Baiter is still the best option for the Forster's Tern & take some patience along with you as @bikingbirder.bsky.social & I spent an good hour scanning that area from Brownsea early PM with no joy It clearly comes & goes from that area

Today's Brownsea lagoon High Tide count with @bikingbirder.bsky.social Highlights Pt 3: Med 127 Com Gull 6+ GBBG 23 Sandwich Tern 2 or 3 Forster's Tern Just the one - c15 mins mid PM Note Brownsea is still closed to the public @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Today's Brownsea lagoon High Tide count with @bikingbirder.bsky.social Highlights Pt 2: Avocet 83 Oik 158 R Plover 2 Grey Plover 8 Blackwit 1604 Barwit 58 Curlew 17 Snipe 1 Redshank 48 Greenshank 12 Knot 1 Dunlin 27 Turnstone 12 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Today's Brownsea lagoon High Tide count with @bikingbirder.bsky.social Highlights Pt 1: Brent G 2 Canada G 41 Greylag 22 Shelduck 62 Teal 62 Wig 30 Gad 19 Shov 12 Sparrowhawk 1 Sea-eagle 1 imm @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Curious about how to tell your baleen whales from your bottlenose dolphins? Our Introduction to Whale & Dolphin Identification course gives you the practical knowledge to recognise and identify cetaceans with confidence! Learn more 👉 orca.org.uk/training/int... #WhaleWatching #ORCA #ORCACourses

Interesting - okay everyone eyes peeled 👀 for a Painted Lady in Warwickshire! 😬🦋🤞🤞🤞

Nice to see it on the lagoon this PM. Well picked up by @bikingbirder.bsky.social

The Forsters disappeared after 15 mins. Apparently back at Baiter @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

foggy start at St Aldhelms but it quickly lifted slim pickings No Black Red or Wheatear🥲 RT Diver 1 East then dropped onto sea Mallard 2 East on sea LBBG 5 East Com Gull 2 East Chiffy 2 migrants North MPipit 20 North Corn Bunt 5 Peacock butterfly 2 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

My latest Blog Post - First Signs of Spring Part 2 Brownsea preparing for the Spring birdingpooleharbourandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/03/24-f...

No surprises Great Bustards became extinct thanks to the actions of people shooting them for their collections Albeit, maybe modern farming practices might have finished them off more recently had they not been shot

A ridiculous total of NINE Bittern have just been circling over Swineham GP, with none actually leaving, rather all settled back down into the fringes again. Crazy!!! @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

We’ve heard back from them already…..see full details here: www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/sightings/

Our mission is simple. We want to keep oceans alive with whales and dolphins. And literally anyone can make a difference in whale and dolphin conservation 🌟 #WhaleConservation #ORCA

Forsters Tern again fron Baiter in Parkstone Bay and over towards Brownsea @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

The Great Bustard was still visible (scope needed) in the private fields East of the Glebelands estate late PM, with a party of 3 Roe Deer. I was viewing from the Glebelands estate next to the house called Beechwood @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Strictly, its only the 3rd Poole Harbour record since they went extinct as a UK breeding in the mid-late 1800s😉 This one is sporting a nice orange ring. Hopefully the Great Bustard Project will be able to tell us more about it & it's movements in the next few days @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Great Bustard was a surprise arrival this morning on Ballard Down, found by Brian Edge. Only the 3rd Poole Harbour record. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

The Critically Endangered Mediterranean Monk Seal – the world's most endangered pinniped – has enjoyed a bumper breeding season in Greece:

Forsters not seen at Baiter Park this lunchtime, but a surprise Large Tortoiseshell! @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Members are hopefully enjoying our latest e-Bulletin. News on the Dorset list, monitoring Dorset's Puffins and more. Great to see many new and returning members. Not joined us yet? Follow the link dorsetbirds.co.uk/membership/ Pic 🙏 @markwright12002.bsky.social

Birders - please sign this petition & stop this killing of Gannets. Some traditions have to end After all, if it wasn't stopped, then people would still be wanting the slave trade to continue in the name of tradition

What else would you like to know about Dusky Dolphins? 🐬 #ORCA #DuskyDolphin

Nice photos Ewan @pittasoma.bsky.social

Nice male Merlin briefly perched in the Arne Moors wood. Flew towards Sunnyside @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

My latest Blog Post - First Signs of Spring Part 1 - My First Buff-tailed Bumblebee back on 23 Feb birdingpooleharbourandbeyond.blogspot.com/2026/03/23-f...

