Dorset Bird Report 2016

Published December 2018

© 2018 Dorset Bird Club

2016 Dorset Bird Report 1 2 Dorset Bird Report 2016 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2016

CONTENTS

Report Production Team...... 5 ...... 6-7 A Brief Review and Highlights of the Year...... 8-12 Notes for Contributors The Dorset List...... 13-17 Notes to Systematic List...... 18 Systematic List for 2016...... 19-167 Selected escapes in 2016...... 168 Pending and Requested Records ...... 169-170 Not Proven Records...... 170 Dorset Bird Ringing – Summary for 2016...... 171-172 Dorset Bird Ringing – Selected Recoveries in 2016...... 173-180 ...... 181-185 ...... 186-188 Dorset Bird Ringing – County Totals up to end of 2016 Gazetteer...... 189-193 County Map ...... 194-197 ...... List of Contributors Photographic Credits Inside Back Cover

2016 Dorset Bird Report 3 Calluna Books now publish The Birdwatcher’s Yearbook The 2019 edition is now available @ £18.00 incl. postage (usual price £20.00) CALLUNA BOOKS Specialists in out-of-print NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS Books bought & sold

Log on to the website for our stock list or contact us for a copy of our latest catalogue

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4 Dorset Bird Report 2016 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2016

PRODUCTION TEAM

Editor:

Species Accounts: Marcus Lawson

Pintail to Ruddy Duck Robin Trundle Mute Swan to Mallard Marcus Lawson

Galliformes to Grebes Marcus Lawson Fulmar to Spoonbill Jol Mitchell Raptors to Coot Geoff Upton SkuasCrane to TernsLapwing IanGeoff Stanley Upton Knot to Phalaropes Daragh Croxson

Auks to Swifts Clive Cottrell ThrushesKingfisher to to Hippolais Pipits ShaunNick Woods Robson Wagtails to Wheatears Stephen S Smith

Sylvias to Phylloscs Geoff Upton Crests to Shrikes Pete Forrest Corvids to Redpolls Malcolm Dowty Crossbills to Buntings John Lockwood RingingEscapes Information: KevinMarcus Sayer Lawson

Map and Gazetter: Nick Hull

Editorial sub-committee:

Marcus Lawson, Jol Mitchell, Stephen S Smith, Geoff Upton Andrew Duff for proofreading . With thanks to Neil Gartshore for entering the Species Accounts into InDesign and to CURRENT COMMITTEE OF THE DORSET BIRD CLUB

Trustees: George Green, John Lockwood, Jol Mitchell, Robin Trundle Treasurer:Chairman: TrevorMarcus Buck Lawson; [email protected] Secretary: Jol Mitchell

Membership Secretary: Richard Charman; [email protected] Guided Walks: Richard Charman; [email protected] County Recorder: Marcus Lawson; [email protected] Dorset Records Panel

: Dave Foot, Marcus Lawson, Mike Morse, Ian Stanley.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 5 NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

The Dorset Bird Report

is an annual publication by the Dorset Bird Club of records and papers contributorson all aspects are of Dorsetacknowledged ornithology. in the All report contributions, . These notes from should both residentsassist you and if you visitors wish to contributethe county, to in the the report form of. records, papers, drawings and photographs are welcomed. All

WHAT RECORDS DO WE WANT?

Due to the volume of records received it is not possible to list every one in the report . All records are valuable and the report is an edited summary highlighting the occurrence groupsand status or individuals of each species for future for that reference year. The . DBC database, managed through the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, is an archive of all the records where they are accessible by Please refer to the Dorset Bird List here http://www .dorsetbirds org. uk/#/dorset-bird-. list/4545548008 which lists the type of records requested for each species . This list can also be found in this report on pages 13-17 . Species requiring a full written description the county . Descriptions of national rarities will be forwarded to the British Birds Rarities are marked with either (*) for national rarities, or (D) for birds which are rare or scarce in Dorset Records Panel (DRP) . The DRP reserves the right to request further information Committee (BBRC), whilst records of locally rare or scarce birds will be assessed by the in order to assess records, if necessary. This may include records of species not usually requiring a full written description if they are, for example, reported from an unusual ANDlocation WHERE or unseasonal FROM? time of year. Unsubstantiated records will not be published.

Records are welcomed from all parts of the county . There is a natural bias towards coastal don’tsites assume and nature that reservesyour records as they will be are forwarded excellent to places us automatically to see birds. by Manyother organisations of these sites . produce their own reports, which are incorporated into the Dorset Bird Report, but please casual recording from less well-watched areas are very important – this includes such sites asRecords your own away garden! from theseThese sitesenable are us often to gain thin as fullon thea picture ground, as possibleso “local of patch” what isrecords happening and soto Dorset’sthe information birds. Many can benational added surveys to our database are carried . out annually in the county as part of the wider picture of the UK’s bird life. A copy of any Dorset results would be greatly appreciated HOW SHOULD I SEND MY RECORDS IN? following address: recorder@dorsetbirds org. .uk Casual records and descriptions of rare and scarce birds can be e-mailed to the DBC at the

This is also the correct address to send any local patch bird reports to, as well as any completed DBC spreadsheets.

6 Dorset Bird Report 2016 WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT MY RECORDS? the year to enable them to be logged on to the database over a period of time . This will help toIf possible, ensure that individual there will records not be should a backlog be sent of datato the inputting County Recorder to be done periodically all at once throughout which can hold up production of the annual bird report .

Please, at the latest, send records in by the end of January the following year. Late records Recordswill be accepted, of birds requiringbut it may a not full be written possible description to include should them in be the submitted report for as that soon year. after the sighting as possible . Rarity submission forms can be found here http://www .dorsetbirds .

Recorder at recorder@dorsetbirds .org .uk org.uk/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 and once completed should be sent to the County WHO SHOULD I SUBMIT MY RECORDS TO?

BirdTrack, allows the individual preferredThe British way Trust in whichfor Ornithology we would (BTO) like to recording receive your system, records . to input records directly online which the County Recorder can then access. This is the This from the BTO website: BirdTrack throughout Britain and Ireland . BirdTrack provides facilities for observers to store and “manage their is own an exciting personal tool records that looks as well at migration as using these movements to support and distributionsspecies conservation of birds at local, regional, national and international scales.” http://www .bto .org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/about/introducing-birdtrack-home http://wwwMore details .btoon BirdTrack .org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/taking-part/how-register can be found here: When registering please ensure to check the box which allows the forwarding of records to the County Recorder .

All other records should be submitted directly to the County Recorder .

Please note that all records requiring a full written description at either county or national level should be sent directly to the County Recorder using the forms available here: http://www .dorsetbirds .org .uk/dorset-bird-list/4545548008

Records of rare and scarce birds in Dorset will only be entered onto the official Dorset totals after acceptance by either BBRC or DRP .

An Excel spreadsheet is available for listing your sightings and is transferable directly into the database, thereby saving a lot of time. If anyone wishes to receive a copy (instructions will be given on its use), please contact the County Recorder.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 7 REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016 Marcus Lawson and Geoff Upton

2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 A total258 of 276278 species 261were recorded258 in 2016,279 with275 a mean of269 270 for277 the 10 years270 2007-2016.276

No new species were added to the Dorset list in 2016, however there was a respectable yield of national rarities: Black Stork, four Black-winged Stilt, Red-flanked Bluetail, Aquatic Warbler, Western Bonelli’s Warbler, Hume’s Warbler, Isabelline Shrike, Red-eyed Vireo and longDorset’s enough 2nd-ever to be Pinewidely Bunting. appreciated Unfortunately, . most of these were short-staying individuals, but a Lesser Yellowlegs at Lytchett Bay and a Great Spotted Cuckoo on Portland both stayed

Many of the year’s scarcities were similarly brief in their appearance, but one of the highlights for Dorset birders was a Pallas’s Warbler which remained at Portesham for two months. A Red-footed Falcon at Morden Bog also delighted many during its 5-day stay and a Woodchat Shrike near Martinstown was also fairly obliging. An influx of Cattle Egret, with numbersat least nine to warrantbirds present removal in December, them from was the remarkable, list of county as wasrarities the . countAgainst of 60a continuing Spoonbill in October – the highest UK count to date. Great White Egret started to appear in sufficient decline in the UK’s breeding birds, Dorset specialities such as Nightjar, Firecrest, Woodlark and Dartford Warbler all had good breeding seasons and four Marsh Harrier pairs bred pairssuccessfully, the previous including decade at a . new site. Perhaps the brightest news for breeding birds was the successful fledging of 71 Little Tern at Chesil Beach, from a colony that had shrunk to 10

Both migration periods were rather uneventful by recent standards, apart from on Portland, which seemed almost to have a monopoly on rare and scarce birds. However, the establishment of new habitat at Lytchett Fields RSPB reserve paid dividends, attracting themwaders over in impressivePoole Old Town numbers . and variety. Also, systematic application of sound recording techniques at night resulted in no fewer than 31 Ortolan Bunting in the autumn, many of January to March

femaleWildfowl Garganey in the early from winter 2015 periodthat wandered included around a Green-winged The Fleet Teal until at the Abbotsbury end of Feb Swannery at least . on 2nd Jan, a redhead Smew which remained in Holes Bay until late Feb and an elusive

More Garganey started to arrive on 21st Mar, when eight flew past Chesil Cove and six past Portland Bill. Two Long-tailed Duck were at Abbotsbury Swannery for most of Mar. Manx Shearwater numbers off Portland Bill built up to 66 on 28th Mar.

Good numbers of Bittern were in the Weymouth area in late Mar, with five in the Lorton Valley increasinglyand a booming widespread bird at Radipole species Lake. Spoonbill RSPB. numbers Last year’s in PooleGreat HarbourWhite Egret, peaked which at 40remained on 2nd around Poole Harbour until the end of Feb, was only the first of many 2016 records of this

Jan. Good numbers of Little Gull turned up in the Weymouth/Portland/Lyme Bay area in the wet and windy conditions of early Jan, and Mediterranean Gull roosting in Weymouth Bay8 Dorset rose Bird to 1,200Report on2016 7th Feb. A Glaucous Gull at Chesil Cove and Portland on 26th Jan was followed by an Iceland Gull at Brownsea on 21st Feb . The Black Guillemot that lingered off

Brownsea Island from Dec 2015 remained until 18th Feb. Up to three Short-Eared Owl were at Portland Bill throughout Mar.

