Reports of interest, Tuesday 31st October 2017.

Black Brant - 1 Ferrybridge.
Egyptian Goose - 4 Christchurch Harbour.
Goosander - 1 R. Frome near Muckleford.
Black-Necked Grebe - 14 Studland Bay.
Great White Egret - 1 Brownsea.
Spoonbill - 8 Brownsea.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 2 Lodmoor.
Merlin - 1 Eggardon Hill.
Grey Plover - 11 Brands Bay, 3 Stanpit.
Golden Plover - c.30 Eggardon Hill.
Knot - 1 Brownsea.
Ruff - 2 Lytchett Fields.
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor.
Greenshank - 20+ Brownsea, 1 Stanpit.
Spotted Redshank - 12 Brownsea.
Little Stint - 1 Brownsea.
Mediterranean Gull - 1 ringed bird at Studland.
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Quarry Lane, Portland.
Firecrest - 2 Longham Lakes, 2 Portland.

Late news:  A Great White Egret went west over Abbotsbury on Saturday, and another was on Cowards Marsh yesterday.

Reports of interest, Monday 30th October 2017.

Barnacle Goose - flock of 12 Arne, later joined by another making 13 at Swineham GP.
Velvet Scoter - 1 Poole Harbour.
Spoonbill - 41 Arne Bay.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 Poole Harbour.
Hen Harrier - 1 Rushcombe Bottom LNR.
Merlin - 1 East Weares.
Great Skua - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Grey Plover - a one-footed bird at Ferrybridge, 6 Stanpit.
Knot - 1 Stanpit.
Ruff - 1 Swineham GP.
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit.
Woodpigeon - c.3500 Arne, 2500 Christchurch Harbour, c. 200 Durlston NR, 3965 RSPB Lytchett Fields, c.300 Rushcombe Bottom LNR.
Swallow - 6 Ballard Down, 30+ Durlston NR, 2 Hengistbury Head.
House Martin - 5 Durlston NR.
Sand Martin - 1+ Durlston NR.
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Bumpers Lane, Portland.
Firecrest - c.8 Hengistbury Head, 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Rushcombe Bottom LNR.
Redpoll - 106 Hengistbury Head.
Bullfinch - 87 Ballard Down and widely reported elsewhere.
Hawfinch - 4 Ballard Down, 2 Culverwell, 1 heard over Poole at night.

Reports of interest, Sunday 29th October 2017.

Red-Throated Diver - 1 Durlston NR, 2 past Hengistbury Head.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1-2 RSPB Lytchett Fields, 5 western Poole Harbour.
Hen Harrier - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 SE of Wareham.
Red Kite - 1 Hatch Pond, 2-3 RSPB Lytchett Fields.
Merlin - 1 Durlston NR, 2 East Bexington, 1 SE of Wareham.
Hobby - 1 SE of Wareham.
Golden Plover - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 over East Bexington.
Ruff - 1+ Lodmoor, 5 RSPB Lytchett Fields.
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit.
Greenshank - 7 Brands Bay.
Short-Eared Owl - 1 Portland Bill.
Woodpigeon - 8000 Christchurch Harbour, 750 Durlston NR, 1220 East Bexington.
Swallow - 7 Durlston NR, 1+ Lytchett Fields.
House Martin - 2 Durlston NR.
Black Redstart - 1 Stanpit.
Ring Ouzel - 1 Durlston NR, 1 Penn Castle.
Great Grey Shrike - 1 SE of Wareham.
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Durlston NR, 4+ across Portland.
Firecrest - 1 Durlston NR, 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Merley, 1 Constitution Hill Poole.
Brambling - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 7 Durlston NR, 3 Portland Bill.
Bullfinch - 65 Durlston NR, c20 Studland, 2 Wick.
Hawfinch - 8 Durlston NR.


Ruff at Lodmoor © David Wareham

Sightings - Saturday 28th October 2017

Merlin - 1 Middlebere
Hobby - 1 Hartland Moor
Hen Harrier - 1 Middlebere
Honey Buzzard - 1 over Poole
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Lychett Fields
Ruff - 4 Lychett Fields
Sandwich Tern - 1 off Southbourne
Woodpigeon - 50,000 over Poole Harbour, 1000+ Renscombe Farm, 7000 Hengistbury Head(yesterday), 200 north-east St Catherines Hill, Christchurch
Bearded Tit - 1 Longham Lakes
Black Redstart - 2 Portland
Pallas's Warbler - Hengistbury Head

Yesterday a Serin was recorded over Hengistbury Head.

