Little Ringed Plover – Chris Ogilvie

The first Whimbrel of their spring migration was on-site today, along Grimmery Bank, while a Little Ringed Plover was by Mother Siller’s Channel. The morning also saw at least 70 Mediterranean Gull pass through; with 5 Wheatear on the Barn Field; 3 Willow Warbler in song about Hengistbury and likewise vocal Blackcap starting to settle in. To finish, a total of 18 Purple Sandpiper spent time on the sandspit and a White-tailed Eagle was on Blackberry Point, early on.

The fine weather saw the first odonata activity of the season – a female demoiselle, beautiful or banded to be confirmed, around Ashtree Meadow; as well as six species of butterfly: Brimstone, Comma, Peacock, Red Admiral, Small White and Speckled Wood. Early in the day, the sea came up with: a Long-tailed Duck, a Red-breasted Merganser, 15 Common Scoter, a Red-throated Diver, 58 Mediterranean Gull, 41 Common Gull and a Great Crested Grebe, all east; plus, a Fulmar. Meanwhile, a drake Garganey, 6 Shoveler and 14 Gadwall circuited the harbour. It was another quiet day for incoming passerines – just 3 Firecrest, 6 Willow Warbler and 2 Wheatear on Hengistbury. This afternoon, the best from a largely wildfowl-deserted Stanpit came from a couple of Sandwich Tern, 59 Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Dunlin, 4 Mediterranean Gull and 7 Brent Goose.

Osprey, with blue ring, but probably not readable – Scott Usher

Shelduck and sheldrake – Clinton Whale

Mute Swan – Barrie Taylor

Equalling the Osprey, which caught a fish after arriving from the Avon Valley, the other notable thing of the day was the near-complete, overnight departure of Wigeon – a few hundred, yesterday, to just a few, today – when 13 Brent Goose stopped-off for a couple of hours or so. In terms of passerines, a Firecrest at the end of the head, a Wheatear, a couple of Willow Warbler, an arrivee Blackcap and a Pied Wagtail were the only suggestion of an incoming. Early on, a Great White Egret headed inland and pairs of Bullfinch, along Roebury Lane, Little Grebe, on the Ironstone Quarry, and Shelduck, at Stanpit, suggest an intent to breed. Meanwhile, the frequent calls of Mediterranean Gull were encountered – over the last decade, the next couple of weeks has become traditional time for them to pass through, in their hundreds if not thousands, to their breeding areas in the natural harbours to the east of here – to hear how they sound…

Solitary bee number ninety-six for the area. Early Colletes – a spring-flying species that emerges to coincide with willow flowering. It is a rapidly expanding species of dune and heathland habitat – Robin Harley

Male Stonechat – a very conspicuous bird across Hengistbury, right now – Peter Taylor

There was a reduction of Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit, today, down to sixteen birds, while a Wheatear was also in that spot. A handful of Willow Warbler were dotted about, with Chiffchaff and Blackcap likewise trickling in. A Bullfinch was again by the Viewing Platform and a White-tailed Eagle headed inland, seen from Fisherman’s Back, at around 08:00.

Slow Worm enjoying the sunshine at Hengistbury – Clinton Whale

Purple Sandpiper – Clinton Whale

Willow Warbler and Swallow came in overnight and during the morning respectively – around ten of the former around and at least five of the latter heading north. Also settled were 5 Firecrest – one actually seen to arrive – and 5 Blackcap, plus at least thirty, new-in Chiffchaff; while 6 Fieldfare, 3 Redwing, 115 Meadow Pipit, 7 Pied Wagtail and 35 Linnet, passed to the north. Black Redstart again feature – a couple by the Beach Huts; with 3 Wheatear returned and the first in-harbour Sandwich Tern of the season. A nice total of 28 Purple Sandpiper was on groyne S9, but Stanpit held most of the waders, including: a Bar-tailed Godwit, 60 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ringed Plover and 4 Turnstone, plus singles of Lapwing and Snipe. The estimate for Mediterranean Gull is around fifty; a Great White Egret and 3 Goosander came in off the sea, where a Great Northern Diver, 8 Common Scoter and 2 Pintail passed; a pair of Shoveler and 26 Brent Goose were at Stanpit; a Marsh Harrier patrolled Priory Marsh and a Peregrine was noted; and 5 Cattle Egret travelled through.