Over-wintering Siberian Chiffchaff and Firecrest were at various sites, including eight of the latter at Sherborne Sewage Works in Mar. Peak arrival for Black Redstart was on 31st nearMar, whenPortesham seven onwere 25th on Feb Portland, delighted along many with observers 100 Wheatear, during with its prolongedthe same numberstay . Peak at Hengistbury Head the previous day. A Pallas’s Warbler found in the disused railway track arrival of Chiffchaff was on 31st Mar, when 150 were on Portland. Great Grey Shrike were sitepresent . intermittently at Morden Bog, Oak Hill (Wareham Forest), Upton Heath and Avon Heath. A flock of 50 Lesser Redpoll at Longham Lakes on 23rd Feb was a good count for this April

Seawatchers at Chesil Cove were rewarded with decent counts of 409 Common Scoter on 11th and 219 Bar-tailed Godwit and 210 Whimbrel on 21st, along with a Pomarine Skua. Another Pomarine Skua passed Portland Bill on 29th. Charmouth received more attention than usual, and observers there found a Glossy Ibis on 25th. A Roseate Tern was off Mudeford Quay on 30th, with further birds seen there into Jun. Hoopoe were seen in Swanage on 7th wasand 8th,at Eight Portland Kings from Quarry 11th-17th on Portland and Litton on 30th Cheney . on 15th and 16th. Wryneck were found at Portland Bill on 3rd, Radipole Lake RSPB on 24th and Portesham on 28th and a Bee-eater

Portland dominated the news for passerines, with a male Bluethroat on 16th & 17th and a first-summer male Western Subalpine Warbler trapped on 13th and then seen again on 16th & 17th. Willow Warbler arrival peaked on 5th, when there were 100+ on Portland and 150 around Christchurch Harbour. Wood Warbler were recorded at Portland on three dates in late Apr. 19th saw the peak arrival of Pied Flycatcher with 16 birds recorded, nine of continuedthem on Portland, to oblige and viewers of Grasshopper until it was Warbler, last seen with on 28th14 at . various coastal sites. There were three records of Serin from Portland during the month. The Portesham Pallas’s Warbler May

atThree Lytchett Great Fields White RSPB Egret from were 11th-13th in the county . A 2cy on female 16th, withRed-Footed two at RadipoleFalcon was Lake found RSPB beside and one at Brand’s Bay, while a Cattle Egret was at Lodmoor RSPB on 6th. A Glossy Ibis settled

RSPBthe Old Decoy Pond at Morden Bog on 4th, remaining to 8th. Two Black-winged Stilt settled briefly at Stanpit on 6th and one was at Lodmoor on 10th, subsequently at Lytchett Fields from 11th-14th. Single Kentish Plovers were at Ferrybridge on 1st, and Stanpit Marsh on 8th. Roseate Tern continued to be seen off Mudeford Quay, with two on 4th-6th, and from Chesil Cove and Portland Bill in the early part of month.

A Great Spotted Cuckoo, the 3rd county record, was found at Reap Lane, Portland, on 13th and remained until the 18th Jun. A Hoopoe flew over Lodmoor RSPB on 27th. Portland’s good run continued with a Western Bonelli’s Warbler on 11th and Serin on three dates, including two on 28th. Another Red-rumped Swallow was at Lodmoor RSPB on 14th & 15th. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 9 June and July per hour on 28th . On the previous night four Storm Petrel were trapped and ringed at the June was good for Manx Shearwater passing Portland Bill, with 200 on 17th and hundreds

Bill. Good autumn counts of Whimbrel were made on 31st Jul, with 25 at Stanpit Marsh and 23 at Ferrybridge. A Long-tailed Skua flew past Chesil Cove on 11th Jul. Further single Roseate Tern were at Brownsea Lagoon for a few days from 22nd Jun, Abbotsbury Swannery colonyon 9th had and a 25thvery good Jul and year Stanpit with 38 Marsh pairs onraising 13th 71 Jul. young Four . This pairs improvement of Marsh Harrier since the nested all- timesuccessfully, low of 2009 with resulteda new pair from in newthe Lowertechniques Avon to Valley, help theand nesting at Chesil birds Beach applied the Little by Dorset Tern

Wildlife Trust and the RSPB. A day-roosting Nightjar, which showed well from the new Arne RSPB café from 9th to 24th Jul, proved popular with visitors.

A Golden Oriole was in a Weymouth garden on 5th Jun. A Greenish Warbler was trapped and ringed at Portland on 18th Jun and a Melodious Warbler was trapped and ringed at Durlston CP on 26th Jul. A male Red-backed Shrike was at Radipole Lake RSPB on 5th Jun. A AugustWoodchat Shrike found near Martinstown on 11th Jun stayed until 14th.

On 20th a Cory’s Shearwater flew past West Bexington. The 20th also saw a large movement of Balearic Shearwater, with 532 past Portland Bill and 294 past St Aldhelm’s Head. A White Stork was at Coward’s Marsh on 8th and Portland Harbour on 9th. A Long-tailed Skua flew past Chesil Cove on 20th.

Grasshopper Warbler were prominent migrants with 18 caught in one morning on 27th at Lytchett Fields RSPB; a total of 103 were ringed during the autumn at Durlston CP. An Aquatic Warbler, now a national rarity, was at Lytchett Fields RSPB on 31st and 1st Sep whilst Harbourtwo were on trapped 26th . Settledat a private Ortolan site Bunting on 14th. at A Hengistbury Melodious WarblerHead and was Portland briefly on at 25thPortland and 26thBill on respectively 16th, and awere Greenish eclipsed Warbler by the on astonishing 22nd. A Red-backed number of 31Shrike birds was detected at Christchurch via night- and September . time sound-recordings over Poole Old Town, Stoborough and Portland Bill during August September

throughA Black Storkvisionary flew overmulti-agency Portland onworking 7th but and it was habitat the new creation RSPB .reserveThe site at producedLytchett Fields good that stole the limelight as far as waders are concerned, demonstrating what can be achieved autumn counts of commoner waders including peaks of 1,041 Black-tailed Godwit, 22 Green wadersSandpiper, were 12 dispelledLittle Ringed when Plover a Lesser and 9Yellowlegs Curlew Sandpiper arrived on as 18thwell as . The 1-2 site’s Wood merits Sandpiper were from 18th and a Spotted Crake on 19th. Any doubts about the site’s ability to attract rarer confirmed by the bird’s decision to remain for the winter. A moulting adult American Golden Plover at Lodmoor RSPB on 21st was only the 4th for the county; a Dotterel flew over Hengistbury Head the same day. A Corncrake showed itself briefly at Ringstead Bay on 7th.

10 Dorset Bird Report 2016 breastedIn a good Flycatcher autumn for at Wryneck,the Bird Observatory Portland was on the 15th top . Ortolan site with Bunting no fewer were than present five acrosson the the island on 15th. Portland also held an Icterine Warbler at Southwell on 25th and a Red- wasisland trapped until 18th, at a private with three site onat Coombefield19th . Elsewhere Quarry there on was 13th, a Richard’s and a juvenile Pipit atRose-coloured St Aldhelm’s Starling was on the Haylands Estate from 17th-29th. The county’s third Paddyfield Warbler

Head on 8th, a juvenile Citrine Wagtail at Radipole Lake RSPB on 1st, a Woodchat Shrike at Pirate’s Cove in Wyke Regis on 11th and another Red-backed Shrike at Christchurch Harbour on 18th. Peak passage of Swallow took place on 16th when 16,750 were logged at OctoberChristchurch Harbour, along with 4,500 House Martin.

Two Whooper Swan showed up at Abbotsbury on 19th, with one appearing at Lytchett Bay the following day. A Black Brant returned to Ferrybridge on 26th. Great White Egret occurrences continued to increase and a decent-sized flock of six flew over West Bexington on 5th, while on 8th the Spoonbill count at Arne RSPB rose to 60 – the highest UK count to date. Single Long-eared Owl were at Portland on 23rd and Durlston CP on 27th, and Portland also had a good showing of Short-eared Owl, with four on 7th. was trapped on 6th and then retrapped on the 8th without being seen in the intervening Portland had an excellent run of passerine migrants: a Blyth’s Reed Warbler (Dorset’s 6th) period. A Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was present from 11th Oct to 22nd Nov, a Subalpine Warbler sp was seen on West Cliffs on 5th, and a Pallas’s Warbler was at the Bird Observatory on 23rd. A Dusky Warbler was in a Southwell garden from 26th to 30th. North America was represented by a Red-eyed Vireo trapped and ringed on 14th. A Common Rosefinch was at (Dorset’sCoombefield 2nd) Quarry on 7th and a Little Bunting was present on 29th. A Red-flanked Bluetail was trapped at the Bill on 25th. Two major rarities concluded the month: a Pine Bunting in the Crown Estate Fields on 26th and an Isabelline Shrike (Dorset’s 7th) at Verne Common on 30th. Visitors lucky enough to coincide with these birds were also able to enjoy plentiful Black Redstart, whose numbers built up to at least 25 on 30th, and Yellow- browed Warbler throughout the island, with a total of 15 on 9th.

Sites away from Portland fared less well during the month, although Yellow-browed Warbler were found in various locations including three in PC World Drain on 3rd and three in Stour Valley LNR from 15th. Another Siberian Lesser Whitethroat was found at Highcliffe on 21st, remaining until 11th Nov. A juvenile Rose-coloured Starling was at Overcombe, Weymouth, from 6th-20th with another in Dorchester from 22nd, remaining in the Marie Road area into 2017. Overwintering Great Grey Shrike returned to Morden Bog on 18th and Hartland NovemberMoor on 25th. and December

A Whooper Swan was at Middlebere on 13th Nov and further single Black Brant were movedoccasionally around seen The in Fleet/PortlandPoole Harbour Harbourand Ferrybridge, from mid-Nov with two onwards at the latter. Black-necked site on 13th. Grebe A drake Green-winged Teal was at Lytchett Fields RSPB from 5th and a flock of 13 Goosander numbers in Studland Bay peaked at 35 on 11th. Great White Egret continued to make a good showing at various sites, with three at Longham Lakes from late Nov onwards while 2016 Dorset Bird Report 11 the highest winter count of Spoonbill was on Brownsea Lagoon, which held 35 on 2nd Nov. Four Cranes were seen over Portland Harbour on 8th Nov, and three flew over Christchurch Harbour on 16th Nov. A juvenile Long-tailed Skua was found in a moribund state at West Bay in Nov and a 1st-winter Caspian Gull was on Portland on 21st Nov. A single Little Auk flew past Hengistbury Head on 24th Nov.

