March with Two Rarities and Seven year ticks

March started well with Joe from Birds of Poole Harbour finding the Forster's Tern in Parkstone Bay on the 2nd this is the third year it has returned.  Jackie and I took a quick trip down to Baiter Park and met Ian Ballam and Paul Morton both looking for the bird. We were there for some time, I thought I caught sight of a tern over the far side of the bay but it was Paul that picked it up flying towards the harbour mouth but it was very distant. Over the next few days it commuted between Poole Park and the bay and sometimes Brownsea Lagoon.  I popped down to Poole Park and managed to grab a few shots of it there where it put on a pretty good show for everyone.

Forster's Tern - Poole Park © Nick Hull

Late on the 2nd a Red-rumped Swallow was found in Weymouth and Jackie and I decided to go the next day and hopefully see if it stayed.  By the time we arrived in Weymouth there had been no sign of the swallow, so we headed over to Wyke Regis Bridging Camp to see if we could find the Long-tailed Duck on the Fleet.  

We walk down the footpath to the west end of the camp fence and scoped over Littlesea.  After a few scans across the water I suddenly picked up a white head but it immediately dived as I waited for it to resurface I noticed a Common Scoter  and several Red-breasted Merganser.  The bird surfaced and it turned sideways on to us and you could see the dark brown cheek spot on a very white head of a male Long-tailed Duck but far too distant to get any photographs.  It dived again and it took ten minutes or more to find it again for Jackie to see it.  

Jackie checked her phone and said the swallow has been seen, so we headed back to Radipole parking in a nearby housing estate and walking to the bridge where a handful of birders were looking and was told it had just flown typically out of view.  Anyway it wasn't long before I picked it up hawking for insects over the wood and the houses. It did eventually fly nearer on several occasions giving much closer and pretty good views but with its speed it gave problems with getting any good quality shot.

My best shot of the Red-rumped Swallow - Radipole © nick Hull

Next day we were out with friends at Arne with the idea of trying to get everyone White-tailed Eagle and Crossbill.  It was a dull overcast start but became warm and sunny towards the end of our walk.  We didn't see any eagles but we had all the usual heathland species and a Red Kite put in an appearance.  We were successful with Crossbill seeing several, a male performed well right at the end of our walk but as Jackie had my camera in her scooter box I failed to get any shots but thankfully Phil managed a couple and sent me a copy.

Common Crossbill male & Female - Arne © Phil Allman

On the 11th Jackie and I and friends Fran and David we had a walk at Rempstone.   As I was getting Jackie's scooter off the van there was a harsh 'Kya-kya-kya' sound overhead, Jackie managed to get a view as a Goshawk passed over, which is always a nice species to get on your year list.  This area was our heathland survey area in 2025 and had three Woodlark territories but our walk produced none but we were probably a little late in the morning. A species that was a little surprise was a pair of Grey Wagtail and like Arne we had three singing Crossbill which is always nice to record. As we walked back to the vehicles we were treated to a flock of Redwing which flew over towards the south and when nearly back to the cars a flight of Fieldfare flew towards us going in the other direction making there cackling calls both species would be moving back to their northern breeding ground shortly.

On the 13th Jackie and I went to Studland in the hope that a Red-necked Grebe, which had been seen the day before, would still be around off Middle Beach but we couldn't find it so we had a look over Norden sewage works on the way home and a drive down to Wytch and back up Trashers Lane where we came across a Reeve's Pheasant not a tickle species but there is a small population in the Wytch and Rempstone area though I hadn't seen one for a while and this male was very close to the road, 

Stunning male Reeve's Pheasant © Nick Hull

On our way home we took a little detour around to Holmebridge there was very little there accept a Peregrine which swooped in and took a Black-headed Gull and stayed to have it's meal which added a little entertainment.  Shortly after we were passing Wareham Common on our way home we saw the now three Glossy Ibis feeding out on the still very wet meadow. 

Over the next few days we birded the home patch of Lytchett Bay, popped to Bestwall where the highlight was just a Green Sandpiper.  It wasn't until the end of the month (31st) that we added more species to the year list with Sand and House Martin and Willow Warbler at Longham Lakes. Then later in the afternoon, we saw our next good species when we popped over to Woodsford to see a pair of Garganey which had taken up residence on the gravel pits. 