A few Peacock were on the wing before the afternoon fog set in – Clinton Whale

There was a brief sighting of a Blue-headed Wagtail in the area of the Rusty Boat, this morning, but it quickly departed. Meanwhile, a Barnacle Goose, presumably of dubious origin, headed inland with ‘canadas’, with 26 Gadwall doing likewise. Winter thrushes were again moving through – 2 Fieldfare and 33 Redwing on their return north; while 21 Purple Sandpiper on the tip of the sandspit may well have been doing the same. Also travelling, but far more leisurely, were 4 Red Kite and a young White-tailed Eagle, all from Stanpit, where 128 eastbound Mediterranean Gull, along with a similarly headed 28 Shelduck, were counted. To finish, the only wader news is of around 40 Black-tailed Godwit in Holloway’s Dock.

Variable Nomad Bee. A new insect species for the harbour and the ninety-fifth solitary bee. Seen in the HHVC garden – this is a type of Cuckoo bee, as it lays its eggs in the nest of host species – Robin Harley

A Black Redstart, a female-type, was around the Long Groyne, this morning, in the company of a Wheatear, while a flava Wagtail passed over the Barn Field and a single Redwing was on Wick. In general, however, there wasn’t too much around – the more notable inside the harbour being: a Grey Plover, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, around 100 Black-tailed Godwit and 41 Dunlin, plus 2 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall and 29 Brent Goose. Across the area, the Mediterranean Gull day-total was in the region of forty and, of potential breeding interest: a male Bullfinch was by the Viewing Platform; a Skylark was at Stanpit; and a Peregrine was on the Priory. Wrapping up, at least one Marsh Harrier, a female, is still using the area.

Adult male Blue-headed Wagtail – Chris Ogilvie

– Neil Jones

Bar-tailed Godwit – Clinton Whale

The last couple of days have seen, both in terms of numbers and early date, an unprecedented influx of the nominate race of Yellow Wagtail, known as Blue-headed Wagtail – Motacilla flava flava – into south-west England. This is two to three weeks ahead of when the British-breeding race – Motacilla flava flavissima – would be expected to arrive. The breeding range for M. f. flava is mainland western and central Europe, right up to the northern French coast.

In addition to the wagtail excitement, which spent most of the morning around Crouch Hill before seeming to head off to Wick, there was an arrival of Black Redstart on the Hengistbury cliffs – three birds in total, including a nice adult male. Also in that area, a Ring Ouzel, 2 Little Ringed Plover and a Greenshank, all seen to arrive; while a Fieldfare and 3 Redwing passed through the North Scrubs, and a male Blackcap was in Ashtree Meadow. Also from Stanpit, at least one Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, around 50 Dunlin and 6 Gadwall. Finishing with the sea, which produced: 8 Red-throated Diver, 27 Sandwich Tern, 16 Mediterranean Gull, 38 Common Gull, 4 Common Scoter, 26 Brent Goose and 2 Great Crested Grebe, all east; with singles of Razorbill and Guillemot in the opposite direction.

A total of 33 Redwing feeding in hedges on Wick and then heading off to the north was the notable record of the day; although a Jack Snipe lifting up of its own volition from Priory Marsh and again heading off high was a near equal; plus, a fly-through Ring Ouzel at Stanpit. Meanwhile, 5 Red Kite drifted east above the harbour. To round up, a Bearded Tit was heard on the southern edge of Parky Meade Rail, a Blackcap was in song on Wick and Mediterranean Gull were conspicuous.

Despite their troubles nationally, Greenfinch have always seemed to hold their own here, and are currently dominating the soundscape – Clinton Whale

The sea saw a nice variety of easterly movement, this morning, when: a Black-throated Diver, 4 Sandwich Tern, 58 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 38 Common Gull, 29 Mediterranean Gull, 9 Common Scoter, 5 Shoveler, 9 Pintail, a Great Crested Grebe and a Curlew were all logged. Meanwhile, there were 5 Wheatear about Hengistbury and around 90 Black-tailed Godwit were in Holloway’s Dock.

Presumed female, White Wagtail – Scott Usher

Turnstone, already turning to breeding plumage – Clinton Whale

Other than the photographed White Wagtail, somewhere on Stanpit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit in the same-named bight and 4 Sand Martin prospecting the Hengistbury cliffs; all the news is from the sea. Mudeford Quay saw an eastbound Sandwich Tern, while the Beach Huts returned: 5 Red-throated Diver, a further sixteen Sandwich Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 39 Common Gull, 26 Common Scoter, 8 Pintail, 3 Gadwall and 12 Brent Goose; presumably, mostly, if not totally, east.

