Some of the 70 Bar-tailed Godwit which broke their journey to the Arctic at Stanpit – Jackie Smith

Whimbrel – Janet Panter

Broad-bodied Chaser dragonfly, on the wing in the North Scrubs, relatively early this morning – Jackie Smith

…and three-figure numbers of Sandwich Tern resting at the entrance to Holloway’s Dock – justifying the Harbour’s inclusion in the Solent SPA

It was what easterly winds in late-April are all about – migrating seabirds and waders, and in some numbers! Mudeford Quay was lively between 14:45 and 18:00, at least. Around 14:50, a flock of 15-20, probably seventeen, Pomarine Skua passed east, with a further two lingering on the sea at 17:00; while four Arctic Skua were seen, all dark-form adults, one heading into the Harbour after briefly resting on the water. In addition, a Little Tern, 12 Kittiwake, 6 Mediterranean Gull and 5 Whimbrel moved east, and a couple of drake Red-breasted Merganser headed the opposite way. During of all this, 4 Black Tern were in a sizeable presence of terns feeding off the end of Hengistbury. Rewinding to the morning and a Pomarine Skua and 2 Arctic Skua powered through off the Long Groyne, at around 09:30; while, in a short period just before 08:00, an all-dark, sub-adult Arctic Skua and a dark-looking Pomarine Skua harried terns off the Beach Huts – it’s possible there were also two further ‘arctics’ involved, but duplication can’t be ruled out. Meanwhile, an impressive feeding-flock, centred around the Long Groyne, held 12 Arctic Tern amongst an estimated: 80 Common Tern, 40 Sandwich Tern, 600 Black-headed Gull, 500 Herring Gull, 50 Great Black-backed Gull and 2 Lesser Black-backed Gull. It’s also worth noting that in the last day or so, it would appear the Mediterranean Gull passage has gone on through – barely any during the early period. Moving on to waders and the tip of South Marsh hosted a flock of around 70 Bar-tailed Godwit, feeding voraciously to beat the rising tide, before lifting off for the next phase of their Arctic-bound journey. Around the same time, a further twelve, along with 54 Whimbrel, didn’t stop as they travelled by, mostly at sea. Although small waders were sparse inside the Harbour, there were modest numbers of Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Dunlin hanging about the northern end of the sandspit. The post will end soon, I promise. A couple of ‘new’ Lesser Whitethroat were reckoned – in the North Scrubs and the Bobolink Field – with a Garden Warbler on Wick being likewise; and numbers of Swift, Swallow and House Martin trickled through all day. Although terns at sea have already been mentioned, a total of 129 resting at the entrance to the creek feeding Holloway’s Dock, where another eighty or so were doing the same, has to be put on record. Finally, the White-tailed Eagle, which were likely present for the six hours after 12:15.

Bar-tailed Godwit in Barn Bight – Matt Doyle

Barn Owl with chick – CHOG Webcam (Rich Moore)

Starting with mammals and Barn Owl – one of the former, Muntjac, was around the Nursery early on, and the first egg of the latter has now hatched. The stiff, easterly breeze made for some moderate action at sea – a dark-form Arctic Skua east and a Manx Shearwater west, both reasonably close off the Long Groyne, being the best – but also: a Fulmar, a feeding flock of coming-and-going terns and gulls that peaked with 12 Common Tern and, all to the east, 60 Sandwich tern, 8 Whimbrel and 5 Bar-tailed Godwit. Meanwhile, a further 2 Whimbrel were in Holloway’s Dock, a lone ‘barwit’ was around Barn Bight, a Sanderling with 25 Ringed Plover were on the northern end of the sandspit, and 2 Whimbrel, 27 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Black-tailed Godwit were returned from Stanpit. Moving to passerines, a Lesser Whitethroat was on Wick and a Firecrest was in the Wood, but there was little to suggest any kind of overnight arrival. Moving through, at least 50 Mediterranean Gull were reckoned, as well as 4 Little Tern, 3 Yellow Wagtail, a Hobby, and small parties of Swift and Swallow; with a brief Water Pipit. A single White-tailed Eagle was around from 10:30 to just before 12:00.

Sandwich Tern – Alan Crockard

It’s light on news today: an Arctic Skua headed east off Hengistbury; a female Wheatear was on Crouch Hill; and singles of Common Sandpiper and Whimbrel were in Mother Siller’s Channel and Holloway’s Dock respectively.

