Turnstone in as-good-as-it-gets breeding plumage – Clinton Whale

Starting again with the Cuckoo – continuing to sing from Wick. There was a level of expectation for the sea, this morning, but it seems the strength of the south-easterly breeze wasn’t really up to it – the best being; 6 Little Tern, 4 Kittiwake, 2 Eider, 29 Common Scoter, 2 Tufted Duck, 2 Brent Goose and 27 Whimbrel, generally east. Meanwhile, a Great White Egret, a couple of Swift and just under 40 Swallow were logged incoming. All the wader news is from the shore and came from 2 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling , 5 Common Sandpiper, 16 Dunlin and half-a-dozen Turnstone.

Sandwich Tern, fishing in tandem for Sand Eels off Hengistbury – Adrian Simmons

Firstly, some breeding updates – the pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker in the Nursery have fledged two young, while the female Ringed Plover is still sitting tight on her clutch. The best of the migrant passerines today was: a male and female Redstart briefly on the West Field, and 3 Yellow Wagtail, including a stunning male, with the ponies on Stanpit; but also, up to 8 Wheatear and at least 5 Willow Warbler about the site. Wader-wise, a Greenshank, a Grey Plover, a Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Black-tailed Godwit were on the marsh, with 2 Common Sandpiper returned from Hengistbury. It was much quieter than yesterday offshore – just a Red-throated Diver, 4 Common Scoter and Fulmar, passing; as well as around forty and fifty Common Tern and Sandwich Tern respectively, lingering. To wrap up, a single Wigeon remains.

Whimbrel – Clinton Whale

The Cuckoo was again singing on Wick, which is encouraging as he would only be around if there were sufficient numbers of host species around the site. There weren’t many settled waders about, but 2 Common Sandpiper, up to 4 Whimbrel and a Sanderling were turned in. Passerines were also quite sparse – just eleven each of Willow Warbler and Wheatear. To finish, the sea, after a day’s pause, produced another nice selection of birds travelling east, including: a pale-morph Arctic Skua, a Great Northern Diver, 2 Little Tern, 100 Common Tern, 65 Sandwich Tern, 52 Mediterranean Gull; 8 Common Scoter. 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and 11 Whimbrel. Meanwhile, a Hobby and 55 Swallow were noted incoming.

Green Hairstreak – Peter Boardman

Wheatear – Clinton Whale

There was far little at sea today, just modest numbers of Common Tern and Sandwich Tern loitering, plus a Sanderling and 12 Mediterranean Gull east. Elsewhere, the Cuckoo again was singing on Wick, 3 Wheatear were on the Barn Field and 5 Willow Warbler were logged.

CHOG Chair, Chris Chapleo, flanked by BCP Councillors Andy Hadley and Paul Hilliard, speaking at today’s House Martin tower opening ceremony, which was attended by over sixty people – the majority of them local residents. Thank you! CHOG would also like to record thanks to: all BCP employees involved in the project, New Milton Men’s Shed, New Milton Sand & Ballast and The Parks Foundation for their significant contributions to this exciting collaboration. It’s not just about the tower, but also the associated pond, native planting and local mowing regime, which are already paying dividends to wildlife.

Garganey – Paul Craven

A drake Garganey on South Marsh, this morning, was bird of the day – with other highlights at Stanpit coming from: a new-in Lesser Whitethroat on Riversmeet Meadow, 2 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 18 Black-tailed Godwit 6 Dunlin and 2 Snipe; plus, a Cuckoo heard singing across the river and 2 Common Tern from inland. The sea produced a nice, easterly passage, comprising: 7 Manx Shearwater, 2 Arctic Tern, 150 Common Tern, 80 Sandwich Tern, a Great Northern Diver, 3 Red-throated Diver, 41 Kittiwake, 32 Mediterranean Gull, 9 Common Gull, 2 Knot, 43 Whimbrel with a Turnstone, 116 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Black-tailed Godwit – makes you think whether they were Iceland- or perhaps mainland Europe-bound – 8 Oystercatcher, 77 Common Scoter, 9 Shoveler, 5 Teal, 11 Shelduck, 75 Gannet and a Grey Heron; with 3 Red-breasted Merganser to the west. Meanwhile, arriving birds noted came from 7 Swift, 85 Swallow, a Tree Pipit and 9 Yellow Wagtail. To finish, the settled birds of interest, namely: a cameo Grasshopper Warbler, 7 Willow Warbler, a Whinchat, 32 Wheatear and 5 Purple Sandpiper.

