Autumn is beginning to hint at building some momentum with 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Green Sandpiper, 52 Redshank, 5 Greenshank, 32 Curlew, 2 Little Ringed Plover, 2 Whimbrel and 40+ Lapwing all pushed onto Lytchett Fields on the rising tide this morning, while a Meadow Pipit was feeding on Approach Pools providing an additional new arrival for the site. One of the Poole Town Peregrine was seen bombing over Upton Country Park, passing over the 132 newly-arrived Black-tailed Godwit, while carrying prey en route to the ASDA highrise. Yesterday, live prey was observed being carried to the Asda building, all great practice for the juveniles to hone in their newly-discovered hunting skills. Also great to get the first autumn ringing session of the season under way with Stour Ringing Group at Lytchett Bay this morning, mostly Reed Warbler adults & fresh juveniles, including a female with a feathering over brood patch already meaning the breeding season is over for at least some birds.

Yesterday evening embraced our final Purbeck Puffin Cruise of the season, and what a finale! A flock of c.30 Common Scoter (unusual July record!) welcomed us past Swanage Bay before we enjoyed sensational views close up views of our target species.  The cruise then concluded with a bizarre and fleeting view of a Thresher Shark breaching distant towards to horizon off Durlston Head. The perfect end to one of our favourite events!

Adult (top) and fresh juvenile (bottom) Reed Warbler – Lytchett Heath

Over at Studland, the Whimbrel at Brands Bay was still present, along with 2 Dunlin. Another Whimbrel was reported from The Stone Bench at Holes Bay, as well as 66 Black-tailed Godwit, 34 Redshank and 15 Little Egret.

The Osprey action at Arne picked up again this morning, with 2 birds flying with each other over Hyde’s Heath. From photographs, it appears that one of the individuals was 022, identifiable due to his wing moult. Due to the nature of their behaviour, with one of the birds calling, it may be that the other bird was the newcomer that appeared on Wednesday. Otherwise, CJ7 and 022 have continued their usual behaviour, with 022 bringing in a bass for CJ7 shortly before midday.

Last night’s Nightjar walk was particularly special, making it difficult to bring the event to a close! The group were treated to a brief daylight appearance before the action really got going. The birds were very vocal and the still, mild conditions made for perfect nightjar watching conditions. As the light faded we enjoyed numerous birds perching on branches around us, offering lovely silhouettes as their eerie song resonated across the heath. The evening was later topped off with 2 Glow Worms providing further excitement.

At the PCW Drain today there were a good number of juvenile Blackcap and Chiffchaff and around Hartland/Arne there were a couple of active Hobby and last night the first Common Sandpiper of the autumn also flew over Arne at dusk.

Osprey 022 – Hyde’s Heath RSPB Arne – Alison Copland

Autumn migration is getting into the swing of things with 2 Whimbrel sighted today, one located at Holes Bay on the Saltmarsh opposite Asda this morning and another reported at Lytchett Fields. From the Stone Bench at Upton Country Park looking out onto Holes Bay this morning, a count produced 62 Black-tailed Godwit, 24 Redshank and 2 Curlew, as well as 2 Shelduck broods each with 9 chicks. The Osprey newcomer photographed yesterday has not been reported again today, though 022 was seen hunting over the Wareham Channel this morning, shortly before returning to the nest site. Both Ospreys CJ7 and 022 were really active again on the nest cam today, frequently bringing sticks and bits of moss to the nest. The very tatty Black Kite that was photographed over Greenlands Farm last week on Friday, seemed to travel over the Wareham Channel/Keysworth area today, and headed towards Morden Bog.

2 Peregrines were reported at the top of the Asda building again this morning, with 1 reported flying-by at Holton Lee, as well as at Lytchett Heath. A Bearded Tit has also been reported at Lytchett Heath today, which timed well with our announcement of our new Bearded Tit Ringing Demonstrations which we will be running in September and October in partnership with Stour Ringing Group at Lytchett Heath. You can find out more information about the ringing demonstrations on our bookings website.

