As the easterly winds continue this keeps the arrival migrants just ticking over with many Chiffchaff and Blackcap filling the hedgerows at the moment. Portland Bird Obs have already recorded their first Redwing and Brambling of the autumn meaning we should hopefully follow suit any day now.

The Sunnyside/Soldiers Road area produced very little, but not surprising as it was raining the whole time I was there! Best was juvenile Marsh Harrier over Sunnyside, 3 Stonechat and many Swallow and Meadow Pipit passing overhead. Another Marsh Harrier was noted over Swineham proving to be the 5^th different Marsh Harrier to be seen in the area during September.

At Lytchett Bay 2 Curlew Sandpiper were feeding with 15 Dunlin, 36 Black-tailed Godwit, 50+ Snipe, 6 Green Sandpiper, 2 Kingfisher and 2 Sedge Warbler.

At Upton CP a decent flock of 500-600 Black-tailed Godwit flew in to feed, also there both Common and Sandwich Tern, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Mediterranean Gull plus many hundred of Teal, Wigeon and Mallard.

Near Swineham a small migrant flock containing 2 Spotted Flycatcher, 5 Chiffchaff and 1 Blackcap was noted, along with 1 Common Sandpiper near Swineham Point, 1 Snipe and 2 Skylark.

The Brownsea Lagoon produced 3 juvenile Little Stint, 360 Avocet, 14 Greenshank and 12 Spotted Redshank.

There are still places available for the next ‘BoPH’ Walk at Greenlands Farm on the 19^th of October. For full details and to book on, follow this link –

http://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/early-autumn-walk-greenlands-farm

Plus, don’t forget it’s Dorset Bird Week this week with the first Dorset Bird Fair next weekend at Durlston Country Park. Check out all the details here –

http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=8&id=4&evnt_id=1064