Juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit – Scott Usher

On a day of light news, the direct reports are all from Stanpit. An Osprey visited at around 09:15 and 3 Common Tern also passed over the Recreation Ground during the morning. In the evening, a Bar-tailed Godwit was on Crouch Hill and Black-tailed Godwit was on North Marsh, where up to 50 Yellow Wagtail gathered around the ponies before heading to roost. Also from the evening, the information services reported a Pomarine Skua past Mudeford Quay.

Juvenile Purple Heron – Scott Usher

Grey Seal – Scott Usher

Barn Owl – Scott Usher

…and Osprey 1H1 is still in the area – David Faulkner (all three images)

Before the rain set in, it was a day for herons. A Purple Heron toured most areas for a while, just before 07:30, before heading towards the Avon Valley – from where, there had been a putative sighting a couple of days ago – so it seems there may be a lingering bird. In addition, a Spoonbill was around for some time, before heading off west, and 12 Cattle Egret were on Priory Marsh. Meanwhile, Holloway’s Dock held a variety of waders – the best being a Spotted Redshank, which was picked up on TPF’s live stream, with Stanpit holding: a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 4 Sanderling, 74 Ringed Plover and 28 Dunlin. A nice total 0f 135 Yellow Wagtail were around early on, presumably departing a roost, and 11 Grey Wagtail, 9 Tree Pipit, 100 Swallow and 130 Sand Martin passed over. A Whinchat and 4 Wheatear were the only settled migrants, however. In conclusion: Osprey visits came at 08:30 and 10:55; a juvenile Common Tern and 76 Sandwich Tern were settled on South Marsh; and the Goosander and a Wigeon were logged.

From another day of frequent showers, let’s start with raptors. There were two sets of hour-apart Osprey visits, with the birds, presumably two, successful on each of the four occasions; which were at, approximately, 09:45, 10:45, 16:15 and 17:15. Meanwhile, 3 Marsh Harrier, a Peregrine and a Buzzard passed over. A Little Tern at Stanpit was a nice late-August record, with 6 Common Tern and 46 Sandwich Tern also logged. The waders there included: a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 4 Knot, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, a nice count of 232 Ringed Plover – so far this season these really are dominating the ‘smalls’ numbers – 41 Dunlin and 9 Turnstone. Sedge Warbler, at twelve, was the leading passerine figure, but also 4 Lesser Whitethroat, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Tree Pipit and 4 Yellow Wagtail. To round things up: Kingfisher were encountered four times about the marsh; a Wigeon and 2 Teal were also there; a couple of Cattle Egret were about and, at 19:15, a Great White Egret came in-off, high, over Mudeford Quay.

Although it didn’t make yesterday’s post, around 130 Yellow Wagtail were seen flocking to roost in the reeds adjacent to the HHO building, formerly known as the HHC and MTC, and this is likely to continue for the next week or so. Well worth a look.

Juvenile Ringed Plover standing on the algal mat currently blighting much of the area – Clinton Whale

…and a selection waders – Ringed Plover, Redshank and Dunlin – in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

On a day punctuated by showers, the only wader figures from Stanpit involve: a Ruff, 6 Greenshank – one settled and five west, while a further bird from Wick incremented the day-total – 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 27 Curlew and 6 Snipe. Moving to passerines, a Firecrest and 5 Goldcrest were likely incoming birds on their search for a winter territory; but those passing through and heading much further south included: a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Garden Warbler, 3 Lesser Whitethroat, 15 Blackcap, 4 Whitethroat, 4 Sedge Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler and 11 Chiffchaff, mostly from the marsh; plus, a Tree Pipit, 7 Yellow Wagtail and 135 Sand Martin over. To finish: a Cattle Egret was on Wick water meadows, Little Egret about the place exceeded twenty-five and, this evening, there were sounds, over Two Riversmeet leisure centre, of Yellow Wagtail heading to roost.