Two Richard’s Pipit were found at Abbotsbury on 15th Dec, staying well into 2017. At Portland Yellow-browed Warbler were still present early in Nov, with three on 3rd and a Hume’s Warbler found at Avalanche Road on 14th Dec remained there until 19th. Another Yellow-browed Warbler was at Athelhampton from 26th Nov to 13th Dec. Single Great Grey Shrike were seen at seven locations, though probably not all different birds. Lapland Bunting Bayappeared on 23rd in NovNov, . with singles at Hengistbury Head on 5th and 6th Nov, two at Moonfleet Manor on 13th Nov and another at East Fleet on 26th Nov. A Snow Bunting flew over West

12 Dorset Bird Report 2016 THE DORSET LIST

Letters in brackets denote which types of records are requested for each species .

NB - Species recorded in 2016 are highlighted in bold

Mute Swan Black Grouse (D) Bewick’s Swan (D) Red-legged Partridge Whooper Swan (B C (D)M) Grey Partridge (A) Bean Goose (D) Quail (A) (B C) Pink-footed Goose (D) Pheasant White-fronted Goose (A) Golden Pheasant (A) Greylag Goose (A) Red-throated (U) Diver (A) Snow Goose (D) Black-throated Diver (A) Canada Goose Great Northern Diver (A) Barnacle Goose (A) Brent Goose (B C) Pied-billed Grebe (*) Red-breasted Goose (*) LittleWhite-billed Grebe Diver (D) Egyptian Goose (C F&L (A) I) Great Crested Grebe Ruddy Shelduck (A) Red-necked (BGrebe C) (A) Shelduck Slavonian Grebe (A) (B C) Mandarin (A) Black-necked Grebe (A) Wigeon (B C M) Black-browed Albatross (*) Fulmar Gadwall (C M S) Cory’s Shearwater (D) AmericanTeal Wigeon (D) Great Shearwater (B I M) (D) Green-winged (B C) Teal (D) Sooty Shearwater (A) Mallard (B C M) Manx Shearwater (A) Pintail Balearic Shearwater (A) Garganey (B (A) C M) Blue-winged (C M S)Teal (*) Storm Petrel (A) Shoveler Leach’sMacaronesian Petrel (D)Shearwater (*) Red-crested Pochard (A) Gannet Pochard (C M S) Cormorant Ring-necked Duck (D) Shag (I M) Ferruginous (B CDuck M) (D) Bittern (A) (B C I) Tufted Duck American (B C BitternI) (*) Scaup (A) Little Bittern (*) Lesser Scaup (D)(B C M) Night Heron (D) Eider (A) Squacco Heron (*) King Eider (*) Cattle Egret (D) Long-tailed Duck (A) Little Egret (A) Common Scoter Great White Egret (A) Surf Scoter (D) Grey Heron Velvet Scoter (A) (C M) Purple Heron (D) Black Stork (B(*) C) Goldeneye White Stork (D) SmewBufflehead (A) (*) Glossy Ibis (D) Red-breasted (C MMerganser S) Spoonbill (A) Goosander (A) Honey Buzzard (D) Ruddy Duck (A) (C I M S) Black Kite (D)

2016 Dorset Bird Report 13 Red Kite (A) Little Stint (A) Temminck’s Stint (D) Short-toed Eagle (*) MarshWhite-tailed Harrier Eagle (A) (D) Baird’s Sandpiper (*) Hen Harrier (A) PectoralWhite-rumped Sandpiper Sandpiper (D) (D) Northern Harrier (*) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (*) Pallid Harrier (*) Curlew Sandpiper (A) Montagu’s Harrier (D) Stilt Sandpiper (*) Goshawk (D) Purple Sandpiper (A) Sparrowhawk Dunlin Buzzard Broad-billed Sandpiper (*) Rough-legged Buzzard (B M) (D) Buff-breasted (C M) Sandpiper (D) Osprey (A) (B C M) Ruff (A) Kestrel Jack Snipe (A) Red-footed Falcon (D) Snipe Merlin (A) (B M) Great Snipe (*) Hobby (A) Short-billed (B C M) Dowitcher (*) Gyr Falcon (*) Long-billed Dowitcher (*) Peregrine (B I) Woodcock (A) Water Rail Black-tailed Godwit Spotted Crake (D) Bar-tailed Godwit (B C M) Whimbrel (C M) Curlew (C M) CorncrakeLittle Crake (D)(*) (C F&L M) MoorhenBaillon’s Crake (*) Terek Sandpiper (B C M) (*) Allen’s Gallinule (*) CommonUpland Sandpiper Sandpiper (*) Coot (B C M) Spotted Sandpiper (*) Crane (D) Green Sandpiper (C M W) Little (BBustard C M) (*) Spotted Redshank Great Bustard (*) Greenshank (C M) Oystercatcher Lesser Yellowlegs (*)(C M) Black-winged Stilt (*) (C M) Avocet (A) (B C M) Wood Sandpiper (A) Stone Curlew (A) MarshRedshank Sandpiper (*) Turnstone (B C M) LittleCream-coloured Ringed Plover Courser (A) (*) Red-necked (C Phalarope M) (D) RingedCollared Plover Pratincole (*) GreyWilson’s Phalarope Phalarope (A) (*) Kentish Plover (D) Pomarine Skua (A) Dotterel (D) (B C M) Arctic Skua (A) American Golden Plover (D) Long-tailed Skua (D) Great Skua (A) Golden Plover Ivory Gull (*) PacificGrey Plover Golden Plover (*) Sabine’s Gull (D) Sociable Plover (C(*) M) Kittiwake (C M) Bonaparte’s Gull (*) Lapwing Black-headed (B C GullM) KnotWhite-tailed (A) Plover (*) Little Gull (A) Sanderling (B (A)C M) Ross’s Gull (*) (B C M) Semipalmated Sandpiper (*) Laughing Gull (*) Franklin’s Gull (*) Red-necked Stint (*) Mediterranean Gull (A) Western Sandpiper (*)

14 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Common Gull Little Swift (*) Ring-billed Gull (D) Kingfisher (A) Lesser Black-backed (C M S) Gull Bee-eater (D) Herring Gull Roller (*) Yellow-legged Gull (A) (B C M) Hoopoe (A) Caspian Gull (B(D) C M) Wryneck (A) American Herring Gull (*) Green Woodpecker (B) Iceland Gull (A) Great Spotted Woodpecker Glaucous Gull (A) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (A) Great Black-backed Gull (B M) Sooty Tern (*) Short-toed Lark (D) Bridled Tern (*) (B C M) LesserCalandra Short-toed Lark (*) Lark (*) Little Tern Woodlark (A) Gull-billed Tern (*) Skylark (B C F&L M) Shore Lark (D) Sand Martin (B C M) BlackCaspian Tern Tern (A) (*) Swallow White-wingedWhiskered Tern Black (*) Tern (D) House Martin (B C F&L M) Sandwich Tern Red-rumped (B C SwallowF&L M) (D) (B C F&L M) Forster’s Tern (*) (B C F&L M) Richard’s Pipit (D) CommonLesser Crested Tern Tern (*) Blyth’sCliff Swallow Pipit (*) (*) Roseate Tern (A) Tawny Pipit (*) Arctic Tern (A) (B F&L I M) Olive-backed Pipit (D) Guillemot Tree Pipit (A) Brünnich’s Guillemot (*) Pechora Pipit (*) Razorbill (B I M) Meadow Pipit Black Guillemot (D) Red-throated Pipit (*) Little Auk (B (A) I M) Rock Pipit (B C M) Puffin (A) Water Pipit (A) Pallas’s Sandgrouse (*) Yellow Wagtail (B C M)(A) Feral Pigeon Citrine Wagtail (D) Stock Dove Grey Wagtail Woodpigeon (C U) White/Pied Wagtail Collared Dove (C M) Waxwing (A) (B C M) Turtle Dove (A) (C M) Dipper (A) (B C M) Ring-necked Parakeet (C M) (A) Wren Great Spotted Cuckoo (*) Brown Thrasher (*) Cuckoo Dunnock (U) Alpine Accentor (*) Barn Owl (B (A) F&L M) Robin (U) ScopsYellow-billed Owl (*) Cuckoo (*) Thrush Nightingale (*) Little Owl (A) Nightingale (M U) (A) Tawny Owl Siberian Rubythroat (*) Long-eared Owl (A) Bluethroat (D) Short-eared (B Owl C) (A) Red-flanked Bluetail (*) Nightjar (A) Black Redstart (A) Redstart Whinchat SwiftEgyptian Nightjar (*) Stonechat (B F&L M) PallidCommon Swift Nighthawk (*) (*) Siberian Stonechat (B F&L M) (*) Alpine (B Swift C F&L (D) M) Wheatear (B C M)

