Green Woodpecker in Spring 2018, their last breeding season and the last-known photo in the area. The species now has the status of a recording area rarity! – Scott Usher

The moment of a fog-bound morning was a Green Woodpecker that flew, yaffling as it did so, from Ashtree Meadow to Riversmeet Meadow. Earlier, despite the near-zero visibility, some birds were attempting to travel over Hengistbury – sporadic calls of Redwing, Brambling, Redpoll, Siskin and Reed Bunting, all being heard there. The only other news from a conditions-challenging day is 7 Common Gull, all adults, on Branders Bank, late on, and adult male Marsh Harrier quartering Priory Marsh, at midday.

Marsh Harrier (upper) as it drew the attention of a Peregrine

Dunlin with a Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Ringed Plover

…and this Curlew, which we’ve reported on previously, is still about

The best of an eastbound, but dwindling migration over Hengistbury, for which most of the numbers will be listed later, was easily a Lapland Bunting – sound recorded as it went. Meanwhile, 9 Fieldfare, 2 Redwing and 17 Skylark headed inland over there; with Fisherman’s Bank seeing and hearing a locally remarkable flock of 3 Mistle Thrush do the same, as well as two more Redwing and a Grey Wagtail. The sea, which held forty-eight settled Common Scoter, also had some flyby interest – namely: a Goosander and a Great White Egret to the west; plus, a Great Northern Diver east. A day-total of 4 Mediterranean Gull is a good record for the date here, with other notables inside the harbour coming from: a Pochard, 2 Pintail, 2 Shoveler and 10 Gadwall; singles of Knot and Bar-tailed Godwit; and a Common Gull. Also at Stanpit and there was another decent date-record – a Blackcap – with 3 Chiffchaff on the head. Before listing the other overhead movers, mention must be made of the Greenfinch flock currently frequenting Crouch Hill – at least seventy birds today. Now the numbers: 95 Goldfinch, 40 Linnet, 34 Chaffinch, 20 Meadow Pipit, 14 Pied Wagtail, 11 Redpoll, 10 Reed Bunting, 9 Starling and 7 Siskin; as well as 17 Long-tailed Tit, which try as they might, just failing to get the courage to lift to the skies. It’s good to get a Bullfinch presence back on Wick – two, but perhaps four, there – while a Dartford Warbler in that area is a good return, and a Kingfisher was logged along Fisherman’s Bank. In addition to the photographed raptors, a Red Kite circuited the area.

A record shot of Tundra Bean Goose – Matt Doyle

Meanwhile, Stanpit Marsh is delivering as a Local Nature Reserve – affording close encounters with winter-visting wildfowl. A pair Wigeon (upper) and drake Teal – Neil Jones

If one considers the first Tundra Bean Goose for the area occurred as recently as December 2021, with another in the same month of 2025, then a total of seven today is truly remarkable. Initially, just after dawn, a skein of three passed straight over to the east; but, slightly later, a further four came from the west – of these, three settled briefly, but soon lifted off again. All four of those may still be local, however, as the same number were on Ripley Farm Reservoir, around seven kilometres inland, late in the afternoon. The stand-out of the visible migration was, for definite, a Hawfinch east over Hengistbury, from where the following were also logged, over a 2.25-hour period, and all to the east: Goldfinch 366, Linnet 133, Chaffinch 93, Starling 64, 62 Meadow Pipit, 54 Siskin – including a flock of thrty-six, 14 Pied Wagtail, 13 Reed Bunting, 4 Redpoll, 2 Brambling and 2 Skylark. Meanwhile, 4 Redwing made landfall. Moving over to Stanpit, where there was an impressive count of 181 Teal – as well as: the 2 Avocet, 8 Bar-tailed Godwit, 26 Black-tailed Godwit, 47 Ringed Plover and 58 Dunlin. Also, in the meadows around the marsh, at least 6 Chiffchaff; while, an early-morning return of 50 Pied Wagtail scattered around the Parky Meade Rail area perhaps suggests a roost there. Once again, the pair of White-tailed Eagle arrived early – 07:30, in fact – and lingered until 10:30; with 2 Marsh Harrier about Wick, post-dawn, and a further bird high east later on.

Despite the date, a Hummingbird Hawk Moth was feeding on salvia in the shelter of Fisherman’s Bank.

Thin Walled Maze Polypore mushroom – Paul Mcauliffe

…and Brittlegill mushroom – Paul Mcauliffe

On another day of greyness and damp, with an uncomfortable north-easterly breeze, the sea held some reasonable interest: during the morning, there was a nice gathering of 44 Common Scoter, along with an accompanying Wigeon, off the Long Groyne; while, late in the day, a Red-throated Diver was loafing off Mudeford Quay. Sticking with water birds, the in-harbour ducks were highlighted by: 7 Pintail, 10 Shoveler and 9 Shelduck, but also a good count of 114 Teal. Also inside the harbour, a reasonable wader selection, including: the 2 Avocet, 2 Knot, 10 Grey Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, at least one Black-tailed Godwit, 44 Ringed Plover and 26 Dunlin; plus, 2 Common Gull, which are always worth a mention. As would be expected in the conditions and the creeping of the season, migrant passerines were thin both on the ground and in the air – a single Fieldfare, couple of Firecrest and a handful of straggling, overhead finches, all from Hengistbury, being the best of it. Meanwhile, the Cattle Egret presence continues to increase, with a minimum of thirty-four leaving roost and, on the tip of South Marsh, nineteen preparing to return to it. The now customary last phase of the post brings news of: the pair of White-tailed Eagle about the area around 07:30; as well as one or two Marsh Harrier at Stanpit, where a Peregrine was also seen.