There was coverage throughout the day and on both sides of the area. This morning, the waders at Stanpit included: a Knot, a Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 5 Sanderling, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, a count of 133 Ringed Plover and 9 Turnstone. Meanwhile, migrant passerines around or over the marsh comprised: a Whinchat, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Blackcap, 16 Willow Warbler, 7 Chiffchaff, 5 Sedge Warbler, and four each of Tree Pipit and Yellow Wagtail; with 4 Common Tern and 66 Sand Martin also moving through. Late in the afternoon, at least 12 Cattle Egret were on Priory Marsh; then an early evening visit to Stanpit added: 2 Knot, a Whimbrel and 19 Dunlin to the existing wader figures; and a near-dusk trip to Hengistbury and Wick returned a Treecreeper in the Wood and around 80 Yellow Wagtail heading to roost over the fields. To tidy things up: the Goosander remains; non-adults, but not specifically aged, individuals of Mediterranean Gull and Peregrine were noted; 48 Sandwich Tern loafed around Stanpit Bight; and a Kingfisher was about.

Osprey from recent days – Karyn Cugglietta

…and one of a few Sparrowhawk currently about the area – Tim Quigley

The first juvenile Curlew Sandpiper of the season visited this morning, albeit briefly, along with 3 Knot. Meanwhile, other waders logged at Stanpit included: an equally brief Wood Sandpiper – that over to the west – 2 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 6 Sanderling and a good, in-harbour total of 17 Turnstone. There was little else, however, just singles of Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Sedge Warbler and 7 Blackcap; as well as a Peregrine and 10 Cattle Egret. Finally, an accurate and commendable count of Herring Gull, from Fisherman’s Bank, came to 433.

Hobby, yesterday, just after dawn – Scott Usher

Just before sunset, a Brent Goose, reckoned to be a dark-bellied individual, came into the Harbour over the Run. Earlier, the day’s Osprey experience had been: a bird east, quite early on; a bird successfully fishing, at around 11:20, after arriving from the Avon Valley; and, at 15:00, a bird arrived from inland, made one attempt at a catch and then headed off to the east. The morning on Fisherman’s Bank produced another, contemporarily speaking, good Ringed Plover total – 163 today – along with 4 Sanderling and 9 Turnstone. Other waders throughout the day included: 3 Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, at least one Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit and 25 Dunlin. Meanwhile, passerines were relatively few, but did involve, all from Stanpit: a Whinchat, a Wheatear, a Grasshopper Warbler, 3 Willow Warbler, a Sedge Warbler and 12 Blackcap; plus 4 Tree Pipit and 17 Yellow Wagtail over, and a day-long outgoing of Swallow and Sand Martin. To finish, 7 Cattle Egret were on Priory Marsh and 2 Kingfisher were about.

Willow Emerald damselfly on the Stanpit side of the area – probably the first ever there – Clinton Whale

…while, there were a few, fresh-looking Speckled Wood butterfly around the Purewell Stream – Clinton Whale

…and this Migrant Hawker dragonfly was on Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

There was a really good number of Ringed Plover – 195 – counted from Fisherman’s Bank, this morning, along with 4 Sanderling, 24 Dunlin and 5 Turnstone. Meanwhile, from Stanpit, singles of Green Sandpiper, Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit were encountered, as well as 2 Snipe. Migrant passerines were very thin on the ground, just token numbers of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler and Whitethroat, plus a Tree Pipit over and 3 Yellow Wagtail. Casual observations from throughout suggest there was a day-long passage of Swallow, Sand Martin and House Martin, to the south; and, to finish, at least 4 Cattle Egret and a Hobby were about.

