Rock Pipit at Stanpit – a likely littoralis bird – Scott Usher

Grey Plover – Scott Usher

Outside of cold snaps and the arrival month of November, Woodcock are pretty much unheard of in the area – so one out of the Wood, at dusk, and onto the Barn Field, presumably attracted by the standing water there, was a real surprise. Moving to butterflies and, during the afternoon, a Large Tortoiseshell was again on the Long Field. Back to bird and the morning, when a largely quiet sea delivered a couple of moments of interest – namely, a young Spoonbill from the east and an adult Kittiwake – but, other than those, it was just 2 Shelduck, a pair of Gadwall and handfuls of Brent Goose, Pintail and Wigeon. Meanwhile, Stanpit held an Avocet, 6 Grey Plover, a couple of hundred Dunlin, 65 Brent Goose and a Pintail, as well as 2 Blackcap in song in the North Scrubs. To finish, Siskin were heard on a couple of occasions about Hengistbury.

The morning drizzle curtailed activity somewhat, but 19 Purple Sandpiper were seen from the northern end of Mudeford Quay and a Peregrine was on the Priory. In the last half hour, at 18:05, a chance look at the Barn Owl cam saw mating taking place.

Drake Pintail – Jackie Smith

There were two sightings of 5 White-fronted Goose today – firstly, east past Hengistbury, during the morning, and then, at 16:15 west past Mudeford Quay. Also in the early period, 63 Brent Goose east, a Red-necked Grebe in breeding plumage that drifted west and a single Common Scoter. Meanwhile, a Jack Snipe came up from near the Wooden Bridge and 16 Purple Sandpiper were on the sandspit. A party of 9 Meadow Pipit arrived over the Head, with 18 Redpoll, 6 Siskin and 6 Redpoll also being logged there, along with a couple of Firecrest. To finish off, the in-harbour Brent Goose numbered fifty-three and 22 Cattle Egret left the roost.

One of 2 Large Tortoiseshell butterflies – Robin Harley

…and the two individuals – Peter Boardman

Blackcap in the North Scrubs – Ian Wigley

Around mid-afternoon, the second and third records for the site of Large Tortoiseshell were discovered on Hengistbury – the previous being last year. Other butterflies on the wing, throughout the day, involved Brimstone, Peacock and Red Admiral. Moving to mammals and the Stanpit Weasel, which was very active around lunchtime. Birds, meanwhile, were pretty much as expected. A period of time scanning north from Riversmeet Meadow, during the morning, produced: 3 Red Kite, a Peregrine and 9 Buzzard; the best on the marsh were: a Grey Plover, 21 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover and 90 Dunlin, plus singles of Mediterranean Gull and Common Gull; a party of 4 Shelduck circuited, but didn’t stop; and, at 17:10, around 20 Cattle Egret went in.

Hairy Shieldbug – a common species which overwinters as an adult and appears in spring – Robin Harley

Over the winter, CHOG funded a camera for the Hengistbury Barn Owls, a temporary feed can be viewed here…

Late in the day, there was a real surprise when a skein of 37 White-front Goose passed high to the west over Ashtree Meadow. Also around that time, 10 Cattle Egret to roost. Otherwise, there were 41 Brent Goose, 6 Pintail – four of them drakes – 20 Dunlin and a Common Gull at Stanpit, where, during the afternoon, several vocal Mediterranean Gull arrived. Moving to the morning, there was the encouraging sound of 4 Skylark in song at Hengistbury.

There were 9 Purple Sandpiper on sandspit groyne, S9, during the day – Clinton Whale

Despite some reasonable weather, there isn’t too much to report. Hints of spring were at Stanpit, this morning – sub-singing Chiffchaff and Blackcap on Riversmeet Meadow and in the North Scrubs respectively; while, during the afternoon, a small mixed flock of Redpoll and Siskin were close to Holloway’s Dock. The only other news is the continuing presence of at least one Little Grebe on the Ironstone Quarry, where the species now seems to be resident.

Drake Pintail – Clinton Whale

…and some of the 52 Brent Goose – Clinton Whale

The morning saw the penultimate WeBS survey of the winter – the best being a Jack Snipe up from Brewer’s Creek, after being flushed by a Water Rail! The ongoing water levels mean, even at the base of the tide, many areas of mud remain covered, so resulting in some notable lows – singles of Black-tailed Godwit and Lapwing, and zero(!) coot, being prime examples. Now some of the other numbers: 21 Purple Sandpiper, presumably on the sandspit, 66 Ringed Plover and 272 Dunlin; 52 Brent Goose, 2 Shoveler, 6 Pintail, 6 Shelduck, 117 Teal and 1447 Wigeon, plus 9 Common Scoter settled offshore; 5 Mediterranean Gull; and two, in-harbour Great Crested Grebe. Moving to passerines and the Wood held a surprise 30 Redwing, as well as a Firecrest and a Treecreeper; while Skylark song was conspicuous at Stanpit. To finish, a couple of Marsh Harrier were about and White-tailed Eagle headed inland at 07:30.