Black-tailed Godwit

There was another presence of diving duck today – 5 Pochard flew across the harbour towards the sandspit; and 3 Tufted Duck were on site – two at Stanpit and one Barn Bight. Also, three female-type Common Scoter riding the waves at the end of Clarendon Rocks and 24 Brent Goose around the place. Amongst the waders, 3 Knot on the Flats were a bit of surprise, with others about Stanpit including: the 2 Avocet, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and similar number of Black-tailed Godwit. A cruel north-easterly wind and grey skies put paid to all but a token movement of birds over Hengistbury, but a Fieldfare and 4 Redwing had made something of a journey; while a single Chiffchaff, 2 Firecrest and 4 Goldcrest were in the bushes there. A couple of Marsh Harrier were logged, just after dawn, and the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived shortly afterwards – by 07:30 a Coot had been caught and eaten, after which they soon departed.

Raptor-alarmed Lapwing and Starling – Alan Crockard

Kestrel – David Faulkner

The best from a 2.25-hour visible migration watch, commencing at first light, was a notably late (Western) Yellow Wagtail heard and recorded several times, but also: 450 Goldfinch, 147 Linnet, 40 Meadow Pipit, 31 Chaffinch, 19 Starling, 14 Siskin, 10 Pied Wagtail, 3 Reed Bunting and 2 Brambling, plus singles of Redpoll and Greenfinch, all to the east. It’s also worth mentioning, during the same period, there was a gathering of fifty or so of the latter on Crouch Hill. The watch also saw Woodpigeon and Stock Dove, but, again, travelling with uncertainty of direction – 4000 and 359 respectively. Meanwhile, incoming birds included a Mistle Thrush – perhaps the first record of the year – and a Merlin. Inside the harbour, the pick was easily a 1cy Kittiwake, while the 2 Avocet remain. Moving to wildfowl and what was presumably the same Pochard as yesterday lifted off from Barn Bight and headed upriver, with 5 Pintail and 3 Shoveler at Stanpit, and a flyby of 5 Scaup at sea. Rounding things up: 28 Cattle Egret left the roost and a Kingfisher was by the Bailey Bridge; with raptors represented by: a Red Kite inspecting the marsh; a couple of Marsh Harrier, early on, by the Wooden Bridge; and a Peregrine on the Priory.

Great White Egret and the Priory – Roger Tidball

White-tailed Eagle alarming the Canada Goose – Roger Tidball

Starting at dawn and the remarkable site of 3 Spoonbill and 4 Great White Egret leaving the heron roost! The morning also saw some wildfowl interest: firstly, an omission from yesterday – the first Shelduck for some time was inside the harbour; back to today and a drake Pochard was seen in both Barn Bight and Parky Meade Rail; 9 Shoveler passed to the east; and 10 Brent Goose headed in the opposite direction, with up to fifty spending the day here. Meanwhile, waders were noted arriving, namely: 2 Avocet and a Golden Plover over the Whitepits area; and 17 Ringed Plover and 3 Snipe over Warren Hill. Before moving to the visible migration, 4 Brambling were settled about the Wood, during the morning, with another low over the sandspit. The best of the overhead passage between 06:50 and 08:50 and to the east was a Woodlark, but also: 6200 Woodpigeon, 224 Goldfinch, 167 Linnet, 110 Stock Dove, 26 Chaffinch, 22 Meadow Pipit, 18 Siskin, 8 Pied Wagtail, 5 Redpoll and a Reed Bunting; plus, a 1cy Mediterranean Gull at sea. A word about the pigeons and doves – they all initially headed west across Christchurch Bay, but for some reason U-turned about the western part of the area and seemed to move back towards the Forest. The afternoon also saw some strange goings-on, with 14 Fieldfare incoming and a flock of around 100 Stock Dove north-west. The White-tailed Eagle maximum for the day was five, all low over Blackberry Point, where four settled for some time – all of this between 09:30 and 12:30; a Marsh Harrier headed inland; a Peregrine was logged from Hengistbury; and a Buzzard drifted high to the west, over Wick, early on. This evening, pipistrelle bats were on the wing at Mudeford Quay.

Spoonbill with Wigeon

Adult male Marsh Harrier

…and Bar-tailed Godwit

The morning saw a more-than-notable record of 5 Jack Snipe, as well as 12 Snipe, all around the northern section of Central Marsh. Meanwhile, a canteen of 3 Spoonbill, that was originally in Stanpit Creek, spent until at least the early afternoon about the place. Moving back to waders and Stanpit Bight, which held 8 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit and a nice count of 57 Ringed Plover. Shelduck have been absent for a while, but one was present today, along with an increase of Brent Goose to forty-five, a Pintail, 2 Shoveler and 12 Gadwall, those in Parky Meade Rail. Rounding up, a couple of Kingfisher were returned from the marsh and Marsh Harrier now seem established for the winter: two adult males from Wick in the morning; an adult male and a female in the same area at midday; and three undescribed birds in to roost at 16:45.