(B F&L M) 2016 Dorset Bird Report 15 Willow Warbler Goldcrest Pied Wheatear (*) Firecrest (A) (B F&L M) RockBlack-eared Thrush Wheatear (*) (*) Spotted Flycatcher (B M) Grey-cheekedDesert Wheatear Thrush (*) (*) Red-breasted Flycatcher (D) Ring Ouzel (A) (B F&L M) Blackbird Pied Flycatcher (A) Black-throated Thrush (*) BeardedCollared Flycatcher Tit (A) (*) Fieldfare (M U) Long-tailed Tit Song Thrush Blue Tit Redwing (C F&L M) Great Tit (B C) Mistle Thrush (B M) Coal Tit (U) American (CRobin F&L (*) M) (U) Cetti’s Warbler (B (A) M) Marsh Tit (B C) NuthatchWillow Tit (D) (B C) GrasshopperFan-tailed Warbler Warbler (*) (A) Treecreeper (B C) Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (*) Short-toedWallcreeper Treecreeper (*) (*) Aquatic Warbler (*) Penduline Tit (B(D) C) SedgeSavi’s Warbler Warbler (*) Golden Oriole (D) Paddyfield Warbler (*) Isabelline Shrike (*) Blyth’s Reed Warbler (B F&L (D)M) Red-backed Shrike (A) Lesser Grey Shrike (*) Reed Warbler Great Grey Shrike (A) Marsh Warbler (D) Southern Grey Shrike (*) (B F&L M) Woodchat Shrike (D) Great Reed Warbler (*) Jay Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (*) Magpie IcterineBooted Warbler Warbler (*) (D) Nutcracker (B M) (*) MelodiousSykes’s Warbler Warbler (*) (D) (C) Blackcap Jackdaw Garden Warbler RookChough (D) (B M W) Carrion Crow (C M) Lesser Whitethroat (B F&L M) (C) Barred Warbler (D) Raven (A) (C) (B F&L M) StarlingHooded Crow (D) WhitethroatOrphean Warbler (*) Rose-coloured Starling (D) AsianDartford Desert Warbler Warbler (*) House Sparrow (C M) Subalpine Warbler (B F&L (D)M) Tree Sparrow (A) (B M) Red-eyed Vireo (C(*) M) Greenish Warbler (D) Chaffinch Sardinian Warbler (*) Brambling (A) Pallas’s Warbler (D) Serin (A) (C M) Yellow-browedArctic Warbler (*) Warbler (A) Greenfinch Hume’s Warbler (*) Goldfinch Siskin (C M) Dusky Warbler (D) Linnet (C M) WesternRadde’s Warbler Bonelli’s (D) Warbler (*) Twite (D) (B C M) Lesser (BRedpoll C M) Wood Warbler (A) ChiffchaffEastern Bonelli’s Warbler (*) Arctic Redpoll (D) (B C M) Common Redpoll (D) (B M W) Iberian Chiffchaff (*) Two-barred Crossbill (*) 16 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Crossbill (A) Yellowhammer Common Rosefinch (D) Bullfinch Ortolan Bunting (B (A) C) Hawfinch (A) RusticCirl Bunting Bunting (D) (*) Northern Parula(B C M) (*) Little Bunting (D) Yellow-breasted Bunting (*) Savannah Sparrow (*) Reed Bunting Dark-eyedNorthern Waterthrush Junco (*) (*) Black-headed Bunting (*) Lapland Bunting (A) Corn Bunting (A)(B C M) Snow Bunting (A) Bobolink (*) Pine Bunting (*) Total – 423 (2016 – 276)

Selected Identifiable Subspecies

Tundra Bean Goose (D) Blue-headed Wagtail (A) (D) Grey-headed Wagtail (D) Pale-bellied Brent Goose (A) White Wagtail (A) BlackGreenland Brant White-fronted (D) Goose Continental Stonechat (A) Continental Cormorant (A) Greenland Wheatear (A) Scandinavian Herring Gull (A) Siberian Lesser Whitethroat (D) ‘Intermedius’ Lesser Black-backed Gull (A) Siberian Chiffchaff (A) Kumlien’s Gull (D) Continental Coal Tit (A) Scandinavian Rock Pipit (A)

Category D Species

Baikal Teal Greater Flamingo Hooded Merganser RuddyWhite PelicanShelduck Saker Eagle Owl Red-headed Bunting Wood Duck Marbled Duck Key

A All records B Breeding records C D Dorset rarities and scarcities (full written description required) F&L FirstCounts and of lastroosts, dates flocks recorded or monthly maxima I All inland records M S U Migration or weather movements W All winterrecords records from May to August * Unusual records (albino, behaviour, etc)

National rarities assessed by BBRC (full written description required)

The Dorset Bird Club follows the British Ornithologists’ Union’s (BOU) list pre-2013 changes.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 17 SYSTEMATIC LIST FOR 2016

NOTES TO SYSTEMATIC LIST

The following terms are used in the species accounts:

National and International Importance: moreThese complicated:terms are only for applied wintering to waterfowl:wildfowl it a is nationally 1% or more important of the populationnorth-west isEuropean defined as 1% or more of the UK population. An internationally important population is slightly population, that is, the population wintering between northern Norway and the Straits of Gibraltar. For waders, it is 1% or more of the East Atlantic flyway population. Furthermore, Bird-days:a site is of international importance if it holds more than 20,000 birds in winter. These are usually given in monthly tables . The number of bird-days in any given month is isthe often total includedof the day-counts to provide of thatperspective species in. Bird-days the month, are so normally if there are used two at Chiffchaffs sites which every are day in Sep at a regularly watched site, the bird-day total for Sep is 60. A monthly maximum on which counts are made . watched regularly, as the bird-day total is of course greatly affected by the number of days JNCC/BTO Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside Report For further information on bird population trends, the key information about is oftrends immense in population help. The size report and breeding is a “one-stop-shop” performance forover information the period 1966-2008about the population as measured status by ofBTO our monitoring common terrestrial schemes birds.. It not Users only canreports quickly on findpopulation all the

An early warning ‘alerts system’ shows where there are worrying declines in population trends over the UK as a whole, but also, where possible, within specific habitats and regions. size or reproductive success, with special reference to species on the Birds of Conservaion AbbreviationsConcern lists. It used:can only be accessed via the web: www.bto.org/birdtrends2010 ad Adult bird incl Including

CBs (Water)cress Beds juv Juvenile CHOG Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group max Maximum FFCP FishCountry Farm Park PBOmin PortlandMinimum Bird Observatory cy Calendar Year n/c No Count received

GC Golf Course SF Sewage Farm GP/GPs Gravel Pit(s) WeBS BTO Wetland Bird Survey imm A bird in immatureFleet &plumage Wey WMs Water Meadows

Note: WeBS counts for include Lodmoor RSPB & Radipole Lake RSPB.

(perN, S, E,DBC W, NW,et al NE,, SW, SE - Compass points, indicating direction of flight. Panel but the bird was multi-observed and well-photographed . photo) - Where no description has been forwarded to the Dorset Records

18 Dorset Bird Report 2016 MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Common breeding resident & winter visitor.

Breeding:

The population at Abbotsbury Swannery is of national importance. This year 100 pairs fledged 250 young, a welcome increase on the return of 170 young from 98 nests in 2015.

Breeding was also evidenced at (No. of pairs in brackets if >1): Arne Moors RSPB, Blandford St Mary, Chard Junction GP, Charmouth, Dorchester WMs, Hatch Pond, Lodmoor RSPB (6), Lower Avon Valley (5), Merley Park, Mudeford Quay, Radipole Lake RSPB (8), Stanpit Marsh, SiteSturminster maxima Marshall (incl WeBS GP (2), counts): Upton CP. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 5 2 2 9 9 4 12 6 8 6 4 2 20 20 Mar32 40 May35 265 183 210 130 85 180 34 Chard Junction GP 697 624 590 569 588 920 972 786 871 974 992 916 ChristchurchLongham Lakes Harbour 57 56 45 32 13 20 27 24 11 24 23 25 FleetLower & Frome Wey 34 40 38 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 7 2 4 3 8 11 12 6 6 8 8 15 Poole Harbour 119 101 86 n/c n/c n/c n/c 82 140 79 148 170 MoorsShapwick-Spetisbury Valley CP 7 0 5 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 32 68 27 7 Sherborne Lake 4 1 4 3 8 1 3 3 2 2 2 2 4 7 4 8 15 1 4 4 4 5 8 4 9 2 4 4 13 8 6 2 7 0 2 10 Sturminster Marshall GP 11 13 34 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 36 41 46 29 West Bexington OtherWhitemill-Shapwick significant counts:

CoastalAbbotsbury passage: Swannery Max 880 on 24th Jul. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 2 0 11 0 4 0 11 4 3 3 3 Mar May Portland & Ferrybridge BEWICK’S SWAN Cygnus columbianus Scarce winter visitor - has become less regular.

Radipole Lake RSPB 2 on 25th Nov (B Spencer et al) .

WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Scarce winter visitor.

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 ads on 19th Oct (SA Groves et al, photo) . Lytchett Bay 1 ad on 20th Oct (ID Ballam, IM Lewis D Allison) . , photo). Middlebere 1 ad on 13th Nov (

2016 Dorset Bird Report 19 Small grey-goose sp. Anser sp.

6th Oct (S Robson) . A single Pink-footed Goose or Tundra Bean Goose was seen flying SW over Hatch Pond on

WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Rare winter visitor & passage migrant. is destined to become a description species for the county . None in 2013 and with single records in 2014 & 2015 and just 2 records in 2016 this species Brand’s Bay 2 on 26th Nov .

Lodmoor RSPB 2 E on 26th Nov (same as Brand’s Bay) . Chard Junction GP 1 first-winter from 21st-27th Oct (1st site record).

GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Increasing feral breeding resident.

Breeding: No records were received this year .

Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Longham Lakes 1 6 12 11 3 3 22 75 Mar May 33 123 Poole Harbour 4 40 80 50 7 3 11 100 Lower Avon Valley 28 150 65

OtherWarmwell significant Quarry counts:

Arne Moors 78 on 15th Dec. CoastalOakdale, passage: Poole 40 W on 20th Sep.

Chesil Cove 1 on 21st Mar. Durlston CP 1 W on 27th Oct. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 W on 9th May. West Bexington 1 E on 23rd Oct. CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Very common feral breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeding was noted at the following sites: Abbotsbury Swannery, Arne RSPB (2), Chard Junction GP (2 pairs), Chedington, Lodmoor (5+), Longham Lakes, Morden Bog, Radipole Lake RSPB (3), Sherborne Lake, Sturminster Marshall GP (2), Swineham GPs (2), Warmwell Quarry and West Bexington.

