Dorset Birds: Friday 9th October 2026

Garganey - 1 Dorchester Water Meadows

Black-necked Grebe - 1 off Knoll Beach Studland

Great White Egret - 2 Lodmoor RSPB

Spoonbill - 4 Lytchett Bay

Short-eared Owl - 1 Portland Bill on the top fields.

Red-backed Shrike - 1 Portland Bill by the old Higher Light

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.