It was a reasonable day for raptors – the best an Osprey over the harbour at 17:30 – but also, during the morning, a female-type Marsh Harrier, 2 Buzzard over Stanpit and a Peregrine. Also on the marsh, a Great White Egret, 4 Whimbrel and 3 Shoveler; while spread about the area were 4 Wheatear and 7 Willow Warbler. The offshore tern presence was estimated at 35 Common Tern and 100 Sandwich Tern, with passing birds, to the east, including: a Black-throated Diver, a Kittiwake, 34 Mediterranean Gull; 4 Common Scoter, an Avocet, 9 Whimbrel and 21 Gannet; plus a couple of aimless Fulmar.

Tomorrow morning, at 11:00, there will be an opening ceremony for the Hoburne estate House Martin tower, at BH23 4UJ. Please do come along.

Dunnock – Barrie Taylor

Incoming birds, today, included the first Swift of the season, as well as 6 Yellow Wagtail, 8 House Martin, 37 Swallow, and a couple each of Marsh Harrier and Buzzard – all heading north over Stanpit. Also passing through, without stopping, a Turtle Dove and Roseate Tern, as well as 11 Common Tern and 64 Mediterranean Gull. Wader reports were thin – just a Common Sandpiper, 7 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 42 Black-tailed Godwit, and, to finish: at least 100 Sandwich Tern were about, a couple of Wheatear were on Hengistbury and Red Kite was seen.

Purple Sandpiper coming into a bit of breeding plumage – the chestnut-coloured scapular feathers – Clinton Whale

Other than 10 Purple Sandpiper around Mudeford Quay, all the news comes from Hengistbury. The Barn Owl was hunting Wick Hams, early on, when a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Yellow Wagtail and 5 Wheatear were about. During the course of the morning, incoming birds were reckoned at: a Little Ringed Plover, 16 House Martin and 115 Swallow; while the sea came up with: 3 Grey Plover, 17 Whimbrel, 56 Bar-tailed Godwit, 6 Ringed Plover, 26 Common Scoter and 17 Shelduck, all to the east; plus, a Red-throated Diver and 16 Common Tern. Continuing from yesterday, Sandwich Tern put on another good show – 160 across the area being the estimate – with other news coming from a Sanderling, a Common Sandpiper on the groynes and 36 Dunlin.

Green Hairstreak – Ian Wigley

Shelduck – Mark Taylor

The feature of the day was some very high numbers, for spring, of Sandwich Tern. Late in the afternoon, a minimum of ninety were loafing at Stanpit, with 4 Little Tern; while, a little later, 150 were feeding offshore, along with around 250 Herring Gull and 175 Black-headed Gull. Also inside the harbour, a nice variety of waders, including: 5 Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover – which picked up and headed directly north, and 7 Dunlin. Passerine-wise, there was a clear influx of Lesser Whitethroat – at least five – one of them on the Barn Field. Other incoming migrants, all from Hengistbury, comprised: 2 Garden Warbler, 11 Willow Warbler and 15 Wheatear, all settled; plus, a Bullfinch, 5 Yellow Wagtail and 58 Swallow, over. Also from the head, at sea: a Great Northern Diver west; and a Grey Plover, 24 Whimbrel, 22 Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and 19 Common Scoter, all east. Rounding up, a dozen Purple Sandpiper were about the groynes and 10 Wigeon were around Stanpit Bight.

In yesterday morning’s mirk, a Willow Warbler found safety in the cabin of an angling boat just off Hengistbury – it’s worth taking a look at these videos:
Video 1…
Video 2…

Barn Owl over Wick Hams – Tom Carley

The Barn Owl put in an appearance about Wick Hams at around 07:00, this morning, adding further intrigue as to where its residence may be. Meanwhile, the female Ring Ouzel remained on the Barn Field, where a Whinchat and 3 Wheatear were present, a female Pied Flycatcher was in the Wood, a Lesser Whitethroat was by the Wooden Bridge, 3 Garden Warbler and 7 Willow Warbler were around Ashtree Meadow, a couple of Yellow Wagtail overflew and 2 Cuckoo were about the place. Moving to water-based birds and the best a 2cy Little Gull on the tip of South Marsh, with other notables in Stanpit Bight comprising: a Bar-tailed Godwit, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, one each of Whimbrel and Curlew, 2 Common Tern, 25 Sandwich Tern; with 2 Greenshank and 26 Mediterranean Gull over, the latter all to the west.