At least one Willow Emerald damselfly, a very recent coloniser to the UK, was about the Lily Pond today – Clinton Whale

A fine shot, from the CHOG bird hide, of a juvenile Sparrowhawk – Matthew Cook

Clouded Yellow butterfly at Solent Meads – Peter Boardman

A Green Woodpecker at Stanpit, where there was also a Nuthatch, takes the bird of the day for the area. This was during the morning, when the pick of the waders came from: a couple of Little Ringed Plover over Grimmery Bank and perhaps coming down on Priory Marsh, a good return of Grey Plover – eighteen, of which fifteen were in an eastbound flock, 7 Knot in the opposite direction, 2 Sanderling, 5 Whimbrel, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, a decent figure of 85 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin. Hirundines were on the move, to the east – 620 Swallow, 360 Sand Martin and 85 House Martin, being the estimates; while the swallows of the sea, terns, passed to the west – 32 Common Tern and 28 Sandwich Tern. There were relatively few passerines about and all reported from the marsh: 2 Redstart, 16 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit, 7 Willow Warbler, 5 Sedge Warbler and 7 Willow Warbler. Meanwhile, the final miscellany for the post includes: a Great White Egret, that over high, and 6 Cattle Egret; singles of Hobby and Peregrine; 8 Mediterranean Gull; and a Kingfisher and a Water Rail by the Bailey Bridge.

The White-tailed Eagle was on Blackberry Point from at least 06:45 before leaving inland a little before 09:00. Meanwhile, the morning high tide meant wader observations were limited to a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Grey Plover and 7 Snipe. Other than a Redstart in the No Dogs Field and 5 Willow Warbler, one in song, on Wick, all the field-recorded, migrant passerine numbers are from Stanpit, where: a Whinchat, 2 Wheatear, a 3 Spotted Flycatcher, a Grasshopper Warbler, 45 Willow Warbler, 10 Chiffchaff, 10 Sedge Warbler, 5 Blackcap, 3 Whitethroat, 9 Tree Pipit and a Grey Wagtail were logged. In addition, 12 Reed Warbler and 16 Sedge Warbler were ringed on Hengistbury; while 7 Swift, 25 House Martin, 45 Swallow and 230 Sand Martin headed into the easterly breeze. In conclusion, there were 11 Cattle Egret around and the morning total of Yellow Wagtail was around thirty-five, but evening visits may increase that number.

Evening update: at least 120 Yellow Wagtail headed over Crouch Hill to their roost site, with several pulses of Swallow and Sand Martin perhaps joining them.

There seemed to be an influx of Small Heath butterfly around Whitepits today – Clinton Whale

..and the Weasel is still about – Paul Mcauliffe

The migrant wader season is gathering pace – a Wood Sandpiper about Stanpit, this evening, being the pick. Also, however, throughout the day: a female Ruff – or more colloquially, a reeve – an Avocet, a Grey Plover, 3 Knot, a Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, three of them the first juveniles to reach us from Iceland, 46 Ringed Plover and 3 Snipe. Both White-tailed Eagle and Osprey were logged – G818 from Fisherman’s Bank soaring north at 12:30 and the mullet hawk fishing the harbour from 13:50 to just after 14:00, when it caught a fish in Barn Bight. Other raptors around were a touring Peregrine and a Hobby ‘straight through,’ this evening. The outgoing passerines around the area, included: a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Tree Pipit, 25 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 11 Sedge Warbler, 25 Willow Warbler and 12 Chiffchaff; with 29 Mediterranean Gull, the Goosander and 2 Kingfisher concluding the post.

Other than waders, it was, overall, a fairly quiet day. During the morning, a Grey Plover was about and 4 Bar-tailed Godwit took a look, but felt they didn’t like the place. Later on, Stanpit Bight held: 2 Knot, 8 Sanderling, a Whimbrel, just one Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Dunlin and 3 Turnstone. Of 8 Wheatear on Crouch Hill, throughout the day, one was an adult male – so, sparking the usual debate as to whether he may have made some kind of Atlantic crossing. Otherwise, the only migrant passerine return is of 8 Yellow Wagtail. Also on their travels, all from the marsh, 70 Swallow and 36 Sand Martin. To finish, a Nuthatch was on the Batters, and a Cattle Egret, 3 Shoveler and 7 Teal were logged.

Stop press: from Hengistbury, a flock of 10 Yellow Wagtail headed out to sea off the end of the head, while five dropped into the traditional, autumn-passage roost site adjacent to the HHC. Also, a couple of Wheatear on the top of the head.

