A freshly emerged Speckled Wood butterfly – Peter Boardman

Common Darter dragonfly – Peter Boardman

…and there are still legacy genes from a Hooded Crow that resided here around three decades ago. Birds like this appearing from time to time – although, they are, once again, all Carrion Crow – Peter Boardman

Migrating herons start the post: a flock of four, juvenile Little Egret came in off the sea at Hengistbury; while a total of 40 Grey Heron headed west – flocks of sixteen, ten, eight, five and a single. Also on the move, the three hirundines and Meadow Pipit in low three figures, plus ten or so Yellow Wagtail and 2 Grey Wagtail. The best on the ground came from: a Redstart at the eastern end of the Long Field, a Lesser Whitethroat and a Spotted Flycatcher at Stanpit, and 5 Wheatear across the site. Moving to waders at Stanpit, which included: 3 Knot, 4 Sanderling, a Greenshank, a Whimbrel and 12 Dunlin; with 17 Black-tailed over to the west and 8 Ringed Plover on the Long Groyne. Before the raptors, some bits and pieces: a Firecrest was on Hengistbury, where 3 Teal were on the Ironstone Quarry, so presumably new in, and up to 3 Kingfisher were reckoned about the area. To finish: a Hobby and a juvenile Marsh Harrier were logged at Stanpit; a couple of Buzzard were well into recording-area airspace and 3 Sparrowhawk were over the Wood; Osprey visited at 09:30, 10:30, and 15:30, and a sub-adult White-tailed Eagle skirted the north of the area at 11:00.

It’s been a decent return migration of Whinchat

But, more than decent, perhaps bordering exceptional, for Clouded Yellow butterfly – the upper image being of the scarce, paler, helice form – Peter Boardman

Moving hirundines were the feature of the morning – House Martin, Swallow and Sand Martin all in three figure numbers, the mix in the written order. Also, over a hundred Meadow Pipit, a couple of Tree Pipit, and small numbers of Grey Wagtail and Yellow Wagtail; plus, the first few Siskin of the visible-migration season. Meanwhile, on an otherwise quiet sea, an Arctic Skua headed west. There was a reasonable selection of grounded migrants – the most notable encounters being: 3 Whinchat, a Spotted Flycatcher, 31 Chiffchaff and 5 Willow Warbler on Hengistbury; the same number of Wheatear together on Crouch Hill; and a few Whitethroat, Blackcap and Sedge Warbler across the site. All the wader news is from the Head and includes a brief Little Stint on the Long Groyne; with a Common Sandpiper, 8 Sanderling and 28 Ringed Plover also returned. A couple of Peregrine start the raptor summary; while Osprey visited at 08:15, 12:15 and 15:30; and, at around 16:00, two White-tailed Eagle arrived from high and settled on Blackberry Point – it’s not known how long they stayed, however.

Great Spotted Woodpecker and Dartford Warbler – Neil Jones

Chiffchaff on the Barn Field and Turnstone on the Sandspit – Dave Miller

Starting with raptors for a change, a Honey Buzzard flying west over Wick this morning was the day’s highlight. Continuing the theme, a Marsh Harrier was seen at both ends of the day, two Osprey visited the harbour just before 11:00 and a juvenile Peregrine was at Stanpit this evening. There were a few passerine migrants at Hengistbury with a Spotted Flycatcher, a Garden Warbler, 25 Blackcap, 5 Whitethroat, 5 Whinchat, 2 Tree Pipit and 5 Yellow Wagtail, with a further one of the latter at Stanpit. Other totals across the harbour were 38 Chiffchaff, at least 10 Wheatear and around 200 Meadow Pipit, while all three hirdundine species were present but not counted. The ringers trapped a Water Rail at Hengistbury, where a Greenshank, 2 Snipe and 3 Ringed Plover were also logged. Meanwhile, wildfowl and waders at Stanpit included a Gadwall, 6 Wigeon and 7 Teal, together with 39 Ringed Plover, 13 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 18 Curlew, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Knot and 7 Dunlin. Only 2 Cattle Egret were seen today, one of which was a juvenile at Wick Water Meadows.

Willow Emerald damselfly on the Lily Pond – Jackie Smith

The most notable feature of the day was an apparent clear out of waders. A two-hour look at the afternoon rising tide in Stanpit Bight produced just 5 Ringed Plover and a juvenile Black-tailed Godwit! Earlier, however, a Ruff and a Greenshank were logged from Hengistbury, and a lone Whimbrel was again on North Marsh. Passerines numbers were also low, the later ringing news affirming that – a Whinchat and 2 Firecrest on the Head, a site-wide total of 9 Wheatear, and 7 Tree Pipit, 30 Meadow Pipit, a Grey Wagtail, 19 Yellow Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail over, being the best of it. Meanwhile, in excess of 50 Linnet flocked on the Stanpit saltmarshes. As is the current norm, finishing with raptors: 4 Sparrowhawk together, being mobbed by Carrion Crow, suggests a recent fledge; Osprey visited at 09:15, 14:00 and 17:30 – the last bird having missing tail feathers, so definitely a new individual; and a lone White-tailed Eagle arrived and settled at 14:30, but left around forty minutes later when two more from the east attracted it up – all leaving inland together.

Coot (left) and Wigeon

The overnight rain persisted until around 14:00, when there followed some quite nice sunshine – but an increasing wind. A Red-throated Diver showed well in the Run for a while, this morning, when the first sign of House Martin migration was noted – around 150 feeding over the water meadows on Wick, as well as an estimated 50 Swallow. An evening visit to Stanpit yielded: three each of Knot, Sanderling and Black-tailed Godwit, 42 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin; plus 6 Wheatear on Crouch Hill. Osprey visits may now have peaked, although there were two birds in the area for an hour or so after the rain stopped.

Wheatear

Whimbrel – Adrian Simmons

…and one from yesterday confirming G818 – Will Evans

After being seen post the post last night, the Spotted Redshank was still around today – a visual on East Marsh and an audio from Hengistbury; with other waders on site including singles of Whimbrel and Black-tailed Godwit, the latter a juvenile which currently seem light on numbers. Meanwhile, Crouch Hill held a nice variety of passerine migrants – a Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whinchat, 2 Wheatear and 2 Sedge Warbler being the best. A further Whinchat was on the other side of the harbour and a light movement of Swallow was noted from both areas. The only news of fish-preying raptors is second hand and involves an Osprey at some point during the morning.