Female Ring Ouzel – Scott Usher

– Alan Crockard

Bird of the post is undoubtedly a drake Scaup that arrived from the west and settled off Mudeford Quay for a while, around 07:00. Other highlights, however, were a female Ring Ouzel on the Barn Field, for most of the day, and an over-flying Black Tern. At sea, an Arctic Skua, 34 Common Scoter, 39 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Common Tern and a Guillemot passed west; while 3 Manx Shearwater headed west and 8 Whimbrel were seemingly aimless. In addition to the rouzel, travelling passerines included: a Grey Wagtail over Wick and 3 Yellow Wagtail east; 2 Garden Warbler along Roebury Lane; a Whinchat and 6 Wheatear on Hengistbury; and a couple of new-in Sedge Warbler.

Arctic Skua off Mudeford Quay – Scott Usher

Northbound Whimbrel over the quay – Scott Usher

2cy Common Gull in the Run – Scott Usher

Early on, a couple of dark-morph Arctic Skua were close-in, off Mudeford Quay, before heading off towards the Solent. Also from the quay, around 25 Whimbrel, all east, with two accompanying Curlew, 4 Common Scoter, 2 Fulmar and 3 Common Tern. A later look at the sea, from Hengistbury produced: an Arctic Skua, 2 Kittiwake, 14 Mediterranean Gull, 8 Common Gull, a Fulmar, 15 Common Tern, 53 Whimbrel, 23 Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Grey Plover, 9 Sanderling, 6 Ringed Plover, 23 Dunlin, 53 Common Scoter and 4 Teal, all east; with 2 Marsh Harrier, 3 Yellow Wagtail, 5 Wheatear and a handful of hirundines seen to arrive. Inside the harbour, 2 Whimbrel, 31 Black-tailed Godwit and 24 Dunlin were at Stanpit, and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled briefly around Solent Meads car park.

Whitethroat – Alan Crockard

Little Grebe – Barrie Taylor

By all accounts, there was an arrival of Whitethroat yesterday and this led to at least six vying for position on Wick, this morning, when there were 4 Willow Warbler and a pair of Bullfinch. The south-easterly breeze, right on date for a decent seawatch, didn’t really deliver – the best from three-or-so hours being: 4 Kittiwake, 3 Fulmar, a Common Tern, 26 Common Scoter, a Guillemot, 2 Great Crested Grebe and a Whimbrel, mostly east. Meanwhile, Stanpit returned a hefty total of 17 Gadwall, with two in Barn Bight perhaps supplementing the number, as well as 54 Black-tailed Godwit and thirty-three, seemingly northbound Mediterranean Gull.

News just in, and it would seem the continuing wind vector is starting to bring birds closer to shore: a forty-five minute stint at the Beach Huts produced; a dark-morph Arctic Skua, 5 Common Tern, 57 Whimbrel and 12 Bar-tailed Godwit. It could be good tomorrow…

Lesser Whitethroat – Alan Crockard

Small Copper – David Faulkner (upper) & Peter Boardman

Chiffchaff with nesting material – Clinton Whale

Raven (lower) and Carrion Crow – Peter Boardman

The cool wind of the previous couple of days reduced overnight and made for a very pleasant day of weather. New-in or recently arrived birds included: a Lesser Whitethroat and a few Garden Warbler on Wick; a Sedge Warbler on Priory Marsh and a Willow Warbler on Riversmeet Meadow; and 2 Wheatear on the Barn Field. A look at the sea, from Hengistbury, yielded: 15 Whimbrel, 10 Common Tern, 12 Mediterranean Gull, 9 Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe, all east; while the pair of Pintail remain in Barn Bight. Over at Stanpit, there were a couple of late Wigeon, 14 Shelduck and 40 Black-tailed Godwit; and, early in the evening, a Cattle Egret headed inland. Now, a breeding bird update – a very healthy total of seventy-one, active Sand Martin burrows were counted on the cliffs.