Sightings - Friday 27th October 2017

Scaup - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Longham Lakes
Glossy Ibis - Flock of 5 over the Fleet
Marsh Harrier - 1 Wick
Golden Plover - 4 over Christchurch Harbour, 4 over Portland
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Lychett Fields
Little Stint - 1 Brownsea
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 Lodmoor
Woodcock - 1 Hengistbury Head
Skylark - 180 over Clouds Hill, 55 over Christchurch Harbour
Woodpigeon - 7000 west, Christchurch Harbour, 3500 over Clouds Hill
Water Pipit - 1 Lychett Fields
flava Wagtail - 1 Clouds Hill
Ring Ouzel - 4 Portland, 1 over Christchurch Harbour
Barred Warbler - 1 Bovington Camp
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Poole in private garden, 1 Portland, Bumpers Lane
Reed Warbler - Portland
Bearded Tit - 2 Longham Lakes, 2 Hengistburyhead
Chaffinch - 270 over Christchurch Harbour
Brambling - 22 over Christchurch Harbour, 6 Portland
Goldfinch - 850 over Christchurch Harbour
Siskin - 126 over Christchurch Harbour
Linnet - 680 over Christchurch Harbour
Redpoll - 117 over Christchurch Harbour, 200 over Clouds Hill, 17 Portland
Hawfinch - 1 over Longham Lakes, 3 Clouds Hill, 1 Portland, Verne
Lapland Bunting - 1 NW over North Walls, Portland

Yellow-browed Warbler - Poole © Marcus Lawson




Sightings - Thursday 26th October 2017

Scaup - 3 Abbotsbury Swannery
Lesser Scaup - 1 drake Longham Lakes
Bittern - 1Stanpit
Pallid Harrier - 1 juv Charmouth flew West this morning
Avocet - 25 Lytchett Bay (highest count this autumn here)
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Lytchett Bay
Stilt Sandpiper - 1 Middlebere
Little Stint - 1 Middlebere
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury
Arctic Skua - 1 Hengistbury Head east
Bonxie - 1 Hengistbury Head west
Short-eared Owl - 2 Portland, top fields
Bearded Tit - 2 Longham
Woodlark - 1 Portland
Yellow-browed Warbler - 2 Portland Hump, 1 Portland, Avalanche Road, 1 Ballard Down, trapped, 1 Portland, Coombefield Road, 1 Durlston
Raddes Warbler - 1 Portland, Bumpers Lane
Siberian Chiffchiff - 4 Portland, trapped, 1 Arne
Ring Ouzel - 2 Portland, East Weare, 1 Portland, Bumpers Lane
Black Redstart - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 Poole, Oakdale, Nansen Avenue, 1 Portland, by Pulpit Pub
Richards Pipit - Portland
Meadow Pipit - 230 Hengistbury Head
Brambling - 12 Hengistbury Head
Chaffinch - 230 Hengistbury Head
Hawfinch - 1 Hengistbury Head, 2 Portland, Bumpers Lane, 1 Portland, north, 1 Greenlands Farm, 4 Weston Craft Centre, Portland, 1 Lytchett Fields, west
Linnet - 700 Hengistbury Head
Goldfinch - 1100 Hengistbury Head