Kingfisher – from a boat at the Clay Pool

Turnstone – also from the boat – Julie Frampton

…and White-tailed Eagle

The most remarkable record of the day is of around 50 Fieldfare settled in trees around Riversmeet Meadow, before heading off inland, at around 16:45. To put context on this, such numbers are normally only associated with severe, mid-winter cold, while, at this time of the year, ones and twos passing over at dawn are what’s expected. As such, a single bird, along with 5 Redwing, did just that at Hengistbury, where the eastbound movers came to: 842 Woodpigeon, 335 Goldfinch, 183 Linnet, 179 Stock Dove, 41 Chaffinch, 32 Meadow Pipit, 20 Pied Wagtail, 19 Starling, 10 Siskin, 4 Skylark, 2 Marsh Harrier, 2 Swallow, a Brambling and a Redpoll. Also over there, and to the east, a nice return of a passing Bullfinch, with a settled bird, a female, on Wick. Blackcap haven’t been noted for a week, at least – so a male and female from the bird hide were good to see – with 4 Chiffchaff about Stanpit being the only other grounded migrants reported. The marsh also produced a 1cy Little Gull flying down the River, as well as a Grey Plover and 6 Bar-tailed Godwit in Stanpit Bight. The remaining bird interest, from another pretty good day comes from: a couple of Great White Egret passing low over the Nursery, where a Kingfisher was present, with other encounters of the latter coming from the Clay Pool and the northern shore of the harbour; this evening, 2 Marsh Harrier looked as it they were going to roost; a White-tailed Eagle first appeared in the sky to the north around midday and, over the next thirty minutes, was joined by the two others, plus a Red Kite, but none actually ventured over the airspace.

The warm conditions brought insects back onto the wing, including Willow Emerald and Common Darter damselfly; and, from the butterflies, a brace of Clouded Yellow – one of them an helice form at the Natterjack Pond – and a Small Copper feeding on Sea Aster along Fisherman’s Bank.

White-tailed Eagle over the navigation channel through the harbour – Alan Crockard

Rock Pipit on the sandspit – Dave Miller

Kestrel – Dave Miller

A fine day of weather started well with a Brambling calling frequently from the southern end of the Beach Huts; as well an early push of 1610 Woodpigeon, with 33 Stock Dove in tow, west over Hengistbury, after crossing Christchurch Bay. Once again, there were birds in the inland skies, but lacking conviction in terms of direction of travel. Meanwhile, smaller birds heading east included: 606 Goldfinch, 202 Linnet, 35 Meadow Pipit, 21 Pied Wagtail, 19 Chaffinch, seventeen each of Starling and Skylark, 12 Greenfinch, 15 Siskin, 5 Reed Bunting and 3 Redpoll, within a timed two-hour period from 06:50. The sea also saw movement in terms of wildfowl – 8 Shoveler to the east and, in the opposite direction, 50 Brent Goose and 11 Wigeon. On the ground, however, migrants are now very sparse – just 4 Chiffchaff logged across the southern portion of the site. All the wader news comes from the Long Groyne, where a Sanderling, 37 Ringed Plover and 3 Dunlin preferred to be. Before the raptors, Jay continue to be conspicuous as they go on their autumn wanders – four over the Recreation Ground – and a Kingfisher was in Barn Bight. The White-tailed Eagle arrived, loosely together, just after 08:15 and were present to around 11:30, at least: a Red Kite gave Crouch Hill a close inspection, attracted by the corpses of diseased rabbits; and, early on, a couple of Marsh Harrier were logged from Wick.

Porcelain Fungus – Jackie Smith

There was the merest of hints of a Woodpigeon movement this morning – just over 300 passed west over Hengistbury, as well as 7 Stock Dove – although many more were airborne inland, but moving in both directions, so to avoid any confusion weren’t logged. Definitely travelling to the east, however, were: 351 Goldfinch, 137 Linnet, 49 Meadow Pipit, 39 Chaffinch, 35 Greenfinch, 13 Redpoll, 12 Siskin, 10 Pied Wagtail, 5 Reed Bunting, 3 Swallow and a Brambling, with a Redwing arriving, all between 07:00 and 08:30. Meanwhile, a couple of Little Gull were still at sea, where a Common Scoter and 15 Brent Goose passed by, along with 5 Mediterranean Gull and 2 Common Gull; with those more settled on the Head including 34 Ringed Plover, a couple of Firecrest and a single Chiffchaff. Marsh Harrier were conspicuous during the morning – two adult male birds were about Stanpit – and, early on, what may have been a third individual was over Wick water meadows. Cattle Egret no longer get a daily mention, but thirty-one out of the roost is certainly worth one.