The recently placed, CHOG-funded, platforms in Holloway’s Dock have been attracting various gull attention – a presumed pair of Black-headed Gull – Clinton Whale

Ringed Plover – Clinton Whale

A Lesser Whitethroat returned to Crouch Hill today – for what is, hopefully, be the third season in succession. Elsewhere, however, there isn’t too much to report. A Fulmar was at sea; a couple of Bullfinch were about Wick; and a pair of Pintail was in Wick Hams. To finish off this short post, the Priory Peregrine now have three eggs and a twelve-strong brood of Mallard was on the Ironstone Quarry.

Early Bumblebee – the smallest and one the commonest of our bumblebees, on Borage – Robin Harley

As of last Friday, it was confirmed there were two Peregrine eggs on the Priory. No doubt, there are now more – Roger Tidball

A singing Cuckoo, heard from Wick and thought to be on Stanpit, livened the morning, when Sandwich Tern were also vocal about the place. Meanwhile, waders on site included 2 Whimbrel, 48 Black-tailed Godwit and 36 Dunlin – those all in breeding plumage; with other notables coming from: 3 Brent Goose, 3 Gadwall, 8 Shelduck and 6 Mediterranean Gull around the marsh; and 3 Willow Warbler on Wick. To finish, an Emperor Moth was on Hengistbury, and a Barn Owl was again seen, very early on, passing over the HHC towards the Barn Field.

Wheatear – Neil Jones

The song of Reed Warbler is suddenly around us – two on Wick and four on Stanpit, this morning, where there was a single Wheatear on Crouch Hill. Meanwhile, the marsh also held: a Ruff and 55 Black-tailed Godwit; with around 40 Mediterranean Gull passing over.

Cetti’s Warbler in North Scrubs, Stanpit – Mark Taylor

Shelduck sparring at Stanpit – Alan Crockard

The weather was rather a mixed bag, with some sunshine but also quite heavy cloud at times bringing the occasional brief shower during the morning. Despite changing to a more westerly direction, the wind was still a bit chilly, especially as it strengthened during the afternoon. The first 2 Little Tern of the year were at Stanpit, where 6 Common Tern moved through. Yesterday’s 5 Ruff were still about the Marsh, together with 128 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Grey Plover, 26 Dunlin, 10 Gadwall and 6 Wigeon. A Great White Egret flew towards Wick, where a male Pied Flycatcher and 2 Willow Warbler appeared to be the only passerine migrants; 2 Bullfinch were also there. At Hengistbury, a lone Wheatear and at least one Whitethroat were on the Barn Field and 23 Turnstone were on the Sandspit.

Finally, some good news of breeding birds. A pair of Ringed Plover on the Sandspit now have four eggs protected by a cage. Thanks to BCP Council and the beach hut residents for their prompt action and updates. Furthermore, the pair of Peregrine on the Priory have at least two eggs.

Whitethroat at Stanpit – Scott Usher

It was a lighter frost overnight, but cloud soon increased to give complete cover later. All today’s news comes from Stanpit, where the only grounded passerine migrants logged were a Whitethroat and 2 Wheatear, while 2 Yellow Wagtail headed north overhead. However, there was a better selection of waders today, including 5 Ruff, 3 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 129 Black-tailed Godwit. Just a lone Brent Goose was present, together with 5 drake Shoveler, 9 Gadwall and 12 Wigeon. After a gap of eleven days, a White-tailed Eagle visited the harbour, landing on Blackberry for a while before heading off northwards.