There’s more folks: at least 78 Yellow Wagtail were seen heading to roost and the Cattle Egret count increased to four.

– Nick Whitehouse

– Neil Jones

– Neil Jones

It’s very late in the season to see such recently fledged birds – some could have third-brooded? From top to bottom, Song Thrush, House Sparrow and Dunnock

…and a juvenile Wheatear – Scott Usher

Today’s Osprey visit came at around 07:30, from when a bird was watched catching its breakfast on the third attempt and then leaving, all in a ten-minute spell. Other raptors, seen later in the morning, were: a Hobby, a female-type Marsh Harrier passing west and, again, 2 Buzzard. Keeping on the big-bird theme, a Spoonbill passed west at around 08:20. A Whinchat was at Whitepits and the No Dogs Field again held a Redstart, with a Garden Warbler and a couple of Willow Warbler also about the fields, while Stanpit turned in: 46 Yellow Wagtail, presumably from a roost there, a Grey Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler and 2 Wheatear; as well as 115 Swallow and 85 Sand Martin into the easterly breeze. Turning to waders, and another Grey Plover was seen to arrive, with a Little Ringed Plover, a Knot, 2 Greenshank, 11 Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, and ‘quite a few’ Ringed Plover and Dunlin, all from Stanpit. The wildfowl seen to arrive were 8 Shoveler and 9 Shelduck, and the Cattle Egret return for the day was one.

The White-tailed Eagle, now confirmed as the suspected G818, a female and now pretty much adult, was first seen at Stanpit at 07:00 and left at 10:30, during which time she caught a fish and had a bit of an altercation with an equally successful Osprey. Interestingly, there was a further eagle sighting, the/a bird leaving the area to the north at 15:30. Sticking with raptors, a couple of Buzzard were well inside harbour airspace – one seeming to be checking out the Nursery. Meanwhile, wildfowl continue to arrive, 2 Wigeon and 7 Shoveler new-in today; while 2 Garganey, the UK’s only summer-visiting duck, settled as they headed south. Late in the morning, the No Dogs Field was still holding active passerines – a Grasshopper Warbler, a Redstart, 2 Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat and several each of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff, all seen from a leisurely lean on a gate. Earlier, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Grasshopper Warbler, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 5 Sedge Warbler, a Tree Pipit and 4 Yellow Wagtail were logged, nearly all at Stanpit. Next, the waders, all from the marsh, and including: an arriving Grey Plover, 2 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 5 Sanderling, 3 Whimbrel, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 65 Ringed Plover, 41 Dunlin, 5 Turnstone and 2 Snipe. Hirundines, swifts and terns, were represented by: 95 Sand Martin east and 12 House Martin hawking the no-mow areas of the Recreation Ground; 3 Swift east; and 14 Common Tern west. To round it up: of 4 Cattle Egret on-site, three were with the British White heifers on Priory Marsh; the Goosander remains; and 86 Coot were counted.

Weasel at Stanpit – Paul Mcauliffe

House Sparrow feeding on Marram Grass – Rod Jenkins

Cattle Egret on Wick – Mike Foote

…and juvenile Stonechat – Scott Usher

The morning saw an arrival of Teal for, dare we say it, the winter – a total of sixteen, twelve of which arrived in one spring; also, an incoming Shoveler and the redhead Goosander still on site. The settled passerine news involves a Lesser Whitethroat on Wick; plus, on the Stanpit side, which includes Ashtree Meadow: a Redstart, 6 Wheatear, 4 Whitethroat, 7 Blackcap, 15 Sedge Warbler and 20 Willow Warbler, as well as a Tree Pipit and 7 Yellow Wagtail over. Getting to waders, all at Stanpit, and the choice being: a Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 40 Ringed Plover, 30 Dunlin and a Snipe. The final piece for the post comes courtesy of a Hobby and 23 Mediterranean Gull.

