Golden-ringed Dragonfly – thought to be only the fourth record for the southern section of the area – Peter Boardman

Purple Hairstreak butterfly – Peter Boardman

…and female (upper) and male Silver-studded Blue butterfly. A very recent, presumed coloniser to the area – at least six were on the heathland, this morning – Peter Boardman

On an extremely warm day, nineteen species of butterfly, in no particular order – Red Admiral, Painted Lady, Peacock, Speckled Wood, Comma, Large White, Small White, Green-veined White, Meadow Brown, Gatekeeper, Small Heath, Ringlet, Large Skipper, Small Skipper, Essex Skipper, Purple Hairstreak, Common Blue, Small Copper and Silver-studded Blue – were recorded across Wick and Hengistbury. To put some context around the count – nineteen represents 33% of all UK-recorded species and over 50% of those ever recorded in the area – all in a period of just a few hours. Meanwhile, a Cuckoo and a Cattle Egret were on Wick, the Starling gathering in the Barn Field, perhaps attracted by an ant hatch, was around 150 and, over on Stanpit, a Greenshank was the best of the waders.

Adult Firecrest – Alan Crockard

Green-eyed Flower Bee – one of over twenty on a single plant in Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

This juvenile Kestrel fledged from a nest just across the river from Riversmeet Meadow, but soon found itself in a pond! Fortunately, after a quick trip to a local rescue centre, the bird quickly recovered – Zena Lee

The photographed Firecrest was one of two adults by the Double Bends, early this morning; when one, possibly two, thought-to-be juvenile birds were also present. So, it looks like breeding has, again, taken place on Hengistbury.

Gatekeeper butterfly are now on the wing – Clinton Whale (upper) & Peter Boardman

Spotted Longhorn Beetle – Peter Boardman

Currently, each day seems to bring a new influx – this time, Shelduck. Reports as follows: west over Stanpit, fifty-seven, including a flock of thirty-two; from Fisherman’s Back, twenty-four west; and, from Mudeford Quay, a flock of ten to the west. There may, of course, be duplication – but in excess of seventy-five birds would seem reasonable. Meanwhile, Cattle Egret also seemed to be heading in a westerly direction – two parties of two observed doing so. In addition, singles of Little Gull and Little Tern passed through the harbour, and 4 Common Sandpiper were settled. To finish, Curlew numbers continue to creep up – eighteen, in all, today – and the low tide exposed at least 4 Water Rail around the marsh.

Splendid Brocade. A rare immigrant moth – another first for the harbour – came to light at Hengistbury, last night – Robin Harley

Wren – Alan Crockard

Comma butterfly – Neil Jones

Today’s conspicuous species was Mediterranean Gull – eighteen were settled at Stanpit during the morning, when a further thirteen were at sea off Mudeford Quay. No details of age were received, however. Also from the quay, over the course of a couple of hours: 2 Common Tern, 20 Sandwich Tern and 5 Gannet. Meanwhile, 2 Common Sandpiper were about the marsh. Finishing with Skylark and it seems certain a pair are nesting in an unfenced, but signed-by-BCP, area of the West Field – so thanks to the many walkers and dogwalkers whom are consciously detouring that spot – and a single bird overflew Wick.

Small Marbled – a migrant moth from southern Europe, this is another new-for-the-harbour species – Robin Harley

Sandwich Tern – Jackie Smith

Returning Curlew were conspicuous today – two west over Wick and eleven settled at Stanpit; where, a single Dunlin and 3 Redshank were also present, along with the 6 shelducklings.

One of the sandspit, looking like the male, Ringed Plover – Clinton Whale

A male Whinchat was on Hengistbury, near the Natterjack Pond, this morning; when a Common Sandpiper was on the tip of South Marsh and a Black-tailed Godwit was in Stanpit Creek.

Firecrest. The more eagle-eyed of you may have spotted that last night’s ‘crest photo has been re-labelled to this species. Both this shot and the one from the previous post are of the same individual, but we are struggling to determine if it is a bird of the year or a moulting adult – any offers of help gratefully received – sightings@CHOG.org.uk – Alan Crockard.

An hour’s look at the sea, from Hengistbury, from just after 07:00 produced: 2 Balearic Shearwater, 14 Common Tern, 40 Sandwich Tern and around 25 Gannet. The rest of the bird news is from Stanpit, where the pick was: a Goosander, six shelducklings and the colour-ringed Curlew, which we have just learnt was recorded on Whitefield Moor, the New Forest, during May this year. Moving to mammals and a Muntjac was, this morning, by the HHO building.

