Today was way more productive as rain hit the harbour at dawn but in calm conditions. Damp spring mornings can be great for birds to make landfall and this morning our ringing site at Ballard Down produced the first Willow Warbler of the year to be ringed along with 3 Common Chiffchaff and at the PC World drain (aka Fleets Corner) another 5 Common Chiffchaff and a Siberian Chiffchaff were present. At Swineham there was another Swallow and 6 Sand Martin over the gravel pits. There were (amazingly) still 3 Hen Harrier in the harbour this morning too, the male was seen near Swineham and two ringtails around the Middlebere/Arne area. Good numbers of visitors were heading over to Brownsea and although water level were high on the lagoon there were still reasonable numbers of waders and duck. In Middlebere the two Spoonbill were present still and there was a Peregrine and Wheatear there too and at Lytchett Fields a Whimbrel was feeding in the Arable Field at the end of Slough Lane with Curlew. Early spring migrant or over-winterer? 

So, with spring just ready to burst into action why not consider joining us in a couple of weeks on April 15th for our first spring boat tour of year where we’ll be heading up the Wareham River looking and listening out for spring migrants. There are only several places left so book on by clicking HERE NOW. 

Willow Warbler – Ballard Down – Olly Slessor