Whimbrel – Holes Bay – Martin Adams

The strengthening wind kept most birds at bay today, but anyone who gave some time to watching Poole Bay could have been rewarded with Balearic Shearwater as we’re now moving into prime time for this rare species, and strong winds, especially from the south or south-east could reward you with one or two individuals. They were logged off Portland and Hengistbury today, so they’ll be out in Poole Bay somewhere. The Spoonbill was still in Middlebere and the parent Marsh Harriers were logged there too, plus at Lytchett Bay. At Slepe Heath there were 2 Hobby and on the rising tide at Lytchett Fields 1 Greenshank, 2 Whimbrel, 25 Black-tailed Godwit and 42 Curlew. At Challow Hill there were 2 Common Whitethroat and 2 Yellowhammer.

Yellowhammer – Challow Hill, Corfe

A quieter day today with a Spoonbill in Middlebere, 2 Hobby over the Piddle Valley and both Osprey were seen over the Wareham Channel around midday but also visited a different nest platform elsewhere in the harbour. Near the harbour mouth there were 2 Turnstone. The Peregrines were active around the Asda building, which now seems to be their favoured hang out area.

Osprey pair CJ7 and 022 on different nest platform in the harbour

This morning’s Poole Harbour Osprey Project Tour treated guests to prolonged views of 022 fishing across the Wareham Channel, mobbed extensively by Marsh Harrier when passing over Gigger’s Island with Common Buzzard providing further comparison further off. The cruise also enjoyed both Common and Sandwich Terns constantly feeding and Great Crested Grebe showed with 2 young on Swineham Gravel Pits. Yesterday’s 2 Pochard remained present on Holme Lane Gravel Pit this morning. Autumn migration kicking in at Lytchett Bay with 32 breeding plumage Black- tailed Godwit fresh in along with first Whimbrel. Presumably just arriving back from Iceland?

Common Tern and male Osprey 022 from Osprey Project Cruise Boat – Clare Slade

After the exciting challenging of identifying what was decided to be a Black Kite, which flew over Greenlands Farm yesterday, there have been no further sightings of it in the area. The highlight from today has been 2 Pochard at Holme Lane Gravel Pit, which were accompanied by 9 Egyptian Geese.

On the low tide early this afternoon, a watch at Lytchett fields produced a 3 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Marsh Harrier, 1 Curlew, 12 Lapwing, 5 Teal, as well as 17 juvenile Black-headed Gulls and 2 juvenile Pied Wagtails. Later on at Lytchett Fields the first Greenshank of the autumn was reported – July is kicking things off nicely already! Over at Brands Bay on the low tide, 57 Curlew, 28 Redshank and the sole Brent Goose were reported, as well as a Cuckoo on the heath.

Pochard – East Holme – Garry Hayman

An exciting report shortly before noon of what was initially thought to be White-tailed Eagle flying low over Greenlands Farm, before gaining height and heading east towards Poole, had us scanning the skies over the harbour from Poole Quay. However, when photos emerged the images didn’t seem show a classic White-tailed Eagle, but in fact another large raptor species. The jury was out and suggestions ranging from Booted Eagle and Lesser Spotted Eagle began being muted. However as the photos were more widely circulated it was agreed the bird was in fact a kite species of sorts that was in heavy moult, most likely a Black Kite. In fact what was thought to be the same individual was photographed over Porthgwarra, Cornwall on June 18th and was ID’d then as a Black Kite. It certainly got plenty of heads scratching!

All four of the Poole town Peregrines were perched on the Asda building at midday, with one of the adults hunting over Holes Bay an hour prior. The Quail reported at Hartland earlier in the week has not been heard for the last two days.

Last night’s Nightjar walk at Slepe Heath delivered sensational views yet again with a male Nightjar catching a moth metres in front of the group to a chorus of churring and displays across the heath. Vocal Dartford Warblers accompanied the impressive parachute display flights of Meadow Pipit, mobile Linnet flocks and a Peregrine powered north over the heath towards to harbour as dusk drew in and the Nightjar activity built.

Probable Black Kite – Greenlands Farm – Aidan Brown