An old friend – Black-headed Gull VTC – see the main post for details – Scott Usher

As mentioned in the photo caption, the news on VTC. He was ringed, as an adult, in Copenhagen in Marsh 2008. Since then, he has been sighted as follows: Mudeford Quay November 2009, Copenhagen March 2010, Mudeford Quay December 2011, February 2013, February 2021 and then January 2023. He was last seen about the area in October 2024 – on exactly the same telegraph pole as today! Meanwhile, there was a nice selection of wildfowl seen from Hengistbury – namely: 3 Pochard, a pair of Red-breasted Merganser and a Goosander through the Harbour, and 9 Shoveler – most presumably shifting ahead of the overnight cooling. At sea, there was a westerly movement of 115 Mediterranean Gull, as well as 28 Common Gull and 31 Gannet; with other bits and pieces from the Head coming from 2 Redpoll and 11 Linnet. Wrapping up, 3 Chiffchaff were on Wick and a Great White Egret was at Stanpit, from where a Kingfisher was logged, and the highest Marsh Harrier total – four birds – was returned.

The day was forecast to be an almost total washout – but that was far from the case. That, however, may be the reason for the only news worthy items being a male Marsh Harrier hunting Wick Hams and a Little Grebe remaining on the Ironstone Quarry.

A couple of fine flight shots of drakes – Teal (upper) and Wigeon – Linda Martin

Conditions were much better today, when early on, there was a decent selection of birds seen: a Barn Owl was hunting around the Wooden Bridge, along with a couple of Marsh Harrier; a Woodcock flew low over Brewer’s Creek; and a redhead Goosander was on the south-east Harbour shoreline, viewed from Mudeford Quay. Slightly later, a seawatch produced a notable 53 Razorbill on the water, likewise at least 20 Common Scoter; plus, all to the west: a Red-throated Diver, 7 Kittiwake, 11 Mediterranean Gull, 33 Common Gull and a Guillemot. To finish, a couple of Firecrest were in the Wood and a flotilla of 35 Cormorant fished their way upstream the Stour from the Clay Pool.

The more notable from a drizzle-dominated day and into the early night were: a Barn Owl briefly around one of the Two Riversmeet football pitches, just before 19:20; and, from the morning, the Oystercatcher-liking Knot, seen from Mudeford Quay, as the flock left the sandspit and headed towards Avon Beach. To finish, the afternoon saw a good reckoning of 20 Skylark at Stanpit, with two each of Chiffchaff and Marsh Harrier returned from a morning outing on Wick.

Snipe (upper) and Grey Plover – all looking comfortable in Holloway’s Dock – Dave Miller

Peregrine on the Priory – David Faulkner

A couple of gatherings of Cormorant were noted today – at least fifty off Mudeford Quay, during the morning, and a tight group of thirty-one on the River, this afternoon. Back to the early part of the day and Holloway’s Dock, which hosted: a Grey Plover, 15 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Dunlin and 12 Teal. Meanwhile, the post’s Marsh Harrier tally is five – four about late on and an adult male earlier. Meanwhile, of 3 Chiffchaff along Roebury Lane, one was described as grey – that, along with some calls from a day or so ago, suggest the tristis bird may still be around that area.

It was a nice, sunny day, during which a couple of Velvet Scoter were on the sea off the end of the Head, as well as up to 20 Common Scoter. Despite being related, the two parties keep some distance apart. Close by, there were 6 Dunlin and 14 Black-tailed Godwit spread between the sandspit, Holloway’s Dock and the Salt Hurns, while a dozen Lapwing were on the Barn Field. As the day wore on, the wind dropped and gave rise to a good count of 18 Chiffchaff across Wick Fields, with a Firecrest being in the Wood. Moving towards dusk, a minimum of 7 Marsh Harrier was reckoned and the Stanpit soundscape was dominated by the squeals of Water Rail – suggesting a good number were about. To finish, Kingfisher were returned from Holloway’s Dock and the Bailey Bridge.

