Today’s Spring Safari Cruise explored the harbour at low tide, creeping up the Wareham Channel until we ended up sat on the mud(!), enjoying 2 migrant Ospreys interact with the harbour as we reversed back into deeper waters. The first bird quickly caught a fish beyond the Gull Islands and surveyed the Arne peninsula in search of a suitable snag on which to feed. While being harassed by various Herring Gulls, a second bird soon appeared and began hovering over Rockley Channel before swiftly giving up and went in pursuit of the other Osprey. This new arrival of Ospreys into the UK is typical of immature, 3rd-calendar year birds returning en route to their natal sites, prospecting suitable nest sites/potential mates ahead of future breeding seasons. A Marsh Harrier then went on to flush the breeding gull colony off the Holton shoreline, creating an impressive spectacle as several thousand Black-headed Gulls took to the skies to mob the approaching raptor. The tour continued around the back of the islands and connected with c.10 Whimbrel scattered across the mudflats, with similar numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit on varying stages of their pre-breeding moult also occupying the southern shorelines. A couple of passes of Brownsea Lagoon to finish offered exceptional views of Common Tern, along with 3 late Turnstone, Wheatear and Sandwich Tern which were evident and vocal throughout the trip. As we returned to Poole Quay, a Mediterranean Gull flew low over the boat for all to enjoy. As the day progressed, 3 Red Kite skirted the Poole Harbour recording area airspace, picked up travelling SW from Lytchett Matravers.

Red Kite – Lytchett Matravers – Alison Copland

Red