Wheatear – Neil Jones

Meadow Brown butterfly – Rich Moore

Whimbrel – Neil Jones

The best of the migrant passerines for the day was a female-type Pied Flycatcher on the Wick central path; but the other highlight was the return passage of Wheatear getting underway – six birds in total – two on Crouch Hill, all day, and four spread across Hengistbury. Also now on the move, acrocephalus warbler – a noticeable increase in both Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler; with much smaller numbers of the more regular noted, including a couple of Lesser Whitethroat. Wader-wise, other than a Little Ringed Plover south and out to sea, it was much the same as the last few days – 10 Sanderling, a Knot, 9 Whimbrel, 4 Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit, a single Ringed Plover and 18 Dunlin being the culprits. To wrap things up, the miscellany: around 17:15, an Osprey arrived and left ten minutes later with its supper; a Treecreeper in the North Scrubs was a nice record; the day-total for Mediterranean Gull was around a dozen; Sandwich Tern fared better at just under fifty – seventeen in Holloway’s Dock; Water Rail were conspicuous on the morning low tide – Parky Meade Rail being the best option to connect with those; singles of Peregrine and Kingfisher were logged; and Cattle Egret peaked at five.

Weasel

There were three counts of Redshank, in the region of 100 birds each, received during the morning – two of them being in quite distinct locations, Branders Bank and Fisherman’s Bank, which could suggest a site total approaching 200. Meanwhile, the settled waders included: 3 Little Ringed Plover, 16 Sanderling, a Knot, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit, 14 Ringed Plover and 26 Dunlin, all at Stanpit, where a Little Stint put in a cameo performance; with a further Whimbrel in Holloway’s Dock. After yesterday’s Sand Martin bonanza, there were just 75 or so over Hengistbury, along with 2 Swallow and 20+ passing Swift. An undetailed Yellow-legged Gull was seen on the Marsh, with the area total for Mediterranean Gull exceeding thirty – a mixture of adults, one 2cy and at least four juveniles. Without going through the rigmarole of numbers, however small, migrant passerines were represented by Yellow Wagtail, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat, Blackcap, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Sedge Warbler. To finish: thirteen of the day’s Sandwich Tern used Holloway’s Dock; Bullfinch returned to Wick – one by the Viewing Platform; the two Shelduck ducklings were in Stanpit Creek; a Kingfisher whizzed by the Christchurch Harbour Hotel; a Mute Swan count came to 418; and, of course, Cattle Egret were omni-present.

Azure Damselfly – Barrie Taylor

A very recently fledged Sandwich Tern in full juvenile plumage and not yet fully developed bill

It has been remarked that Sand Martin may have had a good season and an estimate of 450 over Hengistbury bears testament to that – of course, some will be transient birds, as indicated by 3 Swallow and a single House Martin mixed in. Meanwhile, migrants more settled included: a Pied Flycatcher very briefly at Stanpit, 3 Yellow Wagtail also there and low numbers – the exception being up to 30 Whitethroat – of Lesser Whitethroat, Garden Warbler, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Willow Warbler. Moving to waders and still a presence of Sanderling inside the Harbour – seven birds today – along with 2 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 2 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Ringed Plover, 16 Dunlin and a Turnstone; with a single Whimbrel in Holloway’s Dock. To round things up: a total of 63 Cormorant was logged heading west; of 25 Sandwich Tern, sixteen were in the Dock, likewise the only Mediterranean Gull of the day; Little Grebe remain on the Ironstone Quarry and a Great Crested Grebe was in Barn Bight; and at least 7 Cattle Egret were about the area.

Osprey, 1H1, an adult female from Rutland Water in 2022 who has now paired with a male from the Poole Harbour translocation scheme. She was last here in September 2025 – Josh Peck

There were again adult Sanderling on the tip of South Marsh – eleven confirmed today – along with the adult Knot and, for a short time, a Little Ringed Plover. Meanwhile, other waders at Stanpit included: 3 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, at least 3 Whimbrel, 20 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin and 2Snipe. The North Scrubs hosted a couple of Lesser Whitethroat, likewise Crouch Hill and 10 Yellow Wagtail were about Central Marsh, with other migrant passerines represented by Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Garden Warbler and Whitethroat. A total of 11 Shelduck used Stanpit Bight – the young family of four and an older family that dropped in from elsewhere. The photographed Osprey occurred around 13:15, while the maximum Cattle Egret presence was six by the Wooden Bridge.

