Three of four Sanderling at the northern end of the sandspit – Clinton Whale

As they are attracting so much interest, here’s a photo of the Black Swan currently inside the harbour. A native of Australia, but apparently becoming naturalised in the UK, as a result of domestic keeping – Graham Rogers

…and a juvenile Black-headed Gull in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

A thorough look on Hengistbury suggested it was relatively quiet for migrants – the best passerines there being a Firecrest and a Nuthatch, both in the Wood; plus, a couple of Willow Warbler on Wick. Over on Stanpit, however, it was a slightly different story with: a Pied Flycatcher in Ashtree Meadow, a Yellow Wagtail, 14 Willow Warbler and 5 Whitethroat, along with modest amounts of Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Numbers-wise, the later portion of the morning seemed to be better than the first for birds inside or over the harbour. A total of 52 Common Tern, 36 Swift, 12 Swallow and 88 Sand Martin passed over to the west; a couple of Garganey settled for a brief period, before heading off in the same direction, while 7 Shoveler settled; waders returns came from 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 18 Black-tailed Godwit, 6 Ringed Plover and 73 Dunlin; and 31 Mediterranean Gull rested. Off Mudeford Quay, meanwhile, there were a further thirty-one ‘meds’ and a lone Common Tern. The Goosander was around the northern end of Grimmery Bank and Parky Meade Rail all day and of 24 Stonechat counted across the head most were juveniles.

One of five Turnstone, journeying back from Arctic regions, on the sandspit, this morning – Clinton Whale

Firstly, news of the colour-ringed Greenshank that featured a few days ago. It was ringed as an adult during September 2016 in Chichester Harbour and was subsequently seen staging there in the autumns of 2017 and 2019 – the sighting at Stanpit is the first since then.

Back to today and the waders around the marsh – the pick being: a Greenshank, at least 5 Common Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel, 13 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 65 Dunlin and a couple of Turnstone. Meanwhile, 52 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Tern loafed, and migrating passerines were represented by 4 Yellow Wagtail and 5 Willow Warbler. The rest is a bit of a miscellany: the Goosander was about for the day, it would seem – this evening, again, resting at the southern end of Smugglers Ditch; Moorhen breeding was confirmed, with three chicks being seen; Coot are starting to pass through – ninety-five counted; and a Kingfisher was on site.

Kicking off on the Hengistbury side and a Nuthatch opposite Holloway’s Dock, as well as around 15 Willow Warbler and a decent total of 5 Raven. Inside the harbour, the Goosander, which has been around for a week or two, was seen at both ends of the day; while waders around Stanpit included: 9 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover and 41 Dunlin – four of those juveniles. Birds moving through were logged as 17 Swift and 11 Common Tern, all west; with 8 Mediterranean Gull presumably also heading that way but in a more leisurely fashion. To finish, the migrant passerine counts/estimates from the north-eastern section of the recording area – 3 Lesser Whitethroat, a Garden Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler and 50 Sedge Warbler.

Juvenile Little Ringed Plover – Clinton Whale

There was a good show of Jersey Tiger moths along the southern edge of the Long Field – Clinton Whale

Common Sandpiper – Clinton Whale

Starting with the rising star of the recording area – Holloway’s Dock – and a juvenile Little Ringed Plover, plus a Common Sandpiper, there. Meanwhile, the waders over on Stanpit, included: 8 Grey Plover, arriving and then off to the east – a species not usually recorded so early in the return passage; a Greenshank, 5 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Ringed Plover – those doing the same as the Grey Plover, 2 Turnstone and the first Snipe of the season. Crouch Hill saw a small arrival of Meadow Pipit, around a dozen birds, and there was another good show of Willow Warbler – fifty-seven in the North Scrubs and Ashtree Meadow; with other migrant passerines comprising: around 100 Sedge Warbler, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Garden Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and at least one Lesser Whitethroat. Finishing up: 49 Mediterranean Gull were logged, 83 Swift headed west and a Cattle Egret was about.