Greenfinch with a hint of leucism – Scott Usher

The tail end of the autumn finch passage saw 4 Crossbill and 2 Redpoll pass over the end of the Head, from where 2 Red-throated Diver and 8 Common Gull, all those west, and twenty settled Common Scoter were logged. Meanwhile, at Stanpit, there was a good count of 21 Grey Plover, as well as a Bar-tailed Godwit, 76 Black-tailed Godwit, 51 Ringed Plover and 93 Dunlin; plus, a Pintail, and 65 Brent Goose. A total of 5 Firecrest were around – four in the Wood and one on Riversmeet Meadow; with three each of Chiffchaff and Siskin also about the marsh area. Marsh Harrier were noted throughout the day, a Great White Egret was on North Marsh and 11 Cattle Egret left the roost.

Drake Gadwall – Scott Usher

Great Black-backed Gull – Scott Usher

On a drier-than-forecast day, presumably the same Knot as seen earlier in the week was again with Oystercatcher on the sandspit. Meanwhile, the spots on Wick which were sheltered from the chilly, westerly breeze held 3 Bullfinch, 5 Goldcrest and 6 Chiffchaff; with a further four of the latter about Stanpit, where a Great White Egret and a female Marsh Harrier were logged, and 82 Brent Goose were counted.

From a day of near-constant rain, there has been no news received.

Curlew – David Faulkner

Reflecting the current cold, a ‘Siberian’ – race tristis – Chiffchaff was in willows along the south side of Roebury Lane, along with some regulation collybitta, this afternoon. The bird was calling. Otherwise, for this post, it’s just 4 Purple Sandpiper on groynes near the Beach House café and, again, 2 Great White Egret at Stanpit.

Great White Egret and Little Egret. To emphasise the size difference, the ‘little’ is in the foreground – Jackie Smith

Dunnock – David Faulkner

Despite the ongoing cold, across Wick and Hengistbury there were 3 Blackcap, 8 Chiffchaff, 3 Firecrest and 17 Goldcrest. Also, perhaps a little out of place, a Knot on the Beach, while a single Shelduck – traditionally a local rarity in the latter part of the year – was in Holloway’s Dock. The sea was reasonably lively during a morning watch – the pick being a Black-throated Diver and 3 Red-throated Diver, all west – but also: 28 Mediterranean Gull, 16 Common Gull and 28 Razorbill in the same direction; and 16 Common Scoter settled. To round things up at Hengistbury, 7 Purple Sandpiper were on the sandspit, and 4 Redpoll, 8 Siskin a Nuthatch and a Treecreeper were logged. Moving to Stanpit, where a Great White Egret spent the day, with a Grey Plover, a Sanderling, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover – see last night’s comment – and 60 Dunlin being the best of the waders. The best of the numerous wildfowl was 3 Shoveler and at least 60 Brent Goose, and up to 3 Marsh Harrier used the area – plus, a further bird commuting in from an easterly roost. Late in the day, a Common Seal enjoyed its flatfish supper off Grimmery Point.

One of 2 Great White Egret which spent the afternoon on Central Marsh – Clinton Whale

The northerly wind made for Baltic-like, barely tolerable conditions around the harbour today, but did bring in around 20 Golden Plover from the east. Meanwhile, at Stanpit, there were 2 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Black-tailed Godwit and 120 Dunlin. It’s long been a policy not to mention absent birds, but the complete lack of ringed plover has made for breaking the rule. To finish off: a couple of Marsh Harrier were around Wick, typically early; at least 250 Coot were inside the harbour; and a Kingfisher was returned from the marsh.

A short post, from the first frost of the season, contains a couple of decent ducks – namely, a drake Pochard in Barn Bight and a Velvet Scoter west at sea. Otherwise, it’s just 2 Marsh Harrier hunting the Wick reeds, early on, to mention.