Again, there was a reasonable variety of waders – a Wood Sandpiper, a Ruff and 2 Common Sandpiper in flight around the northern part of Stanpit, with a further four of the latter there. Meanwhile, a juvenile Little Ringed Plover was in Stanpit Bight, along with 2 Greenshank, 4 Sanderling 6 Whimbrel, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 40 Ringed Plover and 30 Dunlin. An obvious feature of the earlier part of the morning was a movement of Swallow – 185 into the easterly breeze, with a few lingering to feed over Central Marsh – and 55 Sand Martin travelling likewise. Passerines, all about the marsh, other than a few of the ‘chiffs’, were logged at: a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Garden Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 6 Whitethroat, 12 Willow Warbler, 13 Chiffchaff and 5 Wheatear; plus, 3 Tree Pipit and 5 Yellow Wagtail over. Finishing off, an adult Common Gull and 6 Mediterranean Gull were inside the harbour, 6 Teal headed north and a Cattle Egret was on the Wick meadows.

This White-tailed Eagle arrived at 06:00 and left around ninety minutes later – Gary Hayman

The seemingly resident Goosander – Gary Hayman

Juvenile Dartford Warbler, adjacent to a public path – Rod Jenkins

…and a juvenile Marsh Harrier sporting the characteristic, all-dark, tidy plumage and gingery-orange crown – Gary Hayman

There is a real mixture of bird families to cover in this post, but starting with raptors and, in addition to the photographed eagle, a juvenile Marsh Harrier, perhaps on its maiden flight, which took a good look over the area, and a Peregrine. Meanwhile, the waders at Stanpit were headed by 2 Golden Plover, which briefly landed before heading off inland, and a Green Sandpiper opposite Grimmery Bank, but also: a Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 10 Whimbrel, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, 17 Ringed Plover, at least 70 Dunlin and 3 Snipe; while two adult Turnstone were on the sandspit. A Grasshopper Warbler in the brambles on Grimmery Bank was the best of the passerines about the marsh, where: a Redstart, 7 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Wheatear, 10 Sedge Warbler, 17 Warbler and 4 Chiffchaff were also about; with a further Wheatear on Whitepits. The only overhead movers, however, were 2 Tree Pipit and a single Swift. To wrap up on the birds: a Hooded Crow, now once again a sub-species of Carrion Crow, was about; the Goosander and a juvenile Cattle Egret were off Grimmery Bank; at least 6 Mediterranean Gull were on site; and a lone Coot was inside the harbour. The fine weather encouraged plenty of butterflies to be on the wing – the most numerous being Meadow Brown, plus several Small Heath and various whites seen in the Whitepits area.

Common Sandpiper on, the nowadays inappropriately named, Goldeneye Point – Jeremy Mayes

…and one of two Grasshopper Warbler caught and ringed by the HHO building – Kevin Sayer

Let’s start the post, from a very warm day, at Hengistbury, where a Spotted Flycatcher, 2 Wheatear and the Nuthatch headlined. Meanwhile, a further two Wheatear, along with 9 Yellow Wagtail and 6 Sedge Warbler, were at Stanpit, and up to 35 Willow Warbler were spread about; with 18 Swift and 73 Sand Martin passing west. The pick of the waders around Stanpit Bight was twos of Greenshank, Black-tailed Godwit and Whimbrel, 7 Ringed Plover and a decent total of 115 Redshank. Also, a couple of Common Tern and 22 Sandwich Tern, all settled. The day-total for Cattle Egret is six, including one in breeding plumage perched on a flotsam tree in River and, to finish, a Teal and a Peregrine were logged.

The sight of the day was a Weasel swimming across the southern end of Mother Siller’s Channel! Meanwhile, a Little Gull loafed on the HHO mudbar and a Cattle Egret was perched on driftwood a little further upriver; with four more of the same on the adjacent meadows. To finish a short post, a Greenshank was in Holloway’s Dock and an Osprey visited at around 16:00.