Migrating Woodpigeon – Matt Doyle

Dartford Warbler, adjacent to a busy path – Jeremy Mayes

Probably due to a belt of offshore cloud, the pigeon numbers weren’t as high as hoped – nevertheless, 6752 Woodpigeon west over the area made for quite a spectacle, with 42 Stock Dove mixed in or in flocks of their own right. To put some perspective on this, however, over 38000 ‘woodies’ were logged at a site in south Devon – a number, which, when conditions align, is more than achievable here. The count took place between 06:30 and 09:30, when 376 Linnet, 122 Goldfinch, 71 Meadow Pipit, 39 Skylark, 22 Redpoll, 21 Chaffinch, the same number of Siskin and 13 Reed Bunting were also noted from the area of the NCI Lookout. It’s interesting to see, after Goldfinch domination last week, that Linnet topped the finch figures today; also, a decent showing of Skylark – in addition to those already mentioned, an exultation of twenty passed over Stanpit. A Black Redstart by The Hiker café, but soon off along The Broadway, was the pick of the grounded passerines, which also included 2 Firecrest on the Batters, plus 5 Chiffchaff across Hengistbury and Wick, where a Kingfisher was by the Wooden Bridge. As the afternoon tide ebbed through the Run, the place attracted small gulls – four 1cy Little Gull still about the place. Finishing the birds with now traditional raptor roll call: a Merlin travelled east over the Head and a Peregrine headed out to sea – perhaps hoping for a pigeon breakfast; and female-type Marsh Harrier were sighted, a couple of hours apart, along the western side of the River. The warm temperature saw a few insects on the wing: Migrant Hawker, Southern Hawker and Common Darter dragon/damselfly; Clouded Yellow and Red Admiral butterfly; and some quite vicious mosquitoes.

The morning saw a few Little Gull still lingering – two were seen from Mudeford Quay and one from the Beach Huts, where a Yellow-legged Gull was also logged; plus, one each of Mediterranean Gull from the two sites. Another highlight, meanwhile, from the quay, was a Goosander west, as well as 10 Brent Goose to the east. Inside the harbour, there were a further 16 ‘brents’, with the best of the waders being: 9 Grey Plover, a Bar-tailed Godwit, 8 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Ringed Plover and 9 Dunlin. Tomorrow’s early morning conditions look right on the money for a Woodpigeon movement – even 150 over Hengistbury in the unsuitable weather today; along with a Redwing and very modest numbers of finches, as well as a settled Firecrest. Finishing the birds: around 08:30, a male and female Marsh Harrier hunted Wick Hams, with an individual about Priory Marsh at midday; the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived around 10:00, but left singularly at 11:15 and 11:30 respectively – the male being the last to leave – after, between the two of them, catching a Coot. Moving to mammals – by the early afternoon, the wind had dropped significantly, so much so that at dusk several pipistrelle bats were feeding low over the Run.

It was another day of wind and rain, but this time the blow came largely from the south. Once again, Little Gull feature: during the morning three came into the harbour, over Mudeford Quay, in a hattrick of plumages – 1cy, 2cy and adult; also in that period, an adult passed the Beach Huts; while the afternoon saw three feeding close off the quay. For the monthly collator, a day-total of seven would be a reasonable assumption. Although there was a feeding flock off the end of Hengistbury, the waters of Christchurch Bay itself were pretty devoid of birds – but there was a small, shore-hugging movement of gulls, including 8 Mediterranean Gull – two of them 2cy birds – and 3 Common Gull, as well as 6 Brent Goose. To finish a sea-dominated post, an adult Gannet was sitting on the water, inside the harbour, just off the lifeboat station!

Although this adult Little Gull was photographed 100m or so outside the recording area, it would seem a shame not to make an exception and publish – particularly as, in all likelihood, it did venture inside

The best count of Little Gull came in the first few hours of the morning, when twenty-seven were logged from Mudeford Quay – either heading into the harbour or passing by the sandspit. A couple of hundred metres to the north, however, just outside of the recording area, at Avon Beach, there was an aggregation of 30-40 birds, feeding in the surf, which dwindled to around five by the mid-afternoon – presumably those departing that scene also travelled past or over the quay. Age-wise, adults dominated, with lesser numbers of 1cy and a single 2cy. Otherwise, there isn’t too much to report: a Red-throated Diver moved by offshore, where the drake Common Scoter remained, and there was a modicum of finch migration, but uncensored, taking place over Hengistbury. To finish, the only raptor news for the day is of a Marsh Harrier at Stanpit.

Little Gull – an adult in the upper shot and a 1cy on the right in the lower

1cy Kittiwake – see the similarity in upperwing pattern to Little Gull of the same age

Mediterranean Gull – again a 1cy

…and a 2cy Common Gull

Within an hour of the second storm in two days hitting, at around 13:00, Little Gull began to feature. At least sixteen were seen off Mudeford Quay with, towards the end of the day, a minimum of the same number resting inside the harbour. Although the figures are equal, some of the offshore birds went straight past – so a total in excess of twenty is reasonable to assume. Meanwhile, however, sites in Hampshire were seeing over 100 birds being blasted east – does this mean, when things calm tomorrow morning, there could be something of a re-orientation through Christchurch Bay? Also logged during the blow, from the quay and to the west, an Arctic Skua and a flock of 5 Kittiwake, all 1cy birds. Earlier, a Red-breasted Merganser – a species that may, nowadays, have the fewest records across the year of those mentioned in this post – also headed west; while, throughout, the drake Common Scoter was on station and 7 Mediterranean Gull – one of those a fine-looking 2cy individual in plumage not often seen here – 5 Common Gull, a Brent Goose and a Great Crested Grebe, all passed by into the wind. Winding back to the first couple of hours of daylight and an overhead migration of 200+ Goldfinch, along with lesser numbers of Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Linnet and Siskin. Finishing the post from an eventful day, it’s almost as if the White-tailed Eagle pair knew what was coming in terms of weather – they were on site by 08:00, but didn’t hang around for long – when a Peregrine was about Stanpit.

