The summer doldrums are starting to kick in with many birds busy feeding or incubating young and migration coming to an almost complete stop. Still, we’re lucky here in Dorset to have some of the most unique breeding birds in the country so its still always a pleasure to get out a watch some of our ‘familiar locals’. At Holton Lee a feeding group of 3 Woodlark could show successful breeding at the site. Also there singing Tree Pipit, 3 Dartford Warbler, 1 Hobby, juv Stonechat, 2 Linnet and the first mix-Tit flock of the season with a combined total of 20 Long-tailed, Blue and Great Tit. At Lytchett Bay 2 passage Dunlin were on the private wet fields, also the Redshank chicks continue to grow with at least 8 adults present…more young to come? Juv Grey Heron and 200 Black-tailed Godwit were also at Lytchett Bay. Local Harrier watcher Peter Hadrill has confirmed that both Marsh Harrier nests have hatched young meaning that the male who is ‘servicing’ both females is certainly going to be a busy boy over the next few weeks. It seems Redshank are also breeding up on Hartland as two birds were seen, one perching on telephone pole, and the other balancing on the wire! A Red Kite also drifted over Hartland yesterday and 3 Hobby were present. 2 Tree Pipit were singing up on Slepe Heath and 3 Willow Warbler are still holding territory along Soldiers Road.