Common Darter at Hengistbury – Peter Boardman

On another warm, sunny day, most of the news comes from Stanpit, where the highlights were a moulting adult Black Tern heading west through the harbour, a Grasshopper Warbler reeling on Crouch Hill and a colour-ringed Osprey flying north with a fish – probably 1H1 referred to in yesterday’s post. The rising tide saw a good selection of waders, including a Greenshank, 70 Dunlin, 57 Ringed Plover, 7 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 29 Curlew, 5 Turnstone and a Snipe. Wildfowl were represented by 11 Shoveler, 8 Teal and the ‘regular’ Goosander. Seventy-two Mediterranean Gull were about the marsh and 26 Common Tern travelled west. Heading in the opposite direction were 69 Sand Martin and 32 Swallow, while 6 House Martin were over the car park. Four Wheatear were on Crouch Hill and 9 Yellow Wagtail were logged. Passerines comprised 8 Sedge Warbler, 25 Blackcap, a Garden Warbler, 3 Whitethroat, 2 Bullfinch, 4 Chiffchaff and 3 Willow Warbler, with a further 4 of the latter at Wick Fields, where 5 Cattle Egret were present. Finally, an adult Peregrine headed over Priory Marsh.

Last night’s Sturgeon Moon, with roosting wildfowl and gulls – Simon Coupe

It was reckoned 3 Clouded Yellow butterfly were about Whitepits today – Clinton Whale

Cetti’s Warbler – Neil Jones

Firstly, news of the colour-ringed Osprey, that visited last Friday. She is 1H1, the second breeding female from Poole Harbour and originally from Rutland. Her two chicks have recently fledged, so it seems she has decided to take a look around the area before heading back to Africa. Now, today, and a Lesser Yellowlegs made a short appearance in Stanpit Creek, this morning, but didn’t hang around too long. Just before that, a 3cy Yellow-legged Gull – not an age often seen here – was around the same area. Overall, there was a good variety of waders about Stanpit: a Little Stint flew through, along with a Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 15 Whimbrel and a total of 78 Dunlin, all, as expected, westbound; with a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank and 10 Black-tailed Godwit also being logged. A few passerines make the post – namely, a Whinchat and a Wheatear on Crouch Hill, plus 4 Spotted Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 11 Whitethroat, 78 Sedge Warbler and a passing Tree Pipit, all from the marsh, and at least 7 Willow Warbler across the area. To wrap up: a Garganey briefly circuited; the only tern news is of 63 Common Tern to the west; the Goosander remains; and the Cattle Egret total was seven.

A boat in the harbour can offer great shots of terns – adult (upper) and juvenile Common Tern, of around ten settled birds – Scott Usher

…and another juvenile – Scott Usher

Sighting of the day goes to a Weasel in the inclosure on Crouch Hill, this morning. Meanwhile, the few waders at Stanpit included: 3 Greenshank, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 25 Dunlin, with 17 Ringed Plover taking a look but not touching down. Birds in bushes, again all from the marsh, other than a singing Willow Warbler in the Nursery, were returned as: 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 16 Willow Warbler, 10 Blackcap, 7 Whitethroat and 8 Sedge Warbler; while 3 Yellow Wagtail passed over, 37 Common Tern headed west and 6 Swift went east. To finish, the only large raptor for the day was a Marsh Harrier and a Kingfisher was in Parky Meade Rail.

A 2cy Common Gull that headed west through the harbour, this afternoon, along with 15 Common Tern, was the first of that species for a month or so. Back to the morning, when 77 Common Tern, 36 Sandwich Tern and 21 Mediterranean Gull took the same route; with 120 of the former and eighteen of the latter loitering. Also during the earlier part of the day: singles of Grasshopper Warbler – on Stanpit and Wick – plus, a Garden Warbler, 7 Whitethroat, 8 Sedge Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler, 14 Willow Warbler and a Wheatear, mostly about the marsh. Meanwhile, and all from the marsh, 2 Tree Pipit, 11 Yellow Wagtail, 47 Swift, 36 Swallow, 61 Sand Martin and a Whimbrel, all passed over. Settled waders continue to be very thin on the mud – what’s left of it that, that is, the algal carpet ever growing – but a Greenshank and 7 Dunlin did make the records. To round up, an Osprey was around at 16:40 and the Goosander, a Cattle Egret and a Kingfisher, at Stanpit, were all logged.