Southern Hawker dragonfly – Paul Mcauliffe

Thick-legged Hoverfly – Paul Mcauliffe

The day saw a really nice selection of waders for the date. The biggest surprise was at least eight, but perhaps thirteen, adult Sanderling on the tip of South Marsh this morning, when they were accompanied by an adult Knot that actually spent all day in the area, with a Wood Sandpiper in Mother Siller’s Channel. Also settled around Stanpit Bight, a minimum of 9 Common Sandpiper, 7 Whimbrel, the same number of Ringed Plover, at least 40 Dunlin – including the first two juveniles of the season – and 2 Turnstone. Meanwhile, a Greenshank and a further 2 Whimbrel were in Holloway’s Dock. The best of the migrant passerines was a Grasshopper Warbler, 8 Lesser Whitethroat and 2 Garden Warbler, all at the Purewell Stream end of the North Scrubs, but also modest numbers of Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Blackcap, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler across the area as a whole, plus a Tree Pipit over. At least 150 Sand Martin about the place were possibly the reason for 2 Hobby making a circuit, in tandem, but seeming not to hunt; while 2 Common Tern lingered at Stanpit, likewise six or so Mediterranean Gull, with more of both passing through quickly. Rounding things up: it’s nice to confirm Sparrowhawk are again breeding on the site – an audible youngster being the indicator; the Wooden Bridge Cattle Egret peaked at six; a new-in Teal rested; and the site-wide total for Sandwich Tern exceeded sixty. To finish, in addition to those already mentioned for the location, the evolving Holloway’s Dock held: 2 Common Tern, 23 Sandwich Tern – two of them juveniles, 2 Mediterranean Gull, 391 Black-headed Gull, a Redshank and 6 Oystercatcher.

The headline for the day is the weather – there was a short period in the morning when something known as rain fell! Across that time, a visit to Stanpit produced: a Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 3 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin; a couple of immature Mediterranean Gull; a single Shelduck; and 4 Cattle Egret. A little later, an adult ‘med’ was also around, with a further two of the egrets being on Wick.

Common Darter dragonfly – Peter Boardman

The pick of the day’s waders came late in the afternoon, when a Little Ringed Plover was on South Marsh. Earlier, at least 4 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and 17 Dunlin were settled around Stanpit Bight; with 3 Snipe also making the post. Staying at Stanpit, a Whinchat was briefly by the Rusty Boat and up to 5 Yellow Wagtail occasionally showed themselves. Meanwhile, a couple of Hobby were logged and 24 Mediterranean Gull headed west, as did a flock of 4 Great White Egret. To finish: needless to say, Cattle Egret were again about; a Great Crested Grebe arrived and fished in the previously mention bight, along with the Shelduck family of four; and a Kingfisher was seen around the Marsh.

The first Wheatear of the return passage was on Crouch Hill, this afternoon; while, earlier, a Garden Warbler was in the Copse and up to 4 Willow Warbler were around Stanpit, as well as conspicuous Sedge Warbler, Chiffchaff and Blackcap. Apart from the now, customary Cattle Egret presence, the rest of the news is of waders in Stanpit Bight – 7 Whimbrel and 12 Dunlin.

Purple Loosestrife – Peter Boardman

Juvenile Mediterranean Gull in Holloway’s Dock – Paul Mcauliffe

Clouded Yellow butterfly – Peter Boardman

It’s fairly light on news today, although Osprey visited at 13:00 and 16:00, with Cattle Egret again being seen frequently in flight – as well as the regular bird by the Wooden Bridge. The only other interest involves Shelduck – the family of four traversing Stanpit Bight, when seven adults circuited but moved on through without settling.

