A Survey boat departed this morning and meandered down the Wareham Channel logging a plethora of species. Highlights included huge wader numbers comprised of 1874 Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Curlew, 7 Whimbrel and 16 Avocet among others. Other notable sightings include 11 Cetti’s Warbler, 4 Brent Geese, 240 Wigeon, 36 Teal, 48 Little Egret, 6 Greylag Geese, 2 Sandwich Tern, 240 Black-headed Gull and singles of Common Sandpiper, Yellow-legged Gull, Snipe and Greenshank. Hirundine passage continued to trickle through with a splattering of Swallow, House Martin and Sand Martin sightings. Additional sightings from Swineham include 197 Coot, 1 Pochard, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Sparrowhawk, 9 Gadwall, 5 Little Grebe, 2 Ruff and 22 Lapwing.

Our second consecutive Osprey watch morning at Holes Bay came up trumps again with an un-ringed juvenile Osprey fishing over the bay, attracting a crowd of 50 or so onlookers. Feeding flocks of Black-tailed Godwit, Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatcher were also observed along with Black-headed Gull, Wigeon, Teal, Kingfisher, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk and Grey Wagtail.

Last night our sound recording equipment was set up in the Corfe Castle Gap and identified 21 Song Thrush, 8 Redwing, and singles of Brent Goose, Oystercatcher and Moorhen. Sunnyside recorded passage Goldcrest and Blackcap whilst Lytchett Fields there were 15 Spoonbill, singles of Hobby, Whinchat, Grey Plover and 5 Bearded Tit. The max Spoonbill count was recorded at over, logging a flock of 50 individuals.

A juvenile Honey Buzzard was logged over the Piddle Valley late afternoon and another Osprey was in Brands Bay too. Around Swineham/Piddle floods there were 2 Ruff, 22 Lapwing, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Common Snipe.

Osprey – Holes Bay South – Fiona Liddiard

A spontaneous Osprey Watch Event at Holes Bay this morning was a great success with many people enjoying views of an Osprey successfully hunting over the Bay. After serval failed attempts the bird caught a fish and carried its prey to feed on Pergins Island. Feeding flocks of Curlew, Black–tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Redshank were also seen along with numerous Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher sightings. Studland Bay has logged the first returning Black–necked Grebe for the winter. Two individuals were recorded as well as 5 Brent Geese and 35 Mediterranean Gull.

Brownsea Lagoon offered wonderful views of feeding waders including 19 Curlew, c36 Black–tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 1 Merlin on the tern islands and a Peregrine. The Grey Plover are now frequenting Arne after arriving on Brownsea Lagoon late-September. Other species recorded on the reserve included Curlew, Lapwing, Avocet, Redshank, Dartford Warbler, and several passage Swallows. A female Goshawk was logged over Wareham Channel, coming in from the Frome over to Giggers Island. A large female was recorded over Slepe Heath recently on the 13^th September. A pair of Marsh Harrier were also observed over Gigger’s Island. The Swineham Cattle Egret was still present at Gravel Pits today and the juvenile Spotted Redshank was again observed on Lytchett Fields.

Due to the success of our Pop Up Osprey Watch along the Holes Bay cycle path, c700m north of Asda this morning we plan to run it again tomorrow from 9am to 12pm. We will have scopes on binoculars set up ready so please join us if you can!

Merlin – Brownsea Lagoon – Derek Morgan

A spontaneous Osprey Watch Event at Holes Bay this morning was a great success with many people enjoying views of an Osprey successfully hunting over the Bay. After serval failed attempts the bird caught a fish and carried its prey to feed on Pergins Island. Feeding flocks of Curlew, Black–tailed Godwit, Oystercatcher and Redshank were also seen along with numerous Great Crested Grebe and Kingfisher sightings. Studland Bay has logged the first returning Black–necked Grebe for the winter. Two individuals were recorded as well as 5 Brent Geese and 35 Mediterranean Gull.

