A relatively quiet ringing session at Lytchett Heath this morning produced an apparent Siberian Chiffchaff. Nearby, the ditch next to French’s viewpoint at Lytchett Fields has been cleared as part of RSPB management plan which has attracted in a good number of birds including the first Water Pipit of the season and 10+ Rock Pipit. A good size flock of at least 40 Fieldfare were observed along Arne Raptor Trail.

Tristis-type Chiffchaff – Lytchett Heath – Shaun Robson

Water Pipit – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

Highlights from a visit to Lytchett Bay on a falling tide included 73 Avocet and 2 Spotted Redshank. A single Black Redstart on French’s Fields was also of note. Large numbers of Black Redstart have arrived from Europe with sightings recorded across the South East and South West coast in the last 24 hours. Over at Hartland Moor a female Merlin and 3 Marsh Harrier quartering over the reeds.

A total of 8 Pintail were recorded at Middlebere, along with numerous Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit. A single Firecrest was knocking around a garden this morning in Wareham. A hours watch mid-morning from South Haven produced 38 Goldfinch, 126 Linnet, 9 Chaffinch, 3 Siskin, 5 alba Wagtail 5, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker and 1 Skylark. Holes Bay harboured 21 Avocet, good numbers of Teal and Wigeon and Pintail, a single Yellow-legged Gull and several Water Rail calling into the afternoon sunset. Several Kingfishers were spotted around the Harbour with 2 near the cycle path at Baiter, 1 at Holes Bay and another at Holton Lee which was accompanied by singles of Greenshank, Little Egret and Marsh Harrier.

At Swineham there were Bearded Tits calling in the drizzle, Water Rail and a Green Sandpiper too. But at least a couple of Kingfishers showed themselves. Also 70 Lapwing, 1 Pochard and six Greylags on and around the main pit. 

A similar day to yesterday with 8mph ENE winds and a chill in the air with a max temperature of 13°C. A Spotted Redshank has been reported at Lytchett whilst a Black-necked Grebe at Studland, seen from Middle beach. Over at Middlebere a Great White Egret and 5 more Spotted Redshank were also logged here.

The Peregrine that spent the majority of yesterday perched in the large island in the Brownsea Lagoon also spent most of the day there again today. 1 Spoonbill sat amongst c8 Curlew and c30 Dunlin and c25 Black-tailed Godwit.

Late additional Sightings…

Shell Bay; 11 Oystercatchers, 1 Ringed Plover, 20 Linnets, 4 Meadow Pipits, 3 Sandwich Terns.

Bramble Bush Bay; 12 Oystercatchers, 2 Black tailed Godwits, 1 Curlew, 2 Bar tailed Godwits, 2 Turnstones, 1 Little Egret, 7 Great crested Grebes, 1 Redshank.

On a sand bar off the houseboats; A further 22 Oystercatchers, 1 Brent Goose, 11 Ringed Plovers.

Jerry’s Point; 6 Oystercatchers, 3 Curlew, 12 Great crested Grebes, 5 Red breasted Mergansers, 1 Skylark (over).

Grebe Hide, Little Sea; 5 Great crested Grebes & Green and Great Spotted Woodpeckers heard.

Middle Beach, Studland; 1 Black necked Grebe.

Middlebere; 6 Little Egrets, 319 Avocets, 4 Canada Geese, 30 Black tailed Godwit, 11 Redshank, 5 Spotted Redshank, 2 Curlew, 3 Oystercatchers, 5 Pintail (3 males), 1 Dunlin, 1 Knot, 12 Grey Plover, 60 Wigeon, 302 Teal, 2 Herons, 6 Mallard, 1 Great white Egret, 8 Lapwing, plus, along the track 4 Mistle Thrushes & a mixed flock of 32 Redwings & Fieldfares, with a larger flock of 100+ seen from the hide over trees opposite.

A calm and quiet day out in the harbour with 7mph SE winds and not a great deal of sightings reported. The Brownsea Webcam recorded Avocet, Curlew, Dunlin, Redshank and various duck species including Teal and Shoveler. A Peregrine also spent the majority of its day sat on one of the islands surveying the area.

Lytchett Fields logged a Fieldfare whilst a Firecrest was caught at Arne.

Mid to late October is such an exciting time with the expectation of something ‘juicy’ turning up and big numbers of birds on the move. Arne had a flavour of that excitement today with 5 Common Crane reported over Coombe Heath. There were also 3 Great White Egret in Middlebere and a Yellow-browed Warbler in the Arne car park. Also in Middlebere were c300 Avocet, c200 Black-tailed Godwit, 10 Spotted Redshank, 2 Grey Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 juv Spoonbill, 1 Firecrest and 1 Merlin. At Lytchett Fields there was a single Jack Snipe. In Broadstone another Yellow-browed Warbler was in Pine Springs Wood with a Long-tailed Tit flock. In Poole Harbour West there are now up to 6 Marsh Harrier in the Wareham Channel area along with a female Merlin near Swineham and a single Hobby remains over Arne Moors. Redwing were passing over last night along with Song Thrush and a few Fieldfare.