Large thrush movement last night at Portland and Durlston

Pallid Harrier - Charmouth © Richard Phillips

Pallid Harrier - Charmouth © Richard Phillips

Pallid Harrier - Charmouth © Richard Phillips


Sightings - Wednesday 25th October 2017

Brent Goose - 253 Ferrybridge
Lesser Scaup - 1 drake Longham Lakes
Eider - 1 Ferrybridge
Golden Plover - 2 Christchurch Harbour
Knot - 1 Christchurch Harbour
Stilt Sandpiper - 1 Middlebere
Mediterranean Gull - 240 Ferrybridge
Short-eared Owl - 2 Durlston Country Park
Bearded Tit - 6 Radipole, 2 Longham Lakes, 8 over Reap Lane, Portland and a large flock over Pulpit Rock, Portland heading North-east.
Skylark - 26 Christchurch Harbour
Yellow - browed Warbler - 1 Middlebere, 2 Portland
Raddes Warbler - 1 Bumpers Lane, Portland
Ring Ouzel - 2 Portland, King Barrow Quarry
Redwing - 3 Portland
Black Redstart - 1 Portland
Meadow Pipit - 260 Christchurch Harbour
Chaffinch - 430 Christchurch Harbour
Hawfinch - 1 Middlebere, up to 12 over Portland west
Brambling - 3 Portland, 8 Christchurch Harbour
Linnet - 1800 Christchurch Harbour
Reed Bunting - 39 Christchurch Harbour

Also a Vagrant Emperor Dragonfly at Wallsend, Portland near Business Park




Sightings - Tuesday 24th October 2017.

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery.
Lesser Scaup - 1 drake Longham Lakes.
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery.
Great White Egret - 1 still at Lodmoor RSPB
Red Kite - 1 Fontmell Down.
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail Hartland Moor.
Merlin - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 Hartland Moor, 1 Middlebere.
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Middlebere.
Stilt Sandpiper - 1 Middlebere.
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 still at Abbotsbury Swannery
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 still at Lodmoor
Wheatear - 2 Tarrant Rushton Airfield.
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 Kinson Sewage Works.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Hengistbury Head, 3 Portland, 2 Southwell, 1 West Bexington.
Firecrest - 7 Hengistbury Head, 2 Kinson Sewage Works.
Hawfinch - 1 ringed Portland Observatory, 1 Weston.
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Hengistbury Head.
Corn Bunting - 20+ Tarrant Rushton Airfield.

Lesser Scaup - Longham Lakes © Adrian Groves

















Radde's Warbler photographs below were taken on 18th October 2017. 

Radde’s Warbler – St. Aldhelm’s Head © Toby Austin.

Sightings - Sunday 22nd October 2017.

Scaup - 3 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 adult, 2 first winter birds.
Goosander - 3 redheads W Lodmoor RSPB.
Brent Goose - 16 Wareham Channel, 14 Christchurch Harbour.
Spoonbill - 14 Wareham Channel, 5 Lytchett Bay.
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery.
Merlin - 2 Hartland Moor, 1 Slepe Heath, 1 Milborne St Andrew.
Golden Plover - c400 Maiden Castle.
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Lytchett Fields RSPB.
Little Stint - 4 Lodmoor RSPB.
Common Sandpiper - 1 Lodmoor RSPB.
Green Sandpiper - 2 Lodmoor RSPB.
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery.
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 Lodmoor RSPB.
Yellow-legged Gull - 1 Wareham Channel.
Caspian Gull - 1 1cy Wareham Channel.
Arctic Tern - 1 Radipole Lake RSPB.
Turtle Dove - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB.
Skylark - 34 over Lodmoor RSPB.
Swallow - 4 Abbotsbury Swannery, 3 Lodmoor RSPB
Ring Ouzel - 1 Valley of Stones,Portesham.
Wheatear - 1 Lodmoor RSPB, 1 Maiden Castle.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Portland, 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Stour Valley LNR B'mouth.
Lesser Redpoll - 8 over Lodmoor RSPB.
Siskin - 20 Stanpit Marsh, 18 Lodmoor RSPB, 8 Portland Observatory.

Caspian Gull - Wareham Channel © Marcus Lawson

Caspian Gull - Wareham Channel © Marcus Lawson

Caspian Gull - Wareham Channel © Marcus Lawson


Little Stint – Lodmoor RSPB © Andrew Maynard.

Sightings - Saturday 21st October 2017.