Skylark – Alan Crockard

Male Wheatear – Clinton Whale

Adult Lesser Black-backed Gull – Rod Jenkins

Wren – Roger Tidball

A mainly easterly movement of birds was the feature of the day, across the area, and included, in numeric order: 785 Meadow Pipit, 235 Woodpigeon, 33 Brent Goose, 15 Pied Wagtail, 31 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Sparrowhawk, 5 Sand Martin, 2 Curlew, 2 Osprey, 2 Redwing, a Redpoll, a Swallow and a Little Ringed Plover. Meanwhile, at least 45 Chiffchaff, 5 Wheatear and 2 Blackcap were settled. The best of the waders at Stanpit was a Ruff and 2 Grey Plover, with up to 100 Black-tailed Godwit noted elsewhere. The rest of the post is a bit of a miscellany: 2 Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite, from Stanpit; a notable 32 Shelduck, 37 Brent Goose, 3 Shoveler, 4 Pintail and 2 Gadwall, about; the pair of Bullfinch again by the HHC; a Bearded Tit heard on Wick; and a Great Crested Grebe on the sea.

Newly emerged Comma – a sure sign of spring – Clinton Whale

Bar-tailed Godwit – Jackie Smith

This Common Buzzard inspected the Nursery for around twenty minutes, this morning – Peter Boardman

…and snoozing Fox – Roger Tidball

The first few Sand Martin trickled in today – five reported from various spots – with Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail likewise – thirty six and four, respectively – as well as 250 Woodpigeon high to the north. Meanwhile, two ‘White’ Wagtail spent a little time on Crouch Hill. Brent Goose again feature – 178 east at sea (plus a single Common Scoter) and around 120 settled at Stanpit, where two pairs of Shoveler dropped in to join 3 Pintail and 2 Shelduck. Moving to passerines and the certain migrant Chiffchaff numbered four, while 2 Firecrest were on Hengistbury. Rounding up: the minimum figure for eastbound Mediterranean Gull is sixty, accompanied by 8 Common Gull; a Bar-tailed Godwit at Stanpit was a new bird, where 150 Black-tailed Godwit and 5 Grey Plover were also present, with 21 Ringed Plover on the sandspit; a pair of Bullfinch was by the HHC; and 2 Great White Egret and 19 Cattle Egret make the post.

The next three weeks is the optimal to time to catch up with singing Dartford Warbler on Hengistbury – they seem to be far less confident when their larger whitethroat cousins arrive. All viewable from well-trodden pathways – David Gatehouse

Wigeon – David Gatehouse

Stonechat in the dawn frost – Alan Crockard

A couple of Wheatear were on the Barn Field, this morning, when Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail trickled in over a broad front. Meanwhile, there was again an up-channel movement of Brent Goose at sea – 101 being the figure returned, but thought to be on the low side due to the distance of some of the skeins; also 7 Common Gull and a Little Egret in the same direction. A nice total of 30 Purple Sandpiper was logged on the sandspit, along with 22 Ringed Plover; 2 Firecrest were in the Wood, where a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed; and the pair of Little Grebe remains on the Ironstone Quarry. Inside the harbour, there were a further 39 Brent Goose, 2 Gadwall and a single Shelduck; while 3 Sparrowhawk were about Riversmeet Meadow.

Linnet on the Barn Field – Clinton Whale

There is a lot more to write about than of late – the best being a Black Redstart on the roof of the now-HHO-run HHC. Congratulations to HHO for their incredible work in achieving that! Meanwhile, an incoming of birds included: a Little Ringed Plover, 9 Siskin, 11 Linnet, 245 Meadow Pipit and 11 Pied Wagtail; with a couple of Peregrine patrolling the sea for an interception. Offshore, a definite easterly movement of gulls and wildfowl was taking place – an adult Little Gull the pick, but also 33 Mediterranean Gull, 56 Common Gull, 25 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 11 Shoveler, 5 Wigeon and 89 Brent Goose; plus 2 Red-throated Diver. Over at Stanpit, there were 56 Brent Goose settled, along with 2 Shoveler, 32 Black-tailed Godwit and 120 Dunlin; with song from Skylark and Meadow Pipit being particularly welcome there – both species’ status as breeders can be variable about the marsh. Late in the day, around 40 Mediterranean Gull arrived from the north.

