This morning we went out and re-surveyed Gull Islands after it became obvious whilst surveying two weeks ago that the season hadn’t really got going yet. Well, on the whole the survey proved positive with a fairly decent recovery of the colony after last years issues. Our team counted just under 6000 Black-headed Gull nests (5736) and we feel that if the breeding season hadn’t of been late then this total would have actually been well over 6000 nests. The point is this, that after a spring of publicity and awareness raising it seems the colony has been able to make a fairly decent step forward top recovering and a big thanks has to go out to Dorset Police Marine Division and the local community who helped keep an eye on the islands during this critical time. You can read our press release HERE. Our survey only returned 33 Mediterranean Gull nests which is frustrating as our visit to gull islands earlier in May suggested that many more Med’s were looking to settle. One suggestion for the lower than expected number of Meds is that the exceptionally dry spring prevented Med Gulls from being able to feed properly, therefore not allowing them to get into full breeding condition in time. Both Med Gull and Black-headed Gull venture far in land to feed on invertebrates on farm fields prior and during the breeding season and with bone dry soil, finding worms and other invertebrates to feed on would have been very difficult. We’ll continue to survey the islands year on year to a) make sure the islands remain a safe haven for breeding gulls and b) to monitor long term trends of nesting Med Gulls and to analyse factors that may be affecting their breeding success.

Other sightings from around the harbour included a Red Kite through the harbour mouth at 9:15am with a Nightjar still churring 8:00am! On Lytchett Fields there were a pair of Teal, 70 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Grey Plover and 2 Dunlin. On Hartland 2 Common Redshank were sat on phone wires, pretending to be Swallows. On Brownsea the usual Nightjar is back in its favourite spot in front of the woodland hide. Hobby were at Arne, Holmebridge and Greenland’s Farm. Dartford Warbler seem to be having a really great season with many heathland sites ‘dripping’ with Darties. The first brood of fledged Dartford chicks will be out and about soon (if not already) so there should be plenty to see and enjoy. 

Common Redshank – Hartland Moor