Early mist and frost cleared quickly, and it soon warmed up to be one of the warmest days of the year so far. There had clearly been a fall of Phylloscs with just over 100 Willow Warbler and 40 Chiffchaff spread across all areas of the harbour. Most of the other grounded migrants were moving through Ashtree Meadows or the north end of North Scrubs at Stanpit, and included a Grasshopper Warbler, 25 Blackcap, a Whitethroat and females of Pied Flycatcher and Redstart. Two Yellow Wagtail headed north, and a Tree Pipit landed on Riversmeet Meadow. Thirty-five Swallow flew north, with a further eight coming in off the sea at Hengistbury, while 5 Sand Martin flew through Wick. Pochard is uncommon in the harbour, so a flock of six flying over with three Tufted Duck was quite unusual. The only waders of note were a Common Sandpiper and 6 Turnstone, and an Osprey was logged in late afternoon. At Hengistbury, a male Redstart and 4 Wheatear were on the Barn Field, with a further two of the latter on the beach; at sea, 3 Red-throated Diver moved east and the Common Scoter flock held about 25 birds. Rounding up, 2 Pintail and 3 Gadwall were still in Barn Bight and a Bullfinch was at Wick.

It is with sadness that we note the passing of long-term CHOG member, Bruce Caswell. Although he had not lived locally for many years, he always had a deep attachment to the harbour and followed the local bird news. He will be known to some of our members, and our condolences go to his family.

There was little change in the weather, but it was a quieter day bird-wise with just a few common migrants scattered across the area. Wick held one each of Sedge, Reed and Garden Warbler. Other totals from both Hengistbury and Wick included 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Whitethroat, 1 Wheatear, 2 Yellow Wagtail and a Grey Wagtail, while 8 Sand Martin and about 20 House Martin headed north. A Whimbrel and a Spotted Redshank were heard flying around the harbour, and a Great White Egret was at Stanpit. The sea off Hengistbury was quiet, with just a Red-throated Diver lingering, 12 Sandwich Tern and 14 Common Gull moving east. Finally, the 2 Little Grebe are still on Quarry Pond, a Kestrel was over Barn Field and the 2 Peregrine were around the Priory.

Drake Pintail in Barn Bight – Leo Pyke

Another overnight frost was followed by yet another lovely day, though the light north to north-easterly breeze persisted. Stanpit was the focus of attention today, when there were a few grounded migrants, but little overhead movement. A Garden Warbler at Hengistbury and 2 Reed Warbler at Stanpit were both ‘firsts’ for the spring; also at Stanpit were a Redstart and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Totals of other migrants scattered across the two areas came to 13 Willow Warbler, 35 Chiffchaff and 27 Blackcap and single White Wagtail were at Wick and flying north over Stanpit. There were few waders logged – 5 Whimbrel, a Snipe and 75 Black-tailed Godwit were about the Marsh, but they may well have been part of the flock of 112 in Holloway’s dock earlier. Four Egyptian Goose arrived from the west and headed north up the Avon Valley, 2 Shoveler and 3 Gadwall were at Stanpit, and the pair of Pintail were in Barn Bight. Rounding up, 52 Mediterranean Gull flew east through the harbour, an immature Marsh Harrier and a Buzzard were seen, a Merlin was around Wick and a few House Martin were over Hengistbury late morning.

Little Grebe on the Ironstone Quarry at Hengistbury – Clinton Whale

Median Wasp queen at Riversmeet Meadow, Stanpit – Robin Harley

Overnight frost made for a cool start to an initially sunny morning, with a light north to north-easterly breeze. However, cloud cover increased for a while around lunchtime, before clearing again for much of the afternoon. The pick of the birds were a Short-eared Owl high east over Hengistbury, a Nightingale in Long Field and at least one, possibly two, Grasshopper Warbler in Wick Fields. Also at Hengistbury were a Redstart, a Black Redstart and 5 Wheatear with other totals from here and Wick coming to 40 Willow Warbler, 50 Chiffchaff, 26 Blackcap and 4 Whitethroat. Several hours watching the sea resulted in a good selection of species, including the first Arctic Tern of the spring flying east, together with 6 Common Tern, 55 Sandwich Tern, 5 Common Gull and 56 Mediterranean Gull – the latter count including birds flying through the harbour. The offshore Scoter flock numbered around fifteen birds, with a further five moving east; a Whimbrel, 3 Eider and 2 Red-throated Diver did likewise, while a Great Northern Diver went west. Twenty-three Purple Sandpiper were on the Long Groyne and 2 Sanderling landed briefly on the beach. To complete the post, the Gadwall and Pintail pairs were still in Barn Bight and up to four Grey Heron nests are occupied.