20 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 64 85 128 76 Mar33 19 May36 38 91 40 36 91 55 38 Bardolf WMs 2 7 3 9 53 6 7 70 400 9 150 Chard Junction GP 96 35 68 70 88 572 467 553 506 250 ChristchurchLongham Lakes Harbour 79 38 10 24 11 20 21 36 135 32 50 130 FleetLower & Frome Wey 54 24 15 1,146 1,008 Poole Harbour 589 270 101 124 143 167 318 162 461 547 Sherborne Lake 5 2 4 8 9 4 18 23 4 10 25 0 0 4 0 7 0 6 46 30 8 13 34 6 792 49 190 2 250 Sturminster Marshall GP 30 31 5 6 41 8 16 55 5 41 Warmwell Quarry OtherWest Bexington significant counts:

Athelhampton 152 on 20th Jan, 150 on 15th Dec. Coward’s Marsh 220 on 8th Aug. BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Rare winter visitor & passage migrant in a wild state and scarce feral resident.

All records: Abbotsbury Swannery 1-2 present from 7th Jun-21st Nov then 8 arrived on 29th Nov .

Lodmoor RSPB 17 on 25th Nov . LytchettChristchurch Fields Harbour RSPB 2422 onW 24thon 27th Nov Nov. (seen later same day in Devon) and 22 on 26th Dec .

Sturminster Marshall GP 3 on 30th Mar. Swineham GPs 22 on 27th Nov (same as Christchurch Harbour), also seen on 63rd the & following15th Dec. day . 22 at Langton Herring on 28th Nov with The Fleet 228 at at various Rodden sites Hive in on Jan, 4th 5 Decat Rodden . Hive on 6th Nov rising to

West Bexington 8 on 29th Nov (same as Abbotsbury). DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Coastal passage: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 3 139 35 5 Hengistbury Head 0 5 Mar38 46 May20 0 0 0 13 29 58 112 PortlandDurlston BillCP 3 20 30 5 0 0 0 0 1 23 132 78

2016 Dorset Bird Report 21 Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 250 223 252 43 12 0 0 0 14 95 171 90 Mar May Christchurch Harbour 464 538 230 5 1 0 0 0 120 Crichel Lake PooleFleet & Harbour Wey 3 1 6 2,26992 2,222532 2,864 Moors Valley CP 1 5 5 15 1 1,116 1,500 1,250 1,047 West Bexington PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla hrota Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Ferrybridge 1 3 5 4 15 37 5 8 3 Mar May First winter period:

Christchurch Harbour 2 at Stanpit Marsh on 12th Jan. West Bexington 4 W on Apr 3rd (also seen past Ferrybridge later that day). SecondWeymouth winter Bay period: 2 on 15th Mar, 11 W on 29th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour Hengistbury4 at Stanpit Marshon 3rd onNov 3rd . & 4th Sep, 13 past Hengistbury on 9th Sep, 2 at Stanpit Marsh from 15th-21st Sep & 1st Oct, 1 past following day . The Fleet 37 E past Abbotsbury Beach on 4th Sep, 41 at Lynch Cove the

OtherWeymouth records: Bay 2 on 15th Oct.

Portland Harbour 96 on 2nd May constitutes the largest flock recorded in Dorset. Branta bernicla nigricans Scarce winter visitor - first recorded in 1991, annual since 2004. BLACK BRANT

The Fleet 2Presumably present on the13th regular Dec (CE returning Richards winterers, et al first seen in Nov 2006, occasionally visited Ferrybridge from 28th Oct with , photo). EGYPTIAN GOOSE Alopochen aegyptiaca Uncommon, but increasing, introduced resident.

There is an established population in the Avon valley where this species now breeds . This is

Lower Avon valley was 43 on 18th Dec . A single pair raised 3 goslings near Sopley Island . reflected in the increasing number of records across the county. Maximum count from the

A pair at Warmwell Quarry had 8 goslings with 6 successfully fledging. 22 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Other records of more than 2 birds: Arne RSPB 4 on 5th Sep .

Christchurch Harbour 4 W on 7th Mar, 4 on 4th Nov, 6 on 6th Nov & 7 on 10th Nov. Dorchester WMs 4 on 3rd Mar. PuddletownLongham Lakes Forest 35 on 31st25th JanMar. . Lytchett Bay RSPB 8 W on 16th Jan.

Warmwell Quarry Max 11 on 2nd Nov. SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Locally common breeding resident & fairly common winter visitor.

Breeding:

Confirmed breeding records were received from: Brand’s Bay (1 pair with 16 juvs), Christchurch Harbour (2 pairs raised 4 & 3 juvs), Lodmoor (3 pairs with 5, 3 & 1 juvs), Lower Avon Valley (2 pairs with 6 & 5 juvs), Lytchett Bay (1 pair raised 9 juvs), Middlebere 1 pairs with 3 juvs), SiteThe Fleetmaxima (8 pairs (incl present WeBS butcounts): no numbers of juvs received) and Upton CP (pair with 2 juvs). Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 12 16 10 8 13 40 10 2 5 2 9 10 91 85 Mar63 92 May73 56 30 15 1 3 17 34 PooleChristchurch Harbour Harbour 944 694 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 32 159 482 815 Fleet & Wey 1,224 MANDARIN Aix galericulata Uncommon introduced breeding resident, mainly along the Stour valley.

Breeding:

Canford Magna GC No specific numbers received but “plenty of pairs with plenty workof young”. of 2 females . Canford School A nestbox contained 29 eggs which was believed to be the

Chard Junction GP Female with 6 juvs in Jun. Peak count of 26 in Aug. Longham Female with at least 6 juvs on the R. Stour. Merley Park 4 pairs nested raising 15 juvs. OtherStourpaine records: Female with 2 juvs on R. Stour. Blandford 3 on 9th Apr on the R . Stour .

Child Okeford 3 on 2nd Apr. FiddlefordCowgrove 12 on 27th10th Oct& 12th . Apr. Delph Woods A pair present in Mar.

Knighton Heath Wood 3 juvs on 4th & 14th Jul. Longham Lakes 2 on 25th Mar, 5 on 6th Nov. Melcombe Bingham 1 on 18th Nov. Tadnoll DWT 1 on 3rd Jun & 25th Jul. Wimborne 1 on 24th May at Eyebridge. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 23 WIGEON Anas penelope Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Athelhampton 316 65 90 25 260 Mar May 58 340 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 3 8 9 Bardolf WMs 226 398 734 35 0 0 0 7 263 740 539 745 Chard Junction GP 88 87 195 2 0 9 0 3 995 878 LonghamChristchurch Lakes Harbour 22 7 18 2 0 0 0 0 8 12 28 16 PooleFleet & Harbour Wey n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 433 3,201 6,549 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 2 2,616 1,198 1,239 1,831 3,368 5,319 OtherSturminster significant Marshall GPcounts:

UnseasonalWarmwell Quarry records: 130 on 23rd Nov & 200 on 2nd Dec. Lodmoor RSPB 9 on 5th Jun . Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 from 26th-29th Jun .

Extreme dates:

Lytchett Fields RSPB on 12th May & Christchurch Harbour on 15th Aug. GADWALL Anas strepera Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding: Proven breeding came from Lodmoor RSPB where 3 broods were seen consisting of were present on Arne RSPB but no evidence of successful breeding was noted . 12 pairs were noted8, 6 & 5at ducklings Radipole andLake at RSPBLytchett but Fields no evidence RSPB where of breeding 8 ducklings was receivedwere seen . Aon nest 3rd Jul.containing 4 pairs

Site4 eggs maxima was found (incl on WeBS one of counts): the gull islands in Wareham Channel during survey work. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 4 4 6 2 2 0 2 1 0 13 8 86 104 Mar44 41 May38 95 16 131 104 113 111 65 ChristchurchHatch Pond Harbour 4 7 3 6 5 5 2 FleetLongham & Wey Lakes 43 33 15 5 4 5 2 8 12 16 33 50 13 10 4 4 10 2 0 27 57 40 15 38 Poole Harbour 42 122 75 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 20 58 117 197 Moors Valley CP 2 5 9 3 10 4 1 2 1 Sturminster Marshall GP OtherWest Bexington significant counts:

Merley Park Max winter count of 42. Winterborne Herringston 38 on 13th Feb.

24 Dorset Bird Report 2016 TEAL Anas crecca Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding: on Arne RSPB but no evidence of breeding was received . No records of any confirmed breeding this year. A pair was present in the breeding season Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Athelhampton 62 15 5 6 40 22 17 Mar15 14 May0 0 0 5 27 26 28 33 300 168 189 12 0 0 1 31 197 52 40 230 Chard Junction GP 502 352 352 209 0 16 10 64 848 922 844 LonghamChristchurch Lakes Harbour 40 23 70 9 4 3 6 20 25 Fleet & Wey 3 11 6 21 2 4 1,3838 12 Poole Harbour n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c Moors Valley CP 65 36 31 13 0 0 0 0 8 4 120 130 2,577 1,031 1,369 1,385 3,510 3,805 3,064 OtherWest Bexington significant counts:

Bardolf WMs 87 on 18th Dec. Warmwell Quarry Max 40 on 19th Oct. Winterborne Herringston Max 72 on 18th Jan. GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis Rare vagrant from North America.

Abbotsbury Swannery A drake on 2nd Jan (SA Groves) . Lytchett Fields RSPB A drake from 5th Dec into 2017 (ID Ballam et al, photo) .

MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Very common breeding resident & winter visitor.

Breeding: understating their true status as a widespread breeder (No . of pairs in brackets if >1): Breeding was reported from just the following 29 sites around the county but this is clearly

Abbotsbury, Arne Moors RSPB (7), Bridport, Chard Junction GP (3), Charmouth, Christchurch Harbour, Coward’s Marsh, Creekmoor Ponds, Eyebridge, Hatch Pond, Higher Hyde DWT, Langton Herring, Lodmoor RSPB (12), Longham Lakes, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Merley Park (4), Mill Stream, Nunnery Mead DWT, Puddletown, Radipole Lake RSPB (4), Ringstead Bay, Sadborrow, Seatown, Sherborne Castle, Upton Heath DWT, Wareham Channel, West Bay, West Bexington (2) and Winterborne Herringston.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 25 Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 70 35 7 17 16 15 30 48 39 24 50 109 58 69 Mar90 n/c Mayn/c 211 56 n/c 252 115 126 189 ChardHatch PondJunction GP 36 32 27 22 11 33 48 52 46 48 40 43 Christchurch Harbour 553 548 262 209 303 335 474 690 722 686 603 708 Longham Lakes 54 64 19 19 41 38 47 15 24 14 22 41 Fleet & Wey 15 12 4 8 14 30 75 54 34 35 14 42 Poole Harbour 303 198 151 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 183 251 264 268 MoorsSherborne Valley Lake CP 99 66 57 54 46 51 105 132 27 58 101 63 70 30 18 6 16 12 4 3 3 12 80 31 39 51 43 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 59 147 86 124 West Bexington Whitemill-Spetisbury PINTAIL Anas acuta Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 13 22 5 4 1 3 75 21 7 14 100 150 Mar150 5 May1 200 200 300 102 ChristchurchPoole Harbour Harbour 68 26 20 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 59 72 96 166 Fleet & Wey

Also reported at: Burton Mead, Chard Junction GP, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Radipole CoastalLake RSPB passage and West: Bexington. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 7 2 7 7 16 4 Mar May 2 PortlandChristchurch Bill Harbour 1 6 1 1 20 Durlston CP

GARGANEY Anas querquedula Uncommon passage migrant, has occasionally bred.