The only news from a truly storm-lashed day is from Mudeford Quay, where the offshore, north-westerly blast meant there was next to nothing on view. The exception being a drake Common Scoter that rode the waves for much of the afternoon, a lone Brent Goose finding sanctuary on the sandspit and a female Grey Seal in the Run.

Curlew – Dave Miller

Not many Treecreeper have been recorded on Wick – Dave Miller

After a couple of wet mornings, the visible migration was back on – albeit it lighter. A one-hour sample period, from 07:15, yielding: 187 Goldfinch, 48 Starling, 34 Linnet, 21 Meadow Pipit, 14 Pied Wagtail, 4 Reed Bunting, 2 Siskin and 2 Redpoll; also, throughout the morning, singles of Bullfinch and Redwing. Over on, in addition to the photographed Treecreeper, a Kingfisher and a Water Rail were seen from the Wooden Bridge. The only wader news is of Bar-tailed Godwit – the area off the inner shore of Mudeford Quay, where the Bure Brook flows in, has recently hosted birds – a couple there today. Finishing with raptors: between Priory Marsh and Wick, a minimum of 2 Marsh Harrier was reckoned; and the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived at 13:15 and left around three hours later – the male catching one fish.

Some ringing news, on Tuesday, a colour-ringed 1cy Herring Gull was in the area described above for the ‘barwits’. It was ringed in August as a chick at rehabilitation centre near Chichester. It is a dark-blue, appearing black, ring with NZX in white lettering.

All the news is from Stanpit, where 9 Grey Plover, 11 Bar-tailed Godwit, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin were around Stanpit Bight, along with 44 Brent Goose. In addition, a Redwing over the recreation ground, late in the afternoon, was a nice record; with a female-type Marsh Harrier about and the first reported Rock Pipit of the season on the salt marsh.

The rain eventually eased around 14:00, when Hengistbury was visited – primarily to check out the bushes. As it turned out, however, there was some unexpected visible migration – with a 90-minute period producing, all to the west and into the stiff breeze: 300 Starling – not really known as an overhead migrant here – in five flocks, the largest being around ninety birds; 80 Chaffinch, again a good number for the area – the most numerous group being around forty; 50 Wigeon, 2 Shoveler and a Teal; plus 7 Jackdaw, 5 Lapwing and 2 Black-tailed Godwit. As it was, the vegetation held up to 6 Firecrest – four of those on the Batters – while Chiffchaff numbered around twenty-five. Also from the head: a Grey Wagtail was decked in the main car park, 13 Common Scoter were offshore and 3 Mediterranean Gull passed by. A short time later, at Stanpit, a Spoonbill was discovered on Blackberry Point; with the in-harbour wildfowl there headed by a nice count of 11 Shoveler, as well as 60 Teal and 43 Brent Goose. To wrap up a damp, but ultimately productive day, a Peregrine hunted Stanpit Bight.

An easterly wind on this date is a near certainty for a good passage of birds, particularly finches, and so they came. Until the weekend, Linnet were the dominant species numerically; but, yesterday, Goldfinch closed the gap and today were outright leaders – a tad over 1500 versus 160, from sunrise until 09:30, all to the east. Moving with them, again in that direction, were: 75 Meadow Pipit, 33 Pied Wagtail, 25 Siskin, 6 Skylark, two each of Brambling, Redpoll, Chaffinch and Starling, and singles of Greenfinch and Reed Bunting. Meanwhile, in conditions far from optimal for Woodpigeon to attempt to travel, 360 of them did, with two accompanying Stock Dove, all to the west. To complete the moving birds: 3 Redwing, 4 Blackbird and a Mediterranean Gull arrived; 2 Common Gull passed toward the Solent; and 3 Brent Goose headed in the opposite direction. Sticking with ‘brents’, the in-harbour total rose to forty-two, where the wader notables were 6 Grey Plover, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 12 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Ringed Plover and 6 Dunlin. Passerines were tricky in the conditions, but the shelter of the Natterjack Pond area held at least 10 Chiffchaff and a further dozen or so were at Stanpit, where a Firecrest was on Riversmeet Meadow.