Scaup - 1 still Abbotsbury Swannery.
Long-tailed Duck - 1 past Chesil Cove.
Storm Petrel - 1 Portland Harbour.
Leach's Petrel - 4 through Chesil Cove, 1 past Ferrybridge, 1 Portland Harbour.
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery still.
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB still.
Goshawk - 1 juv. Middlebere.
Merlin - 1 Middlebere, 1 off Mudeford Quay, 1 Portland Bill.
Knot - 5 Middlebere.
Little Stint - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere.
Stilt Sandpiper - 1 Middlebere.
Spotted Sandpiper - 1 still Abbotsbury Swannery
Grey Phalarope - 1 past Chesil Cove, 1 past Mudeford Quay, 1 past Lyme Regis, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery briefly, 1 on the Fleet near Chickerell.
Spotted Redshank - 3 Middlebere.
Great Skua - 11+ Chesil Cove, 1 past Portland Bill.
Arctic Skua - 10 past Ferrybridge(1 pale phase), 2 past Portland Bill.
Kittiwake - 4 past Christchurch Harbour, 2 past Ferrybridge.
Sandwich Tern - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 past Ferrybridge.
Wryneck - 1 Portland Observatory Quarry.
Black Redstart - 1 Portland Bill.
Firecrest - 1 Middlebere.

Sightings - Friday 20th October 2017

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1 with Db Brent Ferrybridge
Scaup - 1 drake still Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 over Stanpit Marsh, 1 Coward's Marsh, 1 over Longham Lakes
Spoonbill - 35+ Arne
Whimbrel - 2 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 still RSPB Lodmoor
Little Gull - 1 past Durlston CP.
Merlin - 2 Hartland Moor, 1 Durlston CP.
Swallow - 25 Durlston CP.
House Martin - 3 Durlston CP.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Southwell, 1 Holton Lee, 1 Branksome, 1 Wooton Mount Bournemouth, 1 Middlebere.
Redstart - 1 Holton Lee
Wheatear - 1 Holton Lee, 1 Portland
'alba' Wagtail - 105 Durlston CP.
Meadow Pipit - 145 Durlston CP.
Water Pipit - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Chaffinch - 295 Durlston CP.
Hawfinch - 2 Durlston CP.
Linnet - 690 Durlston CP.
Lesser Redpoll - 11 Durlston CP, 6 Holtton Lee
Crossbill - 4 Durlston CP.
Goldfinch - 1580 Durlston CP.
Siskin - 66 Durlston CP.

Lesser Yellowlegs - RSPB Lodmoor  © Brett Spencer
















Little Egret - Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy

Sightings - Thursday 19th October 2017

Scaup - 1 drake Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 over Portesham
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
Purple Sandpiper - 1 Peveril Pt.
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 still Abbotsbury Swannery morning only
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 still RSPB Lodmoor
Wood Sandpiper - 1 RSPB Lytchett Fields
Continental Lesser Black-backed Gull - 1 RSPB Radipole Lake
Merlin - 1 Chapman's Pool
Firecrest - 3 Southwell, 2 West Bexington, 2 St. Adhelm's Hd, 1 Portland Bill, 1 Ferrybridge, 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Dorchester DWT, 1 West Bexington
Ring Ouzel - 1 Portland Bill, 1 Chapman's Pool
Red-breasted Flycatcher - Portland Obs & Hut Field
Black Redstart - 3 Reap Lane, 1 Lulworth Cove, 1 Ringstead, 1 Osmington Mills
Wheatear - 5 Portland Bill, 2 Chapman's Pool
Meadow Pipit - 1200 West Bay
Chaffinch - 200 West Bay
Hawfinch - 6 over Loyds Cottage Portland,  2 north Blacknor Portland, 1 over St Aldhelm's
Linnet - 850 West Bay
Lesser Redpoll -  9 Hengistbury Hd.

Sightings - Wednesday 18th October 2017

Scaup - 1 drake Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Middlebere
Stone Curlew - 1 heard Renscombe late p.m.
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 RSPB Lytchett Fields
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 still Abbotsbury Swannery morning only
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 still Lodmoor
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Lytchett Fields
Tree Pipit - 1 over St Aldhelm's Head
Firecrest - 19 on Portland, 8 St. Aldhelm's Hd.
TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER - 1 still St Aldhelm's Hd.
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Southwell, 1 Portland Obs.
Radde's Warbler - 1 reported this p.m. St Aldhelm's Hd.
Black Redstart - 5 Portland Bill
Redstart - 2 Ballard Down
Red-breasted Flycatcher - still Broadcroft Quarry
Wheatear - 5 Stanpit Marsh, 2 Portland Bill
Brambling - 1 Thumb Lane Portland
Lesser Redpoll - 11 Hengistbury Hd.