Spring passage:

AbbotsburyBrownsea Lagoon Swannery 1 on 23rd14th JulMar, . 3 on 6th, 1 on 7th, 2 on 8th & 9th May. 1 from 17th May-24th May.

Christchurch Harbour 3 from 23rd Mar-12th Apr, 2 on 13th Apr, 1 on 22nd & 27th Jul. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 13th May. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 24th & 25th Jul. Portland Bill 8 E on 21st Mar. AutumnRadipole passage:Lake RSPB 1 on 10th Apr, 1 on 9th May.

Arne RSPB 1 on 28th Oct . Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 7th Oct, 1 on 18th Oct. 3 on 8th Oct . Christchurch Harbour 1 on 24th Aug, 1 on 7th Sep, 2 on 16th & 19th Sep, 1 on 20th Sep,

26 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 19th Aug .

Middlebere from1 on 14th29th Sep.Sep-5th Oct . Radipole Lake RSPB 1 present from 20th Aug-6th Sep, 1 on 18th Sep, 2 present Extreme dates: The Fleet 1 female on 27th Feb .

SHOVELER Anas clypeata Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

A count of 253 on Brownsea Lagoon on 10th Jan is only bettered by a count of 294 there on 2nd Jan 2010 .

Breeding:

SitePair maximawith 7 chicks (incl seen WeBS at counts):Overcombe Pool, Lodmoor RSPB, in Jun. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 2 11 6 1 2 5 8 11 30 14 17 177 107 Mar68 47 May11 6 2 8 54 71 172 79 ChristchurchLongham Lakes Harbour 8 16 3 20 10 12 FleetPoole & Harbour Wey 253 31 32 2 2 2 1 24 56 57 138 17 14 14 6 50 7

West Bexington

Also recorded at: Chard Junction GP, Dorchester WMs, Hatch Pond, Longham Lakes (max Coastal20), Moors passage: Valley CP, Portland Bill, Southbourne, Warmwell Quarry and Weymouth. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 7 6 19 32 1 Mar May Christchurch Harbour POCHARD Aythya ferina Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

how many survived . Lodmoor RSPB At least 4 pairs nested, producing about 18 chicks. Not known Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 425 327 200 66 21 29 3 17 42 185 287 337 Longham Lakes 41 33 Mar20 2 May 1 11 26 Fleet & Wey

Also recorded at: Arne RSPB, Chard Junction GP, Christchurch Harbour, Hatch Pond LNR, Moors Valley CP, Portland Bill, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs, Upton CP and West Bexington.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 27 As of 2015-16, The Fleet and Wey is the tenth most important site in the UK for Pochard with a five-year average count of 525 birds. The graph below shows maximum numbers at this site matchedtogether withnationally the National . The declineIndex sincein Poole 2000-01 Harbour (multiplied (primarily by 5Little to make Sea) the is scaleeven comparable).more marked . Numbers on The Fleet and Wey have almost halved since the beginning of the century, a decline

Between 2000-01 and 2005-06, annual numbers averaged approximately 400; from 2006-07 to 2009-10, numbers halved to approximately 200. From 2010-11 to 2015-16, a further significant decrease occurred to an annual average of just over 20 birds.

RING-NECKED DUCK Aythya collaris Rare vagrant.

D Helliar et al, photo) . The second site record after 2 drakes in Dec 2011 . Chard Junction GP 1st winter female from 24th Dec into 2017 (

TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

with 1 chick in Aug . Chard Junction GP A female was seen with 4 chicks in Jul and a female was seen a late brood was seen in Aug . Lodmoor RSPB At least 7 pairs bred, the first chicks appearing on 5th May;

SiteLongham maxima Lakes (incl WeBS counts): The first of several broods was seen on 9th Jul. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 24 17 23 26 40 27 12 20 14 23 17 17 379 341 Mar326 179 May73 75 47 36 187 239 369 401 ChardHatch PondJunction GP 12 14 10 8 3 6 7 3 3 2 4 15 Fleet & Wey

28 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Longham Lakes 35 100 180 305 368 290 47 51 74 66 159 126 37 23 11 4 6 3 10 Poole Harbour 45 80 34 4 3 5 4 13 71 Moors Valley CP 21 26 26 19 18 4 1 3 3 3 31 31 72 70 45 27 10 3 2 1 1 4 Sturminster Marshall GP West Bexington

Also recorded at: Athelhampton, Bardolf WMs, Bourne Valley, Briantspuddle, Chedington, Christchurch Harbour, Creekmoor, Ebblake, Ham Common NR, Hengistbury Head, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Morden Bog, Morden Park Lake, Pallington Lakes, Portland, Sherborne Lake, Sherford Bridge, Southbourne, Swineham GPs, Upton Heath, Upton CP and Warmwell Quarry. SCAUP Aythya marila Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 5 5 5 1 9 11 12 Mar May Other records: Nov-11th Dec .

Arne RSPB 1 on 16th-17th Oct, 1 intermittently from 8th Dec . PooleLodmoor Harbour RSPB 1 femaleon 1st-4th present & 16th in HolesJan. 6 Bayon 21st, 5th-8th 4 on Jan 22nd . & 2 on 25th Oct. 2-9 birds from 6th-26th Nov. 3 on 1st & 2 on 9th Radipole Lake RSPB 2 on 31st Oct . Portland Harbour 1 female on 23rd Mar.

Sturminster Marshall GP 1 on various dates from 7th Nov-29th Dec. The Fleet 3 at Wyke Regis on 9th & 15th Jan. EIDER Somateria mollissima Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

First winter period:

Poole Harbour 1 from 12th-16th Jan . Christchurch Harbour 1 on 11th Feb & 7 on 19th Mar.

PassagePortland: Bill 1 E on 1st Jan, 1 past 14th Feb.

SecondChristchurch winter Harbour period: Singles on 4th & 28th Apr, 7 on 5th May.

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 7th& 4 on 8th Oct. 1 on 10th-11th Nov. Durlston CP 1 past 7th Dec. Hengistbury Head 1 on 4th, 1 W on 8th, 2 on 17th, 1 NW on 24th, 3 N 25th & 1 on 28th Nov. 2 on 15th, 17th & 19th Dec. Dec . Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 11th Oct & 1 imm female 1st Dec. Poole Harbour 1 on 4th, 8th & 11th Nov. 1 on 2nd Portland Bill 1 W on 6th Sep & 3 offshore 8th Oct. Portland Harbour 4 on 12th, 3 on 16th, 1 on 22nd, 3 on 29th2016 & Dorset12 on Bird 31st Report Dec. 29 LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

First winter period:

Ferrybridge 1 on 22nd Jan . Abbotsbury Swannery 2 seen daily from 10th Jan-25th Mar. Second winter period:

Abbotsbury Swannery Seen regularly from 13th Nov-30th Dec, max count 3. Chesil Cove 2 on 25th Dec. Ferrybridge 1 W on 20th Nov. Wyke Regis 1 on 1st Dec. COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Locally common non-breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Coastal passage: Monthly totals: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 1 27 788 75 30 32 1 4 25 3 Mar1 8 May 4 38 14 20 ChesilHengistbury Cove Head 9 2 2 62 96 48 9 9 12 32 35 17 PortlandDurlston BillCP 78 43 407 596 498 607 209 213 117 138 133 7 3 5 347 47 14 54 3 17 14 1,711 OtherWest Bexington significant records:

Poole Harbour 1 present 8th-16th Jan. 2 on 22nd & 1 on 23rd Mar. 16 on 7th & 19th Oct. Present from 4th-29th Nov, max count 12. Present 1from on 18th-23rd2nd-19th Dec, Apr max . count 5. RingsteadPortland Harbour Bay 62 on 22nd23rd NovJan. .1 on 3rd Feb. 2 on 16th & 1 on 20th-23rd Mar.

20th Aug . St Aldhelm’s Head 64 E on 6th, 15 E on 7th, 33 E on 9th & 3 E on 10th May. 7 E on 23rd Studland Bay 14Present on 11th from Dec 1st-24th . Jan, max count 8. 9 on 11th Mar. 4 on The Fleet 2 on Apr.7th-12th 17 on Apr 17th . 2 Jul. on Present 14th Nov from . 1 on4th-20th 2nd Dec Nov, . max count 17.

Weymouth Bay A total of 34 on 25 dates between 4th Jan-10th May. 1 on 20th Jul. A total of 37 on 12 dates between 23rd Oct & 26th Dec. VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

All records: Burton Bradstock 2 on 11th Apr .

Chesil Cove 1 on 11th Apr. Hengistbury Head 1 W on 8th Oct. 2 W on 19th & 1 W on 28th Nov. 1 W on 17th Dec. 30 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Portland Harbour 1 on 19th Feb . Portland Bill 4 W on 1st Jan. 1 E on 11th Apr.

West Bexington 2 E on 4th Apr. 3 E on 27th Nov. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 16 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 2 3 Poole Harbour 40 37 Mar9 n/c Mayn/c n/c n/c n/c 0 0 36 84 Fleet & Wey Other records:

PortlandChristchurch Harbour Harbour 12 on 6th-7th15th Jan. Dec . RadipoleLodmoor LakeRSPB RSPB 1 on 6th-7th24th Mar. Nov 2 on . 13th Nov.