Migrating Spoonbill

It was a good autumn day. The visible migration over Hengistbury – from 07:20 to 10:50 – started with incoming thrushes, including: 3 Fieldfare, 25 Redwing, 9 Blackbird and a Song Thrush. Meanwhile, Woodpigeon were again on the move – 3884 to the west, along with ninety-five accompanying Stock Dove, plus 213 Wigeon, 13 Lapwing, 4 Grey Heron, 2 Snipe and a Great White Egret all in the same direction. The northerly breeze again meant the coastal movement went both ways – the best of the easterly passage being 9 Spoonbill, but also 10 Brent Goose, 59 Teal and 35 Wigeon at sea, as well as 331 Linnet, 276 Goldfinch, 74 Meadow Pipit, 27 Siskin, 11 Pied Wagtail, 8 Reed Bunting, 6 Skylark, 3 Chaffinch and a Brambling over. It’s good to see the Brent Goose appearing – in addition to those mentioned, fifteen were inside the Harbour and eight rested off the sandspit; with 85 Teal at Stanpit and 10 Gadwall in Parky Meade Rail, specifically, completing the wildfowl news. Moving to waders around Stanpit Bight, where 12 Grey Plover, 4 Bar-tailed Godwit, 22 Black-tailed Godwit, a Ringed Plover and 4 Dunlin were the best. Before the raptors, a Kingfisher was about Stanpit Creek: a Red Kite closely inspected Crouch Hill, before heading off west, and an adult male Marsh Harrier hunted Wick Hams at around 10:30. To finish, despite the influx of winter birds, in the sheltered spots the all-day sunshine tempted Clouded Yellow butterflies onto the wing – a minimum of ten on a single plant along Fisherman’s Bank and a conspicuous presence in the Mudeford Quay area.

Most of the news is from the morning’s visible-migration watch – a free event for CHOG members – which was highlighted by a Merlin zapping through and a Brambling heard from the vicinity of the Wood. Other birds moving, in rough order of presence, came from: Goldfinch and Linnet, both into three figures, Meadow Pipit, Pied Wagtail, Greenfinch, Skylark, Siskin and a single House Martin. Meanwhile, Sparrowhawk were seen on five occasions, including two together, so it’s quite conceivable some of those, at least, were on the move. All of the previous were to the east, but the cold northerly breeze encouraged some early Woodpigeon movement – around 200 to the west – with a general amassing of birds noted around the fringes of the recording area. Moving to other things, a small number of Chiffchaff were about the site and a female-type Marsh Harrier passed east over Wick at around 07:15.

An hour’s worth of visible migration, commencing 07:30 until some rain, from Hengistbury, saw: 215 Linnet, 21 Greenfinch, 8 Siskin, 5 Pied Wagtail, 4 Swallow, a Skylark and a Grey Wagtail; with the precipitation then causing over 20 Meadow Pipit and half-a-dozen Skylark to drop onto Crouch Hill, where they joined a single Wheatear. Meanwhile, the bushes seemed quiet – just 4 Chiffchaff reported, all from Wick. To wrap up, a Glossy Ibis was seen in flight from the aforementioned site and, around 17:15, an adult male Marsh Harrier passed over Stanpit Bight.

Bar-tailed Godwit with several Redshank – David Faulkner

Glossy Ibis – David Faulkner

Relating to some recent rare and scarce birds, there have been suggestions that CHOG has intentionally delayed or withheld news. For the first three species of this post, therefore, here is some context. The birds were all recorded by an observer who does not participate in the local WhatsApp group, meaning news wasn’t received, in the case of the pipit, for at least an hour, and for the other two, longer, by the wider birding community of the area. An Olive-backed Pipit, which, pending acceptance, is a harbour first, landed for around ten seconds on Hengistbury, where a Yellow-browed Warbler and two ‘Continental’ – race ater – Coal Tit were briefly on the Batters. Meanwhile, the overhead migration, mostly to the west, included: 470 Linnet, 130 Goldfinch, 110 Meadow Pipit, 85 Greenfinch, 55 Pied Wagtail, 35 Chaffinch, 8 Redpoll, 2 Swallow and a Redpoll; with thinning numbers of Chiffchaff about and a Firecrest in the Wood. Offshore, there was a reasonable feeding flock, which attracted a Little Gull, 6 Mediterranean Gill and around 30 Gannet; while a light, but steady, passage of auks went west across Christchurch Bay. To finish, the Glossy Ibis was seen both sides of the area, 3 Cattle Egret lingered about the roost and a Great White Egret headed east through the Harbour.

The morning saw a reasonable movement over Hengistbury – mostly to the east and including, in numerical order: 584 Linnet, 81 Meadow Pipit, 72 Goldfinch, 20 Pied Wagtail, 13 Skylark, 12 Reed Bunting, 7 Swallow, six each of Redpoll and Siskin, 5 Greenfinch, 3 Chaffinch and a House Martin; with 108 Woodpigeon heading in the opposite direction. Also to the east, a single flock of 21 Cattle Egret that was first seen low over the harbour, before exiting over the Long Field and out into Poole Bay, closely followed by a Little Egret. Grounded passerine numbers were lighter than of late – the pick being 4 Redwing briefly at Stanpit, a Firecrest on the Head, and single Wheatear either side of the area. After apparently being none yesterday, it was a slight surprise to see 13 Bar-tailed Godwit around Stanpit Bight, where 26 Black-tailed Godwit – these seeming to have a good content of 1cy birds – 3 Grey Plover and 7 Ringed Plover, along with 2 Brent Goose, were also logged. Rounding things up, Glossy Ibis returns came from East Marsh and Priory Marsh, and a Great Crested Grebe passed Mudeford Quay.

Other than an early seawatch from Hengistbury, which produced an unidentified diver, 8 Razorbill, 12 auk sp., and 11 Gannet – all to the west, save for a single Gannet – the majority of the news is from Stanpit. The Glossy Ibis was on North Marsh around 13:00, while the late afternoon into the early evening on Crouch Hill saw 2 Wheatear and a pre-roost gathering of around 30 Pied Wagtail. Nearby, 5 Grey Plover, a Sanderling, 17 Black-tailed Godwit and a Dunlin were in Stanpit Bight.