The 2026 reptile season started early with Adder being seen out in February with the first observation on the patch being on 22nd Feb (Paul Swann) and Ian Ballam saw our first Sand Lizard on the 24th Feb and I recorded a Common Lizard on the 28th Feb.  I didn't see my first Smooth Snake until I did my first survey at Arne on the 18th March when I also had my first Slow Worm so it's just Grass Snake to see now.

male Adder © Lytchett Bay Nick Hull

Common Lizard Lytchett Bay © Nick Hull

male Smooth Snake Arne RSPB © Nick Hull (taken under license)

On the invertebrate side I took Jackie to Hillier Garden for her U3A visit as she needed her scooter and whilst walking the gardens we had a couple of Black Oil Beetle and our first Orange-tip butterfly and Bee-fly, which we have had in the home garden since. We have also seen our first mason bees from our bee hotel with a couple of males buzzing around waiting for the females to emerge which I sure will not be long now.

Black Oil Beetle Hilliers Garden © Nick Hull

Beefly Bombylius major Hilliers Garden © Nick Hull

Moth trapping has been fairly average for the time of year the garden doesn't really get going until end of April but I've caught a few nice regular moth and one new micro moth.

Frosted Green © Nick Hull

Lunar Marbled Brown © Nick Hull

Ash Sprinner (Zelleria hepariella) © Nick Hull 

We ended the month on 141 species of bird seen since 1st January and with more migrants due in April and survey season getting underway can't wait to see what we can see and find.  

February Birding catching up on what was missed in January

February birding was trying to get out when it wasn't raining. The 1st was one of these days at for a while it kept dry and Jackie and I tried for the Red-necked Grebe which had been seen from Jerry's Point but we ended in failure. We did have 3 Great Northern Diver which are always nice to see otherwise just the usual suspects.

On the 4th we decided to meet with friends at Thorncombe Wood near Dorchester and as we were passing Tolpuddle on the by-pass a Red Kite decided to soar over the road and head off south our first for the year. Thornecombe didn't really produce, the overcast damp morning kept the birds quiet.

On the 8th Jackie and I went down to Holes Bay as it gave me the chance to catch up on Goosander and Jackie wanted to see the Little Gull both of which had been seen there a number of time over the previous week.  Of course after arriving it start to drizzle then it cleared enough to scan the bay and I found the female Goosander way out in the bay. Then it was then to find the Little Gull which we eventually did, sat on the water out in the middle of the northeast end of the bay.

Distant shot of the same Little Gull when it visited Lytchett Bay © Nick Hull

On the 12th we birded the local patch (Lytchett Bay) for an hour viewing from Rock Lea view point and the feeding station in the Pools field. We managed to add Cetti's Warbler to our Dorset List and a year tick with two Reed Bunting coming into the feeding station.  

The 13th was another moist day and we popped into Hampshire to Blashford Lakes to see if the Bittern was still around but it hadn't been seen all morning and the hide was somewhat packed so we decided not to stay and started walking back to the van and came across a number of Scarlet Elfcup which seemed to brighting the drab leafy woodland banks.

Scarlet Elf Cup - Blasford Lakes © Nick Hull

we decide to drive into the forest across Ocknell Plain to see if the Great Grey Shrike was around but no luck.  We had lunch at Eyeworth Pond and somebody had placed seed on various posts and various tits and chaffinch were coming in to feed on what was provided. Not the best thing to do in a wild situation but it was enjoyable to watch and see what species were being attracted to a food source.  The site is good for Marsh Tit and the seed was attracting a couple of individuals in. So I took advantage and managed a few shots from the van window so not to disturb the bird coming in to feed.

Marsh Tit - Eyeworth Pond © Nick Hull

After Eyeworth we decided to visit Breamore Church on our way home this is a site that sometime attracts

the odd Hawfinch in winter but none were there for us this year but Jackie managed to catch up on Red Kite which I found sat at the top of a pine calling.

Red Kite - Breamore © Nick Hull

On the 16th I went to Arne and helped on a reptile search for emerging Adder, and though it appeared to be a perfect day none were found but I did see a few Dartford Warbler, two Red Kite and one of the adult White-tailed Eagle so couldn't complain really. Next day Jackie and I were joined by Margaret for a walk at Middlebere,, it was another quiet day though we did have our first singing Woodlark always a delight to hear.  We also had a couple of Fieldfare in the cottages garden orchard which was very nice as they have been very thin on the ground this year at least locally.

