Well, it was nice whilst it lasted, but the sad reality that we are still only in April returns tomorrow with heavy rain forecast all day. But to be honest, the gardens could do with a drink and all this fine weather has actually been so good for the birds that many migrants just haven’t bothered to stop. Hopefully a decent bit of rainfall might encourage some passage waders to take refuge in the harbour, or may force a few warblers, chats or flycatchers in to people’s gardens, offering an unexpected lockdown tick.

Talking of peoples gardens, it was all happening in Poole Town centre when a local birder not only managed to log a migrant Whitethroat and Swifts in and over his garden, but also managed to clock a passing Hobby and could see a Cuckoo in the Toby Carvery garden. It’s great to see that the Bournemouth Peregrines have now hatched 2 chicks. With our Brownsea tern cameras, the Poole Harbour Osprey cam and the Bournemouth Peregrines, there’s certainly plenty to choose from the local TV channels. More Red Kite were logged today with a group of 6 together over Lytchett Matravers. Around the Studland area there were 3 Whimbrel in Brands Bay, 3 Sanderling on Shell Bay and a possible Purple Heron was noted over Little Sea. There was a Spotted Flycatcher near Wareham Walls along the Piddle and the Grey Wagtails have fledged young at North Mill plus 4 Swift were over Wareham. At Lytchett Bay a Tawny Owl nest was located with 2 chicks seen inside and a Lesser Whitethroat was singing there too.

Finally, we’ve been trying to provide as much content as possible, to keep people updated with the historic and future story of the Poole Harbour Osprey project. Today our Osprey project officer Brittany Maxted provides an overview of our current star of show & screen and her current no-show bad boy of a mate.