Willow Warbler – Scott Usher

Greenshank – Scott Usher

Shelduck – Clinton Whale

…and recently fledged Robin – Scott Usher

A Green Woodpecker in Ashtree Meadow is the stand-out bird of the post, while the stand-out number is twenty-one, Willow Warbler, all present in the North Scrubs – by today’s expectations that is quite a count and way above the other, once common, migrants. As such, these were represented by a Yellow Wagtail, a Redstart and 11 Sedge Warbler – although, some Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap and Chiffchaff could have also been passing birds. Meanwhile, the visible passage, logged from Stanpit, comprised: 19 Common Tern, 11 Swift and 86 Sand Martin, all west; with 21 Mediterranean Gull resting on their way. Moving to waders, again all from the marsh, and a Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling, 5 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover and 51 Dunlin – the latter gathering containing the first juvenile to arrive here. A sign of the times is Cattle Egret – a total of thirteen toured the place this morning, three juveniles amongst them; a Goosander was again around; 9 Water Rail were encountered – at this time of year, on the extreme low of the tide, they skulk in the exposed reed bases, Parky Meade Rail being a good spot to see one; and, for the first time in a while, a Peregrine was around.

The colour-ringed Greenshank mentioned in yesterday’s post – Scott Usher

Rook is an enigmatic species in the harbour – getting one on the ground like this is pretty unusual – Scott Usher

All the news comes from Wick, where a Bullfinch was by the Viewing Platform and a couple of Cattle Egret were seen heading south.

Peacock butterfly caterpillars on Hengistbury, showing the importance of nettles – Barry Sutton

Redshank – Clinton Whale

Firstly, news about yesterday’s colour-ringed Black-tailed Godwit, which was present again today. She was ringed as an adult at The Swale, Kent, in September 2012 and is now the oldest-known-living bird processed there. Her normal return migration from Iceland has traditionally included a tour of the east coast before wintering on the mid-south coast, where, in previous years, she has been seen at a number of locations around Poole Harbour. This season, however, she seems to have come directly to her winter destination.

News for the day, from Stanpit, includes at least 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, three additional Black-tailed Godwit to that already mentioned and 11 Dunlin, plus around 50 Mediterranean Gull and 4 Common Tern, This evening, a colour-ringed Greenshank was present, so that could be an interesting recovery.

Some of the Mediterranean Gull, plus a few Black-headed Gull, at Stanpit – David Faulkner

Another colour-ringed, Icelandic Black-tailed Godwit that we hope to find out about – Neil Jones

A juvenile Whinchat at Whitepits was the best of a small selection of bound-for-Africa passerines, this morning, with others including: 4 Willow Warbler about Hengistbury; and a Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, a Whitethroat, a further 6 Willow Warbler and 2 Yellow Wagtail being at Stanpit. Meanwhile, 9 Common Tern, 19 Swallow and a House Martin headed over. There was also a miscellany of waders – the pick being: 2 Knot, a Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and 37 Dunlin, at Stanpit; with the sandspit and Holloway’s Dock contributing: 2 Sanderling, another Whimbrel and 2 Ringed Plover. The day-estimate for Mediterranean Gull is 210 – 150 at Stanpit and twenty-two in Holloway’s Dock representing the settled birds; while 40 Common Tern and 100 Sandwich Tern fished offshore, with thirteen of the former resting in the dock. Rounding up: a Nuthatch was in Ashtree Meadow; up to 3 Cattle Egret came in-off and headed high inland; and a Firecrest was in the Wood, where, intriguingly, a Bullfinch was in song!

Adult Sanderling, on the sandspit, on its return journey from within the Arctic Circle – Clinton Whale

Painted Lady butterfly – Riversmeet Meadow – Robin Harley

…and adult Little Grebe on the Ironstone Quarry – Clinton Whale

Starting at the end of the day and an ant hatch from the Barn Field that attracted hundreds of gulls, several Swift, one or two Sandwich Tern and a Hobby. Actually, Swift were in much of the area’s airspace from mid-afternoon, at least. Meanwhile, the pick at Stanpit was: 4 Common Tern, 4 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 38 Dunlin and a good count of 42 Lapwing. Rewinding to the morning, when a Spoonbill headed north over Wick, 8 Willow Warbler were on Hengistbury, around 90 Mediterranean Gull rested on South Marsh, and a sizeable, offshore feeding flock was estimated to hold 45 Common Tern and 100 Sandwich Tern.

The morning at saw a good presence of birds at Stanpit – the most numerous being Mediterranean Gull – a total of 258 which seemed to come in from feeding in Christchurch Bay to rest on the marshes – sixty-seven of them juveniles; with an Arctic Skua, very briefly, also being tempted over the sandspit. Meanwhile, 190 Sand Martin, 15 Swift, 52 Common Tern, a Kittiwake and a Spotted Redshank passed through west. At least 8 Common Sandpiper were about the harbour and, late in the afternoon, Stanpit Bight held a Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 43 Dunlin, all adults, and 2 Turnstone, as well as a much-reduced number of ‘med gull’. Rounding up: a Quail was flushed by ponies on Central Marsh; a Little Tern, 4 Yellow Wagtail and 2 Snipe were logged; 4 Cattle Egret headed inland after breakfasting on Wick; and, of a few hundred birds using Holloway’s Dock, mostly migrant Black-headed Gull, 81 Sandwich Tern were counted.