There have been a couple of Brown Argus butterflies on Hengistbury yesterday and today – a site that has very few previous records – Peter Boardman

Equally exceptional are 3 Ruddy Darter dragonfly, continuing to frequent the Lily Pond – Peter Boardman

…and Harebell are now starting to bloom – Peter Boardman

There was a definite hint of return passerine migration about the place this morning. Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler, the former being most numerous, were in out-of-character places, while a Redstart and 2 Lesser Whitethroat were in the North Scrubs, a Garden Warbler was by the Wooden Bridge, a few Willow Warbler were scattered and a Yellow Wagtail was around Hengistbury. Also notable were arriving wildfowl – a flock of 16 Shoveler, all in female-type plumage, appeared from the north, but didn’t settle, and a Pintail came in over the Head. Meanwhile, the pick of the waders was an over-flying Grey Plover, with the second bests being a heard-only Ringed Plover, up to 5 Whimbrel and fifteen or so Dunlin. Finishing off with a bit of a miscellany: an adult Common Gull was inside the harbour, likewise 35ish Mediterranean Gull – all adults, other than two juveniles; a Shag was on the sea off the Beach Huts; a Great White Egret spent some time in Holloway’s Dock; and 4 Cattle Egret made journeys to the Nursery.

Greenshank – note also, the alga now starting to take hold – Dave Miller

…and some squabbling, young Cormorant

A Wood Sandpiper was around the northern part of Central Marsh all day – showing particularly well during the afternoon on a small pool viewable from the North Scrubs. Meanwhile, other waders about the area included: a Greenshank in Barn Bight, a few Whimbrel – one of those in Holloway’s Dock, fifteen or so Dunlin and a good-for-the-date count of 82 Redshank. For the second day in succession, although not making yesterday’s post, a Marsh Harrier was seen and at least one Yellow Wagtail was at Stanpit. To finish, the only Cattle Egret return was of one by the Wooden Bridge for much of the morning.

Wood Sandpiper, last night, at Stanpit

Other than 3 Water Rail showing on the low tide in Parky Meade Rail, there is no other news for the day.

Breeding-plumaged Cattle Egret with the Priory Marsh British White cattle

Ruddy Darter dragonfly – Peter Boardman

Coot – not often seen in flight

Sparrowhawk – Adrian Simmons

…and juvenile Water Rail in Parky Meade Rail

Again, it’s light on news – a small presence of Cattle Egret; a Yellow Wagtail by the Wooden Bridge, this morning; and an early evening gathering of 16 Rook on Crouch Hill – being the sum of it.

Stop press: a Wood Sandpiper is in Stanpit Bight at 19:30.

Adult Black-tailed Godwit

Common Blue butterfly – Peter Boardman

Common Tern

…and Jersey Tiger (left) and Garden Tiger moths – Barrie Taylor

As per a couple of days ago, there were Little Ringed Plover at Stanpit – this time, only four, however, seen heading south across the harbour. Meanwhile, 2 Greenshank, at least 4 Whimbrel, 2 Common Sandpiper, 16 Black-tailed Godwit, a heard-only Ringed Plover and 27 Dunlin, plus 2 Common Tern, were also about the marsh. Early on, a Yellow Wagtail was on Central Marsh and a total of 16 Cattle Egret came out of the roost; with a couple of Mediterranean Gull and the Shelduck family of five, from Fisherman’s Bank, rounding things off.

A few clouds and a northerly breeze made it feel a bit cooler today. Most records came from Stanpit, where the first returning Wood Sandpiper was mobile around Parky Meade Rail before eventually settling there. That area also held one of at least 2 Greenshank present and a minimum of 9 Water Rail. Waders elsewhere around the Marsh were one each of Knot and Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Whimbrel and 23 Dunlin. The 11 Cattle Egret seen today included two juveniles leaving the Nursery, and the Little Egret total reached 43 – the highest count of the summer so far. Passerines comprised 11 Swift, 86 Sand Martin and 37 Swallow heading east, as well as 3 Yellow Wagtail overhead, while a Grasshopper Warbler settled briefly on Crouch Hill before flying off. Acrocephalus warblers were also filtering through, with 19 Sedge Warbler and an increasing number of Reed Warbler noted. Finally, there are now 2 Tufted Duck and 7 Mediterranean Gull in the harbour.

This adult Great Black-backed Gull spent a while catching Spider Crab by hovering, tern-like, and then plunging into the shallow water – Dave Miller

Sparrowhawk on Wick – Dave Miller

It’s looking as if there may be two broods of Shelduck – parties with two and three ducklings have been seen, in that order, over the last couple of days. Meanwhile, a reasonable, in-harbour wader selection included: a Whimbrel in Holloway’s Dock and further nine at Stanpit; a Greenshank and 2 Common Sandpiper in Barn Bight, plus one of the latter on the marsh; and 5 Black-tailed Godwit. In the air, at least 150 Sand Martin were buzzing about Hengistbury, where 3 Swallow were seen heading east. Moving to terns and gulls – 2 Common Tern were around Stanpit Bight and a minimum of 5 Mediterranean Gull, including a juvenile, were logged. To finish, Osprey hunted at around 08:00 and 17:30; up to 5 Teal were on site; and the Cattle Egret presence continues – as many as seven are feeding just north of the recording area, opposite B&Q, but it’s fair to assume all have originated from within.