A Message for Visitors to Stanpit from the BCP Ranger Team
The Ranger team is sharing the excitement of all the Eagle activity in the harbour.

As several birds are now regular visitors, more people are visiting to get a good view or that perfect camera shot.

This can lead to some locations becoming busier than usual, with the potential for an increase in disturbance of the Eagles and other birds in the harbour.

To ensure that everyone can continue to enjoy these wonderful birds, we would be grateful if site signage can be observed at all times.

If ‘the bench’ by Crouch Hill is full, please can everyone wait for a seating space and not stand out beyond the gorse?

Little Egret – Scott Usher

Whitethroat – Scott Usher

A spring Wood Sandpiper is always a bonus, so one in Holloway’s Dock this morning, before leaving north-east, was a nice surprise. Meanwhile, other waders about the place included: 3 Grey Plover, 7 Bar-tailed Godwit, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Whimbrel and two late Curlew. A Grasshopper Warbler on Wick was the best of the arriving passerines, but also a Lesser Whitethroat and a Whinchat on the Barn Field, where most of the day’s 8 Wheatear were, a Yellow Wagtail and 5 Willow Warbler. On a calm day of wind, the sea was light on action – just an unidentified diver, 14 Common Tern, a Common Scoter and 6 Gannet being logged – with around forty Mediterranean Gull passing eastbound in general. Before the eagles, some miscellany, namely: two each of Brent Goose and Wigeon were at Stanpit, a Treecreeper was in the Wood and a Peregrine was about. At least one bird was around, on and off, from 10:45 to 13:00.

Pair of Avocet in Holloway’s Dock – Matt Doyle

…and all three, currently identifiable Mediterranean Gull ages – adults with 3cy, lower bird in upper image, and 2cy, middle bird in lower image – Alan Crockard (upper) & Matt Doyle

The best at sea was a Hobby in-off and 2 Arctic Tern east, as well as 18 Common Tern, a Common Gull and a Whimbrel in the same direction. Also, a Fulmar and 11 Gannet. Meanwhile, a further Hobby passed north over Riversmeet Meadow, singles of Common Tern headed each way over the Barn Field and the total for eastbound Mediterranean Gull, both at sea and over the Harbour, was at least 105. Migrant birds in bushes were thin, but 2 Cuckoo were about – one singing from Wick and another worked its way from Holloway’s Dock to the Long Field – but 3 Wheatear and a Willow Warbler were the rest of it. It’s currently light on waders, but a pair of Avocet were acting territorially in the dock, before relocating to Mother Siller’s Channel, with others on-site including: 8 Whimbrel, 12 Black-tailed Godwit and 3 Dunlin. The White-tailed Eagle pair arrived at 11:45 and left at 18:15, being joined briefly by a third at around 12:30.

Sedge Warbler – Alan Crockard

Reed Bunting – Alan Crockard

The morning saw another couple of Arctic Skua head east – this time, dark-morph birds – but far more distant than yesterday’s trio. Meanwhile, a Great Northern Diver, two pairs of Shoveler, a drake Common Scoter and up to 100 Mediterranean Gull were also eastbound; with around 10 Common Tern, 30 Sandwich Tern and 2 Fulmar less certain. Also a feature at sea were frequent, small-and-tight, high-flying flocks of large gulls heading across Poole Bay towards the Solent area. Moving to new-in passerines and the small fenced triangular compartment, close to the Wooden Bridge, which will now be referred to as the Triangle, held an earlyish Spotted Flycatcher, a female Redstart and a Firecrest; with a female Pied Flycatcher along Roebury Lane, likewise a singing Reed Warbler; and 3 Wheatear were on the Barn Field, plus one on the golf course. In addition, 4 House Martin lingered over the driving range. The only waders logged were three individual Whimbrel in three individual fields across Hengistbury and Wick, and 5 Black-tailed Godwit in Holloway’s Dock. To close things off, the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived around 12:30 and remain at the time of writing, 17:30 – spending periods on both the Flats and Blackberry Point.