UnseasonalSturminster Marshallrecords: GP 1 on 24th Nov. Radipole Lake RSPB 4 on 27th Sep .

SMEW Mergellus albellus Scarce winter visitor, subject to cold weather influxes.

First winter period: Holes Bay 1 female present 1st Jan-23rd Feb (from 2015) . Studland Bay 1 female on 25th Feb off Knoll Beach was presumably the same individual as above .

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima (incl WeBS counts): Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Poole Harbour 134 162 117 2 1 2 2 169 213 300 300 Mar300 130 May2 1 1 14 200 250

OtherFleet & records:Wey

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 9th Jan. In Feb 1 on 8th, a female on 18th & 28th, a drake Lodmoor RSPB 1on male 21st N & on 25th. 8th InApr Mar . a drake on 4th, 10th, 11th, 13th, 15th & 18th. 1 female on 13th Mar.

Weymouth Bay 1 on 6th Feb & 1 on 22nd Feb.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 31 Coastal passage: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 3 1 Hengistbury Head 3 4 Mar4 3 May6 3 10 6 Durlston CP

St Aldhelm’s Head 2 on 9th May.

As of 2015/16, The Fleet and Wey is the principal site in the UK for Red-breasted Mergansers with a 5 year average count of 324 birds; Poole Harbour is the third site with a 5 year average count of 241 birds. Both sites significantly exceed the National Threshold of 84 birds. The graph below shows maximum numbers at these two sites together with the National Index (multiplied by 3 to make the scale comparable) since 2000/01. The National Index since affected2000/01 during shows the a gradual period priordecline; to 2011/12 numbers by at partialthe two counts principal . sites in Dorset are more difficult to interpret, particularly as the reporting of Poole Harbour numbers were adversely

GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Uncommon winter visitor, passage migrant & occasional breeder.

Breeding:

Lower Avon Valley thereafter A female . was seen with 7 ducklings on 7th May with 5 surviving until 10th May then just 2 the following day and none First winter period:

Arne RSPB 3 on 1st, 1 on 10th & 7 on 16th Jan. Coward’s Marsh 10 on 3rd & 3 on 29th Jan. 4 on 20th Mar. Lower Bockhampton 2 on 10th & 4 on 30th Jan. 1 on 11th Feb. 32 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Spetisbury/Shapwick 5 on 19th & 2 on 20th Jan. 4 on 21st Feb. 2 on 3rd & 3 on 13th Mar. Sturminster Marshall GP 6 on 20th Jan. 3 on 21st Feb.

Also recorded at: Burton Meadows, Christchurch Harbour, Frampton, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham SummerLakes, Lower records: Frome, Lytchett Bay, Southbourne, West Bexington & Warmwell Quarry.

SecondChristchurch winter Harbour period: 1 on 8th, 15th & 4 on 24th Jul. 1 present 2nd Aug-21st Sep.

Avon Causeway 9 on 28th Dec. Coward’s Marsh 3 on 22nd Nov. PortlandDurlston BillCP 75 Eon on 8th 27th Nov. Nov . Lodmoor RSPB 13 on 1st, 4th, 5th & 11th Dec, 10 on 14th Dec.

Portland Harbour 14 on 11th & 5 on 29th Nov. 13 from 2nd-4th, 13 on 11th, 12 on 13th, 12 on 20th & 13 on 29th Dec. Spetisbury/Shapwick 8 on 9th & 4 on 13th Nov. 6 on 19th & 3 on 26th Dec. Sturminster Marshall GP 3 on 7th Nov. 1 on 6th Dec. Weymouth Bay 7 on 11th Nov.

Also recorded at: Arne RSPB, Blandford, Christchurch Harbour, Kimmeridge Bay, Lytchett Bay, Pamphill, Radipole Lake RSPB, Studland Bay & Wimborne. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa An under-reported non-native species; numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding: haveAt least taken three place pairs . noted regularly at West Bexington throughout the breeding season with a similar number at Cogden. Although there were no confirmed records, breeding is sure to Notable records:

Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 20th Apr . Christchurch Harbour 1 roamed widely from 9th Apr to the end of the year.

SignificantPortland counts: Singles seen on 19th Jan, 13th Mar and 29th Oct.

LangtonCerne Abbas Herring 13026 on on 1st 7th Jan. Nov had probably recently been released . Iwerne Minster 31 on 17th Mar.

Martinstown 50 on 17th Jan and 40 on 13th Nov.

Single figure counts were recorded from the following sites: Ashmore, Badbury Rings, Beacon Corner (Puddletown Forest), Bradford Peverell, Chalbury Common, Fontmell Magna, Merley, Poyntington, Ringstead Bay, Sherborne, Sherford Bridge, St Aldhelm’s Head, Tarrant Rushton Airfield, Verwood, Whitcombe, Wimborne St Giles and Wyke Down.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 33 GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Uncommon declining resident, numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding: reported that at least 500 birds were released there . No breeding records were received this year. A gamekeeper in the Martinstown area All other records (away from Martinstown):

Morden Bog 1 on 13th Jul. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 3 on 7th May. Wyke Down 4 on 2nd Jan. Wynford Eagle 1 on 16th Mar. White Nothe 1 on 6th Jun. QUAIL Coturnix coturnix Uncommon breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding season records:

Passage:Arne Moors RSPB 1 singing on 31st May.

Portland Singles in the Top Fields 8th-9th May and Reap Lane on 18th Sep. PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus An abundant, but under-reported, introduced species supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding: Arne RSPB At least 1 pair raised 3 chicks .

Christchurch Harbour Several pairs bred. PortlandLodmoor Bill CP 2Breeding pairs bred noted successfully in the northern . part of the area. Merley Park 3 pairs raising 13 chicks.

OtherWest Bexington records (20 & Cogden or more Breeds birds): in both areas but no numbers given.

Abbotsbury Swannery 35 on 23rd Mar. LangtonAbbotsbury Herring Village 5060 on 7th28th Nov Dec. . Iwerne Minster 50 on 17th Mar. Puddletown Forest 40 on 30th Sep . New Buildings (Wool) 40 on 24th Jan.

Sherborne Castle 150 on 7th Sep. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 45 on 18th Sep.

34 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Uncommon introduced breeding resident on Brownsea & Furzey Islands, Poole Harbour.

All records: Furzey Island 5 on 30th Jan .

Round Island 2 on 9th Oct . Brownsea Island 3 on 26th Apr & 1 on 23rd Dec.

RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata A scarce but increasing winter visitor & passage migrant.

CoastalA total of passage: 101 bird-days for the CHOG area is well below the 10-year average of 402. Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 7 1 3 4 2 Hengistbury Head 9 5 Mar0 2 May2 0 0 0 0 2 40 41 ChesilPortland Cove Bill 168 65 69 54 6 0 0 0 0 5 58 109 8 1 2 2 1 2 5

UnusualWest Bexington records and selected peak counts:

Poole Harbour 1 from 8th Jan-21st Feb and 1 on 20th Nov . Abbotsbury Beach 1 on 20th Mar.

Weymouth Bay Singles on 26th Oct & 3rd Dec. ExtremeWinspit dates: 1 W on 13th Dec.

Hengistbury Head on 20th May and 1st Oct. BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant. average of 22 . A total of 12 records for Hengistbury Head/Mudeford Quay is well down on the 10-year Coastal passage: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hengistbury Head 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 6 1 Portland Bill 2 0 Mar2 1 May1 1 0 0 0 0 1 1

Other records: Abbotsbury Beach 1 on 2nd Jan .

Chesil Cove SinglesNo records on 30th for the Apr second & 30th winter Nov. period . Portland Harbour 1-2 throughout the first winter period, last on 8th May.

Studland Bay 1 on 8th & 11th Mar. Weymouth Bay Singles on 2nd May (breeding plumaged), 21st May (2cy), Extreme dates: 10th-11th Nov & 11th Dec. Portland Bill 20th Jun and 29th Oct .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 35 GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

In keeping with the other diver species another poor showing with just 17 bird-days against Coastala 10-year passage: average of 40 for the CHOG area. Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hengistbury Head 3 3 1 1 2 0 0 0 0 0 4 3 Portland Bill 5 0 Mar0 10 May43 2 0 0 0 2 4 1

Other records:

Blacknor 1 in summer plumage flew over on 11th Apr. Poole Harbour First winter period max 16 on 10th Jan. Second winter period max 5 on 11th Dec. Portland Harbour First winter period max 18 on 9th Feb. Second winter period max 5 on 23rd Nov. West Bexington Singles on 2nd May and 2nd Dec. Weymouth Bay First winter period max 4 on 16th Jan. 1 W on 16th Jun. Unseasonal records: Second winter period max was just 2 at the end of the year.

ExtremeChesil Cove dates: 1 on 27th Jul.

Portland Bill 14th Jun and Durlston CP 3rd Oct. LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding: Arne RSPB 2 pairs but no young noted .

Burton Meadows Pair with 2 juvs on River Avon. LodmoorChard Junction RSPB GP At6 pairs least raised 5 pairs 9 on juvs. the reserve . Cogden 2 pairs but no young noted. Radipole Lake RSPB 3 pairs present but no breeding data received . Morden Bog 1 pair raising at least 1 juv.

SiteWest maxima: Bexington 2 pairs but no young noted. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 11 6 1 0 1 0 1 2 0 4 3 Mar May WeBSChristchurch counts: Harbour Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 4 5 10 12 12 12 13 13 9 8 5 1 32 17 Mar15 10 May1 3 4 20 24 24 56 45 ChardLongham Junction Lakes GP 19 8 12 1 1 0 9 21 25 28 17 17 FleetPoole and Harbour Wey 8 7 7 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 5 5 15 27

36 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Also recorded at: Athelhampton, Briantspuddle, Canford Bridge, Hatch Pond, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Long Bridge (Dorchester), Merley Hall, Moors Valley CP, Sherborne Castle, Stour Valley LNR, Sturminster Marshall GP, Throop, Tincleton CBs, Warmwell Quarry. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Uncommon breeding resident & locally common winter visitor.

Breeding:

Coward’s Marsh 1 pair raised 2 or 3 juvs. RadipoleHatch Pond Lake RSPB 41 pairspair raised present 3 juvs. but no breeding evidence received . Lodmoor RSPB 4 pairs raised a total of 4 juvs. Swineham GPs 3 pairs present but no breeding evidence received . Sturminster Marshall GP 1 pair raised 1 juv.