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St. Aldhelm's Head © Mike Morse

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St. Aldhelm's Head © Tony Minvalla

Sightings - Tuesday 17th October 2017

Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 1 with Db Brent Ferrybridge
Scaup - 1 drake Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-breasted Merganser - 6 Poole Hbr.
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 over Ballard Down.
Great Egret - 1 RSPB Lodmoor
Spoonbill - 60 Brownsea Island Lagoon
Black-necked Grebe - 7 Studland Bay, 3 Poole Hbr.
Ruff - 4 RSPB Lytchett Fields, Sev RSPB Lodmoor
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 RSPB Lytchett Fields
Little Stint - 3 RSPB Lodmoor, 1 RSPB Lodmoor
SPOTTED SANPIPER - 1 still Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 still RSPB Lodmoor
Short-eared Owl - 1+ Portland Bill
Merlin - 2 St. Aldhelm's Hd, 1 Portland Bill, 1 Abbottsbury Swannery
Firecrest - 28 Portland Bill Obs, 12 St. Aldhelm's Hd, 5 Southwell, 4 Hengistbury Hd, 3 Eype
Bearded Tit - 2 Longham Lakes
Skylark - 94 Portland Bill, 30+ over Weymouth, 13 Wick
TWO-BARRED GREENISH WARBLER - 1 St Aldhelm's Head
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Ballard Down (trapped & ringed), 1 Southwell
Red-breasted Flycatcher - 1 Broadcroft Quarry Portland
Wheatear - 3 Hengistbury Hd, 1 St Aldhelm's Hd.
Grey Wagtail - 4 Wick
'Alba' Wagtails - 40+ Portland Bill
Brambling - 1 St Adhelm's Hd, 1 Southwell, 1 Hengistbury Hd.
Hawfinch - 1 Culverwell a.m. pos same 1 Portland Obs, 1 over Poole, 4 over Middle Beach, Studland.
Lesser Redpoll - 25 Portland Bill, 11 Hengistbury Hd.
Siskin - 7 Hengistbury Hd.
Corn Bunting - 1 Portland Bill

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St Aldhelm's Head © Marcus Lawson

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St Aldhelm's Head © Marcus Lawson

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St Aldhelm's Head © Marcus Lawson

Two-barred Greenish Warbler - St Aldhelm's Head © Marcus Lawson


Sightings - Monday 16th October 2017

Sooty Shearwater - 4 Weymouth Bay
Great Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Cattle Egret -  2 Abbotsbury Swannery
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPBWater Pipit - 1 Lodmoor RSPBYellow-browed Warbler - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 Wareham
Red-breasted Flycatcher - 1 Broadcraft Quarry Portland
Hawfinch -  5 over Durlston
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Durlston
Linnet - 1055 over Hengistbury Head



Red-breasted Flycatcher Portland copyright Brett Spencer
Great Egret Lodmoor RSPB copyright Brett Spencer

Sightings - Sunday 15th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Velvet Scoter - 1 Poole Harbour near the port
Spoonbill - 46 Brownsea Island lagoon
Great Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB, 1 Stanpit Bight, 2 Spetisbury, 1 Wytch Channel
Cattle Egret - 1 Charmouth, 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere 
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB

Radde's Warbler - 1 ringed Portland Obs, retrapped 
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Avalanche Road hump Portland, 1 Littlesea Wood, 1 Southwell Gardens, 1 Middlebere Hide, 1 Durlston
Black Redstart - 2 Reap Lane Portland, 2 Blacknor 
Red-breasted Flycatcher - 1 Broadcraft Quarry Portland
Firecrest - 60 ringed Portland Obs, 10 Abbotsbury Gardens
Hawfinch - 3 Portland Bill, 3 over Holes Bay, 2 Reap Lane Portland, 2 over Durlston


Red-breasted Flycatcher Portland copyright Roger Hewitt

Sightings - Saturday 14th October 2017

Common Scoter - 25 off Hengistbury Head
Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere 
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB

Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Avalanche Road hump Portland
Pied Flycatcher - 1 Avalanche Road hump Portland
RUSTIC BUNTING - 1 ringed Portland Obs
Hawfinch - 1 Portland Obs, 1 private gardens Blacknor Portland
Linnet - 555 over Christchurch Harbour