Arctic Skua and Black-headed Gull – Scott Usher

Dunnock – Neil Jones

There were morning and late-afternoon seawatches, each around an hour, from the Gulley area. The first produced two pale-morph Arctic Skua, 3 Common Tern, 10 Mediterranean Gull, a Red-throated Diver, an Avocet and a Peregrine; while the second came up with a further pale-morph Arctic Skua, 2 Arctic Tern, a Common Gull, 2 Common Sandpiprt and a distant flock of either, or both, whimbrel and bar-tailed godwit; all east. Migrant passerines were sparse, but did include a Yellow Wagtail, a Garden Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler and 3 Wheatear on Hengistbury, with the same Wheatear as yesterday still being in the exclosure on Crouch Hill. Also from the hill, all on call so no numbers, Greenshank, Whimbrel and overhead ‘med gulls’. Incredibly, just before 11:00, the White-tailed Eagle pair settled on the northern part of the sandspit, affording great views from some beach huts, where they stayed for around thirty minutes. After deciding not to settle on Blackberry Point, they did so later – from 16:15 to 17:45.

Greenshank enjoying Holloway’s Dock – Dave Miller

Red Kite – Peter Boardman

Wheatear – Roger Tidball

There was a really good presence of Greenshank around throughout the day – a minimum of fifteen birds, with the most being at least ten about Holloway’s Dock, late on. Also, up to 20 Bar-tailed Godwit with a similar number of Black-tailed Godwit at Stanpit, where 5 Whimbrel, a Common Sandpiper, 7 Dunlin and two late Redshank were also present; with a further Common Sandpiper being on the Long Groyne. The settled passerines included a Whinchat and 13 Wheatear – six of those on the Barn Field, this evening – and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled by the HHVC. Meanwhile, Swallow, House Martin and Swift trickled over. At sea, a feeding flock of terns peaked at 120 Sandwich Tern and 146 Common Tern, before dispersing east; likewise, 15 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Common Gull, 9 Common Sandpiper in a single flock, 10 Whimbrel and a Sanderling. Finishing with raptors: a Red Kite visited around 11:30, a Peregrine came off the sea and the White-tailed Eagle pair were around for two periods – from around 10:00 for ninety minutes and then for half-an-hour commencing 18:00.

Adder taking a drink – Jackie Smith

The breeding Ringed Plover are still safe and sound – Adrian Simmons

There were mixed fortunes at sea throughout the day – all from Hengistbury. An early watch of an unknown period grossed: 3 Arctic Tern, 62 Common Tern, 128 Sandwich Tern, 17 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Common Gull, 31 Whimbrel and 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, all east. An hour or so over lunch garnered: 6 Sandwich Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gull, 4 Whimbrel and 6 Brent Goose, again to the east, plus a Great Northern Diver west. Then, in the early evening, there was a significant movement of gulls east – 2000 Herring Gull, 600 Black-headed Gull, 50 Great Black-backed Gull and 35 Mediterranean Gull; while a Little Gull was inside the Harbour. In what is probably several days early, Swift were seen incoming – around twenty-five reckoned – along with 38 Swallow, a Yellow Wagtail and a Marsh Harrier. Birds in bushes were fewer than yesterday, but overnight arrivees were reckoned at a Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, at least 15 Willow Warbler and 9 Wheatear. Meanwhile, the waders at Stanpit included: 2 Greenshank, a Grey Plover, 3 Whimbrel, 3 Sanderling, 8 Black-tailed Godwit and 7 Dunlin. Before the now-customary finish, both Firecrest and Goldcrest were in song on the Head. The White-tailed Eagle pair arrived just before 09:00, but it’s not known for how long the birds stayed.

Gannet with Garfish – Adrian Simmons

Lesser Whitethroat – Neil Jones

Despite the offshore wind, there were numbers of birds at sea. Over 400 Common Tern passed distantly to the east off Hengistbury, during the morning, with a single Arctic Tern close enough to identify. Also, 3 Little Tern, 88 Sandwich Tern, a Little Gull, a Kittiwake, 28 Common Gull, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, 47 Whimbrel and 23 Bar-tailed Godwit in the same direction; while 3 Razorbill, 5 Guillemot and 53 Gannet were also logged. Overhead, 15 Yellow Wagtail, 16 Meadow Pipit, 36 Goldfinch, 33 Linnet, 12 Swift, 12 House Martin and 56 Swallow were estimated; with a Redstart, a Whinchat, 3 Wheatear, 2 Garden Warbler and 25 Willow Warbler being settled. All of this from Hengistbury. Moving to other parts and the best of the waders was a Green Sandpiper around Mother Siller’s Channel – a decent bird here in spring – as well as 2 Greenshank, 5 Whimbrel, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Black-tailed Godwit, all resting up at Stanpit, plus a further Whimbrel in the No Dogs Field on Wick. As is the now tradition, the White-tailed Eagle pair talon-grappled over the area around lunchtime, when another bird was also present.