Male Pied Flycatcher in the Stunted Oaks at Hengistbury – Adrian Simmons

Weatherwise, it was more of the same today, but there was a noticeable arrival of Phylloscs containing at least 60 Chiffchaff and 50 Willow Warbler, as well as 35 Blackcap, 4 Wheatear and the first Whitethroat of the spring mostly at Hengistbury. The second male Pied Flycatcher of the year entertained all morning in the Stunted Oaks and a male Redstart was at Ashtree Meadows, Stanpit. Visible migration was less in evidence, with just 2 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and 17 Swallow heading north and 11 Linnet lingering on West Field. There was some easterly movement at sea, which included a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Shelduck, 6 Common Scoter, a Goosander, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Common Tern, 46 Sandwich Tern, 78 Mediterranean Gull and 23 Common Gull. Two Purple Sandpiper flew round to the Long Groyne, and Barn Bight hosted pairs of Gadwall and Pintail.

The weather was a repeat of yesterday, with blue skies and a north-easterly breeze. It was another good day for variety, with much of the news coming from Stanpit, where northbound overhead passage comprised 275 Meadow Pipit, 98 Linnet, 47 Goldfinch, 3 Tree Pipit, 15 Alba Wagtail, 5 Yellow Wagtail, 9 Siskin, 15 Swallow, 23 Sand Martin and 3 House Martin. Settled migrants, mainly in North Scrubs and Ashtree Meadows, totalled 33 Blackcap, 30 Chiffchaff, 10 Willow Warbler, plus a further eight at Wick, and a singing Sedge Warbler in Priory Reeds, where Bearded Tit was also heard. An Osprey flew north through the harbour, three Marsh Harrier were logged and at least one Peregrine was around the Priory. Travelling east were 308 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Curlew and a Whimbrel, while 4 Ruff, 80 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Dunlin and singles of Little Ringed Plover, Greenshank and Knot were about the marsh. Although many duck have moved on, 111 Wigeon and 93 Teal remain, as well as 14 Brent Goose. At Hengistbury, 2 Wheatear were on the Barn Field and a male Redstart was in the Stunted Oaks with a few more Willow Warbler.

Yellow Wagtail at Stanpit – Alan Crockard

Yellow Wagtail at Stanpit – Scott Usher

Buzzard – Alan Crockard

Another fine, sunny day with a light north-easterly wind produced the best morning of the spring so far, with an excellent variety of grounded passerines including ‘firsts’ for the year of a Grasshopper Warbler at Stanpit and a male Pied Flycatcher at Hengistbury. The supporting cast at Stanpit were a Redstart and 2 Yellow Wagtail, while Hengistbury contributed a Black Redstart, 4 Redstart and 6 Wheatear, with a light overhead passage comprising 36 Meadow Pipit, singles of Tree Pipit, Alba Wagtail and Siskin and a few Linnet. Spread across the area were 17 Willow Warbler and 70 Chiffchaff, a few of each of these, normally nocturnal, migrants were seen coming in off the sea, as well as 18 new-in Blackcap and small numbers of Swallow. A drake Garganey seen flying in over the HHC was later settled at Stanpit, where 7 Shelduck, 4 Gadwall and 36 Teal were also logged, together with 5 Grey Plover. Totals of birds moving east at sea off Hengistbury comprised 3 Shelduck, 30 Common Scoter, 39 Common Gull, 28 Sandwich Tern and a Great Northern Diver, plus 15 Oystercatcher, a Whimbrel, a Sanderling and 2 Cattle Egret were seen to arrive, as did 4 Pale-bellied Brent Goose with four Dark-bellied Brent. A Little Gull and 20 Mediterranean Gull also passed at sea, with a further four and 16 respectively choosing to traverse the harbour. Finally, raptors were represented by 3 Marsh Harrier, a Red Kite and 2 Peregrine Falcon.