In-harbour Turnstone – Neil Jones

There was a nice total, by recent times that is, of exactly 100 Brent Goose, this morning – forty-nine of which were seen coming in for the day over the Barn Field. Another good figure came from Purple Sandpiper – nineteen along the sandspit – but, once again, Black-tailed Godwit were represented by just a single bird, that on the Salt Hurns, where 14 Snipe could be seen. The picks of the quiet sea were 10 Common Gull and 4 Mediterranean Gull, plus a handful of auks. Rounding up, a Siskin was again in the Wood, as was a Treecreeper, and 3 Great Crested Grebe – two in Barn Bight and one in the incredible location of Holloway’s Dock!

There was a little bit of finch interest today – primarily from a Brambling over the No Dogs Field, but also a couple of Siskin in the Wood; which also hosted a Treecreeper. Meanwhile, the best from a quiet sea was 3 Red-throated Diver and 7 Mediterranean Gull, nearly all east, and 9 Common Scoter on the water. Finishing this short post: 10 Purple Sandpiper and a Black-tailed Godwit – the latter currently very thin on the ground – represent the only wader news; a female-type Marsh Harrier was seen from Wick; and 20 Brent Goose were seen to arrive from their Poole Harbour roost.

Grey Plover from Fisherman’s Bank – Dave Miller

The large gulls are now looking very tidy in their breeding plumage – Herring Gull (upper) and Great Black-backed Gull – Alan Crockard

…likewise, this Black-headed Gull – Clinton Whale

Despite a very chilling breeze, a male Blackcap was in song in the North Scrubs, where there was also a female; while a Skylark also sang over the Barn Field. Over on Wick, a pair of Bullfinch was near the Wooden Bridge and a Peregrine could be seen on the Priory. The only other news, however, is of a minimum of 12 Grey Plover on East Marsh.

Stanpit Marsh – Clinton Whale

The photograph tells the story of today – a spring tide and near-constant rain, which is not forecast to stop until 08:00 tomorrow! As such, the only news comes from a BCP young person’s event at Stanpit, where overnight Longworth traps produced a Bank Vole and 3 Wood Mouse.

Spring Usher moth – as its name suggests, one of the first to appear each year – Robin Harley

Grey Seal off Grimmery Bank – Adrian Simmons

A Grey Seal was well upriver, off Grimmery Point, this morning, where it was feeding well. Over on the sandspit, there were 10 Purple Sandpiper on one of the groynes; while, about Hengistbury, a Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed in the Wood and the cameras showed the Grey Heron pair now has a third egg. Just one Brent Goose seemed to be at Stanpit, along with two pairs of Pintail, a pair of Shoveler, a Grey Plover and 2 Black-tailed Godwit; as well as a Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Gull, plus a Redpoll. Water Rail are spread around the area – Wick hearing two squeals, one near the Viewing Platform – and, at lunchtime, a White-tailed Eagle headed out over the Head. To finish, the Marsh Harrier roost was checked out this evening, but just one bird – an adult female – was seen, and she decided it wasn’t to her liking – returning to the Avon Valley from whence she came. The poor show is likely related to the extensive flooding in the Valley, which has greatly reduced the amount of available hunting habitat.

Collared Dove – reckoned to be undergoing a degree of decline in and around the Harbour – David Faulkner

Recent posts have optimistically dropped hints of spring being just around the corner – so a Blackcap in song at Stanpit, this morning, was most welcome. Meanwhile, at the other end of the seasonal spectrum, at least one Redpoll remained in the North Scrubs. In and around Stanpit Bight, the best came from: 2 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Ringed Plover, 85 Dunlin, 6 Pintail and 39 Brent Goose, plus a couple of Common Gull; with dusk seeing 18 Cattle Egret on the exposed mud there and hundreds of pre-roosting Jackdaw.

Until around 3:30, it was a total washout. Despite that, the Grey Heron produced another egg, while a Peregrine sheltered on the east face of the Priory tower. Late in the afternoon, the behaviour of some gulls just beyond the Run suggested the occasionally emerging blob beneath them was likely the same Grey Seal as yesterday.