Willow Warbler – Alan Crockard

The season’s first Cuckoo was heard from both sides of the area this morning, while other incoming migrants, mostly across Wick and Hengistbury, included: a Redstart and a Lesser Whitethroat by the HHVC, a Garden Warbler along the Wick central path, up to 40 Willow Warbler and at least 15 Wheatear, plus a Tree Pipit over. Meanwhile, the day-total for airborne Mediterranean Gull was in excess of eighty. Moving to waders and a Greenshank was at Stanpit, with 12 Whimbrel, 5 Ringed Plover, 35 Black-tailed Godwit – thirteen in Holloway’s Dock – and three latish Snipe also logged. At sea, 30 Common Tern and 6 Common Scoter headed east, and a small number of Gannet fished aimlessly. Rounding things up, the White-tailed Eagle pair were available from around 10:30 to 17:00.

Sand Martin seem to be nesting in good numbers this season – Scott Usher

Great Black-backed Gull – Scott Usher

The last couple of days has seen a definite immigration of Cattle Egret – this morning, a flock of eight was seen to come in-off the sea and, a few minutes later, was noted a couple of miles outside of the recording area as they continued north. (Omitted from yesterday’s post, were two heading north over the Harbour.) This spring is proving to be pretty decent for Grasshopper Warbler – another two today – one close to Two Riversmeet leisure centre and the other in Nursery. Meanwhile, other passerine migrants about the site included: a female Redstart in the Long Field, 16 Wheatear, ten of those in the Barn Field, and up to 35 Willow Warbler, mostly on Hengistbury. The pick of the waders was two each of Grey Plover and Bar-tailed Godwit, the former getting into quite nice plumage, a Whimbrel, 31 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Dunlin, all at Stanpit; but, also 4 Sanderling, 14 Ringed Plover and a dozen Dunlin in the Shorebird Sanctuary, and a further 3 Whimbrel just outside of it. To finish with the migrants, 6 Common Tern passed by at sea. Now to the White-tailed Eagle – the pair were about, on and off, from 09:40 to 17:45, at least, and, at one point, were joined by a third bird.

Green Hairstreak butterfly – Peter Boardman

A nice comparison of Lesser Whitethroat (upper) and Whitethroat – note the rufous in the wings of the lower, a consistent feature – Scott Usher

Green Longhorn moth – Peter Boardman

By compared-with-twenty-years-ago standards, there was a decent overnight arrival of passerines. Grasshopper Warbler totalled six reeling birds – the most available in the Barred Warbler Bush on the Long Field, with other numbers across the site coming from: 2 Redstart, 2 Garden Warbler, a Lesser Whitethroat, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler, 38 Willow Warbler, a Whinchat and 14 Wheatear, plus 6 Yellow Wagtail over. On the subject of Lesser Whitethroat, it seems there is now also a territory midway along Roebury Meadow. The rising tide of the morning encouraged migrant waders to push north, including: 15 Whimbrel, a Little Ringed Plover and 65 Dunlin; with a further 12 Whimbrel heading east off the Long Groyne and the settled Black-tailed Godwit numbering fifty-nine – twenty of them in Holloway’s Dock. The expected-for-April, eastbound passage of Mediterranean Gull comprised thirty-two birds, but many more again passed west, early on – which is still something of a mystery. Finishing with the return of the White-tailed Eagle, which again brought in a Red Kite: the pair arrived around 10:00, left for a couple of hours and then settled, leaving at 18:00. In addition, a couple of sub-adult birds circled for fifteen minutes or so, just ahead of 13:00.

Wren – Alan Crockard

Female Chaffinch – Neil Jones

Cetti’s Warbler – Neil Jones

The day’s best came from Stanpit, this evening, when an adult Little Gull in rarely-seen-here breeding plumage was present, with 11 Whimbrel passing over; although, a Cuckoo singing briefly in Ashtree Meadow, early on, comes a close second. Earlier in the day, a 2cy Yellow-legged Gull arrived from low over the Harbour and settled on the sandbank at the tip of South Marsh. Also there, a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Wheatear and a small presence of Mediterranean Gull comprising adults and 2cys. There is some news from Hengistbury, but over-zealous use of the delete button means that has been temporarily lost.

Here’s the lost news: a Great Skua, 5 Common Tern, 3 Kittiwake, a Fulmar and 12 Willow Warbler.