Adult Little Ringed Plover at Crouch Hill – Bob Groves

A stiff north-easterly breeze offered some respite from another hot day. The headlines belong to a total of at least 10 Little Ringed Plover at Stanpit this morning. This is one of CHOG’s highest-ever day counts for this species. Other waders at Stanpit were a Green Sandpiper, 4 Greenshank, two of which were also seen at Holloway’s Dock, singles of Common Sandpiper and Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Curlew and 8 Whimbrel. Dunlin numbers increased to forty-two, while Ringed Plover and Redshank totalled four and thirty-six respectively. Early morning saw a few wildfowl flying around the harbour including a Pochard – a scarce bird in our area, 26 Shoveler, 8 Gadwall and 3 Teal. Heading over in an easterly direction were 31 Swift, 112 Sand Martin and 19 Swallow, while a Cuckoo appeared to be leaving to the south. At least 50 Mediterranean Gull, with at least eight juveniles, and 29 Sandwich Tern were logged, with egrets represented by a Great White Egret, 5 Cattle Egret and 29 Little Egret. Returning passerines comprised a male Whinchat at Whitepits and 5 Yellow Wagtail over Hengistbury, while a Willow Warbler was at Stanpit. A Peregrine was seen this morning and a White-tailed Eagle was over the area for several minutes before drifting off north in the afternoon.

The pick for the day was a juvenile Redstart on the central path of the Wick Fields; while a 2cy Common Tern was at Stanpit, along with 2 Whimbrel and 42 Dunlin, but just a single Mediterranean Gull amongst over 300 Black-headed Gull. To close this short post, a Cattle Egret was again by the Wooden Bridge.

Cattle Egret – decked out in its finest

The first returning Teal were on site today – two birds around Stanpit Bight – where a Little Ringed Plover was also present, along with 42 Dunlin and 9 Mediterranean Gull.

The summering Brent Goose was just outside the navigation channel, this morning – Tim Quigley

As the heat continues, there was a reasonable selection of waders about the place. Holloway’s Dock hosted 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin; the Grimmery Bank to Parky Meade Rail area held at least 3 Common Sandpiper; a Whimbrel was in Mother Siller’s Channel; and 31 Dunlin were around Stanpit Bight. Otherwise, it’s just 12 Mediterranean Gull at Stanpit, a Cattle Egret on Ashtree Meadow and the Brent Goose to mention.

Juvenile Black-headed Gull in Holloway’s Dock

Male Ringed Plover keeping a watchful eye on the sandspit

A Yellow Wagtail was on Crouch Hill, this morning, while the afternoon at Stanpit produced a Greenshank, 8 Dunlin and a Common Tern; also around that time, a Whimbrel again in Holloway’s Dock. Mediterranean Gull were, once more, conspicuous – at least twenty loafing on East Marsh, plus a few over; and the Cattle Egret show continues – five by the Wooden Bridge, early on, and constant flights to and from Hengistbury.

Whimbrel (upper) and a pair of Mediterranean Gull (black heads), three Black-headed Gull (brown heads) and a photo-bombing Oystercatcher – Dave Miller

Mediterranean Gull on their return migration were conspicuous about the area – the highest count coming from Stanpit, where eighteen were present, including the first two juveniles of the season. Meanwhile, ones and twos trickled by at sea, with the photographed pair in Holloway’s Dock. The dock also hosted a Whimbrel over the low-tide period, as well as a couple of Sandwich Tern, with a Ringed Plover on the Marsh and a Yellow Wagtail there. A Peregrine went through at around 07:30, Cattle Egret were again about and 11 Lapwing were on the Wick Fields.

The Ringed Plover are nothing but resilient. After two failures, due to predation of chicks in their first day or two, the female has just started a third clutch. This time, however, she has chosen a site outside of the Shorebird Sanctuary – thanks to the BCP Ranger team and surrounding beach hut owners for the hasty placement of the CHOG-supplied fence, which has already been deployed for Skylark this season – Robin Harley

Other than the photo caption, the only news is of a lone Cattle Egret, by the Wooden Bridge, early on.