Sightings - Friday 13th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Velvet Scoter - 1 off Hamworthy Park Poole Harbour
Sooty Shearwater - 20 past Portland Bill
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Egret - 1 Middlebere
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB

Caspian Gull - probable juvenile reported Longham Lakes
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Littlesea Wood, 1 Avalanche Road hump Portland

Hawfinch - 1 Portland Obs, 1 Hengistbury Head

Sightings - Thursday 12th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Pintail - 5 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere

Wood Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Little Stint -  2 Christchurch Harbour
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB

Little Gull - 1 Herbury The Fleet
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Portland Bird Observatory, 1 private garden Weston, 1 Littlesea Wood

Lapland Bunting - 1 over Christchurch Harbour

Sightings - Wednesday 11th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Sooty Shearwater - 5 reported past Portland Bill
Balearic Shearwater - 1 reported past Portland Bill
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 3 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
Little Stint - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 2 Brownsea Lagoon, 6 Lodmoor RSPB
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Arctic Skua - 2 past Durlston CP
Ring Ouzel - 1 Portland Bill
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Portland Bird Observatory

Sightings - Tuesday 10th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Velvet Scoter - 1 off Patchins Point (Poole Harbour)
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Brownsea Lagoon, 3 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere (both legs fully functioning!)
Little Stint - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 2 Brownsea Lagoon
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spotted Redshank - 15 Brownsea Lagoon
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Ring Ouzel - 2 Ballard Down
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Winkton (The Lamb Inn)


Sightings - Monday 9th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spoonbill -  35 on Brownsea Lagoon with another 40 at Shipstal Point which constitutes a UK record count! 1 flew east over Weymouth.
Hen Harrier - 1 Arne RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Brownsea Lagoon, 2 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere (both legs apparent)
Little Stint - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 3 Brownsea Lagoon, 3 Lodmoor RSPB
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spotted Redshank - 10 Brownsea Lagoon
Greenshank - 27 Brownsea Lagoon, 12 Lytchett Fields RSPB
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Pomarine Skua - 1 pale phase west past Winspit
Ring Ouzel - 2 Winspit, 1 Wyke Regis
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 ringed at PBO, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Blacknor

Redshank and Lesser Yellowlegs - Lodmoor RSPB © Freddy Alway

Lesser Yellowlegs and Snipe - Lodmoor RSPB © Freddy Alway

Sightings - Sunday 8th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Poole Harbour
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Brand's Bay, 1 Lodmoor RSPB, 1 Coward's Marsh, 1 over Poole Harbour
Spoonbill -  estimated total of 65 in Poole Harbour area with maximum counts of 35 Arne RSPB,
     47 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail over Arne RSPB
Merlin - 1 Portland Bill
Ruff - 8 Lodmoor RSPB, 4 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 2 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 probable Brand's Bay
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
Little Stint - 4 Lodmoor RSPB, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spotted Redshank - 17 Brownsea Island
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Arctic Skua - 1 Mudeford Quay
Little Gull - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Firecrest - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 Portland Bill, 1 Okeford Fitzpaine,
      1 North Bestwell Wood (Swineham)
Ring Ouzel - 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Stoborough Heath
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1  Stour Valley LNR, 1 ringed at PBO, 1 heard Abbotsbury Swannery,
      1 Stanpit
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 ringed at PBO
Lapland Bunting - 1 heard over Hengistbury Head

Lesser Yellowlegs at Lodmoor RSPB © Derek Fowler

Turnstone at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy
Ruff at Lodmoor RSPB © Derek Fowler

Wheatear at Hengistbury Head © Joe Murphy
 

West Bexington - Sunday 8th October - Guided Walk

Join us this Sunday 8th October for a guided walk at West Bexington from 09:30 – midday. Meet in the beach car park at SY 531864 (charges apply).

We will take a leisurely stroll along the beach and back in the hope of seeing some autumn migrants. A bird-ringing demonstration has now been arranged, weather permitting, which will hopefully give us the opportunity to see some migrant birds up close and personal!