Brownsea Lagoon offered wonderful views of feeding waders including 19 Curlew, c36 Black–tailed Godwit, 7 Avocet, 1 Merlin on the tern islands and a Peregrine. The Grey Plover are now frequenting Arne after arriving on Brownsea Lagoon late-September. Other species recorded on the reserve included Curlew, Lapwing, Avocet, Redshank, Dartford Warbler, and several passage Swallows. A female Goshawk was logged over Wareham Channel, coming in from the Frome over to Giggers Island. A large female was recorded over Slepe Heath recently on the 13^th September. A pair of Marsh Harrier were also observed over Gigger’s Island. The Swineham Cattle Egret was still present at Gravel Pits today and the juvenile Spotted Redshank was again observed on Lytchett Fields.

Due to the success of our Pop Up Osprey Watch along the Holes Bay cycle path, c700m north of Asda this morning we plan to run it again tomorrow from 9am to 12pm. We will have scopes on binoculars set up ready so please join us if you can!

Merlin – Brownsea Lagoon – Derek Morgan

A dry start to the day quickly turned into a wet afternoon with 20mph WSW winds and light rain.

An Osprey was spotted just off of Cobbs Quay, diving in and catching a fish only to be followed shortly after by a second individual who also caught a huge fish, what a fantastic sight for this time of year. There was also a Common Redstart along the main footpath at Holes Bay.

28 Spoonbill and a Marsh Harrier were recorded in the Wareham Channel.  Another Marsh Harrier was also seen over at Holten Pools along with Greenshank and a Wren. A Ringed Plover was also seen with several Dunlin at Baiter Park.

Large numbers of c16 Goldfinch were visiting the feeders today along with the regular Great–Spotted Woodpecker.

Duck numbers are on the increase at Swineham with 9 Pintail in amongst a mixture of Gadwal, Wigeon and Teal. Numbers of Duck are also increasing at Brownsea Lagoon with Teal and Shovler amongst the variety. c12 Curlew, several Dunlin and Redshank also present.

Common Redstart – Holes Bay cycle path – Rene Goad

 Osprey in Holes Bay south – Paul Morton

A dry start to the day quickly turned into a wet afternoon with 20mph WSW winds and light rain.

An Osprey was spotted just off of Cobbs Quay, diving in and catching a fish only to be followed shortly after by a second individual who also caught a huge fish, what a fantastic sight for this time of year. There was also a Common Redstart along the main footpath at Holes Bay.

28 Spoonbill and a Marsh Harrier were recorded in the Wareham Channel.  Another Marsh Harrier was also seen over at Holten Pools along with Greenshank and a Wren. A Ringed Plover was also seen with several Dunlin at Baiter Park.

Large numbers of c16 Goldfinch were visiting the feeders today along with the regular Great–Spotted Woodpecker.

Duck numbers are on the increase at Swineham with 9 Pintail in amongst a mixture of Gadwal, Wigeon and Teal. Numbers of Duck are also increasing at Brownsea Lagoon with Teal and Shovler amongst the variety. c12 Curlew, several Dunlin and Redshank also present.

Common Redstart – Holes Bay cycle path – Rene Goad

 Osprey in Holes Bay south – Paul Morton

A flock of 20+ Bearded Tit was recorded in the reedbeds between Pools Field and Lytchett Bay along with a single Marsh Harrier. A Peregrine bombing through Lytchett Fields flushed a lone Bar-tailed Godwit and newly arrived juvenile Spotted Redshank. A probable Merlin was also seen flying west across the Wareham by-pass early afternoon.

Holes Bay remains the place to see Osprey at the moment! This morning saw 3 different individuals over the Bay, a brilliant total for one place in early October! A glimpse of the disturbed gulls from Poole Quay warranted a quick scan with the binoculars and produced another Osprey soaring over the boat yard heading west towards Wareham Channel.

Holes Bay also harboured 1 Kingfisher, c400 Wigeon and 1 Brent Goose, an unusual sighting as Studland Bay typically hosts early returning birds in October.

A flock of 20+ Bearded Tit was recorded in the reedbeds between Pools Field and Lytchett Bay along with a single Marsh Harrier. A Peregrine bombing through Lytchett Fields flushed a lone Bar-tailed Godwit and newly arrived juvenile Spotted Redshank. A probable Merlin was also seen flying west across the Wareham by-pass early afternoon.