Weasel – Richard Moore

The Priory and a Peregrine – Richard Cordery

Lesser Black-backed Gull and Black-headed Gull loafing around Barn Bight – Richard Cordery

Mammals again provide the headlines – as well as the photographed Weasel, an Otter was in Barn Bight just after 15:00 and, around ninety minutes later, from Mudeford Quay, a Grey Seal could be seen enjoying a meal beyond the Run. Moving to birds, and in addition to song, sure signs of spring came from a Linnet over Hengistbury and the first Grey Heron egg in one of the Nursery nests. Meanwhile, a Peregrine was plucking prey on the south side of the Priory tower. Rounding up: at least 3 Marsh Harrier were logged, including during the middle part of the day an adult female over Wick Hams; after three were omitted from yesterday’s post, 5 Shelduck were at Stanpit, along with just over thirty Brent Goose; Redpoll could be heard from Holloway’s Dock; around 20 Cattle Egret left the roost at 07:40; and a Kingfisher was logged in Barn Bight.

Little Grebe – Alan Crockard

…and Greenfinch are currently making themselves quite conspicuous – Alan Crockard

A sunny morning witnessed some birds in song at Stanpit – Reed Bunting, Skylark and Goldcrest, amongst them – while 5 Redpoll were in the North Scrubs, a Chiffchaff was on Riversmeet Meadow and a pair of Raven was about. A couple of Grey Plover was the pick of the waders on the marsh, with 12 Ringed Plover, 36 Dunlin and a maximum of 90 Lapwing also returned. Pairs of Shoveler and Pintail head the wildfowl, but also 28 Brent Goose; with 8 Cattle Egret roost-bound, this evening.

Otter from yesterday – Alan Crockard

Going through a short report, from an almost completely dry day, in time order. At dawn, the Cattle Egret roost flight numbered 21 birds; while, later, a small group of Redpoll were in birches near the Lily Pond and an adult Mediterranean Gull was on the lawn at Mudeford Quay. To finish, a Barn Owl was out nice and early this evening – at 16:00, in fact – no doubt taking advantage of the more favourable hunting conditions than of late.

Kittiwake at Stanpit – Linda Martin

One of the Redpoll on the Batters at Hengistbury – Alan Crockard

The morning was quite pleasant, with the sun intermittently making a welcome appearance. Despite some dark, threatening clouds, the rain held off in the harbour until finally setting in for the afternoon. At about 08:30, a dog Otter was briefly in Barn Bight, where two Little Grebe and a Great Crested Grebe were also present. Earlier a White-tailed Eagle was at Stanpit, where there was the unusual sight of an adult Kittiwake on the edge of Mother Siller’s Channel. Dunlin numbers were down slightly to 180, with 50 Ringed Plover and 6 Grey Plover, while 10 Mediterranean Gull were roosting with the Black-headed Gull on East Marsh. The  light south-westerly breeze resulted in little movement off Hengistbury, with just 3 Red-throated Diver and 2 Mediterranean Gull seen heading east, while a Brent Goose and a Great Crested Grebe flew west. The usual flock of 15 Common Scoter was on the sea, together with another Great Crested Grebe, and just 1 Purple Sandpiper was on the Sandspit groynes. The flock of Redpoll on the Batters numbered about twenty and a further Little Grebe was on the Ironstone Quarry. Finally, 2 Raven were over the Head and a female-type Marsh Harrier was at Wick Spires.  

There isn’t too much to report upon today. At dawn, 19 Cattle Egret left the roost, eight of which settled briefly on Wick meadows; while a little later, a female Merlin passed east over Hengistbury, where the Redpoll flock increased to over forty – thirty or so of those seen to arrive from the north west. Of course, there was also a decent amount rain, throughout.

A record shot a very strangely behaving Guillemot, which appeared to lift from the river off Grimmery Bank, circuit a few times over Wick Fields – gaining in height – and then head inland following the Stour – Jackie Smith

Some more Otter footage:

Two animals yesterday in Barn Bight – Josh Clarke…

The floods at Stanpit receded enough to allow a good look at the place – although, by tomorrow, that could all be reversed, given the amount of rain currently coming down. There were some good small waders totals in the way of 65 Ringed Plover and 230 Dunlin, plus a Grey Plover; while the best of the gulls was 8 Mediterranean Gull and 5 Common Gull – both species being vocal. It was also nice to see a pair of Stonechat seemingly holding a territory on Crouch Hill. Of course, the photographed Guillemot takes the most-unexpected-record-of-the-day prize, but a Great Northern Diver west directly over the top of Hengistbury was also a little out of the ordinary. To finish, around 15 Redpoll were again about the Head and 2 White-tailed Eagle came through during the morning.