Pretty much proof of this White-tailed Eagle being male, G625 – his tail now much whiter than in the spring – meaning the other just has to be female G818 – Rich Moore

Osprey – the upper bird a juvenile – Lewis Slavin (upper) & David Faulkner

The Barn Field held some passerine interest, this morning, when a male Redstart, a male Whinchat and 2 Wheatear were present; with modest numbers of the usual suspects also there, Whitepits and Wick. Meanwhile, there was a clear departure of Swallow and Sand Martin – the former leading the numbers – as well as one or twos of Yellow Wagtail and Grey Wagtail. The pick of the waders was a Ruff leaving Stanpit Creek over Fisherman’s Bank, with 3 Knot and at least 7 Sanderling on Blackberry Point. In addition, a Bar-tailed Godwit and a couple more Sanderling were in Holloway’s Dock. Rounding off with the raptors generating the current flurry of welcome visitors – it’s really nice to see the place being appreciated. The White-tailed Eagle pair were present from 07:00 to 12:15 – mostly sedentary on ‘blackberry’, although there were at least four fruitless fishing attempts by the male. During the eagles’ stay, Osprey seemed wary – just the one at 09:00 – but immediately the area was vacated, two appeared with a further visit at 13:45.

Ringing-wise, it was a bit of a surprise that so many acrocephalus warbler are still around – forty four being the morning’s total – made up of 41 Sedge Warbler and 3 Reed Warbler, all new birds.

The White-tailed Eagle had already seen off one Osprey, but this plucky juvenile had different ideas!

This isn’t seen very often. Lesser Whitethroat (left) and Whitethroat together – Jackie Smith

…and Lesser Whitethroat – Jackie Smith

It was a real raptor-fest for much of the day. Around 11:15, an apparent pair of White-tailed Eagle, assumed/hoped to be G818 and G625, drifted in high from the east and then spent around twenty minutes slowly descending on to Blackberry Point. They both then lingered around the place, looking like they knew it, for 2.5 hours and on two occasions seeming to deliberately flush Grey Heron from East Marsh, even looking like they might be trying to catch one! During the period of their stay, they also interacted with a Red Kite, a Peregrine and, as described in the photos, Osprey. Meanwhile, to complete a set, a Marsh Harrier at Stanpit, Sparrowhawk and Kestrel were recorded. Before all of this, it was clear there had been quite an arrival of passerines, including Stonechat and Robin – twenty-seven and twenty-one respectively – on Hengistbury, where 35 Blackcap were on the Barn Field and 34 Chiffchaff on the top of the Head; also, a Redstart by the Ironstone Quarry and 2 Whinchat, with 3 Tree Pipit, 11 Grey Wagtail and 40 Yellow Wagtail over. The other side of the Harbour contributed a Lesser Whitethroat on Crouch Hill, plus furthers of 3 Wheatear and 2 Grey Wagtail. Again, the numbers of waders seemed on the low side, but 2 Knot, a Greenshank, at least 4 Sanderling, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 17 Black-tailed Godwit were noted – mostly around Stanpit Bight. To finish, as is the current norm, the Osprey timings: there was actually a near-constant presence of birds from 08:00 until 15:00, including three in the time until 09:30. Other visits commenced at 11:15, 12:30, 13:15 and 14:45.

Ringing produced a total of twenty-three birds – 14 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler and 3 Chiffchaff. Two of the ‘reeds’ were re-traps – from August 21st and September 1st.

The clear highlight of an early seawatch was a juvenile Sabine’s Gull that was first seen heading towards the Beach Huts from the east, before settling on the water. A short while later, the bird picked up and seemed to head over the sandspit towards the Harbour. Also from the watch: 2 Kittiwake, both 1cy, a Mediterranean Gull, 9 Common Scoter and around 30 Gannet; plus 12 Sand Martin and 11 Swallow out to sea. In-harbour waders were light – 2 Whimbrel and a few Ringed Plover being the best – but, a couple of Sanderling were on Hengistbury and 14 Black-tailed Godwit overflew Wick. Other than a Firecrest singing in the Wood, in the same spot as Monday, the only passerine news comes from late in the day, when a Whinchat was on Crouch Hill and 65 Yellow Wagtail lifted off Central Marsh to their roost. Around the same time 8 Wigeon dropped in to join six or so Teal. Finishing with Osprey and visits at 09:45, 11:00, 16:00 and 16:45.

This colour-tagged Curlew was first seen here around a week ago. We are still trying to confirm, but we believe it is from a head-starting project in Norfolk. Head-starting is when eggs are taken from the wild and the chicks released when old enough – an effort to increase productivity rates in an alarmingly declining species – Jackie Smith 

An early look at the sea from Hengistbury saw a Manx Shearwater sat on the water just 50 metres or so off the Beach Huts; but, otherwise 4 Common Scoter, 13 Gannet and an Osprey west were the best of it. Reports from inside the Harbour are light, although two male Marsh Harrier were nice, with the rest being a Common Sandpiper, 9 Black-tailed Godwit and a Peregrine. Moving to the northern edge of the recording area and, this evening, there was a roost flight at least 35 Yellow Wagtail from inland. In addition to the bird already mentioned, two Osprey were around from 09:15, one spending at least an hour fishing, and two were over the River at 13:30.

Kestrel – Dave Miller

It’s a day of light news. Early on, a Greenshank was on Brander’s Bank and 6 Yellow Wagtail headed over Wick. Later in the day, after the rain and wind had picked up, a 1cy Kittiwake flew through the Run and into the harbour, while a trickle of Ringed Plover, Turnstone and Sanderling arrived from the east onto the sandspit.

An attempt was made at ringing, but the strengthening breeze soon curtailed it – although 7 Sedge Warbler, a Reed Warbler and a Cetti’s Warbler were managed.