Greenshank in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

A couple of Grasshopper Warbler were quite showy in the brambles along Grimmery Bank, this morning, while a further was on Riversmeet Meadow embankment. Additional travelling warblers about Stanpit included: at least 3 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Willow Warbler; with other movers coming from: 18 Common Tern and 26 Swift, all west; plus, 2 Shoveler and a Teal which were seen to arrive. In addition to the photographed bird, a further Greenshank was inside the harbour, likewise, 2 Whimbrel and a minimum of 10 Common Sandpiper. To finish: the day-count for Mediterranean Gull is in the order of 300 – two-thirds resting on South and East Marshes, and the remainder through to the west; and a Goosander was logged.

Sandwich Tern, again resting in Holloway’s Dock. Sorry if there has been an overload of these lately, but it’s important to keep reminding ourselves of the harbour’s importance – not least, this little pocket of it – in the Solent SPA – Clinton Whale

Mudeford Quay produced some interest, this morning, when 3 Manx Shearwater, an adult Kittiwake, 8 Common Scoter and a Common Tern were logged. The rest of the new for this short post is from Stanpit, where a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel and 8 Black-tailed Godwit, all on East Marsh, were the best.

Once again, the only news comes from Stanpit, where 4 Common Sandpiper were in Mother Siller’s Channel, while 4 Whimbrel, a Greenshank, 35 Redshank and 15 Dunlin were elsewhere about the marsh.  Four Chiffchaff were in North Scrubs.

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull – Scott Usher

The first Kingfisher of the season made a post-breeding return, this morning, by the Wooden Bridge; while a Bullfinch was also about Wick. A couple of Spoonbill rested at Stanpit, but then left to the west. Also from the marsh, a Grasshopper Warbler, a female-type Marsh Harrier, a Common Sandpiper 5 Whimbrel, 1 Ringed Plover, 35 Dunlin and 15 Mediterranean Gull.

The dunes and cliffs at the far western end of the headland were rich in insects today, including, from top to bottom: European Bee-wolf wasp, Gooden’s Nomad bee and Painted Nomad bee. All three either prey on or parasitise other bee species – Robin Harley

Whimbrel in Holloway’s Dock, where up to 22 Sandwich Tern rested – Clinton Whale

Most of the news is, again, from Stanpit and of waders – a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover, 21 Dunlin and a passing of Redshank, meaning just twenty-one there today. Also, 3 Mediterranean Gull and the six-strong Shelduck brood. Meanwhile, it seems, just like last year, the second brood of Ringed Plover has fallen fowl to the fledge of corvids and gulls – no sign of any chicks, nor adults. To finish, a Dartford Warbler strayed along the sandspit to just short of the Black House and one was in song at Whitepits.

Kestrel have bred adjacent to Riversmeet Meadow, where these two juveniles were waiting patiently – Clinton Whale

Adult Dunlin – Clinton Whale

There was an increase in wader numbers at Stanpit, this morning, including: 2 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 31 Dunlin, 31 Curlew and 72 Redshank. Meanwhile, a singing Willow Warbler and around 8 Sedge Warbler suggested some return migration is underway, likewise, 53 Swift and 135 Sand Martin to west. A total of 29 Mediterranean Gull in the opposite direction wasn’t really expected, however, and may have just been a local movement to feeding grounds. To finish: an Osprey left with catch around 07:30, a couple of Lesser Whitethroat were again around Crouch Hill; a Nuthatch was in Ashtree Meadow; and the hordes of juvenile gulls on site included a Yellow-legged Gull and 2 Mediterranean Gull.

The only news for the post is from Hollway’s Dock, which hosted a Whimbrel and ten, two of them juveniles, Sandwich Tern.

The buddleia on Riversmeet Meadow is proving popular with butterflies, not least Comma – Clinton Whale

During a morning of cloud and brisk wind, a juvenile Redstart was in Ashtree Meadow, while waders on Stanpit itself, included: 4 Greenshank, 7 Whimbrel, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 18 Dunlin. Passing through were a Little Tern, 6 Common Tern and 16 Mediterranean Gull, this the west; with a dozen House Martin feeding.