After becoming very scarce this time last year, Sparrowhawk seem to have regained their former status. This one eyeing up the Ashtree Meadow Starling gathering – Ray Scott

It’s looking likely that Firecrest may breed again on Hengistbury – Alan Crockard

Little Grebe normally don’t start to think about it on the Ironstone Quarry until mid-summer, but things may be different this year – Alan Crockard

…and this Black-tailed Godwit is already nicely attired, ahead of it’s journey to Iceland – Clinton Whale

Much of the day’s news is covered in the photo captions, the remainder being of 24 Cattle Egret, this morning, heading inland over Priory Marsh, and what could well be the first-ever record of Water Rail for the Ironstone Quarry.

Great Spotted Woodpecker – drumming and then taking a rest. After an absence last season, it’s good to see a pair back in the North Scrubs – Alan Crockard

Most of the news comes from an afternoon visit to Stanpit, when 150 Black-tailed Godwit, around 30 Dunlin, 2 Pintail, 96 Brent Goose, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Gull were logged. Earlier, half-a-dozen Chiffchaff were encountered about Wick and a pair of Bullfinch was by the HHC entrance gates.

It’s a day that’s light on news – 3 Bullfinch along Roebury Lane, 6 Chiffchaff over the adjacent fields and a Goldcrest in the North Scrubs – being the best of it.

At least 3 Water Rail were conspicuous on the floods in Ashtree Meadow – Clinton Whale

The male of a pair of Bullfinch in the North Scrubs – Jackie Smith

All the day’s news comes from Stanpit, where, early on, a Snipe was on Crouch Hill; with just-into-double-figure counts of Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit also there, as well as a likely ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit. Around the same time, a flock of 21 Cattle Egret was seen to lift-off from Wick and a pair of Bullfinch was in the North Scrubs. Throughout the day, the numbers from around Stanpit Bight included: 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 130 Dunlin, two pairs of Pintail and up to 80 Brent Goose; and, to finish, most of the resident breeders are now well into the swing of things – a Greenfinch seen carrying nesting material and a Coal Tit in song at the north end of Ashtree Meadow.

Another Merlin headed north, this morning, amongst a light passage of pipits and wagtails – 52 Meadow Pipit and 4 Pied Wagtail respectively logged at Stanpit; where a Water Pipit also spared a few moments on Crouch Hill. The best of the singing birds about the marsh was, by far, a Mistle Thrush, as well as a Firecrest – the latter in Ashtree Meadow. For the second day on the run, there was incoming heron activity – 3 Cattle Egret north; while 71 Brent Goose were settled, 5 Chiffchaff and a Sparrowhawk were about Wick; and a Great Crested Grebe was offshore.

The season’s first Little Ringed Plover was at Stanpit, this morning, when a female Merlin headed north through Wick. Meanwhile, there was a marked movement of herons at sea – a flock of 10 Grey Heron headed east, 2 Great White Egret – one arriving and one west – were also logged, plus an incoming Little Egret. Also, over the water, a Great Northern Diver, a Guillemot and 32 Common Gull, the latter all to the east. To round up, a Brambling passed over Hengistbury, 3 Firecrest were in the Wood and 2 Marsh Harrier were returned from the Wooden Bridge.

There was a nice selection of birds passing through or over today. Chiffchaff, numbered at least ten, and over 30 Meadow Pipit were noted, as well as a fine-looking, pink-flushed ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit, with several Pied Wagtail, on South Marsh. Also: a Firecrest, in song, in Stanpit Scrubs; singles of Redwing and Bullfinch in the North Scrubs; two incoming Marsh Harrier – those late in the afternoon – plus a couple of easterly drifting Red Kite; four conspicuous Water Rail on Wick meadows; frequent calls of Mediterranean Gull, but difficult to visual in the pale-grey sky; and a Jack Snipe somewhere on Stanpit. Meanwhile, 4 Grey Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 160 Dunlin, 8 Pintail and 4 Common Gull were settled around Stanpit Bight.

One of three Jay in the North Scrubs – Scott Usher

Chiffchaff on Wick – Alan Crockard

A Mistle Thrush east over the Barn Field and 2 Redwing in the Nursery, early this morning, were presumably birds passing through on their way to a North Sea crossing; while up to 20 Chiffchaff across the site were almost certainly incoming and a Firecrest was by the Double Bends. Elsewhere, the sea saw 7 Common Scoter also bound to the north-east, a pair of Bullfinch was on Wick, and a Sparrowhawk was about Solent Meads.