One of the many Mediterranean Gull over the harbour today – Alan Crockard

Early drizzle soon petered out, but it was mid-morning before the cloud started to lift to give another fine, sunny day. The very light, predominantly easterly, breeze strengthened to moderate by lunchtime, before easing off again during the afternoon. Most of the news comes from Hengistbury, where the highlight was the first Spoonbill of the year – three young birds – flying east through the harbour. Also heading in the same direction, mostly at sea, were 10 Brent Goose, 4 Purple Sandpiper, 86 Mediterranean Gull, 14 Common Gull, 3 Red-throated Diver and 10 Common Scoter, with a further 24 Scoter in a flock on the sea. A lone Shelduck and a Fulmar travelled in the opposite direction. Other wildfowl included afemale Garganey that tagged along with a few Brent Goose and a pair of Pintail in Barn Bight. Visible migration was almost non-existent with just a few birds coming in when the weather brightened: 58 Meadow Pipit, 32 Linnet and 8 Swallow travelled north and a Redpoll flew around the eastern end of the Head several times. At Stanpit, 3 Tufted Duck were in Parky Meade Rail and 146 Black-tailed Godwit were counted from Fisherman’s Bank. Wick held 4 Willow Warbler and 2 Firecrest, while up to 7 Blackcap are on territory there, and the Peregrine pair was around the Priory.

The pair of Peregrine was around the Priory today, so fingers crossed for another season – Clinton Whale

Most of the news comes from the sea, where a breeding-plumaged Black-necked Grebe was settled – but soon left to the east. Also going in that direction: 28 Common Scoter, 28 Mediterranean Gull, 67 Common Gull, 12 Common Tern, 35 Sandwich Tern, a Razorbill, 3 Sanderling, a Yellow Wagtail and 8 Pied Wagtail. Meanwhile, a Goosander headed west; with a Redstart, 6 Willow Warbler, 235 Meadow Pipit, 2 House Martin, 12 Swallow, 19 Sand Martin, 75 Linnet and 2 Kestrel were all seen arriving. For the date, a total of 7 Grey Plover at Stanpit is not-at-all bad, along with a Whimbrel and around 90 Black-tailed Godwit, 41 Wigeon and 7 Brent Goose remaining, 4 Shoveler, 11 Shelduck and a couple of Common Gull. To finish: at least 8 Wheatear and 4 Willow Warbler were about; a Marsh Harrier was logged; and the not-at-sea Mediterranean Gull figure is in the order of twenty-five – most arriving from inland an hour or so before dusk.

Brimstone – Clinton Whale

Linnet are now setting up territories – Crouch Hill a good place to see them – Clinton Whale

The pick of the day was most certainly a Barn Owl that flew along the riverside path on Wick, around 08:00, and then over to the Stanpit direction. Waders were well represented – the best, perhaps, a Green Sandpiper up out of Parky Meade Rail and off to the north – but also: a Sanderling, 5 Purple Sandpiper and 6 Ringed Plover, including a displaying bird, on the Long Groyne and about the adjacent dunes; a Whimbrel east at sea; and a Grey Plover, 152 Black-tailed Godwit and 45 Dunlin inside the harbour. Offshore, the movement was again all to the east – a pair of Garganey, 3 Velvet Scoter and a Great White Egret the best – along with: 3 Kittiwake, 11 Mediterranean Gull, 22 Common Gull, 21 Sandwich Tern, 42 Common Scoter, a Shoveler and a Shelduck. Meanwhile, the season’s first Tree Pipit, 45 Meadow Pipit, 3 Pied Wagtail and 36 Linnet came in. To finish, a Firecrest sang in the Riversmeet Meadow pines, 4 Wheatear were on Hengistbury and a Marsh Harrier, 5 Brent Goose and 6 Gadwall were at Stanpit.

Two of half-a-dozen male Blackcap which briefly came together on the Riversmeet Meadow embankment, early in the afternoon. There was much singing and jostling for position – an hour later, all were gone – Alan Crockard

A brisk easterly breeze in a 0/8 clear sky saw a varied up-channel movement of birds off Hengistbury, which comprised: a Great White Egret and a Little Egret – travelling herons have been a surprise feature of the season, so far – a Black-throated Diver, 18 Sandwich Tern, a Kittiwake, 9 Mediterranean Gull, 14 Common Gull, 5 Common Scoter, 5 Teal, 4 Mallard, a Shelduck, a Razorbill, 2 Sanderling and 24 Dunlin. Meanwhile, a Redshank and 77 Meadow Pipit were watched coming in. From inside the harbour, a Red Kite passed through and 18 Brent Goose visited.