Sedge Warbler – Adrian Simmons

Common Sandpiper – Adrian Simmons

Reed Warbler – Adrian Simmons

As has been anticipated for a week or so, the first juvenile Yellow-legged Gull from mainland Europe reached us today, on its post-breeding wander north. That at Stanpit, where the waders included: a Greenshank in Stanpit Creek, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and 18 Curlew. Meanwhile, there was an easterly movement of hirundines and Swift through the harbour – eighteen of the latter, 114 Sand Martin and 26 Swallow. Heading in the opposite direction, however, went 11 Common Tern and 43 Mediterranean Gull. To finish, a couple of Cattle Egret and 4 Crossbill passed over.

Green Sandpiper in Parky Meade Rail – Scott Usher

Grass Snake on the Ironstone Quarry pool – Ali Germain

Little Gull – Scott Usher

The morning, at Stanpit, saw nice selection of birds, including: a 2cy Little Gull, 2 Green Sandpiper, 3 Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit and 35 Redshank; plus, a heard-only Greenshank. Meanwhile, over on Wick, a Sedge Warbler sang by the Wooden Bridge and a Cattle Egret headed south. Very early on, a Muntjac deer was surprised by the HHVC before scuttling off towards Brewer’s Creek; while, by mid-afternoon, a moderate presence of Swift was feeding relatively low over the West Field.

Another tern family using Holloway’s Dock – Sandwich Tern, the juvenile on the left – Clinton Whale

Lunar Hornet Clearwing Moth – another new species for the area. This day-flying moth, associated with mature willow, was seen in Ashtree Meadow – Robin Harley

The best from Stanpit, this morning, was confirmation there are 2 Lesser Whitethroat again active around Crouch Hill. Otherwise, the only other notables were: a Common Sandpiper, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Common Tern and at least 30 Mediterranean Gull; plus, confirmation the Shelduck brood remains intact. It’s not such good news about the sandspit Ringed Plover, however – after their second clutch hatched three chicks yesterday, by early today only one remained. A walk around the western part of Hengistbury in the afternoon proved the now-insect-rich, unmown areas of the West Field and the roughs of Solent Meads golf course were a feeding magnet for many Sand Martin and several Swift – their low-flying antics well worth a watch. To finish, a Peregrine visited on a couple of occasions and, this evening, the gulls feasted on a hatch of Yellow Meadow Ant.

Some of the 91 Mediterranean Gull which visited Stanpit, this afternoon – Jackie Smith

A family of Common Tern in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

…and a very warm Blackbird – Jackie Smith

This afternoon, a total of 91 Mediterranean Gull – a mix of adults and juveniles – stopped off at Stanpit, moving from Stanpit Bight to Parky Meade Rail. The marsh also held a nice set of waders – 2 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel and 20 Dunlin – while 6 Avocet headed west. Also a Common Sandpiper in Barn Bight. A Firecrest carrying food in the Wood is a fair suggestion of second-brooding, with other passerine interest coming from 2 Tree Pipit on Wick and a couple of Yellow Wagtail at Stanpit. To round up: at least 3 Common Tern rested in Barn Bight; 2 Goosander headed north, early on, after presumably roosting; and a Cattle Egret was in the meadows by the Wooden Bridge.

Female Common Blue butterfly – Peter Boardman

Holly Blue butterfly – Clinton Whale

Common Darter dragonfly – Peter Boardman

There was a notable, westerly passage of Mediterranean Gull through the harbour, this morning, with 193, including forty-six juveniles, counted; while at least ten roosted in Holloway’s Dock. Also, a 2cy Little Gull about Stanpit. Moving to waders and a Whimbrel in the aforementioned dock, with an adult Curlew Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover logged from the marsh. Meanwhile, there were a couple of snippets of passerine interest – namely, singles of Siskin and Yellow Wagtail over – and 5 Shover, plus 2 Teal, arrived. To finish, a Barn Owl was again seen to leave the Wooden Bridge area, to the north, at 07:25.

The recently extended fencing and associated signage, courtesy of BCP, at Barn Bight is already paying dividends. Exactly 247 (not all in shot) moulting, so largely flightless and vulnerable, Mute Swan felt comfortable to spend time in there today – photo from Robin Harley

Most of the news is from Stanpit, where a Yellow Wagtail, around Parky Meade Rail, was something of a surprise; although a juvenile Pied Wagtail around the HHVC was nearly as unexpected, for the date. Wader representation was just: a Common Sandpiper, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 22 Dunlin; while a couple of adult Mediterranean Gull were on East Marsh.