A fine view of an adult male Marsh Harrier – Scott Usher

White-tailed Eagle heading through the Run – Jackie Smith

Common Darter – potentially the last odonata photograph of the year – Clinton Whale

…and family gaggle of Brent Goose – the youngsters sporting the chevrons – Clinton Whale

Today saw more hints of a wader movement, presumably birds being pushed west by the cold coming from the east. A couple of Curlew Sandpiper, calling, came in off the sea and a Spotted Reshank was briefly on the Salt Hurns; while those more settled, at Stanpit, included 9 Grey Plover, 30 Ringed Plover – a lot less than yesterday – and 120 Dunlin. As the eagle went through the harbour, a host of wild and feral geese took to the air – 20 Brent Goose definitely being wild, as hopefully were 3 Barnacle Goose. Also, 3 Pochard – another indicator of cold to the east – involved in that event. The early clear skies prompted a Woodpigeon movement – 19500 the estimate, but all into the easterly wind – likewise: 350 Stock Dove, 235 Goldfinch, 175 Chaffinch, 135 Starling, 80 Linnet, 43 Meadow Pipit, 15 Redpoll, 11 Siskin and 9 Skylark; as well as 8 Redwing heading inland. During the afternoon, a visit to Wick produced 2 Blackcap, both females and feeding on wild apples. To finish: 2 Common Gull, a Mediterranean Gull and a Kingfisher were about Stanpit; and 29 Cattle Egret shuffled about the roost at dawn.

Great White Egret – Scott Usher

Grey Plover – showing the diagnostic black armpits – Scott Usher

There were wader counts at Stanpit both morning and afternoon, with the difference in some numbers suggesting a good number of birds had only stopped for the earlier tide cycle. The first period saw a locally impressive 25 Grey Plover, as well as 5 Knot and 130 Black-tailed Godwit – forty of those passing over, likewise a couple of Avocet. Meanwhile, the maxima for other, throughout the day include: a Bar-tailed Godwit, 80 Ringed Plover, 200 Dunlin and 4 Turnstone. Sticking with the marsh: the pick of the wildfowl was 51 Brent Goose and 2 Gadwall; and a Mediterranean Gull was returned, along with a figure of around 50 Great Black-backed Gull. Early in the day, Hengistbury was watched but described as ‘quiet’ – a Brambling, 250 Starling and 500 Woodpigeon being the only sign of moving birds – while thirty or so Cattle Egret left the roost. To round things up: a Great White Egret toured before heading back inland, from whence it came; a Merlin headed over Wick and Marsh Harrier were around; and 2 Redpoll and 4 Chiffchaff were settled about the area.

A 1cy Caspian Gull showed well, but briefly, in Barn Bight at around 13:10, before heading upriver. Also, a 2cy Mediterranean Gull passed over there. Early on, before the mist set in, a Swallow was over the Salt Hurns and a Great Northern Diver headed east. Then, during the mirk, three each of Avocet and Great Crested Grebe flew through the harbour, a White-tailed Eagle was seen heading inland – just before 09:00, 38 Ringed Plover and 25 Dunlin were settled, and around 20 Snipe took to the air from the Salt Hurns.

There is little to mention from a rain-dominated day – although a Chiffchaff did decide to sing along Roebury, over which a Merlin passed to the north. Otherwise, it’s just 2 Marsh Harrier and a rare count of Starling – 235 sitting out the drizzle on the main Hengistbury car park.

Drake Teal – Neil Jones

There was a reasonable selection of wildfowl around Stanpit Bight, over lunchtime, including: 2 Pintail, 3 Shoveler, 2 Gadwall and 32 Brent Goose – all the ducks being drakes. Also there, 4 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 120 Black-tailed Godwit and 28 Dunlin, with which a Kingfisher was mixed in. Earlier, the finch passage over Hengistbury was headed by a Serin, as well as: 3 Brambling, 17 Siskin, 29 Redpoll, 165 Chaffinch and 235 Goldfinch. Meanwhile, a Red-throated Diver passed at sea, and 3 Firecrest, 28 Goldcrest, 2 Chiffchaff and 8 Redwing were logged. A total of 32 Cattle Egret left the roost, with a further two seen heading south; a Jack Snipe was flushed from the top of the Head; and a couple of Tawny Owl were duetting in the Wood.

The only news for the day comes from after tonight’s excellent indoor meeting and is of Redwing calls over the venue’s car park.

