It was another unusually warm and calm day for this late in October, meaning that plenty of birders were out, so lots of sightings today. News came in early of a Red-eyed Vireo trapped and ringed at Durlston CP this morning, so although outside of the harbour boundary, it’s worth looking for any more North American migrants with this, and others popping up around the country! Although it felt warm, there were signs of winter creeping in for our final Autumn Safari this morning, with numbers of Red-breasted Merganser and Dark-bellied Brent Geese, noticeably increasing around Brands Bay and Central Harbour. The 4 Black-necked Grebes were still in the Wareham Channel along with 1 in South Deep and 1 reported later off Middle Beach. In the Wareham Channel we had 1 late Osprey moving between the channel and Lytchett Bay, along with 1 Great White Egret and 2 Marsh Harrier. The 2 White-tailed Eagles were sat on the gull islands this morning and the male, G463, gave us a great finale for the trip by taking off in hot pursuit of a Carrion Crow for 30 seconds, before settling once more.  Female G466 was later seen in the Wareham Channel catching a small fish.

On the Brownsea Lagoon there were 42 Spoonbill, 1 Spotted Redshank, 48 Avocet, 11 Greenshank and 3 Knot. 1 Slavonian Grebe was in central harbour this afternoon. A single Snow Bunting was seen at Middlebere between Sika Copse and the Harrier Hide, although it could not be relocated once flown. Also in the Middlebere Channel were 2 Great White Egret, 1 Osprey, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 3 Spoonbill and 2 Spotted Redshank. In Holes Bay there were impressive number of Black-tailed Godwit building, with 1307, along with 905 Wigeon and 28 Avocet. Finally 1 Siberian (tristis) Chiffchaff was trapped and Ringed at the Careys Secret Garden ringing site.

White-tailed Eagle G463 in hot pursuit of a crow from this morning’s Autumn Safari Cruise – Wareham Channel – Harry McBride

Siberian (tristis) Chiffchaff – Careys Secret Garden Ringing Station – Matt Scraggs

Red-eyed Vireo – Durlston CP Ringing Site – Winter Stobart