Firecrest – Alan Crockard

Blackcap – Alan Crockard

All the news is from the sea, where a couple of Balearic Shearwater were lingering off Hengistbury – likewise, 53 Common Tern and 87 Sandwich Tern in a feeding flock. Also seen: 3 Common Scoter, a Fulmar, 11 Mediterranean Gull and 36 Gannets – fifteen of those non-adult birds; while a Common Sandpiper bobbed around on the Long Groyne.

Large Tortoiseshell – the thirty-fifth species of butterfly for the harbour – Julian Stone

Curlew – the rings and radio tag visible – Scott Usher

Red Admiral – Clinton Whale

Juvenile Black-headed Gull – Scott Usher

The big news is, of course, the butterfly – a Large Tortoiseshell – photographed on ‘the hedgerow behind the (Solent Meads) golf course.’ Referring again to the photos, the Curlew is a female, ringed in the New Forest in May 2024, and seen on three subsequent occasions at Stanpit, between the early parts of July and August of that year – so it’s nice to see her back. Meanwhile, the first juvenile Black-headed Gull of the season, a couple of birds, were about the marsh; as were a Spoonbill, 3 Little Tern and 13 Lapwing.

The only news from a very hot Midsummer’s Day is of a male Bullfinch along Roebury Lane.

Essex Skipper butterfly – Peter Boardman

Small Skipper – Peter Boardman

…and Large Skipper. This somewhat inappropriately named – being barely larger than the other two – Peter Boardman

A total of 4 Spoonbill passed through today, including a group of three seen heading north over Wick. Meanwhile, Stanpit held a bit of variety – the best being: a Greenshank, 2 Common Tern and 17 Mediterranean Gull; as well as a Fulmar and 15 Swift over.

Eyed Hawk-moth in the HHVC garden. A large and distinctive hawk-moth – its caterpillars feed on sallow, apple and aspen – Robin Harley

One of several Marbled White butterfly on Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

This exquisite Small Copper butterfly has been in the south -east corner of Long Field for the last few days, and was there again this morning – tiny, with a wingspan of only about 30mm – Peter Boardman

…and Painted Lady butterfly, also on Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

Despite it being the warmest day of the year, so far, and still not quite mid-summer, waders are starting to return to the area after their breeding activity – namely, 11 Redshank, 5 Lapwing and 2 Curlew about Stanpit; where there was also a Shelduck with six ducklings. Over on Hengistbury, a small Adder was along side Holloway’s Dock.

Song Thrush on Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

Despite the glorious weather, there are no reports for today.

Purple Hairstreak butterfly – Peter Boardman

Comma butterfly – Peter Boardman

For a change, let’s start with butterflies and the photographed Purple Hairstreak. As we understand it, this is a species not expected to be on the wing until next month – so, something worth mentioning – and just one of eleven species seen on Hengistbury, during the day. Bird-wise, the highlight was two pairs of Shoveler inside the harbour on a really, really low spring tide; with a Cattle Egret up off Wick meadows, early on.

Sedge Warbler are thin about the place, this season, but this individual has been around Brewer’s Creek for a while now – Clinton Whale

A few, fresh-looking Peacock butterflies were on the wing at Hengistbury – Clinton Whale

There was a little more activity today – both in terms of birders and birds, which is welcome. Early on, a Cuckoo was on Wick Fields; while, during the afternoon, an Osprey passed north over Stanpit, where singles of Greenshank, Redshank and Mediterranean Gull, an adult, were settled.

The only news for the post is 250-minimum estimate of the Mute Swan herd that, traditionally, form in mid-summer for the birds’ moult.

Silver-studded Blue butterfly, in the heathland on the top of Hengistbury – Peter Boardman

Other than the photograph, there is no other wildlife news for the day.

Reed Bunting – Neil Jones

All the news for the post is actually from late yesterday, when between six and eight Nightjar were seen about Hengistbury. It really does seem a good season for the species.

These seven, very recently hatched shelducklings were being ushered across the water by their parents, when a Great Black-backed Gull swooped in. Within seconds, five adult Shelduck came to the scene and helped ward off the gull – Jackie Smith

Mallard – Clinton Whale

In addition to the duckling news, a Nightjar was accidentally flushed, early in the morning, from Warren Hill West.

Bumble-mimic Plumehorn – Volucella bombylans – in Monkswell Fen. A large hoverfly of damp habitats – Robin Harley

Wren – Clinton Whale

All the news today is from the end of the sandspit, where it looks almost certain that 2 Ringed Plover will fledge; while, a couple of days ago, it was realised the parents now have a second clutch of eggs – two at the time – and, thanks to the beach hut-owner guardians, the protective cage is now in place over the new nest site. There is also a pair of Meadow Pipit breeding in the sanctuary the fenced area provides and 2 Sanderling were resting there, this morning.