Osprey incoming – Adrian Simmons

…and leaving on first attempt – Adrian Simmons

It’s getting into Osprey season – today’s photographed bird, which is colour-ringed and we’re seeking details, arrived at around 15:15. Early in the morning, a Cattle Egret, 11 Willow Warbler and 5 Whitethroat were returned from Wick; while Stanpit came in with: 60 Common Tern, 16 Mediterranean Gull, a Greenshank, 8 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin. The breeding-plumaged Knot remained for its second day – seen from Fisherman’s Bank, morning and late afternoon.

Sparrowhawk at Stanpit – Adrian Simmons

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker, from the bird hide – Clinton Whale

Migrating terns head the post – over 170 Common Tern and 220 Sandwich Tern, plus a juvenile Arctic Tern and 3 Little Tern, passed west through the harbour, during the greater part of the morning. Likewise, 86 Mediterranean Gull. Meanwhile, there was also a good return of Sandwich Tern from Hengistbury, comprising: 110 in Holloway’s Dock, at least 100 in the Harbour – including a Dutch-ringed bird – and eighty feeding off the end of the head. Also in the Dock, 2 Little Gull, 5 Common Tern, the same number of Mediterranean Gull, the Greenshank and a Lapwing. The best of the settled birds at Stanpit was: a 1cy Yellow-legged Gull; a Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 15 Dunlin and a Turnstone; and 5 Shoveler, after being seen to arrive. Also, 16 Ringed Plover and a further 4 Turnstone on the sandspit. Migrant passerines were represented by a Wheatear on the lawn of St Nicholas’ Church, 3 Yellow Wagtail and 17 Willow Warbler; and a nice selection of woodland species, from the Wood, came from a recently fledged Firecrest, a Treecreeper and a Nuthatch. To finish, a Cattle Egret spent time with the British whites on Priory Marsh and a Bullfinch was in Ashtree Meadow.

A Raven announcing itself at Whitepits – Nick Whitehouse

Some of the 16 Sandwich Tern and 328 Black-headed Gull, which, this morning loafed in Holloway’s Dock – Chris Chapleo

..and the Greenshank that is currently favouring the dock – Clinton Whale

All the news is from Hengistbury, when, during the morning: an Avocet and 7 Black-tailed Godwit headed generally west, while the Greenshank was again in Holloway’s Dock; and a Wheatear, a Spotted Flycatcher, 16 Willow Warbler, 5 Blackcap and a Nuthatch were the pick of the passerines. Then, just before 16:30, an Osprey was seen touring the area.

Perhaps the strangest sight of the day was a Shoveler being harried away from the Ironstone Quarry by two, very possessive Mallard. Meanwhile, the Greenshank remained in Holloway’s Dock, along with 19 Sandwich Tern – one carrying a colour ring from the eastern part of the Solent. The other notables at Hengistbury were: a couple of Greenshank, west off the Barn Field; a Wheatear on the Batters; and the Nuthatch again towards the end of the Head. At Stanpit, the pick was: 2 Grasshopper Warbler, both reeling in the North Scrubs, 3 Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat a Spotted Flycatcher and a couple of Wheatear; as well as, a Hobby, the Goosander and 6 Mediterranean Gull. Meanwhile, the commoner migrants, across the site, included: 21 Willow Warbler, 17 Chiffchaff, 20 Whitethroat, 14 Blackcap, 30 Sedge Warbler, 5 Tree Pipit and 7 Yellow Wagtail. Rounding up, waders not already mentioned came from, 2 Common Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel and a Ringed Plover; with a total of 5 Coal Tit, in the Wood, being worth a mention.

