Spring was back again today; although the gentle northerly breeze kept a certain autumn feel to the proceedings. That said, by mid afternoon it was almost another balmy October day. The highlight from today included a Short-eared Owl seen in Middlebere at dawn. There seem to be quite a few arriving at coastal sites across the UK so hopefully it will become an ‘SEO’ winter and even if this one was just a migrant passing through, we could see more arrive in coming weeks. Hartland Moor and Middlebere are good places to look at dawn and dusk. The Cattle Egrets were seen again on and off at the Wareham Causeway, gorging on insects on and around the cattle herd. The first 24 Brent Geese of the autumn were on Shipstal Point, Arne and a minimum of 39 Spoonbill were logged during the Poole Harbour WeBS count today. A Marsh Harrier and 2 Peregrine were in Middlebere and a Merlin was on Hartland. Vis-mig was slow but there was an obvious passage of Skylark with 40+ over Soldiers Road heading north. At Littlesea Studland 2 Great White Egret were also logged during the WeBS count and at Lytchett Fields there was a single White Wagtail. At Swineham Chiffchaff and a few Goldcrest were enjoying the sun and a flock of 5 Greenshank were on the floodplain.

Newly arrived Brent Goose flock – Shipstal Point, Arne

Wigeon – Holes Bay NE – Rene Goad

Dartford Warbler – Upton Heath – Rene Goad