June 30th

Thankfully, the wind had dropped away by dawn; but rain showers were a feature throughout the day. A Green Sandpiper the first of the autumn was at Stanpit, along with 3 Common Sandpiper and a Whimbrel. The redhead Goosander was seen from both sides of the river and up to 10 Mediterranean Gull moved through. 

June 29th

Although the wind continued to blast, there were some forays into the field today. The pick was at Stanpit, where a redhead Goosander and a female Bearded Tit were present, as well as 4 Common Tern. Over on Wick, an adult Mediterranean Gull passed west, while a couple of late-singing Reed Warbler could be heard over the not-insignificant, background noise. This evening, a hopeful 90-minute seawatch from Whitepits yielded just three each of Manx Shearwater and Guillemot, plus at least five non-adult Gannet. 

June 28th

No doubt due to over-bearing, south-westerly that dominated the day, there were no reports received. 

June 27th

Rock Pipit Jackie Smith

A forecast south-westerly wind encouraged some seawatching this morning; although with the actual vector turning out to be south-south-west, it was, at times, a far-from-comfortable experience in the heavy showers. The totals between 8:10 and 11:00 came to: 5 Manx Shearwater, a Fulmar, 6 Common Tern3 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Common Scoter, three auks and 2 Shag. Meanwhile, around 50 Swift headed into the wind over Wick and Common Sandpiper, plus 16 Redshank, was in Barn Bight. 

June 26th

Kestrel Roger Tidball

The morning at Stanpit saw the first juvenile Black-headed Gull coming to the area, as well as the first returning-for-the-winter Kingfisher. The best-of-the-rest was 4 Common Tern, but also 9 Curlew. 

June 25th

A very hot day is very light on news. The best was a couple of House Martin and 6 Mediterranean Gull, the latter west, over Wick; while the Lesser Whitethroat was still there and 14 Redshank were in Wick Hams. The only news from the other side of the area is a couple of Mediterranean Gull over the North Scrubs. 

June 24th

An Avocet at Stanpit was a nice June record, although with the amount of not-too-far-away breeding going on should be perhaps more expected. Also at the marsh, a Common Tern, 9 Curlew, 10 Lapwing, 3 Tufted Duck and 8 Gadwall. Meanwhile, the Lesser Whitethroat was again at Wick and 2 Mediterranean Gull passed over there. 

June 23rd

A flock of 13 Crossbill was seen heading east from the Coastguards this morning, while 2 Curlew were at Stanpit, a Greylag Goose headed towards the Valley and the Lesser Whitethroat was on Wick. 

June 22nd

Skylark Clinton Whale

There was a clear influx of Common Sandpiper today six birds on Wick and an individual on Stanpit. Meanwhile, juvenile Lapwing were seen at both those sites as well. Otherwise, its just a Little Grebe on the Ironstone Quarry and the singing Lesser Whitethroat to report upon. 

June 21st

All the news from the longest day of the comes from Stanpit, where 7 Curlew and a Redshank were settled, while a further of the former headed over west. Both Shelduck broods were present numbering nine, those able to fly, and two. 

June 20th

Starling Clinton Whale

The only news for the day is from Wick, which saw: the Lesser Whitethroat, a Curlew pass over west and a couple of juvenile Lapwing in the No Dogs Field. 

June 19th

Juvenile Stonechat Clinton Whale

Great White Egret Joy Aubin

The morning at Stanpit saw the so-far unique sight of all three white herons on East Marsh singles of Cattle Egret, Great White Egret and some Little Egret. Meanwhile, the Long-tailed Duck was again off Mudeford Quay. In the other news, a Crossbill went over the marsh; where 4 Redshank, 4 Curlew and 45 Lapwing were settled; and the quay returned a maximum of 37 Common Scoter, in a mixture of directions, as well as a Common Tern and 8 Gannet. 

June 18th

The only news for the day is of the Long-tailed Duck off Mudeford Quay in the morning. Probably a sentence you'd expect in a January post, rather than from one approaching mid-summer!