First Purbeck Wheatear of the year at Kimmeridge today per local birder James #DorsetBirds @dorsetbirds.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Now a brief visit from a Hummingbird Hawk-moth to the Paper Bush in our Corfe Castle garden @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

Radipole RSPB- Red Rumped Swallow showing well at North end of reserve view from road bridge crossing River Wey. Pic BOC @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social @rarebirder.bsky.social

The Red-rumped Swallow is still in Weymouth per RBA #DorsetBirds

Three Red Admirals up and about at 09:30 this morning at 10C, basking and nectaring on our Paper Bush. You have to admire them. @dorsetbutterflies.bsky.social

@harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social glossy ibis still in Wareham common 🥰

Passing Wareham Common on the by-pass the Glossy Ibis were still there middle of the common. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Forsters seen at Baiter. Just need it to pop over the border into the Isle of Purbeck now

The now annual Forster’s Tern has reappeared in the harbour this evening, several weeks earlier than previous years. More typically it’s been appearing in late March. Wonder how long it will hang around?? @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social 📸 Joe Parker

Im ending Feb having seen 142 species (BOU obv) in the Historic Isle of Purbeck in 2026, out of 150 species that have occurred this year The IoP fits within a 10km circle and I could have seen 5-6 species twitchable species within the 10km zone. I didnt as they werent in the IoP #DorsetBirds

Cracking male Black Redstart in the sunshine on the #PurbeckCoast between Seacombe and Dancing Ledge, accompanied by a female @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Just been to check the Wareham bypass from my usual viewpoint. But realised I wasnt the first there I decided on another viewpoint & leave the Adder in peace @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

The Sand Martins disappeared for an hour, but now 8 Sand Martins from Holmebridge Also Grey Wagtail @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

2 Sand Martins over Holmebridge now 10:50 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

About 15 years ago, a Radio 4 program on the Sika Deer population in Poole Harbour and the surrounding area, put the population at about 4000, with about 25% being culled each year My perception is this number has increased as I've seen more on the Purbeck coast than 15 years ago

Eastbourne: Many thanks to Harvey for turning up this zinger of a Wheatear at Sovereign Harbour today. What a treat and my first EVER in February. Spring is offically here!

Presence creates impact. By operating in these regions, we collect vital data on vulnerable populations, raise public awareness and educate visitors to reduce demand for whale products. Working alongside our partners also gives us a voice; applying pressure through engagement rather than silence!

My first Sand Martin of the year at Silverlake this morning, I honestly can't recall if I've had a February one before. Nearby at Woodsford, 2 Green Sand and 3 Cetti's. Blackcap and Chiffchaff both in song at the end of my garden.

A flyover male Mandarin at Holmebridge seen by Rob Johson at 12:30 ish is the 150th species seen for the historic Isle of Purbeck this year (excluding reintro Sea-eagles and feral pigeons) #DorsetBirds @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

🎉 OCEAN WIN: Beautiful flame shell beds in a Scottish loch have been restored to their former glory, after the habitat was declared a marine protected area in response to intense dredging decimating the reef 🪸 The ocean CAN RECOVER, if we let it! 🌊 www.the-independent.com/climate-chan...

While I like seeing Sika Deer, it's time to cull a big % of the Purbeck, Poole Harbour & Wareham Forest population It's only when you see woodland with deer-proof fencing locally, that you see much of an understorey, which our declining Chiffys & Willow Ws need Native Roes should be off-limits

4 Sand Martins feeding upriver of Holmebridge late PM. The first visible this year from the Isle of Purbeck, but just beyond the IoP boundary Looks like Spring is on its way, till I got out of the car into a strong, cold wind @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Our 2026 Sea Safari trips are now live from Plymouth; offering the chance to spot whales and dolphins right on your doorstep. 2026 Dates: ✨ 8–10 July 2026 ✨5–7 August 2026 ✨26–28 August 2026 Book now 👉 orca.org.uk/get-involved... #BrittanyFerries #ORCA