Stop press update: the two stand-out moments of an otherwise quiet seawatch from Hengistbury, this evening, were a pale-morph Arctic Skua and 3 Common Scoter.

Not many Tree Pipit have been photographed in the area – Chris Chapleo

Common Sandpiper in Holloway’s Dock – Dave Miller

…and a couple from yesterday – Spotted Redshank (upper) and Sanderling – Jeremy Mayes & Scott Usher

Early on, it was lively with migrant passerines. The Barn and Long Fields, Hengistbury, yielded: 2 Tree Pipit, 2 Yellow Wagtail, 3 Whinchat, 25 Chiffchaff, 18 Blackcap and 14 Whitethroat; while the North Scrubs and Crouch Hill, Stanpit, contributed: a Tree Pipit, 21 Yellow Wagtail, a Spotted Flycatcher, a Wheatear, 2 Willow Warbler, and several Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler; with a further 15 Yellow Wagtail from Wick. An Avocet headed the waders in Stanpit Bight, which also included a Greenshank, a Knot, 3 Whimbrel and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Wrapping up the field news: it was reckoned there were four visits by Osprey throughout the morning and one at 17:00 that involved two birds – 1H1 being one of them.

It was equally productive for the lone ringer this morning – 41 birds, his best of the season – in numerical order: 29 Sedge Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 2 Cetti’s Warbler – one of those a male ringed here in August 2025 – 3 Blue Tit, an adult Grasshopper Warbler, a Robin and a Wren.

Osprey

The still-in-juvenile-plumage Grey Phalarope, first seen on Friday, reappeared today – spending most of its time hidden in the creeks of East Marsh, but occasionally showing itself. Although migrant passerine numbers were low, there was some variety: a Redstart was in the North Scrubs, a Whinchat was on Crouch Hill, a couple of Wheatear were about and a Firecrest was in the Wood. In terms of waders, the Spotted Redshank remains, as does the juvenile Knot, a couple of Whimbrel were around Stanpit Bight and a party of 15 Black-tailed Godwit took a look but didn’t settle; while the Shorebird Sanctuary, across the high tide, hosted around 100 birds, including 4 Sanderling. Osprey visits came at 08:15, 09:40, 14:15 and 16:30 and 18:30. The penultimately listed bird actually spent until 19:00 in the area with a prolonged rest on Blackberry Point before eventually catching a fish – this was presumably the same individual that took up to thirty minutes in the morning, which is strange as it looks to be an adult. To finish, a Weasel was seen for some time at the south-eastern part of Crouch Hill.

Franklin’s Gull – the flight shot confirming it as a 2cy (first-summer) bird – the unmoulted secondaries still showing first-winter tips – so presumably crossed the Atlantic last autumn

A fine shot of a Hobby

The Franklin’s Gull saved its reappearance in the area until late in the day, when it rested on the sandbar that is exposed on the low tide opposite Mudeford Quay. Earlier, the main feature had been Black Tern passing west off the Long Groyne – a total of seven prior to 09:00 – as well as 2 Arctic Tern, an adult and a juvenile; with 35 Common Tern, 80 Sandwich Tern, 70 Mediterranean Gull and a Common Gull logged amongst good numbers of the commoner gulls. Moving to waders and the Spotted Redshank remains for its fifth day, while a total on 10 Knot make the post – one throughout and flock of nine that stayed for just a few minutes before the enthusiastic juvenile Peregrine encouraged them to leave – as well as a Greenshank, 4 Sanderling 2 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit and a nice figure of 60 Lapwing being the best of the waders around Stanpit Bight. Passerines were not obvious, but moving Grey Wagtail were reckoned at four across the site, along with a handful of Yellow Wagtail; with a Spotted Flycatcher settled by the Long Field and 2 Firecrest at the end of the Head. Although Cattle Egret are now resident, it does seem worth mentioning a flock of twenty-three on Priory Marsh. Finishing the birds with more raptors: the photographed Hobby was over Crouch Hill and it was confirmed at least 3 Osprey used the area – two birds arrived together at 10:00; a bird left with a fish at 17:30, when two were seen to arrive, both eventually leaving with a catch. Could it be 1H1 teaching 7T2 how it’s done? Finishing the field news, a male Grey Seal was off the Long Groyne, during the morning.

The ringing news tidies-up yesterday’s Mediterranean Gull. He was ringed on 23.05.26 as a 3cy bird close to Hamburg, Germany. The photograph on last night’s post shows he has now moulted to the plumage of an adult.

This adult Mediterranean Gull on Mudeford Quay, this morning, is believed to have been ringed in Germany

The only news from a stormy day comes from Mudeford Quay, where 3 Sanderling, in the company of a few each of Ringed Plover and Dunlin, could be seen on the end of the sandspit. There were no sightings here of ‘the gull’, but it was seen a few miles along the coast at Milford-on-Sea. Every chance it will return.

Franklin’s Gull – the open-wing detail suggesting a 2cy bird – Andy Tew (upper) & Roger Howell

Osprey – Rich Moore

The bird is ringed – blue 7T2 – one of this year’s offspring from a Poole Harbour nest. The mother, 1H1, has been in this area for nearly a month – Rich Moore

The Franklin’s Gull was relocated on South Marsh, just after 10:30, and was then seen on and off around Stanpit Bight until 15:15; but was not seen to leave. Early on, there were at least 30 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Grey Wagtail and a Tree Pipit over Hengistbury; while the waders at Stanpit included: a new-in Bar-tailed Godwit, 4 Whimbrel and at least 3 Sanderling, plus similar numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin at yesterday. Otherwise, the best of the rest came from: a Marsh Harrier, 62 Mediterranean Gull, 12 Common Tern, 2 Shoveler and 8 Teal; all at Stanpit. Until the time of writing at 18:15, Osprey visits came at 07:00 and a little before 10:00.

Additional news: this evening, a Grey Phalarope in almost complete juvenile plumage was around Stanpit Bight; with a juvenile Peregrine having been omitted from the main post.

Ringing-wise, there seemed to have been an overnight departure from the reed beds – just 3 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler caught, this morning.