Nothing has been received for today.

Mute Swan – Alan Crockard

Linnet – Clinton Whale

Other than cute photos, there is no other news for the day.

Little Egret – Clinton Whale

This evening, just after 6:30, a flock of 6 Little Tern headed into the harbour directly over Mudeford Quay. Otherwise, the only earlier news was confirmation there were two, near-to-fledging Ringed Plover chicks on the sandspit, with the parents looking as if they may second brood. Assuming the two do fly, the average productivity rate for the three seasons of nesting will be at least 2.0 – which, by all accounts, seems pretty good.

The gull flock by the Long Groyne held five species…

…including this 2cy Mediterranean Gull (second from left) – Scott Usher

Gannet – a 2cy bird, not-an-often-seen plumage here – Scott Usher

An overnight drop in the wind didn’t do anything for the seawatching cause, this morning. For an hour or so, the small feeding flock of gulls on the drift side of the Long Groyne attracted at least 3 Little Tern, several Common Tern and a tad more Sandwich Tern – but they soon dispersed. Likewise, a distant flock of large gulls, which held a few Gannet and was estimated to be in the high ‘00s. Otherwise, from the sea, it’s just 5 Common Scoter and the photographed Gannet, all west. Over on Stanpit, a Garden Warbler in Ashtree Meadow confirmed birds are still arriving, while post-breeding dispersal evidence came from a Nuthatch in the same area and 2 Crossbill over. To finish, the waders – a Curlew headed west and 37 Lapwing were seen to arrive from the east but not settle.

Male Stonechat – Neil Jones

The sea was given some attention from Mudeford Quay, throughout the morning, with the best being: 3 Little Tern and 25 Common Scoter, all west, plus a close-in Fulmar. Meanwhile, the distant feeding flock was estimated at around 480 large gulls. Late in the afternoon, an adult Mediterranean Gull was hanging around the crabbers there. Otherwise, a female-type Marsh Harrier passing over the No Dogs Field was of interest.

Juvenile and adult Linnet – Alan Crockard

…and from a windswept Stanpit, Lapwing (upper) and Shelduck – David Faulkner

During the morning, there was again a presence of Little Tern off Mudeford Quay – seven being the maximum. Meanwhile, a Whitethroat on Crouch Hill was interesting – as, the author at least, has not encountered one there for a few weeks. To finish, a Marsh Harrier was about the place, late in the afternoon.

There may have been an arrival of Sedge Warbler, overnight, as a few birds were active around Roebury Meadow today – Alan Crockard

This Great Spotted Woodpecker nest is holding some very noisy occupants – Clinton Whale

By far the biggest event of the day, if not the season, was the occurrence of a Green Woodpecker on Wick. Once a breeding resident on both sides of the harbour, just a few years ago the species became rapidly absent. Around the same time, an Osprey appeared over Stanpit and then headed over the sea towards the Island; with other offshore interest coming from 4 Common Scoter to the east and 5 Gannet. Back to the marsh, where the best of the, now, few waders were singles of Bar-tailed Godwit and Ringed Plover; while at least 11 Mediterranean Gull were spread across the area, including a 2cy individual in Holloway’s Dock.

The first Meadow Brown butterfly of the season are now out and about – Clinton Whale

All the news is of Little Tern and an unexpected gathering, which peaked at fourteen about the Run, during the morning.

Banded Demoiselle damselfly on the Ironstone Quarry – still a rare visitor to the harbour area – Simon Coupe

Red-tipped Clearwing Moth, a nationally scarce species. The larvae feed inside Willow trunks. One of nine during a census on Wick Fields – Robin Harley

Four-spotted Chaser dragonfly – Simon Coupe

…and a gathering of Large Red Damselfly – Simon Coupe

There is no bird news from the field today, but we do now have details of the ringed Sanderling that was part of a 23-strong flock on Hengistbury a few days ago. The bird was ringed as an adult on July 24th, 2020, on Merseyside and this is the first recovery since then.

Yesterday’s Otter – Samuel Levy

Common Blue – Clinton Whale

Despite some good coverage, it was pretty quiet today. At Stanpit, a couple of Avocet had a look, but didn’t settle, with 2 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin and 5 Mediterranean Gull also being logged there. Meanwhile, a two-hour look at the sea produced just singles of a diver sp. and a Gannet.