Fieldfare - Middlebere © Nick Hull

On the walk back we saw one of the White Sika Deer out in the marsh, there are several in the herds around Poole Harbour basin and the do stand out from the crowd.

White Sika Deer - Middlebere © Nick Hull

We met friends at Hengistbury on the 23rd with the intention of finding Purple Sandpipers and perhaps some birds on the sea. Well we were successful and found the Purple Sandpipers on the far groyne on the sandspit and had six Common Scoter flying off the head adding two species for the year list which stand at 128 species just a couple down on 2025, hopefully that will be remedied in March.

Common Scoter  off Hengistbury Head from archive 

January and a British Mega

As is usual for many birders the 1st of January is a day that is required for you to go birding regardless of the weather.  We started locally checking off a few species in and around the garden before moving round to Ridge Farm to take a look at the Russian White-fronted Geese, which went to plan but no Tundra Bean Geese.  It was then off to Brand's Bay and Studland South Beach which saw us checking off Great Northern Diver, White-tailed Eagle, Black-necked and Slavonian Grebes and Goldeneye a species that has become scarcer in recent years in the harbour.

Slavonian Grebe off Jerry's Point © Nick Hull

After Studland we headed to Norden and checked out the sewage works for Chiffs and Grey Wagtail and news came through that the Bean Geese had been found in the Frome Valley at Stokeford.  So we headed there first and as we passed by Worgret Manor we saw a handful of Cattle Egret feeding in the field next to the house.  When we arrived at Stokeford the Tundra Bean Geese were still present in the field behind the cottage feeding along with Egyptian Geese and a few more Cattle Egret.

Next we popped into Holme Bridge where we got lucky with a Great White Egret, Lapwing flock, Fieldfare and a pair of Little Grebe. We then headed for the home patch via East Holme gravel pit then onto Lytchett Bay.  Viewing from Turlin View Point added Avocets and other common winter waterfowl and Spoonbills which do not visit that often.  Then it was back home and have a coffee and add up our species list for the day.  The final count wasn't bad at 62 species a pretty good start for the year.

A walk around home at footpath 12 opposite on the 4th provided us with two really good species Green Woodpecker, rare here on the Lytchett patch, and Lesser Redpoll with the Siskin.  Later in the morning we followed up on some info that came our way about a flock of Golden Plover near Bere Regis but our hunt to find them proved fruitless, though by luck stopping in a farm gateway saw us add Yellowhammer and Corn Bunting in a flock of feeding Chaffinch.

On the 7th we had a trip down to Hatch Pond as at the north end by the footpath a Yellow-browed Warbler had been found.  We arrived and spent about 30 minutes before it showed up and performed for us and it gave us some real close views.  

Yellow-browed Warbler - Hatch Pond © Nick Hull

Our next outing was a quick visit down to Waddock Cross Cressbeds as the frosty cold weather had pushed the Glossy Ibis up the Frome Valley to find unfrozen area to feed and they reported using the watercress beds.  When we arrived we found them without any trouble as well as a number of Green Sandpiper. Then Jackie said shall we pop down to Weymouth for the Black Redstart at the Bridging Camp which turned out successful.

On the 21st news broke of a Killdeer at Ripley just over the border into Hampshire, a species that Jackie had always wanted to see in Britain but we couldn't go on the first day and had to wait until the next day.

We travelled to Ripley without too much traffic but had a little problem finding somewhere to park so Jackie didn't have to far to walk as she couldn't use her scooter.  It was a wet day but we were lucky as it cleared a little and we had a dry spell whilst we were there.  The Killdeer was on the far side of an old gravel pit resting when we arrived it was partially out of sight from where we were viewing but eventually it went for a little run and a feed.  Then a Sparrowhawk flew across the middle of the lake and the Killdeer took flight and gave us good flight view as it passed in front of us and turned and went back to nearly where it had taken off from.   Oddly the first British record of this species was from Christchurch Harbour when it was Hampshire in 1859 and since then there has been in the region of 78 accepted records.for Britain and Ireland.

Killdeer - Ripley Hants 

We ended the month with a visit to Slimbridge WWT with friends David and Fran.  Jackie and I haven't been for many years in fact our last visit was a twitch to see a Little Crake back in 2005.  We managed to add seven species to our year list with Barnacle Goose, Bewick's Swan, Common Crane, Golden Plover, Ruff, and Cetti's Warbler. We ended our visit with a Kingfisher whilst having breakfast next morning before we move on for a morning visit to the Somerset Levels on the way home to Dorset.