A record shot of Franklin’s Gull – Matt Doyle

Two recently fledged Little Egret with one of their parents – David Faulkner

The moment of the day came at 16:30 when a Franklin’s Gull, a very rare vagrant to the UK from North America and the first record for CHOG, was found in Stanpit Bight. A bird has been around, on and off, for a week or two on the Isle of Wight, so presumably the same individual. This constitutes the 330th species of bird for Christchurch Harbour – and it was last seen around 18:00, when after being disturbed by an Osprey, moved to a distant position in the Main Channel and wandered into a flock of large gulls. Before all that excitement, the feature of the post was going to be the arrival of wildfowl during the early morning: a flock of 50 Teal and 9 Shoveler came in from the north – the former all heading off towards the Solent, but the latter peeling off and dropping in; also seen to do the same, the first Pintail of the return and 13 Wigeon. Moving back to gulls and late in the day, when a Little Gull, a 2cy Common Gull and around 20 Mediterranean Gull were resting inside the Harbour; while, just after dawn, an estimated 1000 Herring Gull moved east off the Double Dykes – most likely from their Poole Bay roost to the currently bountiful feast provided by Christchurch Bay. Wader interest was headed by the Spotted Redshank from yesterday remaining throughout and a party of 3 Ruff leaving over Hengistbury, but also: a Green Sandpiper, a Knot, at least one Whimbrel, 7 Sanderling, a Black-tailed Godwit, 100 Ringed Plover, 50 Dunlin and 10 Turnstone, other than the sandpiper all at Stanpit. Migrant passerines were light – the best being a flock of 22 Yellow Wagtail, this evening, around Crouch Hill; with the pick of the rest being single Whinchat on the Barn Field and Whitepits, a couple of Wheatear and a Firecrest, that in the Wood. Finishing with the Osprey – visits came at 10:15, 14:30 and 17:15.

Clouded Yellow butterfly – three on the eastern edge of the Barn Field – Peter Boardman

A couple of Sparrowhawk – Adrian Simmons

Ruddy Darter dragonfly – two on the Lily Pond – Peter Boardman

There was a marked, albeit brief, passage of Mediterranean Gull through the Harbour, this morning – an estimated sixty birds, around half of them 1cys – along with a single 1cy Yellow-legged Gull. In addition, a Little Tern and 16 Common Tern were logged. There were two clear wader highlights: a Spotted Redshank, this evening – once again, a real scarcity for the area; and, earlier in the day, a Little Stint; both around Stanpit Bight. Throughout, other wader interest came from a Ruff, a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Greenshank, 6 Whimbrel and 6 Black-tailed Godwit, plus small numbers of Ringed Plover and Dunlin. Migrant passerines were also reasonably represented – the most notable being: a Grasshopper Warbler just west of the Double Dykes; 3 Tree Pipit in a bush on the Long Field; a flock of 35 Yellow Wagtail over the Dykes, early on, and forty-four dropping into East Marsh during the early evening; 3 Whinchat – those at Whitepits and on the Barn Field; and a Spotted Flycatcher along Roebury Lane. In addition, there were reasonable numbers of Sedge Warbler, Reed Warbler, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler across the site, as well as a sudden conspicuous presence of Reed Bunting at Stanpit. Meanwhile, herons were on the move – two flocks of Grey Heron, eleven and four, a Spoonbill in off the sea and a Great White Egret north. Following a couple of new-in birds yesterday evening, Wigeon could be seen arriving – at least ten noted – along with a couple of Teal and 4 Shelduck. As is currently the norm to finish, the Osprey visits: 09:45, 12:30, 16:00 and 18:15 – on each occasion successful.

Ringing produced sixty-five birds: 34 Sedge Warbler, 19 Reed Warbler, 4 Blackcap, 3 Robin, 2 Cetti’s Warbler, the same number of Blue Tit and a Whitethroat.

Holloway’s Dock continues to hold birds – 3cy Little Gull (in upper photo) and adult Common Tern, amongst Black-headed Gull – Matt Doyle

The Vestal moth – at least two of these on Crouch Hill – Paul Mcauliffe

…and a Greenfinch flock – Adrian Simmons

In addition to the photographed birds in Holloway’s Dock, there were also: a Common Sandpiper, 14 Oystercatcher, 8 Little Egret in the adjacent bushes and 278 Black-headed Gull. Bird of the day, however, goes to a Nuthatch in the Nursery – there hasn’t been a Hengistbury record for quite some time – with a Firecrest also in the Wood. Otherwise, it was pretty quiet – a single Whinchat was on the Barn Field, while 3 Tree Pipit and 8 Yellow Wagtail passed over.

Treecreeper

The first three juvenile Black-tailed Godwit arrived from Iceland into Holloway’s Dock today, where 2 Common Sandpiper were also present. Meanwhile, waders around Stanpit included: 3 Knot, a Greenshank, a further Common Sandpiper, 5 Sanderling, an additional ‘blackwit’, and a mix of eighty-five or so Ringed Plover and Dunlin, mostly the former. The Barn Field again held 3 Whinchat, with 4 Wheatear in the that area, plus a Tree Pipit and around 20 Yellow Wagtail rather aimless overhead. Gannet have been pretty absent of late, so sixteen offshore was nice – along with at least 6 Mediterranean Gull. Marsh Harrier sightings are now becoming more frequent – two more passing through over the course of the day – with a Treecreeper in the Wood rounding off the post.

An increasing early morning breeze curtailed ringing. Before it got too strong, however, 4 Sedge Warbler and 2 Reed Warbler were caught.

Poole Harbour-breeding female Osprey, 1H1, has been using Christchurch Harbour for nearly four weeks now

As noted at other sites in Dorset, Swallow were on the move today, to the west – birds logged over Stanpit and Hengistbury; as well as 5 Tree Pipit, forty or so Yellow Wagtail, 4 Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail – most of those from the Head. Whinchat again featured on the deck, including two on the Barn Field, along with a Spotted Flycatcher there; with other migrant passerines represented by 4 Wheatear and a Grasshopper Warbler, plus small numbers of Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat. Gulls inside the harbour were headed by 3 Common Gull, all juveniles, and 16 Mediterranean Gull; while, the waders included: a Ruff, 2 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, 11 Black-tailed Godwit and 19 Ringed Plover, with a couple of Sanderling on the shore by the Double Dykes. Before moving to the Osprey news, the returning wildfowl comprised 12 Shoveler and 6 Teal, and a seal was in the Run at around 14:00. Referring back to the previous sentence, mullet hawk visits came at 11:30 and 16:45 – the latter, at least, involving 1H1.

