It’s now at that time of year where we begin (in partnership with the Stour Ringing Group) really ramping up our ringing activities around Poole Harbour. From mid-July to early November a whole variety of birds will be on the move with different species moving at different times. In this early phase of the ‘autumn’ we’ll begin seeing a few warbler species passing through and into early August chats and flycatchers will appear with a few other warbler species. By late August and into September pipits, hirundines, wagtails and a few crests will begin to move and then by October finches, thrushes and more crests will be the main focus. Today really heralded the beginning of passerine autumn migration with a ringing session at Lytchett Heath catching the first 2 juv Grasshopper Warbler and juv Garden and Sedge Warblers of the season, none of which breed locally to that site. Up at Ballard Down a number of juv Common Whitethroat are being ringed too and it will only be a few days until the first lovely lemon yellow Willow Warbler begin turning up. On Brownsea today 2 Roseate Tern were again on the ‘Boomerang’ out in front of the Lower Hide. This evening the Purple Heron came into roost again for the third night in a row and was joined by 55 Little Egret. Thanks Steve Smith for a nice sequence of shots of the Purple Heron coming into roost.

Purple Heron – Littlesea, Studland – Steve Smith.

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