Status

Scarce Passage Migrant

Site And Records Information

The number of Nightingales in Britain has declined by 90% in the last 40 years and their range has also retracted by 43%. It is therefore not surprising that its occurrence in the harbour has also reduced. With this in mind, its sad to state that we have now too lost our breeding Nightingale here in Poole Harbour from Challow Hill, Corfe.

In the 1960’s and 70’s breeding occasionally occurred around Brownsea, Studland, Corfe Castle, Holton Heath. During the 80’s breeding records disappeared and it looked like we had lost the species as a breeding bird in the harbour. In the 90’s occasional records came from Stoborough but breeding was not proven, Bushey and in 2000 a pair bred at Studland Golf Course. In 2009 breeding birds were discovered near Corfe Castle and at least two pairs bred there up until 2016 but none have been heard since.

The species is best detected on spring migration as it is likely to be singing and the following records have been logged since 2000

Given Nightingale’s skulking nature it is not surprising that it is rarely recorded on autumn migration. In fact the only records that we could find are as follows:

The species is best detected on spring migration as it is likely to be singing and the following records have been logged since 2000

1 on 7th Aug 2000 at Ham Common
1 on unspecified dates 2001 at Stoborough Heath
1 on 8th May 2002 at Ham Common
1 on 19th Apr 2003 at Sandford
1 on 20th Apr 2003 at Fleets Lane, Poole
1 on 30th Apr 2004 at Ham Common
1 on unspecified dates 2006 at Stoborough Heath
1 on 21st Apr 2007 at Holes Bay
1 on 20th Apr 2008 at Ballard Down
1 on 24th Apr 2011 at Upton CP
1 on 1st May 2012 at Lytchett Bay
1 on 5th May 2014 at Stoborough Heath
1 between 23rd Apr-5th May 2016 at Corfe Ridgeway, Challow Hill.

Given Nightingale’s skulking nature it is not surprising that it is rarely recorded on autumn migration. In fact the only records that we could find are as follows:

1 on 15th Aug 1984 at Brownsea
1 on 27th Aug 1991 at Lytchett Bay
1 on 28th Aug1993 at Keysworth (trapped)
1 on 12th Sep 2009 at Greenlands Farm.

Status

Summer Visitor

Site And Records Information

Any heathland surrounding the harbour will hold good numbers of Nightjar. Arne, Godlingston, Slepe Heath, Canford Heath, Holton Lee, Studland, and Hartland Moor are all top sites. Arne had 47 pairs in 2018 and birds can arrive back in late April, but the main bulk of activity doesn’t start until mid to late May and will carry on all the way through June and July, with juveniles hanging on into August and September. There is truly no better birding experience in Dorset than watching Nightjar on your local heathland on a balmy hot summer evening.

Status

Vagrant

Site And Records Information

In 1968 there was a massive irruption of the slender-billed race N.c.macrorhynchos from Siberia into Britain involving c315 birds. Seven of these occurred in Dorset. Oh how we would welcome another such event!

1 from 13th – 21st September 1968 on Brownsea

Status

Resident

Site And Records Information

Breeds at Arne, Brownsea, Hatch Pond, Holton Lee, Upton Heath, Upton CP and probably many more sites. Arne and Holton Lee gives great views as they come and feed on the feeders in the car park usually only 2-3 meters away.