Dorset Birds: Sunday 5th July 2026

Whimbrel - 1-2 Christchurch Harbour.
Common Sandpiper - 1 Holme Lane gravel pit.
Red Kite - 1 Tarrant Rushton airfield, 1 over Wimborne.
Spotted Flycatcher - 3+ Canford Heath, 1 Piddle Valley ringing station.

Spotted Flycatcher, Canford Heath © Janet Panter.

RARE BREEDING BIRDS

Dorset Bird Club and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel advocate special caution when reporting rare breeding birds as they are vulnerable to persecution and disturbance.

Please consider the birds welfare and do not share details of any rare breeding species on social media, WhatsApp groups, personal websites, blogs, or local birdwatching message boards.

We urge all finders of rare birds to consider whether they may be breeding before sharing the news.

Sightings should always be submitted, in confidence, to the county recorder to contribute to long-term national monitoring.