Middlebere was the place for raptors this afternoon with the adult female Hen Harrier seen passing close to the Middlebere Hide and a male Merlin perched on the fence post outside the hide, as well as flyby’s of Peregrine, Marsh Harrier and Sparrowhawk. There were also several large wader flocks consisting of Avocet, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. Spoonbills were over Lytchett Bay (3), Upton CP (2), Middlebere (4) and Shipstal Point (c30). Along Nutcrack Lane 17-20 Cattle Egret were still feeding in the field to the south of the road. On the Upton CP/Holes Bay boundary there was a great total of 120 Pintail, also 1 Spotted Redshank, 100+ Avocet, 86 Avocet, 500+ Wigeon, 2 Goldeneye, 1 Kingfisher, 1 Peregrine and 2 Firecrest by the walled garden. There was some thrush passage at dawn over Poole Town, suggesting numbers must have been moving over through the night too despite the strong wind. Several hundred Fieldfare and Redwing were logged over Poole Town and Lytchett Bay view. We also received information of 10+ ‘dead birds’ underneath/next  the Asda building at Holes Bay. Slightly concerned to begin with, it suddenly dawned on us that it’s also where Peregrine often take their prey back pluck and eat. With an easterly wind it seems the remains of several prey items were blown off the feeding ledge 100ft up and became strewn across the street. What was most interesting is that many of the remains were of Redwing, Fieldfare and Song Thrush which are all night migrants that are currently passing over Poole Town at night having just arrived from Scandinavia. Therefor it seems the Poole Peregrines are utilising the town lights to stalk their prey at night.  Also found was 1 Dunlin, 1 Knot and 1 Feral Pigeon. AMAZING!!!

Merlin – Middlebere – Phyl England

Hen Harrier – Middlebere – Phyl England