Unfortunately, no news has been received for the day.

Black-tailed Skimmer dragonfly – male (upper) and female – Peter Boardman

It’s a real mix of news today. A Common Sandpiper and 6 Black-tailed Godwit headed the waders at Stanpit, where a Dartford Warbler was by the Bailey Bridge, five adult Mediterranean Gull roosted the morning and 2 House Martin passed over. Meanwhile, there was a brief view of a Black Tern hawking the ant hatch of Ashtree Meadow. To finish, Cattle Egret continue their come-and-go routine, the Kestrel family were again airborne and Holloway’s Dock hosted 25 Oystercatcher.

Adult Water Rail feeding its chick – Paul Mcauliffe

Adult Water Rail feeding its chick – Paul Mcauliffe

Green-veined White butterfly – Paul Mcauliffe

…and Long Hoverfly – Paul Mcauliffe

Stoat haven’t been recorded for a few years now, but a juvenile caught by a cat and taken to a home just outside the area may well have been from within it. Otherwise, the bird news is light: a couple of Common Sandpiper were about; a Whimbrel was seen from Crouch Hill, where a Lesser Whitethroat remains; as the photos suggest, Water Rail are pretty much a given on the low of the tide – Mother Siller’s Channel and Parky Meade Rail being the top spots; and the five Shelduck ducklings were again in Stanpit Creek.

Reed Warbler are now the dominant songster about Stanpit – Neil Jones

Juvenile Stonechat, also at Stanpit, and likely to have hopped over the water from Hengistbury – Neil Jones

The big news for the day involves Swallow. After believing, a week or so ago, that the brood of four had been lost, the thinking changed this afternoon when four juveniles – the same number as last seen in the nest – were watched being fed by both parents on Wick. An hour or so later, a look at the nest site saw an adult soon joined by three other birds. There is now the very real possibility of a second brood. This is the first breeding in the recording area for a decade, at least! Sticking with breeding updates, the Shelduck family still includes five ducklings – in Stanpit Creek, during the morning. Holloway’s Dock held a Whimbrel, with that or another being noted from Fisherman’s Bank; an adult Mediterranean Gull was on East Marsh; and Cattle Egret again carried out their routine.

For the first few hours of daylight, at least, there was a light, but near-constant, presence of Swift over the area – generally heading into the westerly breeze – along with a handful of Swallow and the odd House Martin. Meanwhile, there was a steady shuttle of Cattle Egret to and from the Nursery. The only wader of note was a Green Sandpiper from Wick; but wildfowl interest was provided by an eclipsing pair of Shoveler in Parky Meade Rail, where the summering Wigeon that has also assumed female plumage was seen. The low tide provided opportunity to see at least 4 Water Rail – a mix of adult and juveniles – in both the Rail and Mother Siller’s Channel. To finish, a White-tailed Eagle soared to the north of the area – gradually drifting east.

All the news for the day involves returning sandpipers – 2 Green Sandpiper and 3 Common Sandpiper at Stanpit being the total.

Nice to see our barn owls getting a mention on the BBC – report here – but we are aware they have mis-named us!

Cattle Egret in breeding plumage – Paul Mcauliffe

Again, there is very little to report. A Whimbrel was at Stanpit, where a Peregrine passed over and the Shelduck family, now reduced to five ducklings, was off Fisherman’s Bank. Otherwise, it’s just at least one Cattle Egret on Wick and a two screaming Swift over Monkswell Green, this evening, to mention.

On a breezy, but sunny day, most of the news is from Stanpit. The few waders there included 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Black-tailed Godwit and a Ringed Plover, while a Yellow Wagtail passed over. In addition, at least one Cattle Egret was about, an Osprey fished successfully just after 09:00 and a young Lesser Whitethroat was around Crouch Hill, where it actually spent some time in reeds. Also, a Weasel on the Hill and another just beyond the Bailey Bridge. A juvenile Black-headed Gull – the first of the season – was with 179 others in Holloway’s Dock, plus 6 Sandwich Tern and 20 Oystercatcher. Shelduck were last recorded breeding in 2022, so it was great to hear of six ducklings being led off Hengistbury and into Barn Bight by their parents, yesterday evening.