Holes Bay remains the place to see Osprey at the moment! This morning saw 3 different individuals over the Bay, a brilliant total for one place in early October! A glimpse of the disturbed gulls from Poole Quay warranted a quick scan with the binoculars and produced another Osprey soaring over the boat yard heading west towards Wareham Channel.

Holes Bay also harboured 1 Kingfisher, c400 Wigeon and 1 Brent Goose, an unusual sighting as Studland Bay typically hosts early returning birds in October.

Today we took out our first School Bird Boat of the winter and we were lucky with the weather, having only 6mph winds for a calm and pleasant cruise.  An Osprey was spotted first thing flying directly over the Birds of Poole Harbour Office. 4 further Osprey were recorded with 3 together at Holes Bay and 1 seen at the same time close to the boat, resulting in an unusually high number for this time in the year. Also recorded from the boat were 2 Peregrine, c30 Spoonbill, c50 Avocet, 4 Sandwich Tern and 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Wheatear was also seen at Holes Bay.    

Brownsea Lagoon was flourishing today with a variety of species recorded including 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 14 Knot, 12 Greenshank, 52 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, c12 Curlew, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Firecrest and a Cetti’s Warbler (a rare sighting for Brownsea).

At Greenlands Farm there was a single Whinchat, 6 Wheatear and plenty of Chiffchaff. We also carried out our first night ringing session of the autumn in the south of the harbour which resulted in a handful of Common Snipe seen (1 caught and ringed) and a single Jack Snipe seen. 

At Middlebere there were 24 Wigeon, 800+ Black-tailed Godwits , 300+ Avocet, 4 Redshank, 9 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Spotted Flycatchers around the barns along with 10+ Chiffchaff. 

Today we took out our first School Bird Boat of the winter and we were lucky with the weather, having only 6mph winds for a calm and pleasant cruise.  An Osprey was spotted first thing flying directly over the Birds of Poole Harbour Office. 4 further Osprey were recorded with 3 together at Holes Bay and 1 seen at the same time close to the boat, resulting in an unusually high number for this time in the year. Also recorded from the boat were 2 Peregrine, c30 Spoonbill, c50 Avocet, 4 Sandwich Tern and 6 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. A Wheatear was also seen at Holes Bay. 

Brownsea Lagoon was flourishing today with a variety of species recorded including 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 3 Spotted Redshank, 14 Knot, 12 Greenshank, 52 Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Ringed Plover, 6 Grey Plover, 1 Sanderling, c12 Curlew, 2 Kingfisher, 3 Firecrest and a Cetti’s Warbler (a rare sighting for Brownsea).

At Greenlands Farm there was a single Whinchat, 6 Wheatear and plenty of Chiffchaff. We also carried out our first night ringing session of the autumn in the south of the harbour which resulted in a handful of Common Snipe seen (1 caught and ringed) and a single Jack Snipe seen.

At Middlebere there were 24 Wigeon, 800+ Black-tailed Godwits , 300+ Avocet, 4 Redshank, 9 Shelduck, 1 Sparrowhawk, 2 Spotted Flycatchers around the barns along with 10+ Chiffchaff. 

The miserable morning weather didn’t put off some, birding from a vehicle at Baiter Park produced a reasonable Turnstone flock of c20 birds around the slipway, also 4 Ringed Plover and the first 2 Rock Pipit of the autumn. A minimum of 5 Marsh Harrier were seen quartering along the Wareham Channel once the heavy showers passed this morning. Hyde’s Heath featured 3 Hobby chasing one another and another individual was spotted amongst the hirundine flow on Hartland Moor. A juvenile Peregrine was perched on a gatepost towards the Ridge end of the Moors and a single Osprey was observed crossing the Channel from Middlebere.

An Osprey was seen hunting over Lytchett Bay this morning before landing in tree and being mobbed by a Magpie. Meanwhile Lytchett Fields recorded 2 Knot and c15 Black-tailed Godwit. The several Grey Plover that arrived on Brownsea Lagoon recently were still present.

 Turnstones – Baiter Park