Natterjack are now spawning – Robin Harley

Sandwich Tern were a real feature today – Simon Coupe

Reed Warbler – Clinton Whale

As the photo caption suggests, there was a healthy presence of Sandwich Tern inside the Harbour today – peaking at 129 birds around lunchtime! Meanwhile, the waders included a Grey Plover, 5 Whimbrel and 80 Black-tailed Godwit; with the Curlew reducing, as expected for the month, to just one bird noted. Also hanging on from the winter, singles of Common Gull and Wigeon; but, perhaps moving in for the spring, a singing Firecrest in Ashtree Meadow, with the incumbent Lesser Whitethroat doing the same; and 89 Mediterranean Gull again headed mostly west. After the early rain stopped, there was a nice, but mainly brief, selection of incoming migrants around the Stanpit, including: 2 Redstart, 2 Grasshopper Warbler, a Garden Warbler, 30 Willow Warbler, 4 Whitethroat and 9 Wheatear, plus a Yellow Wagtail and a House Martin over.

There was a nice selection of waders throughout the course of the day – an Avocet, a Greenshank, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, one of those looking very smart, and a Grey Plover were at Stanpit – while 3 Sanderling, a couple of Whimbrel and a further ‘barwit’ passed at sea. The peak Black-tailed Godwit return was of sixty-six in Holloway’s Dock, with 14 Ringed Plover and 2 Dunlin completing the more interesting species. The best at sea was a female Eider that landed on the sea off Mudeford Quay; but a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, a Fulmar, 2 Kittiwake, 38 Mediterranean Gull, four settled Gannet and couple of auks were seen from Hengistbury. Meanwhile, incoming passerines were represented by a Grasshopper Warbler, 21 Willow Warbler and 5 Wheatear, mostly from the Head. Rounding up with the pick of the miscellany: 43 Sandwich Tern were inside the harbour, 6 Shelduck arrived and a pair of Gadwall were about.

This Curlew dropped onto Crouch Hill, briefly, yesterday. Details being sought – Alan Crockard

Despite some quite intense coverage, this morning, Hengistbury and Wick produced next to nothing. A Whimbrel in the No Dogs Field, a couple of Willow Warber and a Wheatear, 4 Common Tern and a Whimbrel at sea, plus frequent calls of Mediterranean Gull, being about the sum of the spring migrants. Meanwhile, a Fulmar cruised west through the Harbour, at least 15 Common Scoter were reckoned settled, passing or shuttling offshore; with a pair of Gadwall on the Ironstone Quarry. Moving to Stanpit, where a Great White Egret and a Whimbrel were reported as being on Crouch Hill, and a female Wheatear was by the Rusty Boat.

Lesser Whitethroat – Dave Miller

Weasel – Tim Burdock

White-tailed Eagle – Andrew Pattenden

The still early morning and inevitable plague of midges made Stanpit nigh on unbearable for a while. In fact, the only information from there for that period is of at least one Lesser Whitethroat on Crouch Hill and seventy-three passing Mediterranean Gull. Later, a Whimbrel, 2 Sanderling, 15 Ringed Plover and 7 Dunlin were the best of the waders, with four settled ‘med’ gulls and 12 Shelduck. An equally quiet Hengistbury produced: a Lesser Whitethroat – that, actually on Roebury Lane, 6 Willow Warbler, 22 Black-tailed Godwit in Holloway’s Dock and 5 Common Scoter.The White-tailed Eagle pair spent around five hours on site – arriving about 10:00.

On the eagle theme, The Forestry England Eagle Project Team have today said. ‘We have now received from CHOG images of 12 different fish since 20th March, On average, we’d hope for around 10-20 observations per month across the whole of southern England! CHOG are certainly helping us understand in fine detail what is going on around the harbour.’ Please continue to send images to secretary@chog.org.uk and thanks to all the photographers who have so far done so.

Whimbrel – Chris Roughley

Very impressive White-tailed Eagle video – Scott Terrell
Click HERE to view…

Kicking off the post with waders, namely: at least 3 Whimbrel around Stanpit Bight, a Common Sandpiper opposite Grimmery Point, 24 Black-tailed Godwit – eighteen of those in Holloway’s Dock, 3 Ringed Plover, a Dunlin and 11 Turnstone along Fisherman’s Bank. Fresh-in birds were two each of Willow Warbler and Wheatear on Hengistbury, a Lesser Whitethroat on Crouch – so two birds there today, a Whitethroat on Speller’s Point and a Reed Warbler by TS Orestes. Meanwhile, at least 34 Swallow, but obviously many more, headed through and it was reckoned Sand Martin were doing the same, but confusion with now-resident birds is always a pitfall; with the day-total for passing Mediterranean Gull approaching forty. The sea was light – just a diver, a passing Whimbrel and a Gannet to mention. The White-tailed Eagle pair left it late today, arriving around 14:30 and leaving just after 18:00, after again feeding well. Finally, thank you to all fifty-six participants on today’s walk at Stanpit – the figure may well set a record.