Peregrine

There were at least 4 Whinchat on Hengistbury today – Adrian Simmons

…and a flock of 8 Cattle Egret passed west offshore, with the same number seen around ten minutes later inland over Throop Mill – Adrian Simmons

There were 4 Whinchat across the western part of Hengistbury, this morning, along with a couple of Wheatear; with South Marsh hosting another two of the latter. Meanwhile, early on, a good total of 11 Tree Pipit went over the Whitepits area, as well as 42 Yellow Wagtail, a Grey Wagtail and a Pied Wagtail. Stanpit also had a presence of ‘yellow wags’ – the later part of the day being best to catch up with them, when they gather before roosting – thirty or so being the estimate across the day. To finish with passerines, a Firecrest was in the Wood. Tide and light meant a good inspection of the waders wasn’t really possible – but, 3 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, 60 Ringed Plover, 13 Dunlin and several arriving Snipe were managed. In addition to the photographed Cattle Egret, four roosted in the thicket adjacent to Holloway’s Dock, where a Common Sandpiper, 5 Ringed Plover and a Dunlin were amongst the 250 gulls loafing there. Moving to raptors: the first Marsh Harrier, looking like a juvenile, for some time drifted high west: a Common Buzzard came well into the airspace; a Peregrine was about this evening; and the day’s Osprey visits came at 10:00, 11:00 and 17:45. To wrap up, Kingfisher were seen zipping over Crouch Hill and along Fisherman’s Bank.

The morning’s ringing yielded thirty-one birds – all warblers – 22 Sedge Warbler, 7 Reed Warbler and 2 Willow Warbler. An adult Sedge Warbler already carried a ring, which looked as if it had been in place for at least a year. One of the Reed Warbler, a juvenile, was ringed here on 11th and had not gained any weight since that time. We also now have news of an adult Sedge Warbler that was controlled on the last day of July – it has been ringed a week earlier in Montrose, Scotland, meaning a movement of 672km in seven days.

Juvenile Redstart – Adrian Simmons

Common Sandpiper – Dave Miller

Yellow Wagtail put on their best show of the return migration, so far – thirty-two west over Hengistbury, pluse eight south over both Stanpit and Wick – also, a Pied Wagtail on the move. Other notables from the migrant passerines were: 2 Redstart – one in the Bobolink Field, the other by the Nursery; 3 Whinchat – Barn Field, Whitepits and Stanpit recreation ground; a Spotted Flycatcher at Stanpit; and a total of 7 Wheatear – most of them at Whitepits. Meanwhile, although wader numbers were generally on the low side, there was a little bit of variety: a Greenshank was heard over the Harbour and a couple of Common Sandpiper were in Barn Bight; with a Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel and 8 Black-tailed Godwit around Stanpit Bight; ditto, the Wigeon still but he should soon be joined by others. To finish the field news, an Osprey hunted at 15:15.

Update: at around 18:00, there was a nice flock of 15 Yellow Wagtail on Crouch Hill and a Treecreeper was in the North Scrubs.

The ringing team had another decent day – a couple of Grasshopper Warbler the best of a total of 74 birds, the remainder being: 51 Sedge Warbler, 13 Reed Warbler, 2 Willow Warbler, 2 Blackcap, a Chiffchaff, a Cetti’s Warbler, a Blue Tit and a Robin.

Sedge Warbler – Tim Quigley

Linnet are conspicuous around Crouch Hill at the moment – Tim Quigley

There was a nice variety of terns around today. During the morning, a Black Tern was off the tip of South Marsh; while the evening produced an adult Arctic Tern, 4 Common Tern and 40 Sandwich Tern around Stanpit Bight. Also, a 1cy Yellow-legged Gull and a Common Gull in that area. Ruff have been scarce this year, so one on the Marsh was a welcome record, with other waders including: a Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel and 2 Black-tailed Godwit, plus a good presence of Ringed Plover and Dunlin. At least 25 Yellow Wagtail were around, this including birds coming to roost over Two Riversmeet football pitches at dusk; along with a Tree Pipit, a Spotted Flycatcher and modest numbers of the commoner passerine migrants. Early in the day, a Great White Egret headed east and a Kingfisher was by the Wooden Bridge; also, a Hobby over and a couple of Peregrine alarming the waders. Finishing with the Osprey – successful fishing sorties were at around 14:15 and 19:00.

Juvenile Cattle Egret, photographed from a public path – Matt Doyle

It was a pretty low-key day. An early look at the sea produced nothing more than 2 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin passing, while in-harbour waders included 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Whimbrel and a Bar-tailed Godwit. Passerines were equally sparse – a Wheatear on Hengistbury being the only individual picking out for a mention. During the afternoon, Holloway’s Dock hosted 426 birds – save for 2 Mediterranean Gull, a Herring Gull, a Little Egret and an Oystercatcher, all Black-headed Gull. A little later, a visit to Stanpit produced nothing more than a further five ‘med’ gulls, but an intermedius-race Lesser Black-backed Gull was a bit of a bonus. As is currently the way, finishing with Osprey: successfully fishing birds at 11:45 and 16:45.

Striped Hawkmoth from one of the traps which Mike Jeffes operates on Hengistbury – Matt Doyle

The best of the waders for the day was a Little Stint that passed low, to the west and calling, over the HHVC, during the morning; but also, at Stanpit: 2 Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 5 Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpiper, a Whimbrel, 9 Black-tailed Godwit, 75 Ringed Plover and 32 Dunlin. The sea was given a go but didn’t produce anything of real significance, although a juvenile Peregrine passed by and there is currently a good congregation of gulls in both the bays which Hengistbury borders – but a Roseate Tern flew west through the Harbour. To finish, migrant passerines were at a premium and an Osprey visited in undetailed circumstances.

