The raptors stole the show again today with plenty of White-tailed Eagle activity in the Wareham Channel, where visitors to both Swineham and Arne enjoyed views of two birds perched and on the move. Plus, at around 9am this morning, yet another new eagle arrived into the area….this time 3rd cal year male G816. This means that there are now currently five eagles mooching around south, central Dorset. Also around Swineham were several Marsh Harrier including a stunning adult male. Highlights elsewhere included the single Bearded Tit still present at Hatch Pond along with 5 Snipe, 3 Teal, 2 Gadwall and 1 Water Rail. Over at Sandbanks a Black Redstart was present on the rooftops along the beach side of North Haven, whilst inside the harbour there was 1 Velvet Scoter and 1 Slavonian Grebe off of Jerry’s Point, Studland. At the harbour mouth at dawn 5 Eider flew into the harbour and a Great Northern Diver flew out high over Sandbanks.

White-tailed Eagle perched at Swineham – Alison Copland

White-tailed Eagle in flight – Wareham Channel – Jane V Adams