Jackdaw, once a scarcity in the area, may now have breeding status – Adrian Simmons

White-tailed Eagle – Rich Moore

…and then there were six – Robin Harley/the Barn Owl Cam

It seems sensible to start with Holloway’s Dock, as that area probably held the better birds of the day. A Knot and a Greenshank, along with 23 Black-tailed Godwit, were on the lagoon itself, while a Bullfinch was calling from adjacent trees and a Tree Pipit passed over the adjacent Salt Hurns. Meanwhile, other waders around Hengistbury included 4 Purple Sandpiper, a Sanderling and a couple of Whimbrel; with 14 Dunlin well inside the Harbour. At sea, a Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Common Tern and 6 Pintail travelled east, and a Little Gull, 36 Common Scoter, a Razorbill and 29 Gannet were logged. Migrant passerines were few and far – just a Siskin, 2 Wheatear and 8 Willow Warbler across the site – but the now-resident Lesser Whitethroat was on Crouch Hill. The White-tailed Eagle pair was first reported at 08:30 and had left the area by 11:30, when it was seen further north. Finally, the Barn Owls now have a clutch of six.

Reed Warbler – Scott Usher

Sandwich Tern – Scott Usher

Starting with waders for a change and Stanpit Bight, where 6 Knot and 5 Whimbrel were present, while 2 Sanderling were logged inside the Harbour from Hengistbury and 8 Purple Sandpiper were on the sandspit groynes. Moving to the sea and a Black-throated Diver on the water off the end of the Head was a real bonus, but also a Red-throated Diver east, 3 Common Tern and eight settled Common Scoter. Incoming migrants were relatively sparse – the best perhaps a Yellow Wagtail north over South Marsh, as well as a Wheatear, a handful of Willow Warbler and good stream of Swallow. A real highlight was another Green Woodpecker record – this time on Wick – and the Lesser Whitethroat was setting up home on Crouch Hill. As is becoming customary, the post finishes with raptors. A Red Kite came from inland and veered west at the coast and a Buzzard inspected the area. The White-tailed Eagle pair appeared just before 16:00 and spent a couple of hours here. The female had actually been noted, alone, a little earlier and a third individual also made itself known.

White-tailed Eagle, male G625 – Scott Usher

Common Sandpiper – Scott Usher

Shoveler – Scott Usher

In just a couple of days, it feels as if Whitethroat are ‘in’ – birds now singing in many traditional spots – with, perhaps, the same to be said of Reed Warbler and, to a lesser degree, Sedge Warbler. An Lesser Whitethroat on Crouch Hill may be the male from the previous couple of seasons and a further was on Hengistbury. Meanwhile, Grasshopper Warbler were heard in two locations on Stanpit – the eastern side of Crouch Hill and the North Scrubs – and around 20 Willow Warbler were about the area. The picks of a nice wader selection were: a Little Ringed Plover arriving, a Common Sandpiper in Parky Meade Rail, 10 Purple Sandpiper and 2 Sanderling on the Long Groyne, and a couple of Whimbrel passing east; but also 42 Black-tailed Godwit, all in Holloway’s Dock, 23 Snipe, fifteen of those in Brewer’s Creek, and 5 Curlew east. At sea, an Arctic Skua, 3 Arctic Tern, 62 Sandwich Tern and 4 Common Scoter all headed towards the Solent; while, inside the Harbour, the remaining wildfowl included 3 Shoveler and a Pintail. Finishing up with raptors: a female-type Marsh Harrier headed over to the west and, once again, a Red Kite trailed the White-tailed Eagle in. The pair were first logged at 12:30 and spent until nearly 17:00 about the place, with a third bird around for some of that time. Earlier, a group of three had soared high above the area.

