Sightings for the current month
June 18th
After a day or two of south-westerly wind, there was a petrel – presumably a Storm Petrel – seen off Mudeford Quay this evening; along with a juvenile Mediterranean Gull and a Fulmar. During the morning, a sub-adult male Marsh Harrier hunted Wick Hams, while Cuckoo were encountered in the Wick water meadows and at Whitepits. A Bullfinch carried food along Roebury Lane and a pair passed over the riverside path towards the HHC. Also over, 5 Mediterranean Gull to the south-east. At Stanpit, there were 7 Dunlin, plus the broods of twelve and three Shelduck.
Tides June 19th: H01:55 | H05:35 | L09:20 | H14:40 | H18:10 | L21:50
June 17th
There were at least five returning Curlew and 3 Whimbrel around Stanpit this morning, as well as 6 Dunlin. Meanwhile, the first juvenile Black-headed Gull arrived on the site and an additional Shelduck brood – of two ducklings – was noted. The Spoonbill remains, sleeping out most of the high tide on the tip of South Marsh, and a pair of Gadwall was off Fisherman’s Bank.
Tides June 18th: H00:55 | H04:35 | L08:25 | H13:40 | H17:20 | L20:50
June 16th
Lapwing at Stanpit – Ian Wigley
Common Lizard on Hengistbury – Gary Foyle
Once again, there is nothing of significance to report.
June 14th
Almost–ready-to-fledge Grey Heron and a Little Egret - Gary Foyle
With the wind coming from the south-west, the sea was given some attention from Mudeford Quay. In a couple of hours this morning, there were 10 Manx Shearwater – in a variety of directions – an adult Kittiwake, a Common Tern, up to 35 Common Scoter and fifteen, lingering Gannet. Also from there, 2 Whimbrel, a Sanderling, a Ringed Plover and 8 Dunlin. Meanwhile, inside the harbour, there was a further Common Tern and the Spoonbill. Unfortunately, the former 13-strong Shelduck brood has reduced by one.
June 13th
Mute Swan – Alan Crockard
The Spoonbill was seen from Fisherman’s Bank during the day; while an evening visit to Hengistbury produced good views of at least 2 Nightjar, but possibly three.
June 12th
The best for today is a total of 8 Mediterranean Gull – six east and two west – as well as a Peregrine about the area and 5 Common Tern off Mudeford Quay. Even on this late date, there are Swallow arriving – several coming in-off over the quay – where a Grey Seal was loitering.
June 11th
The late-season wader trickle continued this morning, when 2 Bar-tailed Godwit were off Fisherman’s Bank. Meanwhile, with the Spoonbill still being present it does look as if it may summer with us. Elsewhere, three each of Mediterranean Gull and Swift passed over Wick; and a redhead Goosander with five young was on the river by the Civic Offices.
June 10th
A few waders were around the harbour this morning, including a Common Sandpiper, 4 Whimbrel, 4 Dunlin and 15 or so Black-tailed Godwit. A Kingfisher seen at both the Pod on Stanpit and the Wooden Bridge on Wick was also a bit of a surprise for the date. Meanwhile, it seems there may only be one churring Nightjar on Hengistbury this year and the Kestrel pair there now have four, hatched young.
June 9th
A Whinchat on Hengistbury this morning was a good record for the date; also a Bullfinch, 4 Swift and a Mediterranean Gull over there. Elsewhere, the Spoonbill was in Stanpit Creek on the early low, while 25 Lapwing came and went all day, and 2 Curlew and 2 Redshank were present.
June 8th
A Cuckoo was again conspicuous around Wick, where there was a pair of Bullfinch. At Stanpit, a Grey Plover was most likely a late, northbound bird, while 4 Dunlin could have been going either way; but a Lapwing and a Curlew were probably early returners. Also, 4 Black-tailed Godwit out there. Meanwhile, a couple of Little Tern, a Common Tern, 4 Mediterranean Gull, a Fulmar and 10 Gannet headed east off or over Hengistbury; plus a further two, vocal ‘meds’ moving west.
June 7th
The morning at Hengistbury saw a Cuckoo at Whitepits, as well as a Common Scoter west at sea.
June 4th
Whitethroat on Hengistbury – Brian Wadie
Painted Lady on Stanpit – Jackie Smith
No news reports were received for today.
June 3rd
Male Kestrel arriving with some food for his mate – Roger Tidball
On another scorcher of a day, all the news comes from Stanpit and involves a Spoonbill, 2 Ringed Plover and 4 Lapwing. Of interest, there has been a mix-up of the Shelduck young – the broods now 14+2 rather than 13+3.
