Another busy day across the harbour, full of highlights. Both Osprey cruises were busy with multiple Osprey across the Wareham Channel area. This afternoon male Osprey 022 flew straight over the boat whilst 3 others circled over Arne, whilst this morning White-tailed Eagle G801 had another run in with a migrant Osprey as they tussled over Keysworth. Both trips logged no less than 3-5 Osprey on each trip with other highlights including 3 different Marsh Harrier (2 sub-adult males and a juv), 2 Hobby, 3 Swift, 2 Spoonbill, c200 Black-tailed Godwit, lots of Curlew and Oystercatcher moving around and 1 Common Seal. Other Osprey sightings were logged in Middlebere, Morden Bog, Lytchett Bay and off Shipstal again. At Lytchett Bay, a Glossy Ibis arrived on to the fields late afternoon and there were 2 fresh new Little Stint on the fields with 2 Spotted Redshank. An adult Honey Buzzard passed over the Lower Piddle Valley along with 1 Marsh Tit, 1 Grasshopper Warbler, 1 Tree Pipit and a late-singing Firecrest and weird record of the day goes to 2 Spoonbill out on the wet bog at Morden Bog. In Brands Bay the 4 over-summering Brent Geese were still present and will surely be looking forward to some more company in the next few weeks as the first over-wintering Brents begin to arrive. Also in Brands Bay were 9 Ringed Plover, 1 Sanderling, 37 Dunlin, 212 Black-tailed Godwit and 92 Curlew. Along Soldiers Road (edge of Slepe heath) there was a Pied Flycatcher with a Spotted Flycatcher, plus a Wheatear in one of the fields, and on Stoborough Heath there was a Redstart and a flock of 5 Woodlark. On Brownsea there were 22 Spoonbill and 1 Little Stint. 

Osprey and White-tailed Eagle tussle over Keysworth from Osprey Cruise – Stephen Laycock

Male Osprey 022 over Osprey Cruise – Stephen Laycock

White-tailed Eagle tover Keysworth from Osprey Cruise – Stephen Laycock