For the fourth season in succession, Ringed Plover are breeding in the Shorebird Sanctuary. Thank you to Nick Clarke and the BCP Ranger Team for promptly getting an anti-predator cage over the nest – Nick Clarke

…and the Barn Owl now have five eggs – apparently up to eleven is possible! – The Barn Owl camera/Robin Harley

Mediterranean Gull – Adrian Simmons

It felt like the warmest day of the year so far and, overnight, there was a site-wide arrival of warblers, including: a Grasshopper Warbler and a few to several each of Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap; as well as a minimum of 4 Wheatear. Meanwhile, the aggregate total for airborne Mediterranean Gull was in the order of fifty or so. Moving to the sea, where an Eider to the east was nice, plus 4 Red-throated Diver and 2 Common Tern in the same direction, 2 Guillemot, 16 Common Scoter and a Whimbrel. A further Whimbrel was inside the Harbour, as were 28 Black-tailed Godwit – all but five in Holloway’s Dock – 5 Shoveler and 6 Gadwall. After a couple of blank days, the White-tailed Eagle pair was back – first seen on Blackberry Point at 09:20 and remaining for an hour, before putting on a show over Christchurch town.

The last two days have seen two different Large Tortoiseshell butterfly – this reckoned to be a female – Mike Gibbons

…and one of yesterday’s Osprey – Lee Sayers

Firstly, an update on the Barn Owl, which now have four eggs! Now to field news and there was a little bit of finch passage through Hengistbury, this morning – the best a male Brambling around Holloway’s Dock, but also a Redpoll and 6 Siskin, plus seventy-five incoming Linnet. Also seen arriving, modest numbers of Sand Martin and Swallow, as well as a Tree Pipit. Meanwhile, newly arrived passerines included: at least 5 Wheatear, a Sedge Warbler by the Wooden Bridge, 4 Whitethroat and up to 30 Willow Warbler. There was some heron interest – namely, a Spoonbill low over the Nursery and seeming to land, as well as five Grey Heron in-off the sea. Despite it only being early April, the last few days have seen a good selection of waders and today’s was no different: 4 Knot were in Stanpit Bight, a Common Sandpiper was about the end of the Head and 33 Black-tailed Godwit were counted, twenty-three in Holloway’s Dock. Everything at sea headed into the easterly breeze and included: 4 Red-throated Diver, 8 Shoveler, 7 Pintail, 18 Common Scoter, 2 Kittiwake, a Common Gull, 22 Mediterranean Gull, 40 Sandwich Tern and 7 Gannet. Rounding up, there was again an early westerly movement of Mediterranean Gull over Wick, numbering thirty-eight, and 5 Shoveler were inside the Harbour.

Around 40 Black-tailed Godwit, many of them in breeding plumage, were in Holloway’s Dock during the low tide – Scott Usher

On a day of sunshine, which was made slightly uncomfortable by a south-easterly breeze, a couple of male Pied Flycatcher were seen very briefly along Roebury Lane; while, in the Meadow of the same name, the season’s first Whitethroat was in sub-song; with estimates of other incoming migrants coming to: 16 Wheatear – ten of those on the sandspit – 35 Willow Warbler and a dozen Swallow. At sea, a light up-channel passage included: 2 Black-throated Diver, a Common Tern, 23 Sandwich Tern, 9 Mediterranean Gull, 6 Common Scoter and 2 Gannet; plus, a wader flock of 11 Grey Plover and 2 Knot. On the subject of Sandwich Tern, to underline they are now around, a party of four fished around the Clay Pool. Meanwhile, a total of 65 ‘med gulls’ headed west over Wick. Moving back to waders, a Green Sandpiper over Holloway’s Dock was a bit of a surprise and the area total for Black-tailed Godwit was reckoned at just under ninety. Finishing with Osprey: a bird was high over the Harbour for a few minutes around 11:45; then, presumably, another was about for fifteen minutes or so during the mid-afternoon.

Otter at Stanpit, yesterday afternoon – David Green

Peregrine coming in off the sea – Scott Usher

Chiffchaff – Scott Usher

There was an arrival of Blackcap overnight – twenty-two about the Wick Fields, although some of those may be already incumbent birds – as well as 7 Willow Warbler there, plus a Redpoll. The sea was quiet – a Peregrine in-off, 4 Common Scoter, a 2cy Common Gull and 3 Mediterranean Gull being the best. A couple of Red Kite were over the area, one of them perhaps following in the White-tailed Eagle pair that arrived around 09:00 and seemed to leave about ninety minutes later. An eagle was also logged from 13:00 for a quarter of an hour or so.