June 17th

The Long-tailed Duck showed very well this morning from Mudeford Quay, when a, but perhaps two, Little Ringed Plover circuited the end of the before heading west, and a Common Sandpiper was in Holloways Dock. Also from Hengistbury, a couple of Common Tern to the west and a persistently singing Firecrest. Meanwhile, 2 Redshank and 4 Curlew were inside the harbour, and the Lesser Whitethroat was again vocal on Wick. 

June 16th

The Longtailed Duck off the sandspit yesterday - Nigel Matthews

A post-dawn visit to Hengistbury produced singles of Whimbrel and Curlew passing high to the south-west over the sea, as well a 5 Mediterranean Gull four adults and a second-summer on the same flight line. A little later, the Lesser Whitethroat was again in song on Wick.

June 15th

The Long-tailed Duck was again off Mudeford Quay this morning, but there is little else to report outside of the current residents. The Lesser Whitethroat was again in voice, as were a few male Reed Bunting the latter perhaps moving towards a second brood. Around South Marsh, 2 Whitethroat were vying for position, which hasnt been the case so far this season so one wonders if a new bird has recently arrived; albeit more than just a bit late. Finally, there were good number of this species and Reed Warbler in areas around Wick. 

June 14th

Juvenile Linnet Clinton Whale

Male Kestrel after the young have all fledged Roger Tidball

Out Now! See note below

A dull morning of weather saw a few bits and pieces at Stanpit. An adult Yellow-legged Gull was on South Marsh, while 5 Grey Plover and 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were the best of the waders. In addition, a couple of Common Tern were about, as well as 5 Curlew, a Redshank and 3 Shoveler. Of breeding note, the first Oystercatcher nest site, which lost its eggs a couple of weeks ago, now has three more; a family of Linnet fledged five on Crouch Hill; the 5 Kestrel have also left the nest; at least 10 Reed Warbler were by the Wooden Bridge and a Lesser Whitethroat continues to sing on Wick.

Omission: the Long-tailed Duck was seen from Mudeford Quay this morning.

June 13th

Reed Bunting Clinton Whale

There is very little to report today just half a dozen or so of Mediterranean Gull wheeling around the area, plus five east at sea; where 6 Sandwich Tern milled and 12 Gannet plus an auk moved towards Poole Bay. Meanwhile, a Cuckoo continues to sing on Wick. 

June 12th

Little Egret Clinton Whale

Rain and a strong, easterly wind dominated much of the day; when, during the morning, a drab-looking, diving duck was found off Mudeford Quay. Conditions made assessment difficult, but eventually Long-tailed Duck was confirmed. This evening, 5 Manx Shearwater three west and two east were also seen from the quay; while the earlier period contributed 3 Common Tern and 2 Great Crested Grebe. The other notables of the day were: at least 30 Mediterranean Gull passing high to the west and a Bar-tailed Godwit at Stanpit; where a single Curlew and a handful of Lapwing were also present. 

June 11th

Stonechat Roger Tidball

The last few days have seen the first juvenile Grey Heron out and about Roger Tidball

Singles of Tree Pipit and Grey Wagtail over Wick Fields are both unexpected occurrences for the date; while five, westbound adult Mediterranean Gull were slightly less of a surprise. 

June 10th

Recently fledged Great Tit Clinton Whale

Other than 15 or so Swift over Hengistbury, all the news comes from Stanpit, where: a Black Tern, 2 Little Tern and 2 Common Tern were logged, as well as a Common Sandpiper. 

June 9th

Dartford Warbler, as always the photo is taken from a public path Clinton Whale

The two highlights of the day were a flock of 10 Crossbill that lifted out of the Nursery this morning and a hepatic, female Cuckoo on Wick this afternoon. Otherwise, its a just a Bullfinch on Wick and 5 Swift over to mention. 

June 8th

Turnstone Clinton Whale

Rock Pipit Clinton Whale

This morning at Stanpit, a female Pintail had joined the drake Wigeon, while the single Brent Goose also remained. A couple of Whimbrel were logged, one associating with a Curlew, but the only other waders of note were a Turnstone and a Redshank. The non-breeding Shelduck numbered thirty-two, as well as the pair with now nine well-grown ducklings; with other offspring around the site including some young Sand Martin now peeking out of burrows and fledged Rock Pipit about the sandspit. Of reptilian interest, a Grass Snake was seen in the Ironstone Quarry. 