Firstly, some mammal updates. A Grey Seal was in the Run, this morning; but, sadly, over the last couple of days, two seal pups and a dolphin calf have been washed up on local beaches. Secondly, the only bird news for the day is of 3 Marsh Harrier from Wick, early on.

Glossy Ibis – Scott Usher

The Glossy Ibis was around Stanpit Scrubs during the early part of the morning, before the rain set in. Actually, it’s been suspected it spends much, if not all, of its time around the marsh – but hidden in creeks and vegetation – and today’s encounter lends weight to that conjecture. Later in the day, once things had dried up, of 23 Cattle Egret going to roost twenty-one of them had previously gathered on East Marsh and 5 Marsh Harrier were about the area; while 66 Pied Wagtail went to what is likely a late-autumn, temporary roost – moving into winter they seem to prefer the surrounding urban habitat, Sainsbury’s at Somerford, for example. To finish, there was an increase of Black-tailed Godwit to around 200 birds and a several Jackdaw ganged up on a Raven around the conifers on Riversmeet Meadow.

Woodpigeon hit the skies over Christchurch, with the main movement coming a couple of hours after first light – the estimate from Hengistbury being 41750, along with 420 Stock Dove, nearly all of heading west on an inland track. Meanwhile, a ringtail Hen Harrier arrived over the sea with other bits and pieces over the water or through the harbour including: a flock of 29 Pintail south – a locally good number, 18 Brent Goose, 42 Common Gull, 8 Grey Plover, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 93 Dunlin and 20 Snipe; plus, 3 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit groynes. The roost exit was quite remarkable  a total of 32 Cattle Egret settled for a while, when they were joined by a further nine from the east(!), as well as a nice total of 34 Little Egret and the Glossy Ibis. Also early on, 3 Marsh Harrier and 2 Redwing, a Tawny Owl vocal in the Wood and 3 Firecrest at the end of the Head. To finish, the morning overhead passage was mostly to the south and reckoned at: 630 Starling, 425 Goldfinch, 410 Chaffinch, 280 Linnet, 52 Redpoll, 31 Brambling, 29 Siskin, the same number of Meadow Pipit and 24 Skylark.

Weasel at Stanpit – Adrian Simmons

It’s the time of year when Rock Pipit – looking just that little bit different to the resident seashore birds – start to appear on the in-harbour saltmarshes. This individual has probably spent the breeding season in Scandinavia – Scott Usher

Early on, at least three, but likely four, Marsh Harrier were around – three low over the area, with the reckoned fourth coming in from high east and lending further weight to the suspicion that some Solent-roosting birds visit for the day. Meanwhile, due to high water levels inside the Harbour and the afternoon’s pony drift, all the wader news is from Hengistbury and involves 5 Purple Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, a Grey Plover and 5 Black-tailed Godwit, where singles of Treecreeper and Nuthatch were in the Wood, and a Shoveler was logged in flight. To close things off, a reasonable visible migration was headed by 2 Tree Sparrow and a Snow Bunting, with, in support: 9500 Woodpigeon, 65 Chaffinch, 55 Goldfinch, 28 Siskin, 27 Meadow Pipit, 26 Redpoll, 20 Linnet, 11 Brambling and 4 Crossbill; and, late in the day, around 25 Brent Goose were settled on the sea off Mudeford Quay.

A nice selection of Ringed Plover, Dunlin and Sanderling – Dave ?

Male Marsh Harrier – Dave ?

White-tailed Eagle were seen leaving the area at 07:50 and 09:16, so potentially two birds involved. Meanwhile, a Mistle Thrush headed over the No Dogs Field and 3 Chiffchaff were the same area. To wrap up this short post, at least 2 Marsh Harrier used the area – but almost certainly more.

