We say it with glee every year, but today heralded the start of autumn migration as the first returning Green Sandpiper of year was seen at Lytchett Fields. These early returners heading south build in numbers through June, peaking in July. Later this month the first Little Ringed Plover will be appearing too. At Swineham numbers have steadied out with 27 Cetti’s Warbler, 58 Reed Warbler and 5 Blackcap. On top of Hartland a Lesser Whitethroat is still singing on territory and 2 Hobby were over Hartland Bog with another 2 over the Piddle Valley. Both Ospreys CJ7 and 022 were seen out over the Wareham Channel later in the day with Our first Osprey Project Cruise having headed out earlier in the morning and logging the Marsh Harrier pair in the mouth of the River Piddle, which were very active. Regarding the Marsh Harrier, we have some good news. The pair that have been seen on and off over the course of the spring and summer have actually made a nesting attempt in the Wareham Channel and we believe they’re now feeding young. This is great news as Marsh Harrier haven’t successfully bred in the harbour since 2016. The pair look very similar with the male having female type plumage, but great thanks to Peter Hadrill who’s been keeping us up to date on developments this spring and who can now hopefully watch and provide us with an update soon on how the new family are doing. There was a ‘fall’ of geese in Poole Park with 109 Greylag Geese appearing and 100 Canada Geese which are recent good totals. There seem to be good numbers of Swift around Poole currently with groups over Old Town Poole, Pitwines, Lower Hamworthy, Poole Park and Oakdale. Swallow sadly seem to tell a different story with hardly any at usual sites across the harbour! There were no further signs of our returning female Osprey 019 up in Wales but I’m sure (just like 014 did) she’ll reappear somewhere!

Greylag and Canada Geese – Poole Park – Martin Adams

Marsh Harrier pair – Wareham Channel – Alison Copland

Female Osprey 019 on Glasly nest – photo screen shot from Glaslyn webcam

Female Osprey 019 day of release on Aug 5th 2019