Over the border into Hampshire and the New Forest for beautiful delicate Bog Orchids. 3 Stems found along with some lovely Bog Pimpernel. @ukorchids.bsky.social

Marsh Helleborines, Arne Rd, Isle of Purbeck. 10 plants found but all munched by the cattle☹️. All part of the Purbeck Wild Grazing Project. They may be good for the Tiger Beetles, Retiles and Mason Wasps, but not in my eyes for our rare Orchids. @ukorchids.bsky.social

A very enjoyable morning in the Middlebere NT Avocet hide: 3 Osprey (female 6J8, male SH3 and another male, possibly 022). Goshawk, 2 Buzzards, Sparrowhawk, Firecrest, Cetti's Warbler, 34 Shelduck and 1 poss 2 White tailed Eagles. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Looks like we were very close to losing the Brand's Bay hide, Studland. Idiots with a BBQ going by the mark on the boards.

An unseasonal Red-breasted Merganser feeding off Jerry's pt, Poole Harbour. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

The Corfe Castle Peregrine chicks are growing fast and it won't be long now until they fledge. Both parents were close by keeping an eye on them. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

𝗛𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗱𝘀, are a true rarity in Dorset, with just 3 spikes found. Such beautiful flowers and their perfumed scent is absolutely amazing. @ukorchids.bsky.social

Dorsets last few 𝗟𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗳𝗹𝘆 𝗢𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗱𝘀, which are in east of the county: There were 15 spikes in 2023 but only 3 this year. Is the decline due to cattle and ponies introduced to graze the boggy area in which they grow or are they just having a few bad years? @ukorchids.bsky.social

A pale phase adult Arctic Skua was the highlight of a 2.5 hour seawatch at Durlston CP with Rob Johnson. Also 69 Manx Shearwaters, 11 Kittiwakes, 3 Fulmar and 20+ Gannets, 4 Sandwich & 1 Common Tern. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

One of two Osprey at Middlebere this evening. Female 6J8 was in the dead tree and this male was unsuccessfully fishing for about 5 minutes and then flew towards the Wareham Channel. Also 6 Blackwits, 1 Great White Egret and 32 Shellduck. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

More news on the satellite-tagged White-tailed Eagle that 'disappeared' on a grouse shooting estate in the North York Moors National Park. #RaptorResearch #WildlifeCrime raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/06/03/m...

Our FINAL series of Carey Osprey Tours are now available to book for late-Jun & Jul. With all 4 chicks feeding well, now is a great time to visit! Fish deliveries have already increased as the chicks develop @careyssecretgarden.bsky.social www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/home/ospreys

A sunrise walk along the River Frome, Wareham from East Walls to the Swineham tidal flap: Highlights - 68 Reed Warblers, 24 Cetti's Warbler, 6 Sedge Warbler, 4 Blackwits, 4 Black Cap and a Male Marsh Harrier.

A few shots of the Broad-billed Sandpiper at Dawlish Warren NNR. A lovely bird to watch amongst the Dunlin, Sanderling and Turnstones. Also in the bight were 4 Whimbrel, 2 Knot, 4 Grey Plover and some Oystercatchers.

Great views on the falling tide of the Broad-billed Sandpiper at Dawlish Warren. A life tick for me. Not a bad birding day with the Black-crowned Night Heron this morning.

My first Purbeck Black-crowned Night Heron. A great find by Rich Stevenson this morning from the Rees Cox hide at Little Sea. Also 7 red Kites and a Red-eyed Damselfly. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social Note: Image 1 enhanced through ChatGPT.

Wood Warbler, Hampshire. Sadly now only a scarce passage migrant in Dorset, so always a joy to twitch one over the border.

A dawn Two Rivers walk, Wareham: 47 species - 2 GWE's, 10 sedge, 93 Reed & 24 Cetti's Warblers, 2 Firecrests, 2 Spotted Flycatchers, 11 Reed Bunting and 1 Bearded Tit and a patch ✅ Yellowhammer were the highlights. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Wareham Forest: At least 5 Cuckoos, 1 Spotted Flycatcher, 3 Hobby, Tree Pipits, and a Common Redstart whilst on an enjoyable 5 mile walk around the forest. Then an Osprey later fishing in the Wareham Channel. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Bramble Bush Bay this morning: 1 Lone Brent Goose, 8 Sanderling and 7 Dunlin. @harbourbirds.bsky.social

1 of 4 Pied Flycatchers in the warm evening sunlight at Worth Matravers this evening. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