For so late in the season, Woodpigeon at 21250 and Stock Dove at 105 excepted, there was an unprecedented movement of birds over Hengistbury, this morning – namely: 1300 Goldfinch, 980 Chaffinch, 435 Linnet, 265 Siskin, 205 Redpoll, 78 Brambling, 36 Crossbill, 2 Hawfinch and 2 Bullfinch; 155 Meadow Pipit and 95 Pied Wagtail; 490 Starling, 85 Skylark, 55 Song Thrush, 26 Redwing and 5 Reed Bunting. Also, an Arctic Skua and 3 Marsh Harrier. Early on, a Barn Owl was about the Barn Field and the Glossy Ibis, plus 5 Cattle Egret, left the roost.

There were again 3 Swallow about Hengistbury – feeding low over the Batters, this morning – while more expected late-autumn fare came from: 6 Firecrest – four together in the Wood, one on Wick and one by the Ironstone Quarry, 8 Goldcrest and 2 Redwing. Also, single of Nuthatch and Treecreeper logged, as well as 5 Chiffchaff. Early on, a female-type Marsh Harrier was around and, late in the day, 12 Mediterranean Gull were offshore the southern end of the sandspit.

It was mainly cloudy with some sunny spells during the morning. A southerly wind seemed promising for sea watching, but it was actually very quiet with just 8 Common Scoter and a Great Crested Grebe offshore, while 20 unidentified Auk headed west. Visible migration was similarly disappointing; birds heading into the wind comprised 3 Crossbill, 32 Redpoll, 11 Siskin, 2 Brambling, 68 Goldfinch and a Yellowhammer. Six Swallow were logged, as well as a Little Grebe on Quarry Pond. Wick produced 3 Redwing flying over, 4 Chiffchaff and 2 Firecrest. Sightings from Stanpit were 27 Mediterranean Gull on floods by the Pod, 35 Teal, a single Turnstone and a female-type Marsh Harrier.

Two pairs of Wigeon – a species that mates for life – Alan Crockard

Redshank – Clinton Whale

The only news for the day is of a single Marsh Harrier over Wick Spires, early on.

Two adult male Marsh Harrier – Scott Usher

Firstly, before the lists of numbers, the highlights for the day: after few false starts, Woodpigeon got on the move – 18500 the estimate from Hengistbury, along with 330 Stock Dove; a Curlew Sandpiper was at Stanpit – a great record for the month; 5 Marsh Harrier, the Glossy Ibis, 9 Cattle Egret and a Great White Egret were about, early on; and a Great Northern Diver was on the sea, off the Beach House café. To complement those already mentioned, the pick of the figures from the monthly WeBS count comprise: a Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 152 Black-tailed Godwit, 56 Ringed Plover,24 Dunlin and a, nowadays, notable 114 Lapwing, plus, on the sandspit, two each of Purple Sandpiper and Sanderling; now, the wildfowl: 18 Brent Goose, 859 Wigeon, 81 Teal, 168 Mallard, 332 Mute Swan, 195 Coot and a Great Crested Grebe. Meanwhile, the visible migration tallies from Hengistbury, include: 325 Chaffinch, 225 Goldfinch, 97 Redpoll, 51 Siskin, 73 Skylark and 250 Starling, generally west; with other news from there, but with no context, involving: a Fieldfare, 5 Redwing, 15 Song Thrush, 3 Firecrest, 45 Goldcrest and 2 Treecreeper. To finish, a Peregrine was logged and Kingfisher were seen on four occasions.

Right on cue, Purple Sandpiper are with us – three yesterday and one the day before being the first of the season – Paul Watts

3cy male Marsh Harrier hunting Stanpit – Scott Usher

Brent Goose – Scott Usher

On a day that was dominated by a fierce westerly breeze and then heavy showers, it was nice to get a November House Martin – a bird lingering around the end of the Head for a short time. Also from there: a Brambling, 36 Siskin, around 37 Redpoll and an arriving Song Thrush; a 1cy Little Gull, 12 Mediterranean Gull and a Great Crested Grebe; and a passing Sanderling. Meanwhile, the Wood held up to 3 Firecrest, a reckoned 30 Goldcrest and 2 Treecreeper; and, early on, a Peregrine headed west past Mudeford Quay, and the Glossy Ibis and 10 Cattle Egret left the roost. To finish, at least one male Marsh Harrier hunted Stanpit, but possibly two.