The 2 Otter which currently seem to favour Barn Bight were there again today – from 07:30 to 07:40, at least. Meanwhile, Mudeford Quay drew a blank, but we do now have permission to show some video from there taken over the last couple of days:

February 6th – Bob Griffiths…
February 7th – Bob Griffiths…

At sea, Red-throated Diver totalled thirteen, mostly east, as well as 5 Mediterranean Gull, 16 Common Scoter, 23 Brent Goose and 3 Great Crested Grebe; while the Wood produced singles of Firecrest and Nuthatch. Winter on winter, the Brent Goose spending the day in the Harbour seem to dwindle – for example, only around thirty seen to arrive early on, with some of them soon leaving to the east. Meanwhile, the only wader news is of 14 Purple Sandpiper from the Beach Huts and around 40 Ringed Plover coming off the high-tide roost on the sandspit. Rounding up: 15 Cattle Egret left the roost; 5 Little Grebe were in Barn Bight and a Great Crested Grebe was in Lobs Hole; and, despite some mixed weather over the weekend, birds singing or making sound, in order to attract or encourage a mate, have included, in no particular order: Mediterranean Gull, Little Grebe, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Song Thrush, Blackbird, Greenfinch and Dunnock.

Firstly, news of Mudeford Quay and the Otter, which again came onto the main promenade, amongst the feet of at least a couple of people! However, video footage shows the animal has a slight limp and is perhaps under nourished – despite seeming quite adept at catching food. During the morning, the sea was given a look and produced: a Great Northern Diver east, 12 Red-throated Diver – all but two west – and an unidentified diver; as well as the settled Common Scoter flock, counted at thirty-four. Moving to smaller birds, a flock of 20 Redpoll was around the area south of Holloway’s Dock, while 2 Firecrest and a Treecreeper were in the Wood. Finishing with some regulars: a White-tailed Eagle visited briefly, but soon headed off to the west; a single Marsh Harrier was logged; and the confiding male Kingfisher put on another decent show along the shore along the northern edge the Long Field.

White-tailed Eagle – Scott Usher

For the second day in succession, Otter lead the post – this time from Mudeford Quay. After two were seen early on, at least one of them was still present early in the afternoon. At one point, there was the incredible scene of an animal eating a crab on the main promenade, adjacent to the southern blue telescope, while being videoed! Unfortunately, we don’t currently have permission to show that footage. Moving to birds and the photographed White-tailed Eagle was at Stanpit, around 08:00, with a Mediterranean Gull on the lawn at the quay and a Barn Owl about at just before 18:00.

Please note: due to a waterlogged Recreation Ground, tomorrow’s Viking Optics event will now be in the Stanpit car park from 10:00 to 13:30.

Record shot of Otter – Anne Parramore

Also, a short video by Chris Chapleo

…and Peregrine on the Priory – Clinton Whale

For the second time in eight days, a couple of Otter showed well in Barn Bight – today, for at least twenty minutes, as one enjoyed some breakfast. The really encouraging point to this is that, on both occasions, the animals favoured an area which recently received additional protection from a CHOG-advocated fence – put in place by the site’s BCP Ranger Team. A big thank you is due to them! What this goes to show is the effectiveness of fencing in local nature restoration and CHOG actively fund such initiatives, meaning this is a fine example of where membership subscription monies have a real impact. If you are not already or member, please do consider joinging. It’s easy to do so online…

Otherwise, the only other news is of a Kingfisher in the same area, which is a prime spot to catch up with these birds, and a Mediterranean Gull on Stanpit.

The sea was far quieter, this morning – just 4 Red-throated Diver, a handful of auks and a single Mediterranean Gull. Later, there were a couple more ‘meds’ on the harbour side of Mudeford Quay, along with a Grey Wagtail. To finish, a Kingfisher was again around Brewer’s Creek.

The only news for the day is confirmation of a pair of Barn Owl in the area.

Golden Plover in winter are almost exclusively associated with cold weather, so a flock of around fifty west over the area, early this morning, was a real surprise. Meanwhile, 44 Black-tailed Godwit also headed that way and an easterly shift of wildfowl included 4 Pintail, 3 Teal, 13 Brent Goose, a single Common Scoter and 4 Egyptian Goose. A good look at the sea resulted in a total of 43 Red-throated Diver to the west, with a Great Northern Diver, 2 Razorbill, a Guillemot and eleven unnamed auks doing the same; while the Common Scoter flock was reckoned to be a minimum of thirty-eight. The rest of the post is a bit of a miscellany: 15 Cattle Egret left the roost, at 07:35; a seeming pair of Peregrine courted over the Harbour; a Red Kite skirted Wick and a couple of Marsh Harrier were about; 4 Purple Sandpiper were seen from the Beach Huts; and 6 Siskin were settled at the eastern end of the Wood.

Redshank – Roger Tidball

There were fewer divers logged at sea today, but a Black-throated Diver towards the Solent, in the company of a Red-throated Diver, added some variety; while, in the first or so of daylight, 18 Red-throated Diver commuted in the opposite direction. In addition, and also to the west, an adult Little Gull, two 2cy Common Gull, 3 Gannet and a lone Common Scoter; with the regular flock of the latter still on station. The only other interest comes from a least one Redwing about the end of the Head.