We would like to take this opportunity to say a HUGE thank you to every who has helped towards our Barn Owl webcam appeal by donating via text, online or by attending our monthly field trips. Without your support this venture would never have been able to take place. The project objective to boost Poole Harbour’s Barn Owl population was born at the beginning of this year when it was decided all money raised from our guided walks would go towards the construction of two Barn Owl boxes. All we needed then was a location and this is where Lakeside B&B at Swineham kindly stepped in. The boxes were erected just before Christmas with a temporary camera in place to monitor any comings and goings, however we were utterly gob smacked when a pair on Barn Owl moved in within two weeks! It was then decided that an appeal would be set up to raise funds for the streaming of the owls live on the ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ website. Well, we’re thrilled to announce that after just a couple of months we have raised enough money to get the live stream set up which will be available to watch on the website sometime this week. Our only issue is that the owls moved in so quickly that we didn’t have time to put the good camera in! So, to reduce the risk of the birds deserting the box, we’re going to wait until (hopefully) any chicks that come along over the next few months, have fully fledged the nest before swapping the camera over. Don’t worry the image is still good as you’ll see when we go live this week. We’d also like to thank Wildlife Windows who have been efficient as ever at setting up and installing the live stream for you all to enjoy. Bird wise there been some nice snippets from around the harbour including the first migrant Blackcap singing away near Holes Bay this morning. Out on Arne Moors an adult female Marsh Harrier was present along with a ringtail Hen Harrier. At Arne a Crossbill was on Arne Hill along with 1 Woodlark, 2 Dartford Warbler and 2 Raven. Around the Soldiers Road area 1 Wheatear was present, 2 singing Woodlark, 2 Fieldfare, 5+ Chiffchaff and 2 Buzzard. In Brands Bay the Surf Scoter was there again and a Great Northern Diver was out in Studland Bay.

p.s Just as I finish writing this blog post I checked the Owl cam to make sure all was working ok and witnesed the below sequence of events….