June 2nd
A fine day produced a reasonable selection of birds. A first-summer Little Gull hawked Wick Hams and Barn Bight, while a Spoonbill headed high to the west over there. A flock of 35 Sanderling on the sandspit was nice, while 4 Bar-tailed Godwit also put in a brief appearance and a late Whimbrel left over Mudeford Quay having previously being in Stanpit Creek. A Fulmar was the best at sea, but also 5 Common Tern and 4 Mediterranean Gull, the latter westbound. A total of 24 Shelduck inside the harbour included the 13+3 ducklings.
May 31st
Raven – Ian Wigley
Hot on the heels of Sunday’s surprise owl, there was another today; although perhaps slightly less out of the ordinary. At 7:50 this morning, a Short-eared Owl headed high to the north-east over the harbour. Otherwise, it’s just the Lesser Whitethroat and a Bullfinch to mention.
May 30th
All the day’s wader news comes from Hengistbury, from where the following were logged: 6 Knot over the harbour; 5 Grey Plover arriving over the Barn Field; 7 Bar-tailed Godwit on Stanpit; 16 Ringed Plover and 5 Dunlin. A couple of Stanpit visits returned no waders, instead 3 Mediterranean Gull over and confirmation that all shelducklings as well as cygnets, are still doing well. Feeding Swift were conspicuous during the morning, with the minimum total for the area reckoned at 100 birds, but likely more. In addition to a Little Tern on the tip of South Marsh, a seawatch yielded fly-bys of: 3 Common Tern, 3 Mediterranean Gull, a Fulmar, a Grey Plover, a Peregrine and 15 Gannet. The only passerine migrant reported was a Spotted Flycatcher at the eastern end of the Wood.
May 29th
This evening, there was a quite unexpected flock of 50 Common Tern settled on the sandbar off Mudeford Quay – amongst then, two first-summer individuals – before moving on eastwards. Earlier: four, adult Mediterranean Gull headed west, a total of 5 Swift went through, the Cuckoo was on Wick meadows and a male Bullfinch was in the Wood.
May 28th
Barn Owl in the recording area is always a major event - particularly in the month of May! This morning one was being chased north along Roebury Lane by Magpies, so was assumed to have left never to be seen again. Around 20 minutes later, however, it reappeared at the HHC end of the No Dogs Field. This is the group’s first record since 2010 and may be linked to a road casualty seen yesterday a mile or two up the Stour at Blackwater Bridge. The only signs of passage were a Reed Warbler singing in the Long Field, plus two each of Swift and House Martin; but a pair of Swallow have now taken up residence in the purpose-built facility on the Barn. A couple of Mediterranean Gull passed over to the east, the Lesser Whitethroat at the HHC is still very vocal and a pair of Greylag Goose was on the sea off Mudeford Quay.
May 27th
During the morning, an Ashy-headed Wagtail showed well near the Rusty Boat on Stanpit, before being flushed and heading to Priory Marsh. Also around Stanpit: a Little Gull, an Avocet, a Greenshank, a Ringed Plover, a Lapwing, a Redshank, the Brent Goose and a Cuckoo. On Hengistbury, a late Tree Pipit went over the Batters, while a Cuckoo on Wick Hams was likely the same as that just mentioned. A flock of 11 Black-tailed Godwit moved east over Wick and the Lesser Whitethroat was again singing by the HHC. Meanwhile, the 13-strong Shelduck brood was in Stanpit Bight.
May 26th
A more relaxed moment during this morning's raptor watch in the New Forest – Barrie Taylor
Just before 10:00 this morning, an Alpine Swift was seen heading
east over Hengistbury Head. In the period prior to this, a total
of 21 Spotted Flycatcher was logged on the head, including a flock
of eight coming in-off-the-sea. Meanwhile, 9 Manx Shearwater and 2
Razorbill were also seen offshore. Over at Stanpit, an Avocet was
off Fisherman’s Bank, a Bar-tailed Godwit headed south and a
couple of Dunlin were about. A Cuckoo was again heard from Wick
and a pair of Bullfinch was there, with a further in the Nursery.
Now some more-definite breeding bird updates. The initial brood of
13 Shelduck remains intact, while a further set of three, smaller
ducklings was seen for the first time. Additionally, the first
five cygnets of the season are around – seeming to prefer the
Mother Siller’s Channel area.
The New Forest Outdoor Meeting this morning enjoyed close-up views
of Redstart, a pair of Hobby seeing-off a Peregrine, a Honey
Buzzard and a Red Kite. Our next meeting is only six days away –
details below.
May 25th
Most of the day’s news comes from Stanpit, where the Brent Goose remains for its third day. Also there, a Spotted Redshank and 6 Dunlin, plus a Spotted Flycatcher. Elsewhere, there were 22 Sanderling at Mudeford Quay.
