July is here…..officially (but un-officially) the start of Autumn migration! We now have five months of excitement, anticipation and birding spectacles ahead of us. July will see the first pulse of waders start coming through and the first south-bound Willow Warblers will start appearing in a couple of weeks time. August sees huge numbers of warblers, chats, hirundines and so much more pushing south through Dorset with September, October and November providing a visible (and nocturnal) migration bonanza with the odd rarity thrown in for good measure.

The autumn migration season got well underway this AM with waders now appearing at all inter-tidal areas of the harbour with small flocks of Redshank, Curlew and Oystercatcher most prominent. All either finished or failed breeders from further afield.

At Brands Bay this morning, the single Whimbrel from yesterday was reported again, as well as 1 Ringed Plover and 1 Brent Goose. At Holes Bay, 32 Redshank, 11 Curlew, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Oystercatcher were recorded from the Stone Bench, as well as 2 Swift and 3 Swallow.

This afternoon, 022 could be heard distantly skydancing over the Osprey nest site, which is a key part of his bonding process with CJ7. Making long undulating display flights, he will repeatedly call, no doubt with CJ7 perched nearby. Fortunately one of our team, Alison Copland, managed to film 022 skydancing earlier in the week (26th), which you can watch below. This season will be the first time this behaviour has been recorded on the South Coast in nearly 200 years, so it’s a momentous event. It’s another promising step for the pair as they continue to bond, which adds to our anticipation for 2022.

Yesterday evening we hosted another Purbeck Puffin Cruise, which recorded the highest number of Puffin at Dancing Ledge so far this year, totalling at least 7 individuals. A Gannet passed over the boat as we passed Durlston head, and 4 Razorbill were seen amongst the Guillemot at Durlston and Dancing Ledge. There were 2 Peregrine we perched on the cliffs at Durlston, one being a juvenile, as well 2 in flight and more sightings further along the coast.

Puffins – Dancing Ledge – Seb Haggett

022 Skydancing – Alison Copland