Despite the sea being given a long, hard look for around three hours, during the morning, it produced relatively little: 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Kittiwake, a Common Gull, 3 Common Scoter, 2 Guillemot, a Great Crested Grebe, 3 Gannet and 10 Sandwich Tern, being the net result. Meanwhile a total of 103 Mediterranean Gull was logged, nearly all to the west, although four were settled in the Barn Field, and a Little Tern passed through the harbour. Migrant passerines were headed by a Fieldfare north, with newly arrived warblers comprising a Reed Warbler, 11 Willow Warbler, 15 Blackcap and 5 Chiffchaff. Also, a couple of Wheatear in the Shorebird Sanctuary and a trickle of Swallow. In addition to 20 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit and 42 Black-tailed Godwit – thirty-eight of those in Holloway’s Dock, waders at Stanpit were best represented by: a Sanderling east in a flock of 40 Turnstone, a further eleven of the latter, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit, also east, 31 Ringed Plover and 9 Dunlin. To underline the Wigeon exodus – just three were noted – with 4 Gadwall and 12 Teal also remaining. The final piece for the post is of a Treecreeper in the Wood.

White-tailed Eagle – Paul Dore

Firstly, some news from post post yesterday, when, at just before 19:30, an Osprey fished successfully in Barn Bight. Moving to today and Mudeford Quay was quite lively – between 08:15 and 11:00 – seeing the following: spring-migrant firsts of a Little Tern, a Common Sandpiper and 2 Whimbrel; a flock of ten or so Sanderling heading along the sandspit – this is reckoned to be a significant, local number for outside of the main wader passage periods; thought-to-be-firsts-for-the-year of a Red-breasted Merganser, very scarce here now, and a Fulmar; as well as a Wheatear. Meanwhile, other bits and pieces, from there and Hengistbury, included: 2 Red-throated Diver – one settled, an unidentified diver, at least 20 Common Scoter west and ten settled, 4 Brent Goose east, a Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, up to 10 Gannet and a similar number of lingering Sandwich Tern; plus a trickle of incoming Swallow and seemingly eastbound Mediterranean Gull, and around twenty each of Ringed Plover and Dunlin on the end of the extended sandspit. The biggest Black-tailed Godwit return was sixty-three from Holloway’s Dock, while at least 15 Willow Warbler were across the site. Recently, we received an informed comment, ‘I can confirm that Christchurch harbour is one of the best places to watch white-tailed eagles in England at the moment!’ And today it continued – the pair of White-tailed Eagle arrived at 13:20 and were still around at 17:30 – Fisherman’s Bank being a particularly good location this time.

Shelduck (foreground) and sheldrake – Clinton Whale

Sand Martin setting up home – Clinton Whale

…and the eagle pair, showing the noticeable size difference between the female (lower) and the male – Adrian Simmons

A Short-eared Owl passed through to the north, at around 09:30, while at least 80 Mediterranean Gull headed west over a two-to-three-hour period. Otherwise, it’s fairly light on news – 2 Willow Warbler and 4 Wheatear – three of those on the top of the Head – being the only indication of any arrival. Bits and pieces included: a Nuthatch and a Coal Tit in the Wood, up to 9 Gadwall across the site and 3 Black-tailed Godwit in Holloway’s Dock. Meanwhile, the White-tailed Eagle show went something like this: the pair were around from 07:45 to just before 10:30 and, again, caught prey; a single birds soared high over the area in the afternoon; and there is a rumour of four at Stanpit around 12:30.

Linnet – Roger Tidball

…and some fine-looking Black-tailed Godwit in Holloway’s Dock, ahead of their impending journey to Iceland, where some birds have already arrived – Adrian Simmons

There were far more birds around this morning with Hengistbury producing: 55 Willow Warbler, 22 Blackcap, 18 Chiffchaff and 3 Wheatear, plus an incoming Yellow Wagtail; with 116 Mediterranean Gull logged westbound and 16 Rook in the opposite direction. Meanwhile, a Jack Snipe was with 16 Snipe on the Salt Hurns, and the adjacent Holloway’s Dock held 63 Black-tailed Godwit. Offshore activity was light, although a Manx Shearwater was far from expected! Inside the harbour, the Wigeon have now almost completely departed – just nineteen for this post – but 9 Shoveler and 6 Gadwall were present. Finishing with some on-going, potential breeding thoughts: the Barn Owl now have a second egg; a pair of Sparrowhawk again displayed over the Head, where 2 Firecrest sang in the Wood; and the White-tailed Eagle pair was around from at least 11:00 until just before 15:00 – again feeding well.