DORSET

HIGHLIGHTS: The Hume’s Leaf Warbler remained on Portland for the first few days. An Iceland Gull was on Portland (1st) and West Bexington (3rd). A Lesser Spotted Woodpecker was in the Corfe River Valley (2nd). The Green-winged Teal remained at Lytchett Fields (to 8th), with the Lesser Yellowlegs staying (to 15th). Abbotsbury had two Richard’s Pipits (5th). Great White Egrets were reported throughout. Radipole held 13 Cattle Egrets (8th), with 10 between Nottington and Buckland Ripers. A Crane flew over Swanage (8th). Waxwings were in Gillingham (7th-11th). The first Cuckoos were at Melbury Hill and South Haven (7th). Western Subalpine Warblers were at Portland Bill (13th) and at the observatory (22nd-23rd). An Eastern Subalpine was on Portland (28th-30th). Red-rumped Swallows were at Radipole, Durlston and Longham Lakes (17th-18th, 27th & 29th). A Kentish Plover was on Chesil Beach (22nd-24th). Serins were at Southwell, Stanpit Marsh and Chesil Cove (from 22nd). Longham Lakes held a Bonaparte’s Gull (from 26th). A Montagu’s Harrier was in the Christchurch area (29th). A Black Tern was at Portland Bill (30th). Great Grey Shrikes were recorded throughout the month at various sites.

CHRISTCHURCH AREA: A Garganey, Black-throated Diver, Grey Plovers, Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwits, Dunlin, a Spotted Redshank, Greenshanks, Pomarine Skuas, a Little Gull, White Wagtails, Water Pipits, a Ring Ouzel and Tree Sparrows were noted.

DURLSTON: A Merlin, a good selection of warblers, Tree Pipits and a Pied Flycatcher were noted.

THE FLEET/FERRYBRIDGE: Long-tailed Ducks, a Manx Shearwater, Whimbrels, Little

Gulls, Common Sandpipers, a Green Sandpiper, Wood Sandpiper, Common Terns and 32 Sandwich Terns were logged.

POOLE HARBOUR: There were Brent Geese, Wigeon, Gadwall, Garganeys, Black-necked Grebes, Marsh Harriers, Hen Harriers, Buzzards, Sparrowhawks, Hobbies, Avocets, Grey Plovers, Little Ringed Plovers, Whimbrels, Black-tailed Godwits, Bar-tailed Godwits, Knot, Ruff, Common Sandpipers, Spotted Redshanks, Greenshanks, Redshanks, Sandwich Terns, Yellow-legged Gulls, a Cuckoo, Swallows and Bearded Tits.

PORTLAND BILL/OBSERVATORY: Birds passing the Bill included Red- and Black-throated Divers, Manx Shearwaters, Arctic, Pomarine and Great Skuas, Whimbrels, and 500 Bar-tailed Godwits (29th). Also recorded were a Hobby, Turtle Dove, Cuckoos, White Wagtails, Redstarts, Black Redstarts, a Ring Ouzel, Short-eared Owl, Grasshopper Warbler and Whinchat.

OTHER SITES: Ospreys were at 19 sites and Red Kites at nine. A Little Owl was at West Morden. Four Puffins were at Dancing Ledge.