It seems (although unreported to us) that the Great White Egret that was on Holton Pools briefly yesterday reappeared again today before moving to French’s Pools on Lytchett Fields. This evening the harbour’s first Willow Warbler of the spring was at Swineham GP where there was also 12 Sand Martin and 1 Swallow over the main pit too and 3 Egyptian Geese and 1 Hen Harrier were seen on the surrounding flood plains. There were 3 different ringtail Hen Harrier in the west of the Wareham Channel mid morning before dispersing to different areas. Lytchett Bays first Sand Martin of the spring dashed through, which for late March normally wouldn’t be that noteworthy, but considering the harbour (and the county) has still hardly seen any others yet, we deemed it worth a mention! Local surveyor Nick Hopper carried out some nocturnal sound recording during the nights of March 25^th and 26^th over Stoborough and highlights included 1 Little ringed Plover, 1 Golden Plover, Water Rail, a Wigeon flock, Coot and Moorhen.  A full Brownsea Lagoon count was made by Hamish Murray of the DWT with highlights consisting of 105 Avocet (still a lot for this time of year), 5 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank, 46 Knot, 430 Dunlin, 95 Grey Plover, 82 Bar-tailed Godwit, 401 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, 9 Sandwich Tern and a single male Wheatear on the sea wall. There was also singing Blackcap, Firecrest and Chiffchaff within the woodland. 

Avocet – Brownsea Lagoon – Hamish Murray

Black-tailed Godwit – Brownsea Lagoon – Hamish Murray