Sandwich Tern in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

Moulting adult Black-tailed Godwit, presumably just returned from Iceland, also in the dock – Clinton Whale

The morning at Stanpit saw an impressive return of 13 Common Sandpiper, as well as: 2 Whimbrel, 7 Dunlin, 14 Redshank, 5 Curlew and 5 Lapwing; while at least 14 Black-tailed Godwit were about the area. Meanwhile, Wick had its moment, around 07:30 by the Wooden Bridge, when a Barn Owl glided by. Also, a couple of Cattle Egret on the adjacent meadows. Finishing with terns, a minimum of 8 Common Tern were logged at Stanpit, while at least 20 Sandwich Tern were about – up to half of those utilising Holloway’s Dock as a resting area.

Adult Mediterranean Gull – Scott Usher

Collared Dove at Stanpit – a species not as obvious around the area, nowadays – Clinton Whale

The first juvenile Sandwich Tern of the season were on site this morning – two, with five adults – resting in the increasingly important site of Holloway’s Dock. Once, a bird desert, but with habitat-protection measures now in place, something of a sanctuary, and rightly so for a spot within the for-the-terns, Solent SPA. An adult Mediterranean Gull was there too, plus three others on Stanpit, over which 8 Black-tailed Godwit headed west.

Unfortunately, there are no reports for today.

Small Shaggy Bee – Robin Harley

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker – Alan Crockard

On a fairly quiet day, all the information comes from Stanpit, where a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Common Sandpiper and 4 Dunlin were the pick of the waders. Meanwhile, a Lesser Whitethroat was on Crouch Hill, where song from the two, still-active Meadow Pipit territories could be heard. The only other song from about the marsh, however, was the just-in-from-the-car-park Reed Warbler. Several Mediterranean Gull were about, but not counted, with 2cy and adult ages noted; what looked like the first juvenile Herring Gull were around; and a few same-age Black-headed Gull trickled in from the east. Despite the cloudy and breezy conditions, a male Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly was on brambles in the Stanpit Scrubs area – still a notable species for the area.

One of today’s White Admiral butterfly – Becky King

Blunthorn Nomad solitary bee – Robin Harley

Southern Hawker dragonfly – Ben Feeney

A nice open-wing shot of Purple Hairstreak butterfly – Ben Feeney

On what was described as being a bumper day for insects, which can only be a good thing for those creatures further up the food chain, there were 2 White Admiral on Hengistbury – both around the Long Field/Nursery area. Also, a Blunthorn Nomad, the ninety-seventh species of solitary bee for the area, and another good showing of Purple Hairstreak. Moving to birds and three hours at Stanpit, early on, which produced counts of around 25 Chiffchaff and 15 Reed Warbler – so perhaps the start of the return migration – as well as: a Common Sandpiper, 2 Ringed Plover, 2 Dunlin; a presence of juvenile Stonechat, which don’t breed on the marsh; and 8 Mediterranean Gull. To finish another fine day of wildlife and weather, a Cattle Egret headed south over Wick.

Ruddy Darter dragonfly – Ian Whittaker

Osprey with catch – David Faulkner

Male Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly – Clinton Whale

It was thought Lesser Whitethroat weren’t breeding on Crouch Hill this season – this suggests otherwise – Jackie Smith

…and a record shot of White Admiral butterfly – Josh Clarke

The wildlife highlight of the day was the White Admiral in the Nursery – only a very occasional visitor to the area, the last being in 2023. Nearly as good, however, was a Nightjar churring on Warren Hill, Hengistbury, for some time, around 13:00, and allowing a few passing walkers to appreciate the sound. The photographed Osprey visited mid-morning, its approach tracked by observers in the Avon Valley, while 4 Cattle Egret fed about Wick – three in the water meadows and one in the No Dogs Field.

Brimstone butterfly in the HHVC garden – Peter Boardman

Jay – Alan Crockard

Waders were certainly on the return today – the best, at Stanpit, being: a Green Sandpiper, an Avocet and a Grey Plover; but also, 2 Common Sandpiper, 27 Black-tailed Godwit and 22 Curlew. Meanwhile, a westerly movement of 175 Swift and 125 Sand Martin was logged, with 41 Mediterranean Gull more random in their flight plans. To finish a reasonable, mid-summer’s post, a Spoonbill headed east and 3 Cattle Egret were about Wick.