May 23rd
Swallow – Clinton Whale
Medow Pipit – Gary Foyle
A Cuckoo on Wick Field was a nice surprise today, while the wader selection at Stanpit included: a Greenshank, 6 Sanderling, 9 Ringed Plover and 29 Dunlin. Also inside the harbour: a late Brent Goose, the Spoonbill and 3 Common Tern. Equally behind the times as the goose, was a drake Red-breasted Merganser from Mudeford Quay this evening.
May 22nd
After yesterday's comment about getting close–up views of Ringed Plover, we received this today from Clinton Whale. Still none the wiser regarding tundrae, however. If anyone out there can help, advice would be gratefully received.
Sedge Warbler – Gary Foyle
Sanderling – Clinton Whale
The only news for today concerns migrant waders on the sandspit and Holloway’s Dock, which included 2 Sanderling, 4 Ringed Plover and 19 Dunlin.
May 21st
Whitethroat – Ray Scott
Skylark – Clinton Whale
The pick of another glorious day was a cracking, male Yellow Wagtail on the deck at Whitepits, plus a Spotted Flycatcher on Wick. Once again, Ringed Plover were inside the harbour – four of them – and on these dates it would be good to be able to get close enough to them to see if they show characteristics of tundrae; also 4 Dunlin and the lame Redshank that has been here a few days. Amongst the summering wildfowl, a drake Shoveler was unexpected, but the Gadwall pair less so; while there were nine adult and thirteen duckling Shelduck. Rounding up, a Common Tern was seen from Fisherman’s Bank, as was the Spoonbill.
May 20th
An interestingly–plumaged Bar-tailed Godwit, presumably a bright female - Clinton Whale
...and with a Ringed Plover and some Dunlin
Other than a Spotted Flycatcher by the HHC, most of the day’s news comes from waders, which included: a Bar-tailed Godwit, a Sanderling, two stunning Grey Plover, 2 Whimbrel, 8 Ringed Plover, 21 Dunlin, a Turnstone and a Redshank. There were 3 Common Tern at Stanpit, where a few Mediterranean Gull were also present. Finally, a correction to the Shelduck brood – it is actually thirteen.
May 19th
Common Tern at Stanpit yesterday – Jackie Smith
No doubt due to the thick fog that enveloped the area for most of the morning, there is nothing to report for today.
May 18th
Grey Plover in Holloway's Dock – Clinton Whale
Fox cub – Clinton Whale
The last day or so have once more experienced the calls of Mediterranean Gull over the area, after an absence of around three weeks. Today, at least seven birds were recorded, but likely more. The poor wader passage was enlivened by the stunning Grey Plover in Holloway’s Dock, while 12 Black-tailed Godwit flew from Stanpit to there and a party of 7 Dunlin were inside the harbour; as was a single Common Tern. The Lesser Whitethroat is still frantic by the HHC, so presumably is still without a mate, but a pair of Bullfinch are getting on with things in the Nursery. On the subject of breeding, potentially anyhow, a pair of Gadwall remain, a Redshank was close to the Salt Hurns and a Willow Warbler was in song on Hengistbury; the latter, of course, could just be a late traveller. More definitely, Shelduck have been successful - twelve ducklings at Stanpit!
May 17th
Some of the birds currently breeding about the area: Meadow Pipit – Tina Scott
Kestrel – Roger Tidball
Stonechat – Colin Raymond
Grey Heron and Little Egret – Robert Gray
The only news for the day involves the Spoonbill at Stanpit and the Lesser Whitethroat by the HHC.
May 16th
Spoonbill at Stanpit yesterday – Clinton Whale
The only news for today actually relates yesterday, when the Spoonbill was at Stanpit.
May 15th
Whimbrel – Clinton Whale
As the spring passage, which actually never really got going, peters out, the best today were a Garden Warbler in the North Scrubs and a Spotted Flycatcher on Wick. Inside the harbour, there were 4 Whimbrel and 6 Dunlin, while the sandspit hosted 9 Sanderling and further two and one of Whimbrel and Dunlin respectively.
May 14th
One of 13 Sanderling on the sandspit today – Clinton Whale
The first Green Hairstreak of the season are now on the wing – Clinton Whale
It was another hot day, but made comfortable with a refreshing, northerly breeze. Several Red Kite were seen over Christchurch, with a couple being logged from the confines of the harbour recording area. On Hengistbury, there were 2 Spotted Flycatcher in the stunted oaks just east of the Nursery and a Whinchat was on the Barn Field. The only migrant waders inside the harbour were 5 Greenshank, while 13 Sanderling were on the sandspit.
May 13th
Sedge Warbler at Stanpit – Scott Usher
The only news comes from Fisherman’s Bank, from where the
Spoonbill and 8 Dunlin were logged.