Barely a minute went by without moisture, of varying degrees, being in the air. The most bizarre moment of the day came late in the morning, when an Avocet was seen taking a stroll on the Mudeford Quay promenade! Meanwhile, waders inside the harbour included 7 Grey Plover, a couple of Sanderling, 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and 3 Black-tailed Godwit. Stanpit also held some passerine interest: a Ring Ouzel was in the North Scrubs, briefly, feeding on rowan berries; a Whinchat and a couple of Wheatear were about Crouch Hil; and a Firecrest and 15 Chiffchaff were logged. To finish, the Peregrine preferred the shelter of the east side of the Priory tower.

It was WeBS count day – a full census of all waterbirds each month from September to March – with the in-harbour wader highlights coming from: a Grey Plover, a notable figure of 19 Bar-tailed Godwit, 20 Black-tailed Godwit, 36 Ringed Plover, 6 Dunlin and a nowadays good total of 126 Lapwing – only a couple of decades ago, four figures may have been expected; as well as 3 Golden Plover over Hengistbury. Moving to wildfowl and 2 Brent Goose arrived to join 485 Wigeon, 237 Mallard, 8 Teal and 243 Mute Swan. Wrapping up the statistics, others worth a mention include a Glossy Ibis, 2 Little Grebe, 2 Kingfisher and 380 Coot. Moving to other birds, a couple of Wheatear were on site – on South Marsh and by the Ironstone Quarry – and there was another reasonable presence of Chiffchaff in most bushes across the area – the junction of the Solent Meads and central paths on Wick, and the tip of Hengistbury, holding particular concentrations. A Peregrine was on a grotesque on the south side of the Priory tower, while the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived at 13:00 but chose not to linger due to the high water.

This seemingly long-winged Wheatear was on Crouch Hill yesterday and the day previous. Assuming the apparent wing length isn’t a trick of the lens, it’s a good bet this bird may have already crossed the Atlantic on its way back to Africa. Just the Sahara to go now!

On a reasonable day of weather, A Yellow-browed Warbler was heard a few times on Wick, this morning, when there were at least 30 Chiffchaff active – with the site-wide total reckoned to be approaching around a hundred; with other birds in bushes on Hengistbury including singles of late Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher, 6 Blackcap, 10 Goldcrest and 3 Firecrest. Meanwhile, there was a reasonable finch movement to the west, including: 430 Linnet, 160 Goldfinch, 46 Chaffinch, 26 Siskin, 2 Redpoll and a Brambling; along with 75 Meadow Pipit, 35 Pied Wagtail and 12 Swallow; plus 6 Song Thrush incoming. At sea, an adult Little Gull passed, as did a few auks; while the early roost flight contained a Glossy Ibis – one later seen on East Marsh – and 6 Cattle Egret. Rounding things off: the overhead passage carried 2 Merlin with it; a Peregrine was about; and a White-tailed Eagle arrived at 14:00 and settled on Blackberry Point.

Turnstone – Peter Corbin

On a blustery and sometimes wet day, nearly all the news is from the sea. A total of 31 Common Scoter was logged – all but five to the east – along with, in the opposite direction, a single Red-throated Diver, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 3 auks. Meanwhile, around 20 Gannet lingered, as did up to 5 Sandwich Tern. Otherwise, it just twenty or so Cattle Egret in the roost to mention.

Although not as numerous as last year, there is still a reasonable presence of Chiffchaff each day – Dave Miller

…but it’s been another concerningly poor return migration of Wheatear

On a clear morning, the first Redwing of the season was close to the Pod, before heading off inland. Over at Hengistbury, despite there having been four days of unsuitable conditions for movement, the hoped-for release of birds didn’t really happen. In what is best described as a light passage, Pied Wagtail, Meadow Pipit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Siskin, Redpoll, Swallow, Skylark and Song Thrush featured in quite modest numbers. Meanwhile, the photographed Wheatear was on Crouch Hill and Chiffchaff were scattered across the site. It’s been remarked that Teal and, indeed, Brent Goose are both late arriving for the winter – although the former saw a slight increase to around twenty and three ‘brents’ circled; with the best of the waders coming from: 7 Knot, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit, and 12 Black-tailed Godwit, all around Stanpit Bight. A Glossy Ibis was on East Marsh, during the morning, and one was on Priory Marsh, at dusk, when 12 Cattle Egret went to roost. To finish, a Marsh Harrier passed over high and a Peregrine was on the Priory.

We finally have some information about the colour-ringed Curlew that was first seen at the end of August and was still present yesterday. It was ringed, presumably as a juvenile, as part of the Duke of Norfolk’s reintroduction scheme, at Peppering in West Sussex – Louise Powell-Hills. More details of the project here… 

Rain for much of the morning limited field activity to some degree, but a venture onto Stanpit did produce a notable sight of an 18-strong flock of Golden Plover – always a good bird here – heading west over Crouch Hill; as well as 5 Bar-tailed Godwit, 2 Black-tailed Godwit and 33 Ringed Plover. Meanwhile, a Glossy Ibis was seen throughout the day on both South Marsh and East Marsh.

There was more early fog, so it was a little late before people really got out there – with all the news coming from Stanpit. Around the Bight, there was a nice count of 12 Bar-tailed Godwit, along with 6 Black-tailed Godwit, with wildfowl interest there headed by 4 Tufted Duck. A late Yellow Wagtail was the best of a modest presence of migrant passerines, which also included a Firecrest; with a Treecreeper also being logged. Meanwhile, the Glossy Ibis was seen about East Marsh and North Marsh, and a Kingfisher was along Fisherman’s Bank. A Marsh Harrier and a Red Kite overflew; while the White-tailed Eagle show commenced at 09:00, the male of the pair arriving and fishing, but not joined by his mate until 12:30 – they both left at 13:45 – although a single bird was back on Blackberry Point around thirty minutes later, remaining for an hour or so.

Early morning fog, which persisted until gone 09:00, made for a pretty dismal start. After things cleared, however, there was a modicum of movement: during a 45-minute spell from 09:45, around 250 Swallow passed south-east over Hengistbury; while, in a similar period, 20 House Martin and 80 Meadow Pipit were logged at Stanpit. Chiffchaff dominated in the bushes – a site-wide total in excess of fifty, plus 4 Blackcap and a gathering of 50 Linnet in the Barn Field. The pick of the wildfowl was another Pochard, a drake and, by the author’s reckoning, the third of the season, which is pretty good nowadays, was seen – heading north up the river; with the best of waders about the marsh coming from: 2 Grey Plover, 5 Bar-tailed Godwit and a single Black-tailed Godwit. Glossy Ibis sightings occurred throughout the day, from around Stanpit, at one point being spooked by the eagles, along with 3 Great White Egret – this by Crouch Hill. Before the raptor wrap-up, Cattle Egret are no longer always mentioned, but there does seem to be three which are faithful to Wick Water Meadows, where the day’s only Kingfisher was recorded. A Buzzed and female-type Marsh Harrier passed over the Harbour, during the morning; when the White-tailed Eagle pair arrived around 09:30 and stayed until just after 16:00 – feeding well – with recent prey looking to include a type of mullet, Flounder and Eel.

On-the-ground Woodlark are nearly always, if not always, associated with extreme cold weather, but the early morning fog was responsible for this one on Crouch Hill – Adrian Simmons

The decked Meadow Pipit in the same area were attracting the attention of this Sparrowhawk – Adrian Simmons (upper) & Alan Crockard

…and the incumbent Peregrine on the Priory is unringed – Paul Dore

All the news is from Stanpit, where the early, dense fog resulted in the photographed Woodlark, around 20 Meadow Pipit and a couple of Pied Wagtail being stranded on Crouch Hill – all of which left as soon as the conditions cleared. Meanwhile, waders in or around Stanpit Bight included 2 Grey Plover and at least 6 Bar-tailed Godwit, as well as a very distant and equally brief Little Stint. Before moving to the raptor news, the southern embankment of Riversmeet Meadow hosted thirty or so Chiffchaff, with regular sightings of the Glossy Ibis coming from South Marsh, East Marsh and Priory Marsh, and a Tawny Owl was heard from the car park. To finish: a female-type Marsh Harrier was about the north of the area; the Peregrine from the Priory pursued Lapwing, unsuccessfully; a Buzzard passed over; and, for some reason best known to them, the White-tailed Eagle pair visited individually – he emerged from the mist, already on Blackberry Point, at 09:00, then caught a Flounder and a couple of small Eel before heading off at 13:00 – some time after that, she slipped in unnoticed but was seen to leave at 14:30. Moving to mammals – a Grey Seal was off Mudeford Quay, around 17:30.

This drake Wigeon with a colour ring, but seemingly no metal ring, was photographed a couple of days ago. After some discussion, the feeling is the plastic ring was probably put on to mark the bird in a wildfowl collection. As such, this likely explains the summering bird we had – i.e., it was an escapee from captivity that had no migratory urge, rather than a wild individual that was unable to undertake a reasonably long-distance migration – Adrian Simmons

Starting with mammals – an Otter casually trotted from Parky Meade Rail to Central Marsh, around 07:45, barely yards in front of the observer. Moving to birds and although the morning’s migration over Hengistbury was light, there were a couple of highlights: a Lapland Bunting passed west and a Woodlark headed off along the sandspit after circling the end of the Head; with a single Brent Goose passing at sea. Earlier, the dawn roost flight of Cattle Egret numbered seventeen birds; while at least one Glossy Ibis, but probably two, were around Stanpit – one favours the North/East Marsh area, the other Priory Marsh. Around Stanpit Bight, in addition to around a mixture of around fifty Ringed Plover and Dunlin, an increase from the last few days, there were 2 Grey Plover, a Common Sandpiper, 3 Bar-tailed Godwit and at least 2 Black-tailed Godwit. Meanwhile, a minimum of two, but maybe four, Kingfisher were along Fisherman’s Bank. The only Osprey was a high, southbound bird and the 2 White-tailed Eagle came at 08:30 and spent at least two hours on Blackberry Point – from where they were occasionally catching Eel, as well as regularly terrorising Grey Heron and Cormorant.