Stonechat – Neil Jones

Blue Tit – Neil Jones

There were singles of Pied Flycatcher and Spotted Flycatcher, this morning – the former on the path running north from the Ironstone Quarry, the latter in the North Scrubs. Also, at least 6 Yellow Wagtail around Stanpit, with a handful of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat across the site as a whole. Meanwhile, the waders at Stanpit included: 2 Common Sandpiper, 2 Sanderling, 4 Whimbrel, a couple of flighty Black-tailed Godwit, 94 Ringed Plover, 23 Dunlin and 12 Turnstone; along with the all-summer Wigeon. Finishing with Osprey: left north with fish at 10:30; arrived 17:45 and eventually caught a fish; and seen to leave with fish, after arriving unnoticed, at 20:15; so, presumably a minimum of two individuals.

Early-morning Sparrowhawk at Whitepits – Matt Doyle

Comma butterfly – Adrian Simmons

A Pied Flycatcher that spent at least an hour along the southern edge of the Long Field, this morning, was the definite pick of the migrant passerines; but also a Tree Pipit and 7 Yellow Wagtail over, plus a small presence of Willow Warbler and Whitethroat in the bushes, and a Firecrest in the Wood. The only wader news is of a Green Sandpiper over Holloway’s Dock and a flock of 6 Ringed Plover over the Barn Field; while the summering Wigeon, at Stanpit, was the only wildfowl return. At the time of writing, there has been just one Osprey visit – around 08:30, the bird leaving a little later with a catch on the fourth attempt.

Ringing also held some interest – a total of 37 birds – 26 Sedge Warbler, 9 Reed Warbler, a Cetti’s Warbler and a Whitethroat. Five of the birds had actually been ringed here last week – 2 Reed Warbler on the 11th and 3 Sedge Warbler on 14th.

A 3cy Little Gull – Matt Doyle

Male Wheatear – Adrian Simmons

Barrel – the UK’s largest jellyfish – Matt Doyle

Cattle Egret on the Salt Hurns – Matt Doyle

A 3cy Little Gull in Holloway’s Dock, along with 221 Black-headed Gull, was the pick of the day – although there was a nice selection of passerine migrants. During the morning, around 20 Willow Warbler were reckoned on Wick, but, late in the afternoon, around twenty-five were feeding actively around the Lily Pond. Wheatear also peaked later in the day – six on the upper parts of Hengistbury, with three singles elsewhere, earlier, including the photographed bird on Crouch Hill. Back to the morning and a dozen or so Yellow Wagtail coasted over Whitepits, some then cutting in towards the Harbour; also, 3 Grey Wagtail, 2 Tree Pipit and 10 Swallow over, and a few Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat and Blackcap spread about. Moving to waders and singles of both Green Sandpiper and Greenshank flew through, while 2 Sanderling, 111 Ringed Plover, 25 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling were logged from Fisherman’s Bank. To wrap up, the Osprey visits: a bird left with a fish at 07:45 and it or another spent ten minutes fishing, successfully, from 16:30.

Grasshopper Warbler – Annalea Beard

The ringers had another good total – 96 birds – the best being the photographed Grasshopper Warbler, but also: 56 Sedge Warbler, one of them a French-ringed adult, 22 Reed Warbler, 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Blue Tit, 2 Whitethroat and a Cetti’s Warbler. Meanwhile, a Spotted Flycatcher and a Garden Warbler were at Stanpit, with up to 10 Willow Warbler spread about. Other than 3 Common Sandpiper seen around the Marsh, all the wader counts come from Fisherman’s Bank, early in the morning, when the sun is sympathetic to viewing Blackberry Point – 4 Sanderling, 2 Whimbrel, 79 Ringed Plover, 14 Dunlin and 7 Turnstone being the total. Miscellany, inside the harbour, came from 3 Common Tern, 9 Teal and 3 Great Crested Grebe; while, to finish, an Osprey hunted unsuccessfully for around twenty minutes from 15:00, before leaving east, and another made easy work of it around 17:45 and headed inland, where it was tracked as far as the meadows at Burton.

There were a number of Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly around Riversmeet Meadow today, including this teneral (freshly emerged) female, but also a number of mature males, a mating pair and one ovipositing (egg-laying) pair – Ian Whittaker

The Hobby couple visited again today – at around 07:40 – but that’s the only raptor news for the post. Meanwhile, there was a decent presence of Greenshank, during the morning, at least eight reckoned; with other waders throughout the day including: a Knot, 4 Sanderling, 2 Common Sandpiper, 3 Whimbrel, a Black-tailed Godwit, 63 Ringed Plover, 19 Dunlin and 5 Turnstone, all at Stanpit. A Wheatear on Crouch Hill was the best of the migrant passerines, with up to 30 Whitethroat on Wick being the rest of the news. Inside the harbour, the Wigeon is still about and, late in the day, 85 Sandwich Tern were present, along with 2 Mediterranean Gull, and of 5 Cattle Egret one was a juvenile. Finishing the field news, a Weasel was active on Crouch Hill.

All the ringing figures came from pre-08:00 and comprise: 16 Sedge Warbler, 6 Reed Warbler and a Blue Tit.

It was a generally quiet day – another presence of Whitethroat, along with a Garden Warbler and a handful of Blackcap on Wick, plus a Tree Pipit and 4 Yellow Wagtail over Stanpit, being the best of the migrant passerines. The only in-harbour wader news is of at least 3 Common Sandpiper at Stanpit, as well as a Turnstone there. The day’s Osprey experiences were both very quick – adept fishers at around 10:15 and 11:15 respectively – with the only other interest from the morning being of 5 Grey Heron dropping into the Nursery and perching on tree tops, seemingly not really sure of themselves. To finish, there were some locally notable observations during the evening solar eclipse period: a siege of 7 Grey Heron lifted out of the Nursery, circled to gain height and then headed off to the south west; while a Solent-bound roost flight of 13 Curlew and 39 Oystercatcher was seen from Mudeford Quay.

