlin flock. At Lytchett Fields there were 2 Curlew Sandpiper and a Wood Sandpiper along with 1 Knot, 24 Ringed Plover, 328 Dunlin, 135 Black-tailed Godwit, 12+ Greenshank, 15+ Green Sandpiper, 25+ Snipe, 100+ Redshank, 80+ Lapwing, 26 Little Egret, 100+ Teal and 10 Yellow Wagtail. Migration through Ballard was rather slow with ringing totals only consisting of 6 Willow Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, 11 Blackcap and 5 Whitethroat.

Curlew Sandpipers – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Last year we were involved in a fascinating discovery that highlighted that Ortolan Bunting, a pretty scarce migrant across the UK was in fact a fairly regular night migrant over our heads through the latter part of August and early September. Last year, over our office roof in Old Town Poole we sound recorded 13 Ortolan Bunting over a 4 week period which was pretty unprecedented. This year we had tried in vain with no success until last night that is (Sept 2^nd/3^rd)  where we sound recorded 3 more in a single night! Its great to know that last year wasn’t just a one off and with fellow night sound recorder Nick Hopper carrying out the same research at Portland with similar results, its safe to say that if you wish to try and get Ortolan Bunting on your Poole Harbour/Dorset list a late night and lots of coffee is what you need. Our three last night flew over at 23:15, 02:08 and 03:36. The Baird’s Sandpiper was still on Brownsea for its third day now with a great supporting cast of 1^st winter Little Gull, 1 Garganey, 1 Little Stint, 27 Spoonbill, 1 Garganey, 10 Spotted Redshank, 16 Greenshank, 3 Knot, 1 Common Sandpiper, 41 Little Egret, 2 Kingfisher, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Wheatear and the first 8 Wigeon of the autumn for Brownsea. A sea watch from Branksome provided 5 Arctic Skua, 2 Balearic Shearwater and 20 Gannet. In Poole Harbour west a surprising 3 out of 4 Marsh Harrier from the roost were male (not often that happens). 

 Ortolan Bunting 03/09/17 @ 3:36am. Calls of a night time migrant – Old Town Poole Listening Station

A beautiful crisp, cold September morning gave way to a perfect warm (and at times hot) autumnal afternoon. Thankfully the Baird’s Sandpiper that was found on Brownsea yesterday but not relocated during an evening search was eventually re-found this afternoon. Heat haze proved tricky initially but as cloud cover descended, picking out the correct features became easier. Also on the Brownsea Lagoon were 30 Spoonbill, 1 Little Stint and a Garganey. At Lytchett Fields the harbours first Curlew Sandpiper of the autumn appeared, the Wood Sandpiper was still present along with 290 Dunlin, 42 Ringed Plover, 10 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 1 Osprey, 1 Peregrine, 30+ Yellow Wagtails and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. A ringing demo at Lytchett Heath provided 3 Grasshopper Warbler, 45 Sedge Warbler, 16 Chiffchaff, 8 Willow Warbler and 1 Cetti’s Warbler. Up on Ballard migrants were thin on the ground with just 1 Tree Pipit, 8 Yellow Wagtail, 1 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler. At Swineham an Osprey flew up the Frome Valley early morning, there were also 10 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Raven, 1 Kingfisher and a small trickle of Swallow through the area. This morning was also the date for our September field trip, and for this month it was hosted at Slepe Heath. Despite the cold start things picked up and we ended on a good tally of birds including 1 Cuckoo, 3 Tree Pipit, 3 Redstart, 3 Whinchat, 15 Stonechat, 4 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Dartford Warbler, 2 Whitethroat, 31 Mistle Thrush in a post breeding flock, 1 Osprey, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Spoonbill.

Lytchett Fields Reminder – Large Wessex Water tankers need constant access through the locked gate at the end of Slough Lane, Upton. Can visitors to the site refrain from blocking the gate. Many thanks for your co-operation. 

Wood Sandpiper – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Today was really ‘birdy’ with the added bonus of a Poole Harbour first being found in the shape of a Baird’s Sandpiper on the Brownsea Lagoon. This is only the 4^th record for Dorset, the last being found nearly 20 years ago in Christchurch Harbour in 1998. The Brownsea Lagoon was looking stunning with or without our rare North American friend with 2 Little Stint, 10 Spotted Redshank, 1 Garganey, 9 Spoonbill, c40 Avocet and good numbers of Redshank, Greenshank, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. Sandwich and Common Tern were still present and 2 Wheatear and 3 Yellow Wagtail were feeding over on the far sea wall. At Greenland’s Farm, Studland migrants were pretty evenly spread with 8 Redstart, 2 Whinchat, 3 Spotted Flycatcher, 10 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Woodlark, 4 Wheatear, 2 Blackcap and 2 Tree Pipit. Migration through Ballard included 5 Grasshopper Warbler, 5 Redstart, c10 Whitethroat, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Redpoll and several Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff. At Lytchett Fields the Wood Sandpiper was still present with 2 Ruff, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 4 Green Sandpiper, c20 Ringed Plover, c150 Dunlin, 6 Greenshank, 1 adult Yellow-legged Gull and the usual spread Lapwing, Snipe and Redshank. In Middlebere there were 19 Spoonbill, 4 Osprey, 6 Grey Plover, 3 Greenshank, 1 Redstart, 1 Whinchat and 1 Spotted Flycatcher. 

Record shot of Baird’s Sandpiper – Brownsea Lagoon – Stephen Menzie

Today Lytchett Fields was looking pretty special with 1 Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 9+ Greenshank, 2 Common Sandpiper, 224 Dunlin plus good numbers each of Common Snipe, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Teal. Migration through Ballard included 5 Grasshopper Warbler, 25 Willow Warbler, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 20 Blackcap, 8 Whitethroat, 1 Whinchat, 3 Redstart, 1 Wheatear, c15 Yellow Wagtail, c10 Chiffchaff and 7 Yellowhammer. At Middlebere there were 30+ Yellow Wagtail along the approach track, 6 Osprey and 2 Spotted Flycatcher. On Holton Pools there were 2 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 1 Common Sandpiper, 2 Lapwing, 1 Kingfisher and 2 Little Egret. At Studland the/a Great White Egret flew over Brands Bay late afternoon. Out on Baiter 3 Wheatear were doing their best to avoid the dogs.

Wheatear – Ballard – Olly Slessor

Ruff – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Today saw another mixed bag as a freshly arrived full adult male Marsh Harrier left the west Poole Harbour roost first thing whilst an Osprey was fishing off Giggers Island and 19 Spoonbill flew down the Wareham Channel. At Lytchett Fields there was a Wood Sandpiper, 1 Ruff, 1 Spoonbill, 20+ Yellow Wagtail and an Osprey. In Middlebere there were 12 Spoonbill and 3-5 Osprey including an adult. At Holton Pools Kingfishers have taken up residence in front of the re-furbed hide using the conveniently placed perching posts with 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank, 2 Lapwing and 1 Black-tailed Godwit also using the scrapes. Whinchats, Redstarts, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Spotted Flycatcher Chiffchaff and Willow Warblerare all pretty numerous around the harbour at present, certainly along the heathland edges and around the Studland Peninsular. The Bonaparte’s Gull, 5 Spoonbill and 10 Spotted Redshank were on the Brownsea Lagoon. 2 Red Kite drifted over Studland. 

Tim Mackrill from the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation has also written an excellent blog post giving an update on our Osprey translocation project and the recent departure of our first Osprey chick. CLICK HERE

Unringed adult Osprey – Middlebere – Simon Kidner

Wood Sandpiper (left) and Redshank – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam