Jack Snipe (foreground) and Snipe – Adrian Simmons

Snipe – Adrian Simmons

The recent, unpleasant wind dropped away overnight and there was a lot more sun than forecast. As such, the day saw a modest arrival of migrants – for example: 4 Willow Warbler along Roebury Lane; 13 Wheatear – six on the sandspit, four on the Long Groyne and three by Barn Bight; and a trickle of Swallow. Meanwhile, at least 25 Mediterranean Gull passed through, mostly west, and a nice total of 27 Purple Sandpiper was along the spit. Before the daily eagle update, some bits and pieces from Stanpit: namely, 12 Ringed Plover, a pair of Pintail and 6 Shelduck; and some early Sand Martin breeding information – thirty-five birds with the burrows in three locations, all in the highest section of the cliff. The pair of White-tailed Eagle were about from 08:00 to just after midday – leaving high to the north – then a further bird fished successfully around 13:00.

Grey Heron and Herring Gull – Paul Mcauliffe

The big news is of the first Barn Owl egg – laid at 21:15 last night. In case you are unaware, although too late for this, it is possible to rewind the feed by up to twelve hours. Field news, however, is light, but Mediterranean Gull again feature – at least thirty-one west through the harbour over a two-hour spell during the morning – but all again in the unexpected westerly direction. Otherwise, the only other signs of migration were a single Swallow feeding up around the Recreation Ground and a female Wheatear on Crouch Hill. Finishing with resident, or approaching that status, birds – a Bullfinch was logged at the Viewing Platform and the two White-tailed Eagle, after an absence yesterday, arrived from the south at 16:20, shortly after which they again mated, before heading inland fifty minutes later.

At least 5 Skylark were in song across the western part of Hengistbury, early on – Paul Mcauliffe

A total of 14 Purple Sandpiper were about Mudeford Quay – Clinton Whale

The dawn of BST was perhaps the warmest part of the day, as a surprisingly cold south-westerly wind rapidly dominated the rest of the day. The most notable feature was Mediterranean Gull – forty-two to the west over Wick and eight logged at Stanpit. The pick of the rest, however, was a Redpoll by the Viewing Platform and an Oystercatcher west, far out at sea. Various Black-tailed Godwit counts were received – the highest being forty-four in Holloway’s Dock – with the photographed Purple Sandpiper and 10 Ringed Plover being the remaining waders of interest. Winter wildfowl are also dwindling – an estimate of 60 Wigeon at Stanpit being the leading example, where 2 Gadwall and 6 Coot were also logged. The marsh also produced singles of Wheatear and Swallow, while a non-adult White-tailed Eagle made a low pass over the car park at 08:20. Finishing with mammals and a Grey Seal was off the Beach Huts.

Grey Heron – Clinton Whale

Candidate for ‘Scandinavian’ Rock Pipit – Scott Usher

Linnet – Clinton Whale

The 2 White-tailed Eagle frequented the Harbour again during the morning, when they did a bit more mating. During the afternoon, what was possibly a third bird passed through to the north. Sticking with raptors, a female-type Marsh Harrier was also seen to head inland and a Peregrine was about. On the migrant front, it was very quiet – although a Rook in off the sea from a very long way out was something of a surprise – but a couple of Mediterranean Gull were the only other noted movers. To finish, a Firecrest was singing in the Wood.

White-tailed Eagle, Carrion Crow and Great Black-backed Gull – Rich Moore

Two(!) White-tailed Eagle – Paul Dore

Osprey – Scott Usher

One of the White-tailed Eagle photos speaks for itself, with the birds being present much of the morning and again catching prey. Forestry England are keen to receive any images of birds with fish – if you have any, or video, please email sightings@chog.org.uk and we will pass on. Sticking with fish-preying birds and an Osprey was about from around 16:30 – also being successful and then tucking in on Blackberry Point. The bird was seen to be ringed, Blue 406, and some speedy research shows it hatched in the Lake District in 2020, to where it first returned in 2022. Other than perhaps 2 Bullfinch, 4 Redpoll and 5 Siskin from Hengistbury, the remainder of the post is pretty routine. The sea produced: a Red-throated Diver, 16 Mediterranean Gull – a further three over Wick – and 12 Common Gull, all east; plus, sixteen settled Common Scoter; while 3 Firecrest and a Treecreeper were in the Wood; a Pintail at 8 Dunlin were at Stanpit; and 2 Shoveler were seen from Hengistbury. Meanwhile, a Swallow and a Peregrine were logged at Mudeford Quay, and it seems Chiffchaff, Sand Martin and Sandwich Tern are now ‘in’ – so, unless there is something exceptional, won’t be mentioned here again. Please do keep sending records, however, for our greater data. To finish, some numbers from the Holloway’s Dock area, which included: 3 Sandwich Tern, a 2cy Common Gull and 49 Black-tailed Godwit.

A newly arrived Willow Warbler – David Faulkner

Willow Warbler headed a small arrival of migrants today – at least four around Stanpit, a couple in song – but also twenty-five or so Sand Martin, 6 Wheatear and a Blackcap, the latter on Hengistbury. Meanwhile, birds passing through included a Sandwich Tern, at least 4 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Turnstone, a Red Kite and a Siskin. Moving to potential breeding interest: a pair of Sparrowhawk displayed over the Wood, where they haven’t bred for a few seasons – also a Firecrest and a Coal Tit there; 2 Shelduck were on the Ironstone Quarry; a Peregrine was seen from Wick; and 2 White-tailed Eagle – G818 and presumably her seeming partner, G625 – spent the afternoon and into the evening about the area, both catching fish and, on occasions, talon grappling. Finishing with waders and wildfowl: 42 Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Gadwall were in Holloway’s Dock; while 11 Dunlin and 9 Turnstone were on the marsh.

In an almost intolerable, north-westerly blast, all the news is from Stanpit and of waders – the exception being a single Shoveler – which included: 2 Knot, 3 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 73 Black-tailed Godwit, 29 Ringed Plover and 36 Dunlin.

With the recent sunshine gone, it was grey and latterly windy today. As such, the only news is: a couple of Sandwich Tern into the Harbour, through the Run; a pair of Mediterranean Gull over the Recreation Ground; and the first female Wheatear of the season on Crouch Hill.

Redshank – Clinton Whale

There were a couple of stand-outs today – firstly, a Short-eared Owl, pretty rare here in spring, seen heading west from Stanpit; and, secondly, a Green Woodpecker heard, late in the day, seemingly in the conifers on Riversmeet Meadow – once a common resident in the area, fingers crossed this won’t be the only record of the year. Meanwhile, three seasonal firsts were recorded – a Tree Pipit by the Discovery Den on Roebury Lane, and a Willow Warbler and Swallow at Stanpit; from where 142 Meadow Pipit were logged over the period of an hour, along with 53 Sand Martin. Also from the marsh, 9 Tufted Duck and 5 Gadwall, plus a Goldcrest singing in the car park. To finish, Mudeford Quay contributed 8 Pintail, 9 Mediterranean Gull and a Siskin, all to the east.

Canada Goose – Neil Jones

A pair of Stonechat are busy setting up home on Crouch Hill – Neil Jones

In the continuing fine weather and an almost windless start to the day, it was hard work again. The exception being an Osprey passing through early in the afternoon; while, much earlier, 2 White-tailed Eagle had passed low over Wick. Otherwise, in terms of birds, it’s just modest numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Ringed Plover and Dunlin, plus an increasing presence of Sand Martin, to mention; with a mammal highlight being a seal, thought to be a Common Seal, seen from various points around the Harbour, including from a paddle board.

Peacock butterfly – Peter Boardman

Chiffchaff – Jeremy Mayes

Starting with butterflies and, in addition to Peacock being on the wing, a Large Tortoiseshell is still present at the eastern end of the Long Field. Shifting to insects, what may be the season’s first Dark-edged Bee-Fly was noted. Bird-wise, however, it was pretty uneventful. A Red Kite, 2 Redpoll, a Siskin and 4 Sand Martin were about Wick, while a further four of the latter were prospecting one of the traditional cliff burrow sites. A Firecrest vaguely sang in the Wood, where a few Chiffchaff did the same, and a dobbing of 9 Shelduck was seen to arrive over the Barn Field. A short look at the sea produced nothing more than a Sandwich Tern, a diver and 2 Mediterranean Gull – another of those seen at Stanpit – and, just after 10:30, a couple of White-tailed Eagle soared above the area.

Common Buzzard – Scott Usher

White-tailed Eagle – adult female, G818, and G625, looking pretty interested in each other – Tim Burdock (upper) & David Faulkner

In the on-going fine conditions, raptors abounded. The following, all from Stanpit, were logged: during the morning, a total of 16 Buzzard, including a flock of nine, drifted from the north and then returned back inland, as did 3 Marsh Harrier and 5 Sparrowhawk; then, around 12:30, 3 White-tailed arrived and settled for a while – the last leaving at around 14:30. At one point, it was possible to see a White-tailed Eagle and an Otter in the same ‘scope view! A Pochard at Stanpit will be just one of a handful of records for the year, with other bits and pieces there being headed by a Jack Snipe, a Firecrest, 4 Goldcrest and 2 Cattle Egret, those to the north. In addition to a Blackcap singing on Wick, there was a noticeable increase in Chiffchaff – up to thirty-five across there and the marsh – as well as 8 Wheatear on Hengistbury and a northbound Grey Wagtail. The recent direction of movement for Mediterranean Gull has been west – not so today, when twenty-one headed in the opposite direction – and, finishing up, 11 Brent Goose and 75 Black-tailed Godwit were on site.

Singing Treecreeper – Dave Miller

Linnet on Crouch Hill – Clinton Whale

Nest-building Dartford Warbler, adjacent to a public path – Dave Miller

During a really nice day of weather, the photographed Treecreeper was in full song by the Stunted Oaks, this morning, while a Redpoll, 4 Siskin and sixty-two arriving Meadow Pipit were also noted at Hengistbury. Offshore, a Great White Egret was seen heading east and a Cattle Egret headed north; with a Red Kite soaring over Stanpit recreation ground. Inside the Harbour proper, the best were an Avocet that spent the day and eight touring Shoveler; along with a Wheatear and a few Linnet on Crouch Hill, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 8 Brent Goose.

Snipe on the Salt Hurns – Jeremy Mayes

It’s been pretty non-existent so far, so an immigration of 148 Meadow Pipit, with an accompanying Merlin, over Stanpit this morning was very welcome. Also, 26 Linnet northbound, a Wheatear seen to drop in and a couple of Sand Martin around Parky Meade Rail. The pick at sea was 2 Velvet Scoter, along with 3 Common Scoter, while around 30 Mediterranean Gull passed through to the west and a Sandwich Tern was logged at Mudeford Quay. Fine days in March nowadays mean wandering Red Kite – so one quartering East Marsh, other than behaviour, was no real surprise; with 120 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Pintail, 4 Brent Goose and 3 Shelduck also about the marsh. Earlier, an estimated 340 Black-tailed Godwit headed south out of the Avon Valley and, to wrap up, a Common Gull and 2 Great Crest Grebe were noted.

The first Sandwich Tern of the breeding season passed east, at sea, this morning; with other offshore interest coming from: a Little Gull, 9 Mediterranean Gull and 22 Common Gull, all west; 16 Pintail south; and seventeen settled Common Scoter. Actually, all the news is from Hengistbury, where the pick of the rest was a Tufted Duck and a Nuthatch, but also: 2 Wheatear on the Barn Field, 3 Firecrest, 2 Sand Martin, 2 Redpoll and 5 Siskin; plus, looking towards Stanpit, a White-tailed Eagle on the tip of South Marsh, first thing.

On a cloudy but dry day, there is little to report. A flock of 750 Black-tailed Godwit flew west over Wick, where 6 Chiffchaff were around the fields, and a Water Rail was seen from the Bailey Bridge at Stanpit.

It’s very light on news today. The only field report is from Stanpit, where a single Bar-tailed Godwit, 15 Brent Goose and a few overflying Meadow Pipit were logged. Meanwhile, the cameras tell us a third Grey Heron egg has been laid.

A pristine male Wheatear in the evening sun – Scott Usher

Comma butterfly – Peter Boardman

Despite the fine weather, things didn’t really get going – an expectation of an overhead passage of pipits and wagtails being completely without foundation. In fact, a single Grey Wagtail over Solent Meads, early on, was the best on offer. That said, a Water Pipit did linger around the Salt Hurns for some time, while a Little Ringed Plover was heard from around that area. To finish with the spring migrants, the photographed Wheatear was on Crouch Hill for the entire day and a Firecrest occasionally sang in the Wood. Around midday, the Weasel was showing at Stanpit, where a Great White Egret, 2 Grey Plover and 5 Pintail were present, and a Water Rail was seen from the Bailey Bridge. Looking north from the area, at one point, 3 White-tailed Eagle could be seen distantly as they soared together.

If you look closely, you will see one of these Black-tailed Godwit is carrying colour rings. He was ringed as an adult in the south of Iceland in June 2023 and, since then, has been seen around Christchurch in February 2024 and Marsh 2025. In between times, other sightings have come from the Severn Estuary – David Faulkner

Black-tailed Godwit were the feature of the early morning – around 1500 appeared to head south, while a further ‘large’ flock was seen going west. This was from Wick, where there were 5 Chiffchaff. Meanwhile, over on Stanpit, there were 2 Wheatear on Crouch Hill and the same number of Grey Plover around the bight. During the afternoon, 18 Purple Sandpiper were about the southern end of the sandspit, with a flock of 8 Common Scoter passing west. Snipe don’t often get a mention, but the last two day’s low tides have made at least five birds quite conspicuous in Brewer’s Creek, while the lone Black-tailed Godwit remained faithful to the Salt Hurns. Finishing with some breeding news – one of the Grey Heron nests now has two chicks, but the other seems to have lost its eggs.

Stock Dove – Roderick Jenkins

There was another Wheatear on site today, this time on Crouch Hill, Stanpit, where a small-but-steady movement of Meadow Pipit and Pied Wagtail was noted, as well as 2 Spoonbill to the west. Meanwhile, the headline bird at Hengistbury was a Yellowhammer – always significant here – but also a male Brambling and 2 Firecrest there. After a few quiet days, it was nice to get some counts from inside the Harbour, which included: 2 Grey Plover, 110 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Ringed Plover and 75 Dunlin, as well as 4 Pintail and 42 Brent Goose. Moving to the sea, which produced a couple of Fulmar – possibly the first of the year – 9 Gannet, 14 Common Gull and a Common Scoter; and, to finish, a Peregrine was on the north side of the Priory tower, no doubt sheltering from the uncomfortable southerly blow that should hopefully ease overnight.

The only news for the day is quite nice – the first Wheatear of the spring migration was on the Barn Field, this afternoon.

Black-tailed Godwit and Dunlin – Adrian Simmons

As the photos suggest, there was another good presence of Black-tailed Godwit at Stanpit today – the estimate being 1000, along with a single Bar-tailed Godwit. Also, at least one Grey Plover with a handful of Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Over on Wick, a Bullfinch was by the Viewing Platform, while 7 Chiffchaff were about the fields and 3 Mediterranean Gull passed over.

Great Crested Grebe – Rich Moore

The Stunted Oaks in the mirk – Clinton Whale

…and a bumble bee spp. in the HHVC garden – Clinton Whale

The forecast mist, which was actually quite thick fog, was around for pretty much the entirety of day and, as a consequence, reports are sparse and all from the afternoon. A Firecrest was in song by the Double Bends, while a Chiffchaff did likewise in the Nursery and perhaps represents the first on-territory bird of the season for Hengistbury. Meanwhile, at least one adult Mediterranean Gull was about and a Water Rail was seen strolling across Roebury Lane. Late in the day, a Grey Seal made its way slowly north off the Run.

Starling on Mudeford Quay – Clinton Whale

Late in the morning, Black-tailed Godwit descended onto Stanpit in their hordes and, after having settled to roost on East Marsh, were estimated at a couple of thousand. Earlier, however, a count in an Avon Valley sector of the last WeBS survey of the season came to around 3250. As that site was devoid of godwits when the flock was present in the recording area, it may be reasonable to use the latter figure for the CHOG records. It is a previously quoted statistic, but given its significance it feels worth repeating – these type of numbers are in the region of 5%, quite possibly more, of the world population of the Icelandic race of the species! Also, the loner bird on the Salt Hurns. Meanwhile, the pick of the in-area WeBS numbers came from: 2 Jack Snipe – one of those by the Wooden Bridge – 22 Purple Sandpiper, presumably along the sandspit, 18 Ringed Plover and 256 Dunlin; 68 Brent Goose, 9 Pintail, 80 Teal and 1169 Wigeon; now just one Little Grebe and 3 Great Crested Grebe. To finish, a White-tailed Eagle was about until just after 09:45.

An Otter fished in a shallow Barn Bight for around ten minutes, from 06:45, where it caught a small fish that was taken off into the reeds to enjoy. Despite the forecast rain not really happening, there wasn’t too much fieldwork and perhaps even less to be seen – a couple of Linnet around the Shorebird Sanctuary, where a pair of Stonechat seem to have a territory, constitute the only bird news for the post.

The rain that started around lunch scuppered things from thereafter. That said, news from the morning is almost as light – a Treecreeper was in the Wood, while 3 Chiffchaff of five birds present at Stanpit were in song, likewise, 3 Blackcap there.

It was another fine day of weather, when the Blackthorn blossom literally hummed with the sound of bumble bees and a Large Tortoiseshell was still about the eastern part of the Long Field. Early in the afternoon, the Avon Valley Black-tailed Godwit arrived en masse – estimated as several hundred – and settled on Stanpit, where at least 62 Brent Goose were already present. Otherwise, however, the only other news is of 6 Chiffchaff across Wick Fields.

Starting with a butterfly and a Large Tortoiseshell was again at the eastern end of the Long Field. Other than the first Sand Martin of the year, bird-wise, it was fairly quiet – although at least ten, high-flying Jackdaw and perhaps as many as 100 Teal in out-of-character places, suggested they may be transient individuals. Meanwhile, there were 10 Snipe visible and the lone Black-tailed Godwit on the Salt Hurns, with estimates/counts from Stanpit being: 8 Blackcap, 10 Chiffchaff, 180 Black-tailed Godwit, 30 Ringed Plover, 240 Dunlin, 85 Brent Goose, 2 Shelduck and 6 Pintail.

Long-tailed Tit are now in the nest-building phase – Paul Mcauliffe

…and a Black-headed Gull approaching full breeding plumage – Barrie Taylor

When a Sparrowhawk went across the Salt Hurns, this morning, it resulted in 2 Jack Snipe and 61 Common Snipe coming up. Meanwhile, there was evidence of Chiffchaff arrival – six on Hengistbury, including one seen to come in off the sea, and the same number on Wick, where there was a Firecrest; also, a Brambling and 3 Siskin logged from the Head. Finishing a shortish post: the only wader news is of 29 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit and 500 Black-tailed Godwit around the area; a Mediterranean Gull, 16 Common Gull and a Common Scoter were at sea; and 3 Great Crested Grebe were in Lob’s Hole.

Teal – Ray Scott

The rising Worm Moon over Fisherman’s Bank, this evening – so called as it coincides with the warming of the soil and the appearance of Earth Worm – Ray Scott

Although this rather sluggish Slow Worm in the Wood, this morning, could have done with a bit more warming – David Taylor

At 16:45, there was an impressive gathering of Black-tailed Godwit – two estimates, varying from 500 to 1000 – over Stanpit. After arriving from the Avon Valley, all, save for forty which settled, headed east towards the Solent area. Much earlier in the day, there had also been an apparent departure of Pintail from the Valley – a total of seventeen, high-flying, eastbound birds in four separate flocks. Back to the early evening, when 3 Blackcap and a Chiffchaff were in song in the North Scrubs, and 212 Dunlin were counted from Crouch Hill.

All the day’s news come from Stanpit, where the Brent Goose numbered a more respectable, than-of-late, seventy-eight, while the waders included a Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Ringed Plover and 215 Dunlin, and the best of the gulls was 3 Mediterranean Gull.

A few kilometres inland from the Harbour, as the flood waters in the meadow on the northern side of the Avon Causeway, up to 2000 of the other godwit have now arrived – presumably from Poole Harbour – how do they know so quickly when the conditions become optimal?