June 7th

Swallow Alan Crockard

Reed Warbler Jackie Smith

The early morning saw a westerly passage of at least 37 Mediterranean Gull all but three being adults, so presumably failed-breeders as a result of the spring tides of the recent days. Also going home 5 Whimbrel west over Wick; but on the converse a couple of Turnstone hurried on north. The only other news for the day is of 2 Common Tern at Stanpit. Now, a bit of a varied update. Sadly, the South Marsh Oystercatcher have left that site, while it seems the East Marsh pair lost their eggs to the aforementioned tides. On the upside, some recent diurnal trips to Hengistbury suggest at least one pair of Nightjar are in residence, as well as three species of Pipistrelle bat. 

June 6th

 Whitethroat Leo Pyke

The blasting westerly wind that blighted the day brought at least 141 Manx Shearwater to Christchurch Bay this evening all initially east, but then a few started to trickle back west. Also, around 20 Gannet, of which four were second-calendar-year birds plumages outside of full adult and juvenile are not always commonplace here and 4 Fulmar. Another early morning wader watch at Stanpit saw two settled Grey Plover which were then encouraged up by three circling Knot, with all five birds then heading very purposefully north. Meanwhile, a Ringed Plover went straight over and north, while singles of Whimbrel and Curlew fed. Also overhead, a minimum of 100 Swift, with a Spotted Flycatcher close to the Nursery and three juvenile Firecrest in the same area. Rounding up a decent June day, the drake Wigeon remains. Our next Virtual Meeting is this coming Wednesday, please see below for more information.

June 5th

Recently fledged Robin Roger Tidball

An early visit to Stanpit, from 05:45 to 06:55, to catch the rising tide, saw the following waders stop to take a very brief look before continuing their journey to the Arctic: 3 Turnstone, 3+1 Sanderling and 1+1 Dunlin; while a less far-travelled Redshank was settled. A later visit produced: a Roseate Tern fishing and then resting on East Marsh and a very unseasonable Merlin passing east. Also seen across the sessions: the Brent Goose, 3 Mediterranean Gull and 26 Lapwing. Very noticeable during some of the morning were Swift the best estimate being 830 with singles of late-arriving Turtle Dove and Spotted Flycatcher turned in from Hengistbury and Wick respectively. The sea was quiet just a Fulmar, 4 Gannet and a couple of Sandwich Tern to mention but, to add to the seemingly ever-increasing collection of dodgy wildfowl, 3 Swan Goose were seen to arrive from out of the Solent. 

June 4th

Rosecoloured Starling Alan Hayden

Linnet Oriana Ludolini

The Rose-coloured Starling was seen twice in the very early morning: at 5:05 as it lifted out of Wick reeds; then at 5:20 for ten minutes as it woke itself up properly on bushes adjacent to Rolls Drive. Slightly later, there was a notable presence of Swift over the area an estimate of 300 coming from Wick as well as a couple of Mediterranean Gull east and two, presumed late-arriving House Martin. 

June 3rd

Rosecoloured Starling - Chris Chapleo

Kestrel Joy Aubin

Late in the morning, CHOGs second-ever, but first adult, Rose-coloured Starling was found on Solent Meads golf course. It soon disappeared, however; but this evening has been seen from roads south of the eastern end of The Broadway, outside of the recording area. Also during the morning a Black Tern was seen amongst feeding Swift over Wick. A skein of 8 Egyptian Goose that was seen to arrive over Whitepits, then spent the rest of the day at Stanpit. 

June 2nd

Grey Heron Clinton Whale

On what was a very warm day, a couple of Crossbill headed east over Stanpit in the morning, when three female-type Pintail were present as well as a Whimbrel and the Wigeon. During the late afternoon, 2 Avocet were around Stanpit Bight, along with: 3 Mediterranean Gull a second-summer and an adult pair, a Redshank and a Curlew, but just one Brent Goose. A Cuckoo sang throughout from various spots on the west side of the River. 

June 1st

A northbound Grey Plover circuited Stanpit for a few minutes this evening, but didnt appear to settle, while a Cuckoo sang from over on Wick. Also on the marsh, a single Barnacle Goose, 2 Brent Goose, the drake Wigeon and the pair of Gadwall.