Flight of Bewick's Swan Slimbridge © Nick Hull

We had little success on the levels as water levels were high though we saw several Great White Egret and the two large flocks of Cattle Egret which collectively exceeded 150 birds. we ended the month on the 31st with a Mandarin drake in Poole Park a real tarts tick to end the month with 120 species.

Drake Mandarin - Poole Park © Nick Hull

December 2025

December is a time when you always go through your list and see what is missing and are they still a possibility.  One glaring miss to our year list was Goosander, a species that we usually do not need to make an effort to see but come across at sometime through the year.  So on the 9th we had an early Christmas dinner arranged at Charlton Marshal and we had been told there had been Goosander on the river at Blandford Forum.  As it happened we left home and found the traffic was very light and we were very early for our pub lunch so we headed into Blandford for a quick walk to see if we could find the Goosander.  Did we see it - no we didn't, but we did see an Otter swimming and hunting along the weir which was a very nice consolation.

Otter Blandford Forum © Nick Hull

With Christmas approaching most of the rest of the month was taken up with sorting out all the arrangements presents etc, etc. So our next available day for doing any kind of birding was on the 26th when we received information that there was a flock of White-fronted Geese and a few Tundra Bean Geese on the field at Ridge.  For the sake of getting a couple of extra year ticks Jackie and I decided on a quick twitch just in case they moved on before the New Years Day, they are two species that have become quite scarce in the river valleys here in Dorset over recent years.  So after a 20 minute drive we pulled up in a gateway and scanned the field and there they were 5 Tundra Bean and 33 Russian White-Fronted Geese. I took a few images and headed back home to get ready to entertain family. 

A few Russian White-fronted Geese + 5 Tundra Bean Geese - Ridge © Nick Hull

Jackie and I always set ourselves the challenge of getting 200 species in a year and usually we do succeed and most of them will be found around Poole Harbour and the Isle of Purbeck, with a few which will be in Dorset but away from our local area.  Then a handful will be from the odd holidays or weekends away up in Yorkshire, Somerset and Europe, though in 2025 we holidayed in Cyprus, which technically falls in Western Asia though part of the EU.  

This year we finished on 206 species plus a further 30 species seen in Cyprus.

Our bird highlights were:-

Green-winged Teal - 14th January at Lodmoor.

Cirl Bunting - 14th January at the Bridging Camp Wyke Regis plus Durlston later in the year.

Lesser Scaup - Longham Lakes on 17th January.

Temminck's Stint at Siddlesham Ferry Pool, 30th April, whilst visiting West Sussex.

Great Reed Warbler - 18th May at Hornsea Mere  East Yorkshire.

Honey Buzzard - 20th May at Wykeham Forest North Yorkshire.

Wryneck - Stoborough Heath.

Glossy Ibis - Lytchett Bay/Fields 8th September.

Caspian Gull - 15th October  at Hornsea Mere  East Yorkshire.

Ring Ouzel - 18th October Bempton Cliffs East Yorkshire.

Ring-necked Duck - 20th November Shapwick Heath NNR Somerset Levels.

Desert Wheatear - 24th November Bridging Camp Wyke Regis.

Tundra Bean Geese - 26th December Ridge Farm.

Russian White-fronted Geese - 26th December Ridge Farm.

So no UK lifers this year the only lifers were those seen in Cyprus:-

Spur-winged Lapwing

Cyprus Scops Owl (Only heard)

Cyprus Warbler

Isabelline Wheatear

Cyprus Wheatear

Cretzschmar's Bunting

As for moths well I recorded 315 species in the garden in 2025, 18 of those were recorded for the first time.  Of course a number of those are relatively common species which just haven't ventured into my trap. Though this year I have been using a blue LED bulb as well as the usual MV so this may have had an effect. As it appears my moth totals caught had also increased which may be the combination of the better summer as well as the using the blue UV LED. 

My 2025 Moth highlights were:-

Current Clearwing Synanthedon tipuliformis -  Purple Marbled Eublemma ostrina

Migrant Sable Diasemiopsis ramburialis         - Ghost Moth Hepialus humuli

Blair's Mocha Cyclophora puppillaria           - Langman's Yellow Underwing Noctua janthia