Painted Lady butterfly – Neil Jones

Little Egret – Neil Jones

Lapwing – Neil Jones

There was a bit of a mixture about today. The waders around Stanpit Bight included: a Grey Plover, 7 Knot, a Greenshank, 3 Common Sandpiper, 6 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Black-tailed Godwit; while, of the eighty or so ‘smalls’, the majority were Ringed Plover – Dunlin and 3 Turnstone being the remainder. Migrant passerines were represented by brief singles of Pied Flycatcher and Grasshopper Warbler at Stanpit, as well as 2 Lesser Whitethroat and a presence of Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Whitethroat and Yellow Wagtail; with a light passage of Swallow and Sand Martin to the east. Birds arriving from elsewhere in the UK, or further, were three each of Shoveler and Teal, plus a couple of Great White Egret heading north. Conversely, 16 Mediterranean Gull were checking-out to the west. To finish: a Peregrine went over Wick, where a Water Rail was seen from the Wooden Bridge and the Cattle Egret continue to gather food in the adjacent meadows; and the Osprey routine consisted an adept bird just after 09:30, but another that tried for ten minutes around noon, before heading away high over Hengistbury.

A fine looking, adult Lesser Black-backed Gull

The Hobby pair visited at around 09:00, when at one point they were in the same field of view as an acrobatic Spitfire. Meanwhile very small numbers of all three hirundines and a few Swift were moving generally west. On the deck, Willow Warbler – up to twenty on Wick, for example – were the most numerous, but also across the site: singles of Garden Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat, as well a presence of Whitethroat and Sedge Warbler in out-of-breeding locations; with at least 4 Yellow Wagtail about. The wader count from throughout the day, although the evening was more varied, included: a Grey Plover, 5 Knot, 3 Whimbrel, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 10 Black-tailed Godwit, 11 Ringed Plover, 15 Dunlin and 8 Snipe. Wrapping up, a female Tufted Duck was at Stanpit, where Osprey visits came at 10:00 and 17:30 – on both occasions a fish being caught within minutes – and 350 Mute Swan were along Grimmery Bank and on the River.

Curlew and single Whimbrel, the smaller bird third from right – Dave Miller

…and the CHOG stand looking good at the RNLI Fun Day on Mudeford Quay. It was a successful event for us and thanks to all the volunteers who helped make it happen.

The only field news for the day is of a Green Sandpiper and 5 Knot around Stanpit Bight, early evening and the photographed Whimbrel, during the morning; with the Wooden Bridge on Wick contributing a Kingfisher, a Water Rail and a couple of Whitethroat.

The ringing was equally quiet with nothing caught after 07:30. Beforehand, 9 Sedge Warbler and 3 Willow Warbler was the sum of it.

Reed Warbler (upper) and Sedge Warbler

…and a Grey Plover in the rising sun

It was nice to see a Marsh Harrier about the area – a female-type bird, early at Stanpit; while Peregrine seem to be coming more regular – singles morning and afternoon. Completing the raptor news, an Osprey hunted very quickly and successfully at around 15:00. A newly arrived wader was the photographed Grey Plover that spent all day around Stanpit Bight, likewise a couple of Knot, with a Greenshank in Stanpit Creek. Whimbrel could be heard, although not seen, this afternoon – but four were logged departing, early on – and of the sixty or so small waders frequenting Blackberry Point, the vast majority were Ringed Plover. Otherwise, it’s just single figures of Whitethroat, Reed Warbler and Sedge Warbler to mention.

Moving to ringing and 27 Sedge Warbler, plus a single Reed Warbler – that, a re-trap from the last day of July.

The best of a busy morning’s ringing – 133 birds in total – was this juvenile Water Rail – Josh Peck

…and adult-female Osprey, 1H1 – a breeding bird from Poole Harbour – remains in the area – Adrian Simmons

The big wildlife news across the area today was of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna off Hengistbury Head in Christchurch Bay, during the morning. Bird-wise, however, other than the good catch by the ringers, which included a Grasshopper Warbler, it was all fairly low-key. In fact, the only other migrant passerines reported were a Garden Warbler, 5 Willow Warbler and 4 Yellow Wagtail. The picks of the waders were: a couple of Avocet circling the harbour, a Green Sandpiper and a Little Ringed Plover; but also, 2 Knot, a Common Sandpiper, 14 Whimbrel, 37 Ringed Plover and 22 Dunlin, all at Stanpit. The Osprey visit was at around 09:00, with a Peregrine, also with prey, around a little earlier. To finish, 2 Kingfisher were seen together along Fisherman’s Bank.

Female Keeled Skimmer dragonfly – the first since 2023 – Ian Whittaker

Black-tailed Godwit were on the move this morning – nine arrived and settled with a further eleven taking a look but deciding not to join. A Knot also travelled with the latter flock, while a further four passed straight on through. Other waders about Stanpit, included: a Green Sandpiper, a Little Ringed Plover, 2 Greenshank, 4 Whimbrel, 40 Ringed Plover, 10 Dunlin and 3 Turnstone. Meanwhile, other pieces of interest around the Bight came from 4 Shoveler, a Common Tern and 9 Mediterranean Gull; with 8 Shelduck departing from there. To finish the field reports of birds, the migrant passerines across the Marsh – a Garden Warbler and 3 Lesser Whitethroat, plus small numbers of Whitethroat, Blackcap, Sedge Warbler and Reed Warbler.

Ringing was described as, ‘slow and steady.’ Sedge Warbler totalled eleven – four of them adults, along with singles of Reed Warbler, Robin and Blue Tit.

Moving to odonata and, in addition to the photographed Keeled Skimmer, the Lily Pond area produced: a Ruddy Darter, a few Common Darter, the usual presence of Emperor, several Brown Hawker and a solitary Migrant Hawker.

To complete the set of wildlife, a Pygmy Shrew corpse was found on Wick – the first record in twenty years – while the path onto Stanpit, towards the Pod, is currently productive for Painted Lady butterflies, with a Clouded Yellow also there today.

Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly, again at Riversmeet Meadow pool – Barrie Taylor

Osprey visited at just before 09:00 and around 15:45 – on the latter occasion certainly being successful and, in both instances, returning inland. From now on in, for the remainder of the month and well into next, daily occurrences can be expected – a high tide usually the best option. Other than a Peregrine over Hengistbury, the remainder of the news comes from in and around Holloway’s Dock, where 54 Sandwich Tern and three juvenile Mediterranean Gull were amongst around 250 birds resting or feeding in the dock itself; while, over the last couple of months, a small day roost of egrets has become established in the adjacent thicket.

Southern Hawker dragonflies are now on the wing at Hengistbury – Peter Boardman

The 2 Hobby visited early today – being seen at 06:30, from South Marsh, as they returned inland. Meanwhile, there was a reasonable selection of waders at Stanpit, including: 2 Greenshank, 9 Common Sandpiper, 4 Sanderling, 14 Whimbrel – nine of them leaving over Hengistbury, 17 Black-tailed Godwit, 33 Ringed Plover and 52 Dunlin; with presumed furthers of a Greenshank and 4 Common Sandpiper in Barn Bight. The most noticeable passerine about the Head was Stonechat – a total of thirty-six spread across; with varying numbers, across the site as whole, of Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap and Whitethroat; as well as a Tree Pipit and 2 Yellow Wagtail. Moving to the in-harbour water, where singles of Wigeon and Great Crested Grebe were logged, and a Great White Egret fed – that just inside the sandspit. To start to round things up: the day’s total for Mediterranean Gull was around eighty; a couple of Treecreeper were about the north of the area; the breeding Sparrowhawk were again active; and an impressive 314 birds in Holloway’s Dock comprised: a Little Egret, two juvenile Mediterranean Gull and 62 Sandwich Tern, with the remainder being Black-headed Gull. Finally, a note on Cattle Egret – as their status seems now to be resident, moving forward, they won’t feature daily on the posts, but please do keep sending records in.

The first Willow Emerald damselfly of the season was around the Lily Pond today – Ray Scott

From a few days ago, taken from a public area, soon-to-fledge Little Egret – Adrian Simmons

Over the last week or so, twos of Hobby have been seen about the area and, today, their intent was confirmed. They hit the Sand Martin flock at the Coastguards and worked together to single out a bird, driving it a few hundred metres offshore, before giving up the chase and returning. On this subject, the Sand Martin themselves were estimated at around fifty, while 10 Swift passed through. Moving to waders and there were at least 2 Greenshank at Stanpit, along with a Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 14 Ringed Plover and 25 Dunlin; plus 52 Curlew, which, just as some recent Redshank counts, is a decent number for the place. Also, 3 Black-tailed Godwit left, high to the west. A party of 12 Shoveler inside the Harbour was nice, as was a single Wigeon, presumably the summering bird – although returnees can be expected in the next week or so. Throughout the day, up to 20 Mediterranean Gull were reckoned; the loafing Sandwich Tern were around fifty or so; and the Cattle Egret continue to go about their business. To finish, as the following ringing update will confirm, it was pretty quiet in terms of migrant passerines – Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and Whitethroat, as well as an over-flying Yellow Wagtail, being the only species noted in the field.

Ringing this morning was very quiet – just four birds, all Sedge Warbler – and all before 07:00, after which nothing at all was caught. We do, however, have a couple of recovery updates from last Friday – both Sedge Warbler: one was ringed the previous day in South Wales, losing around a gram in weight for its travels; the other, two years earlier in Northern Ireland.

Wild Carrot, also known as Common Carrot, is currently widespread on the Hengistbury side of the area – Peter Boardman

A male Scarce Blue-tailed Damselfly on Riversmeet Meadow pond – Peter Boardman

…and, in the same area, Tansy – Peter Boardman

Egrets were on the move today – a Great White Egret arrived and seemed uncertain of itself, before pitching in Hengistbury, while a flock of eight to the east comprised four each of Cattle Egret and Little Egret. The residents of these two species were also present and correct in the usual haunts – the ‘cattles’ peaking at nine on Wick. During the morning, waders at Stanpit included: a Greenshank, a Knot, 6 Sanderling, 5 Whimbrel, 5 Black-tailed Godwit, 4 Ringed Plover, 23 Dunlin, 3 Snipe and 5 Turnstone, plus a very brief Curlew Sandpiper; also, a couple of Green Sandpiper over the Wooden Bridge with a further Whimbrel in Holloway’s Dock and three west; likewise, 32 Black-tailed Godwit. Meanwhile, a Hobby passed over and migrant passerines were represented by Grasshopper Warbler, Reed Warbler, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler and Whitethroat; also at least 7 Yellow Wagtail, all on the Marsh. To finish, an Osprey visited around 10:30 and Shoveler was on site

Ringing this morning produced 18 Sedge Warbler and 4 Reed Warbler. Of the sedge, five were adults, four of them females.

Male Chaffinch – Paul Mcauliffe

There was a little bit of most things today. Waders at Stanpit included a Greenshank, 3 Knot, 3 Common Sandpiper, 5 Whimbrel, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 12 Ringed Plover and 67 Dunlin. The most numerous of the migrant passerines was Sedge Warbler, but also Grasshopper Warbler, Garden Warbler, Lesser Whitethroat, Whitethroat and Willow Warbler, plus a Tree Pipit and 5 Yellow Wagtail, logged across the site, but mostly at Stanpit. Overhead, there was a modest movement of Swift to the east, with a dozen or so Mediterranean Gull passing in the opposite direction, and a Great White Egret north. To finish with the birds, an Osprey visited successfully for around ten minutes from 10:10, 7 Cattle Egret spent the day by the Wooden Bridge and five were seen around the Marsh, where a Teal was about. Moving to mammals, a Weasel was active around Crouch Hill at 10:30.

From now on, we’re hoping to carry news on each of the days when ringing takes place. Yesterday morning saw the first session of the season, which involved 54 Sedge Warbler, 15 Reed Warbler, a Garden Warbler, a Whitethroat and a Wren. Of these, a Reed Warbler was ringed here in 2023 and 3 Sedge Warbler were controls from elsewhere in the UK. Full details here…