I couldn't resist popping back down to Swineham to see the Red spotted Bluethroat again, this time with a camera. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A pair of Firecrest in the YHA Swanage Garden today. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A great day birding around Poole harbour. Watched an Osprey catch a fish at 6.30am. Merlin from Stoborough Heath. 5 Little Ringed Plover, Cranes & 5 Bearded Tits Swineham. WT Eagle & Red Kite West of Wareham. 25 Cattle Egrets East Holme. 4 Wheatear Hartland Moor. @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Excellent, although article low on detail. Change to Woodcock shooting season was debated in Parliament over three years ago thanks to a @wildjustice.bsky.social petition passing 100,000 signatures wildjustice.org.uk/woodcock/mon... www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Highlight of an hour + in the Middlebere NT Avocet Hide this morning: 1 Spotted Redshank c85 Black tailed Godwit 1 Merlin 1 Marsh Harrier 5 Snipe

Happy Birthday Rabbie. Selkirk Grace Some hae meat and canna eat, And some wad eat that want it; But we hae meat, and we can eat, Sae let the Lord be thankit. And time to enjoy the Great chieftain o' the pudding-race! And a wee dram of single malt.

147 Hen Harriers confirmed 'missing' or illegally killed in UK since 2018 - most of them on or close to grouse moors. Data extracted from reports by Natural England, RSPB, HSE, various Police forces, National Wildlife Crime Unit. #RaptorResearch 🌍 raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/21/1...

Killdeer at Ripley Farm Reservoir, Hants. A BoC record shot of a lifer for me. Credit to the finder on a day like this!

Yet another one... #RaptorResearch raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/19/s...

Satellite-tagged Hen Harrier called Edna "suspected illegally killed". Was she killed & dumped at a windfarm in Northumberland as a ploy to cover up the crime? New blog ⬇️ #RaptorResearch #WilldifeCrime 🌍 raptorpersecutionuk.org/2026/01/19/s...

Jerry's Point, Studland: Nice to catch up with the Red-necked Grebe, albeit being distant. Also 2 Slavonian Grebes, Greenshank, 10 Black-necked Grebes, 2 Sandwich Terns, 4 Goldeneye and 3 Great Northern Divers. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

River Frome - Wareham, Dorset: It's not every day that you get to see 15 White-fronted Geese and 10 Glossy Ibis together. Certainly a first for me. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Isle of Purbeck: A Woodlark back on territory and in full song. A sign spring is only just around the corner. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

It was a fantastic Poole Harbour BTO @webs-gsmp.bsky.social survey at the end of Dec with our highest total of birds recorded since 2011. Four harbour records were broken and there were high counts of important species. Highlights…….. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Whilst out on my Christmas Day walk along the Neckar River, Ladenburg. Germany, it was an absolute joy to come across a flock of 7 White-headed Long-tailed Tits (Aegithalos caudatus caudatus). A sub-species I have wanted to see for a long time. Such cure adorable looking birds.

A lovely Sanderling on the waters edge on Sandbanks Beach. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

3 Purple Sandpipers on the groynes at Sandbanks beach. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

One of eight Glossy Ibis at Curlews Pool, Swineham. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A Spotted Redshank, Fieldfares and a Firecrest at Middlebere. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A dash down to Devon before the high winds & rain for the Lesser Crested Tern. Generally distant, but i did see it fly around and catch a fish. A Yellow-browed Warbler on the northern side of the pond was a bonus.

Studland: Jerry's Point at lunchtime - 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Black necked Grebe and 1 Slavonian Grebe. Middle Beach - 4 Black necked Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A Great White Egret, 2 Marsh Harriers, 125 Avocet, A Firecrest a a Snipe and elegant Little Egret were the best of a morning watch at Middlebere. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Jerry's pt, Studland: 2 Velvet Scoter, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 8 Black neck Grebes, 12 GC Grebes, 16 Merganser and a Grey Plover. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Whilst walking across Godlingstone Heath, Studland we came across these odd egg like organisms. Thanks to @beardybirder.bsky.social for informing us they are Leocarpus slime moulds. Whilst widespread in Britain, I've not seen it before.

Wareham Two Rivers Walk: Lower Piddle - 316 Greylag Geese (personal record count here), 1 Red Kite. Swineham Meadows & Pools - 12 Glossy Ibis, 460 Blackwit, 1 Sparrowhawk, 1 Cettis, 1 Firecrest and a male Marsh Harrier. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Middlebere this morning on a incoming tide: 1 Merlin (f past 3 times), 1 Spotted Redshank, 351 Blackwit, 157 Dunlin, 104 Redshank, 120 Avocet, 8 Grey Plover plus usual mix of wildfowl. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A packed Lower Piddle Floods Fields, Swineham. That was until this pair decided to cause mayhem. 2 Spotted Redshank, 1 Ruff, 120 Lapwing, 600+ Geese and a mix of ducks. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

5 Cattle Egrets with the cows at Holmebridge this morning. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

Nice to see the 12 Glossy Ibis at Ridge, nr Wareham. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social