The area’s breeding Grey Heron are currently going about their business – Roger Edwards

…and 2 Grey Plover with a few Dunlin – Peter Taylor

The notable record of the day is of 2 Sanderling at Stanpit, this morning – there can’t be that many March records for the species. Meanwhile, incoming birds were conspicuous – Crouch Hill was busy with Pied Wagtail and Meadow Pipit, with a small flock of Linnet seen to arrive there, and a ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit was by the Rusty Boat. Additionally, there were at least 7 Chiffchaff about the place. The rest is a bit of a miscellany: 5 Grey Plover, 13 Brent Goose and an adult Mediterranean Gull were around Stanpit Bight; and, looking north from there, a couple of White-tailed Eagle were apparently in display over the Avon Valley.

Before a late piece of information, a Velvet Scoter just offshore from the northern end of Mudeford Quay car park; the day’s only news was going to be of 2 Buzzard, again settled around Wick.

Just as that was posted, a tranche of news came in. Off Hengistbury, this morning, there was a definite easterly movement of birds, including: 14 Red-throated Diver, 28 Common Scoter, 53 Pintail, 12 Shoveler, a Teal, 8 Brent Goose, 27 Mediterranean Gull, 58 Common Gull and a Curlew. Later in the day, at Stanpit, a flock of 20 Golden Plover, over and to the east, was a real bonus; with 6 Grey Plover and 22 Pintail settled there.

Male Kestrel – Mark Taylor

…and despite birds arriving from the south, there are still plenty of Wigeon and Teal to be seen – Clinton Whale

It’s always a seasonal landmark when the first trans-Saharan migrant arrives – so a male Wheatear, ranging either side of the Double Dykes for the day, was very welcome. Also, a singing Blackcap at Stanpit, where it would certainly be a new-in bird, 2 Firecrest in Ashtree Meadow and at least 5 Chiffchaff about the place, as well as 15 Pied Wagtail and a White Wagtail. Meanwhile, a couple of Hawfinch put in a cameo appearance around Ashtree Meadow and a Bearded Tit was heard calling from Central Marsh. Mediterranean Gull were definitely on the move – at least fifty passing west – with a redhead Goosander heading inland. During the morning, 13 Purple Sandpiper were logged at Mudeford Quay; with 7 Grey Plover at Stanpit, where there were 12 Shoveler and a pair of Shelduck. To finish, a Buzzard was foraging in the North Paddock, Wick.

A migrant Firecrest was along the Wick riverside path, with 3 Chiffchaff there and a further individual at Stanpit. Around Stanpit Bight, there were 3 Grey Plover, 15 Ringed Plover, 150 Dunlin and a Shoveler, with a reduction in Brent Goose to twenty-eight. Meanwhile, travelling pipits and wagtails were represented by just four and three of Pied Wagtail and Rock Pipit respectively.

A Bearded Tit was seen by Parky Meade Rail, in the mid-afternoon; while, earlier, 3 Chiffchaff had been in song around Stanpit and at least 5 Water Rail were making themselves known there and by the Wooden Bridge. Also heard, were up to 4 Reed Bunting setting up territory. The Brent Goose gaggle around Stanpit Bight was eighty-six, much better than of late, with 230 Dunlin also in that area. To finish, incoming Pied Wagtail numbered around ten, a couple of Mediterranean Gull went over and 3 Gadwall were about.

Adult Pied Wagtail at Stanpit – Clinton Whale

There was perhaps an arrival of birds today, from across the Channel – singles of Chiffchaff and Firecrest, in song, by the Wooden Bridge and in the Wood respectively; plus, a trickle of Pied Wagtail through Stanpit noted, in the afternoon. Meanwhile, a Mistle Thrush on Wick was nice record for the month. The rest of the post involves: a quiet sea – the best coming from: a Red-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter, an auk and 2 Common Gull; as well as 30 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin on the Long Groyne; and 8 Cattle Egret settled off South Marsh, this evening.

It’s the time of year when some of the Rock Pipit at Stanpit look to be almost-certain littoralis, bound for Scandinavia – Clinton Whale

The day’s news comes from the last WeBS count of the season. Although the full numbers aren’t yet in, there were at least: 6 Grey Plover, 155 Dunlin, 79 Redshank, 12 Pintail, 2 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall, 1384 Wigeon, 59 Teal, 79 Brent Goose and 3 Mediterranean Gull.

Dartford Warbler – Alan Crockard

During a lovely, early-spring day of sunshine, Greenfinch and Stonechat were making themselves known about Hengistbury, while the regular Curlew flock by the Wooden Bridge numbered eleven.