All are welcome and there is no charge to attend the walk.
For further information contact: Richard Charman (Outdoor Events Organiser)
Tel: 07799  624  062   email: walksATdorsetbirds.org.uk

Sightings - Saturday 7th October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Common Scoter - 4 Longham Lakes
Goosander - 1 Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 from Mudeford Quay
Balearic Shearwater - 1 past Portland Bill
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Spoonbill -  36 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 male 2 ringtails  Middlebere/Harland Moor area
Merlin - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Harland Moor, 1 Durlston CP
Dotterel - 1 over Butterstreet Cove (The Fleet)
Ruff - 4 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 4 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Purple Sandpiper - 2 Hengistbury Head
Little Stint - 6 Lodmoor RSPB, 2 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere
Grey Phalarope - 1 Cutcleaves Cove (The Fleet)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spotted Redshank - 15 Brownsea Island, 1 Middlebere
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 again at Lodmoor RSPB
Arctic Skua - 3 Mudeford Quay, 1 Durlston CP, 1 over Portland Harbour
Little Gull - 1 at Herbury (The Fleet), 1 Durlston CP
Firecrest - 1 Tidmoor Rifle Range (The Fleet), 1 Durlston CP
House Martin - 135 Durlston CP
Swallow - 320 Durlston CP
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Lodmoor RSPB, 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Durlston CP, 1 Stour LNR
Rose-coloured Starling - 1 juvenile Lodmoor RSPB
Hawfinch - 1 over top fields Portland Bill


Bar-tailed Godwit  - The Fleet © Brett Spencer
Dotterel over Butterstreet Cove - The Fleet © Brett Spencer
Green Woodpecker - Longham Lakes © Roger Peart
Grey Phalarope at Cutcleaves Cove - The Fleet © Brett Spencer


Sightings - Friday 6th October 2017

Whooper Swan - 1 past West Bexington then later at Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 over Stanpit
Spoonbill -  1 Radipole RSPB, 15 Brownsea Lagoon
Ruff - 6 Lodmoor, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere, 2 Brownsea Lagoon
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
Little Stint - 6 Lodmoor RSPB
Grey Phalarope - 1 Cutcleaves Cove, 1 Butterstreet Cove (The Fleet)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spotted Redshank - 1 Christchurch Harbour
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Wryneck - 1 Southwell Business Park (Portland)
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Portland Bill
Barred Warbler - 1 ringed at Chickerell on a private site
Whinchat - 1 Hengistbury Head
Tree Sparrow - 4 Portland Bill
Brambling - 1 over Durlston CP
Hawfinch - 1 ringed at PBO
Lapland Bunting - 1 Portland Bill

(There was no sign of the Lesser Yellowlegs at Lodmoor RSPB today)

Barred Warbler - Chickerell © Brett Spencer

Ruff on Lytchett Fields yesterday © Roger Peart

Sightings - Thursday 5th October 2017

Whooper Swan - 3 Lytchett Bay
Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Spoonbill -  7 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail Middlebere
Merlin - 1 Middlebere, 1 Povington Heath
Knot - 1 Middlebere
Ruff - 8 Lodmoor RSPB, 7 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB, 1 Middlebere
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere
Little Stint - 5 Lodmoor RSPB, 2 Brownsea Island, 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Grey Phalarope - 2 Cutcleaves Cove (The Fleet)
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Green Sandpiper - 9 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Greenshank - 9 Lytchett Fields RSPB
LESSER YELLOWLEGS - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Firecrest - 8 East Lulworth, 3 Arne RSPB, 1 Hengistbury Head
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Wakeham (Portland)
Whinchat - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Tree Sparrow - 1 still at Sweethill (Portland)
Hawfinch - 1 East Weares (Portland) and 1 ringed at PBO
Lapland Bunting - 1 over Blacknor (Portland)

Reed Bunting at Hengisbury Head © Joe Murphy

Whooper Swans in Lytchett Bay © Ian Ballam

Reports of interest, Wednesday 4th October 2017.