Greenshank in Holloway’s Dock – Clinton Whale

A look at the sea from the Gully, this evening, saw a decent number of terns heading west – the best a juvenile Arctic Tern, along with around 150 Common Tern and 180 Sandwich Tern; the latter two species having a good mix of juveniles amongst them. Also heading in the same direction, 23 Gannet, thirty or so Mediterranean Gull and up to 1200 Black-headed Gull. Earlier, a Little Tern and a Common Scoter were seen from Mudeford Quay. Back to the early morning, when a Redstart, 2 Tree Pipit, 12 Willow Warbler and a Nuthatch were logged, while 25 Mediterranean Gull, all juveniles, passed west; and a Greenshank, plus 4 Dunlin, was in Holloway’s Dock. Finishing on Wick, where a breeding-plumaged Cattle Egret was on the water meadows and at least 30 Long-tailed Tit flocked in the No Dogs Field.

Common Tern – Scott Usher

One of several Jersey Tiger moth around today – Jackie Smith

Adult Black-tailed Godwit – Clinton Whale

…and a Dunlin looking bewilderingly at this year’s ulva algae bloom, the birds short bill can’t get through it. Exposed mud is fetching a premium this season – Scott Usher

Smoke tainted the air throughout the day, blown from the disturbing, multiple fires on the heaths of the Studland peninsula. An hour or so on Hengistbury, this morning, saw 22 Willow Warbler and a Nuthatch; while a Spotted Flycatcher was at Stanpit, along with a handful of Whitethroat and Dunlin. It was a three-egret day – a Great White Egret over Wick, early on, and a breeding-plumaged Cattle Egret settled opposite Grimmery Bank, during the afternoon. The waders at Stanpit included a Common Sandpiper, a Black-tailed Godwit, around 5 Ringed Plover, 22 Dunlin and a Turnstone; with 2 Common Tern lingering, plus eight west through the Harbour, and 18 Mediterranean Gull settled. To finish, a Dartford Warbler was again about the marsh.

Song Thrush – Rod Jenkins

Skylark – Clinton Whale

The day’s clear highlight, for one lucky observer, was a couple Otter in Mother Siller’s Channel – we know they are out there, but seeing one, let alone two, is a whole different matter! Moving to birds and a Great White Egret that was watched settling into Wick Hams; while, over on Stanpit, a Garganey tagged along with 3 Shoveler in Parky Meade Rail, three each of Common Sandpiper and Snipe were the only waders reported, and a Little Tern, 32 Common Tern and 33 Swift were logged heading west. Early on, the reeds around Parky Meade Rail were a bit of a chat hotspot – a Whinchat, a Wheatear and 10 Stonechat – feeding in them. Generally though, migrants were thin on the ground, just small numbers of Willow Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap around. To wrap up, it was good to hear of 2 Peregrine soaring high over Wick Fields.

Wheatear – Rod Jenkins

Another new solitary bee for the recording area, the Yellow-loosestrife, seen on edge of Priory Marsh. This species lives in wetland habitats and in the UK is uniquely reliant on floral oils to waterproof nest cells – Robin Harley

Juvenile Redstart – Ann Parramore

Southbound chats were the feature of the day – 2 Redstart on Wick, one ringed at the HHO, a Whinchat by the Ironstone Quarry and at least 8 Wheatear, including five about Crouch Hill. Meanwhile, a Pied Flycatcher and a Spotted Flycatcher were in the North Scrubs, a couple of Grasshopper Warbler were on Stanpit and a Tree Pipit went over; with site-wide estimates of others being 20 Whitethroat, at least 16 Willow Warbler, 23 Sedge Warbler, 11 Chiffchaff and 2 Blackcap. Meanwhile, a Little Gull rested in Holloway’s Dock, along with 9 Sandwich Tern and 10 Mediterranean Gull. Furthers of the former and latter, inside the harbour, came to 106 and seventy-two respectively; with 18 Common Tern logged passing through. Wader variety was low just singles of Greenshank and Common Sandpiper, 81 Dunlin and 2 Turnstone; birds travelling over to the west, comprised: 27 Swift, 35 Swallow, 148 Sand Martin and 2 Arctic Skua; at least 2 Cattle Egret were around; a couple of Firecrest were in the Wood; and a Red Kite circled for a while.