It was another scorcher across the harbour today, especially by mid-afternoon. It’s getting to that time of year when other interesting focuses can easily distract you from the birds but don’t get too distracted as there’s still plenty to find. In recent years we’ve been made aware of up to 3 Nightingale territories around the harbour area and in recent weeks we’ve a found Grasshopper Warbler on territory. With this in mind, it highlights that these species are out there and likely under recorded. The interesting thing about the ‘Gropper’ is that it’s only singing at night, meaning others could be out there in suitable habitat but just not being heard. Therefore we’d be really keen to know if anyone has any other interesting reports of possible territories of Nightingale, Grasshopper Warbler or anything else for that matter. Even species like Lesser Whitethroat, Common Whitethroat, Spotted Flycatcher and Garden Warbler are all scarce breeders around the harbour, so information of potential breeding sites would be helpful to know. For the welfare of the birds, please don’t publish the locations on social media, but instead either email (sightings@birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk) or ‘DM’ us on Twitter or Facebook.

Back to today, it was mainly the raptors keeping things going again. with 2 Red Kite over Brownsea, 1 over Lytchett Bay/Upton and 1 over Arne. The 2 White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel first thing before heading off north, we a had a stunning adult Hobby over the Osprey viewing platform today and 2 Marsh Harrier were in the Wareham Channel. A Spoonbill was on Brownsea first thing, along with 1 Ringed Plover, 1 Avocet, 2 Grey Plover, 5 Dunlin and 1 Redshank.