Pale-Bellied Brent Goose - 1 Ferrybridge.
Goosander - 6 Middlebere.
Great White Egret - 1 RSPB Lodmoor (also briefly at RSPB Radipole Lake).
Cattle Egret - 1 Hampreston Meadows, 1 RSPB Lodmoor.
Spoonbill - 5 Brownsea Island, 4 over Christchurch Harbour.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Arne Moors, 2 Christchurch Harbour, 1 reported Lodmoor, 1 Middlebere.
Hen Harrier - 2 Arne Moors, 1 Brownsea Island, 1 Winspit.
Merlin - 1 Christchurch Harbour.
Grey Plover - 4 Brownsea Island.
Knot - 2 Brownsea Island, 9 Middlebere.
Ruff - 1 Brownsea Island, 4 RSPB Lodmoor.
Spotted Redshank - 14 Brownsea Island.
Greenshank - 27 Brownsea Island.
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere.
Sanderling - 1 RSPB Lytchett Fields is unusual for the site.
Curlew Sandpiper - 1 Brownsea Island, 1 reported RSPB Lodmoor, 1 Middlebere.
Little Stint - 2 Brownsea Island, 4 RSPB Lodmoor.
Wryneck - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Whinchat - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 2 Avalanche Rd, Portland.
Firecrest - 1 Brownsewa Island, 2 Winspit.
Crossbill - 4 Hengistbury Head.
Brambling - 4 Christchurch Harbour.
Tree Sparrow - 1 Portland.

Late news - Wryneck at RSPB Radipole Lake yesterday; also a Budgerigar.

Reports of interest, Tuesday 3rd October 2017.

Great White Egret - 1 Middlebere.
Spoonbill - 1 Lytchett Fields.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Lytchett Fields, 4 western Poole Harbour.
Osprey - 1 Wareham Channel.
Merlin - 1 Slepe Heath, 1 Portland.
Golden Plover - 33 Maiden Castle.
Ruff - 11 Lytchett Fields.
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit.
Greenshank - 16 Lytchett Fields, 2 Middlebere.
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER - 1 over Culverwell, Portland.
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 reported Middlebere.
Little Stint - 4 Ferrybridge, 3 Lytchett Fields.
Grey Phalarope - 2 Cuttcleaves Cove, The Fleet.
Wryneck - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Whinchat - 2 Maiden Castle.
Pied Flycatcher - 1 Portland.
Lesser Whitethroat - 2 'Siberian'-type birds, Portland.
Yellow-Browed Warbler - 1 Avalanche Rd, Portland.
Firecrest - at least 12 on Portland, 1 Talbot Heath (Bournemouth).
Lapland Bunting - 1 Hengistbury Head, 1 Portland Bill.
Brambling - 1 Portland Bill.
Tree Sparrow - 2 Portland Bill.


Ruff at Lytchett Fields © Ian Ballam

Grey Phalarope, The Fleet © Freddy Alway

Wheatear on Crouch Hill, Stanpit © Clinton Whale

Reports of interest, Monday 2nd October 2017.

Goosander - 1 Eye Mead (Kingston Lacey NT).
Cattle Egret - 1 Salt Hurns (Christchurch Harbour).
Spoonbill - 6 Brownsea Island.
Marsh Harrier - 1 Hartland Moor.
Merlin - 1 Christchurch Harbour, 2 Hartland Moor.
Hobby - 1 Eye Mead (Kingston Lacey NT).
Arctic Skua - 1 Portland Bill.
Ruff - 1 Brownsea Island, 9 Lytchett Fields.
Spotted Redshank - 6 Brownsea Island, 1 Stanpit.
Greenshank - 10 Brownsea Island, 8 Lytchett Fields, 5 Stanpit.
Little Stint - 3 Lytchett Fields.
Redstart - 1 Grove Hill Bottom (Martinstown).
Whinchat - 2 Whitepits (Christchurch Harbour).
Pied Flycatcher - 1 Portland Castle.
Spotted Flycatcher - 1 Wick.
Firecrest - 2 Christchurch Harbour, 2 Corfe Mullen.

Also of interest:  There were five Portuguese man o'war at Chesil Cove today.

Sightings - Sunday 1st October 2017

Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Eider - Portland Harbour
Osprey - 1 Middlebere
Cattle Egret - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery, 1 Christchurch Harbour, 1 Longham Lakes
Great Egret - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Little Stint - 4 Ferrybridge, 2 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Ruff -  10 Lytchett Fields RSPB
STILT SANDPIPER - 1 Middlebere/Coombe Heath
SPOTTED SANDPIPER - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Wood Sandpiper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Pied Flycatcher - 1 Portland Castle
Kestrel Hengistbury Head copyright Joe Murphy