SiteWarmwell maxima: Quarry 1 pair raised 1 juv. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 8 9 17 3 0 1 3 3 2 1 2 5 21 Mar14 6 May2 6 Christchurch Harbour 9 6 8 2 1 2 2 4 Sherborne Castle WeBSWest Bexington counts: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 40 50 42 75 53 59 33 41 60 17 22 38 Longham Lakes 20 22 Mar19 6 May13 6 21 29 18 28 12 6 FleetPoole and Harbour Wey 53 173 108 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 27 58 107 156 Sherborne Lake 18 18 12 25 16 9 16 12 16 18 7 1

Also recorded at: Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog and Pallington Lakes. RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.

All records:

Hengistbury Head 1 on 1st Feb and 1 E on 6th Oct . Chesil Cove 1 on 8th-9th May in breeding plumage.

Mudeford Quay probably1 W on 26th relate Sep, to 1 the W onsame 4th individual Oct. . PortlandPoole Harbour Harbour 1Singles on 9th onFeb 1st . Jan, 3rd Jan & 24th Jan at various sites but

West Bexington 1 in breeding plumage on 6th May. Weymouth Bay 1 on 25th Feb & 11th Mar.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 37 SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 3 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 Portland Harbour 5 5 Mar5 0 May0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 Chesil Cove Other records:

Hengistbury Head 1 on 6th Jan and 1 E on 8th Oct . Abbotsbury Swannery 1 from 19th Feb-28th Mar.

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on the Tern island pool from 28th-30th Mar. Mudeford Quay 1 on 4th Mar. SouthbournePoole Harbour 1First on 29thwinter Feb period . max 3 on 13th Jan. Second winter period max 3 on 15th Nov. 12th Dec . The Fleet 2 on 28th Nov at Langton Herring and 2 at Tidmoor Cove on

West Bexington 11thTwo inDec partial summer. plumage on 2nd Apr. Weymouth Bay 1 on 8th Mar then 2 from 11th-12th Mar. Singles on 1st, 6th & Extreme dates:

West Bexington 2nd Apr and Studland Bay 13th Nov. BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Poole Harbour 12 13 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 13 15 Portland Harbour 13 22 Mar12 0 May0 0 0 0 0 0 9 13 Studland Bay 14 4 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 19 25 35

Other records:

Hengistbury Head Singles on 15th Feb and 9th Oct . Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 7th & 16th Jan.

Longham Lakes 1 in summer plumage from 11th-16th May. ExtremeWeymouth dates: Bay 1 on 16th Jan.

Longham Lakes 16th May and Poole Harbour 5th Oct.

38 Dorset Bird Report 2016 FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Locally common breeding resident & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Hive Beach Cliffs 7 Apparently Occupied Sites (AOSs ). PurbeckPortland The10 chicks Purbeck were Seabird seen Surveyat Blacknor located Cliffs a total on 7thof 15 Aug; AOSs 2 betweenat Grove Cliffs on 12th Aug.

Handfast Point and Buttery Cove; 5 AOSs were between Durlston fromHead theand 33 the recorded Lighthouse along and this a further section 8 between of coast Crabin 2015 Hole (note and Buttery Corner. The total of 15 AOSs is a significant decrease

coastthat the between 2016 surveyOld Harry excludes and St the Aldhelm’s coast between Head . The St Aldhelm’sdecline in Purbeckand White is Nothe).steeper Thethan total the nationalis the lowest decline ever . recorded for the

Coastal maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 4 16 6 10 1 1 1 1 Hengistbury Head 1 2 Mar10 2 May9 2 1 26 4 DurlstonPortland CP 24 7 3 20 8 10 2 5 3 1 7 2 3 2 1 1 6 1

OtherWest Bexington notable records:

Portland 60 W past the Bill on 7th Aug; 1 in Portland Harbour on 4th Apr. West Bay 40 on 6th Mar.

Off Hengistbury Head, the total of 93 bird-days is a significant drop and the lowest since 2007. Observers at Weymouth Bay recorded ‘another poor year’. CORY’S SHEARWATER Calonectris borealis Rare passage migrant.

An unseasonal low brought 60mph winds to the south west on 20th Aug which led to at least one bird entering Dorset waters:

AJ Barrett, MJ Morse) .

West Bexington 1 on 20th Aug ( SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Uncommon autumn passage migrant.

All records:

Hengistbury Head 1 past on 5th Oct . Durlston CP Singles past on 10th Sep and 1st Nov. of 12 through off the Bill between 9th Jul and 4th Oct . Portland 1 south at Chesil Cove on 26th Jan. Autumn passage consisted

2016 Dorset Bird Report 39 The annual number of Sooty Shearwater recorded (by bird-days) in Dorset is very variable . The last four years have been particularly poor .

2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 197 35 36 12 34 33 108 126 139 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 235 43 40 110 19 11 5 16

MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Fairly common passage migrant & non-breeding summer visitor.

Coastal passage: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Portland Bill 0 0 204 8 0 1 0 Mar 289 May11 6 105 10,821 1,883 3,154 2,368 1,937 West Bexington ofPortland records Bill at Hengistburyis the premier Head site wasin Dorset well below for Manx the Shearwater.10-year average The of2016 125 total bird-days at the . siteThe waslast 20,376 bird-days, almost double the 2015 total of 10,982 bird-days. Conversely, the number decade has seen the annual total at the Bill fluctuate between the peak of 44,175 in 2008 and the low of 4,741 in 2014; during the previous decade, there was only one year with an annual Othertotal higher notable than records 10,000.: The extreme dates at the Bill were 24th Mar and 8th Nov.

Charmouth 87 on 20th Aug. Chesil Cove/Ferrybridge 840 past on 28th Apr, 1300 on 28th Jun. Portland Harbour 20 on 29th Apr and singles on 29th Mar, 26th Apr and 30th Apr. Weymouth Bay across130 plus the birds bay in on the 28th evening Apr is . the largest count in Weymouth Bay involving a feeding flock, performing a huge figure of eight

BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus Locally common non-breeding summer visitor, autumn passage migrant & occasional winter visitor, mainly off Portland.

Coastal passage: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 15 0 0 0 0 Portland Bill 0 0 Mar0 0 May1 0 17 591 60 0 0 0 Chesil Cove Portland Bill is the premier site in Dorset for Balearic Shearwater . Birds were recorded birds passing west on 20th Aug . This is the second highest ever recorded (the record day totalbetween is 627 29th on 9thApr Augand 1978) 25th Sep.. Birds The were annual recorded total onat 20ththe Bill Aug was to both669, theof whicheast and 532 west were of Portland with a count of 294 past St Aldhelm’s Head particularly noteworthy .

40 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Other records: Burton Bradstock 10 on 10th Aug .

Charmouth 6 on 20th Aug. Cogden/W. Bexington 10 on 20th Aug. Durlston CP aSingles few hours on 9th later) and . 24th Sep, 2 on 26th Sep. Hengistbury Head 11 on 20th Aug (2 W off Mudeford Quay, 9 W past Hengistbury

St Aldhelm’s Head 294 on 20th Aug, 2 on 28th Aug. STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Uncommon non-breeding summer visitor & autumn passage migrant.

All records:

Chesil Cove 1 on 2nd Aug. Mudeford Quay 1 on 29th Jun. Portland Bill 1 on 31st May, up to 4 on 3rd-4th Aug and 2 on 21st Aug. Additionally, 19 were sound-lured and trapped at night between 31st May and 19th Jul. number of Storm Petrel recorded (by bird-days) in Dorset is very variable . The variability shown In common with other seabird species such as Sooty Shearwater and Leach’s Petrel, the annual

Portlandby Storm BillPetrel on 20is eventh more extreme than the other two species. Total Storm Petrel bird-days (excluding birds ringed at Portland Bill) vary from 5,201 in 2007 (when over 1,000 passed 2000 2001 May)2002 to just three2003 in 2010.2004 The last four2005 years have2006 been particularly2007 2008 poor. 442 18 72 13 34 81 320 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 21 3 62 122 29 14 5,20116 1,10413

GANNET Morus bassanus Fairly common passage migrant, offshore all year.

Monthly totals: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Hengistbury Head 16 12 4 26 130 44 128 368 184 52 39 41 16 8 Mar 58 May119 72 817 207 46 64 90 47

SiteWest maxima: Bexington

Chesil Cove 30 on 2nd May, 500 on 2nd Aug. Hengistbury Head 65 on 13th May, 80 on 7thAug, 90 on 24th Sep. Portland Bill 1,154 east on 2nd Aug, 301 on 20th Aug, 200 on 21st Aug. St Aldhelm’s Head 71 on 6th May, 145 on 9th May, 200 on 2nd Aug. West Bexington 280 on 11th, 200 on 14th & 150 on 15th Jul; 131 on 20th Aug.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 41 Other records:

Portland Harbour Occasional in Portland Harbour during Jan, May, Jun and Sep. Weymouth Bay westOccasional together in on Weymouth 12th Dec Bay, . feeding birds frequently noted from Mar onwards, although only in small numbers; 10 went

ItAlso has recorded long been from suspected Dancing that Ledge, Gannets Durlston, seen Studland in Dorset Bay, waters Swanage are fromand West the Ortac Bay. colony off the Channel Isle of Alderney. Around 8,500 breeding pairs of Gannet, around 2% of the world’s population, nest in two colonies. The Track A Gannet (TAG) project, run jointly by tothe be Alderney better understood Wildlife Trust . TAG (AWT), has enabled the British Gannet Trust movements for Ornithology to be under (BTO) surveillance and University using theof Liverpool, 3G mobile is phone allowing network Gannet with movements Gannet movements in the English shown Channel in real (and time over . TAG a widerhas tracked area) Alderney’s Gannets since 2015 (see http://www .teachingthroughnature .co uk/t-a-g/. ) . 2016 movements are shown below .

CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Down) was surveyed in 2016 . Numbers increased to a peak in Purbeck Only one of the three Purbeck Cormorant colonies (Ballard

and1990 the (172), Ballard since Down when population there has returned been a to decrease 30 breeding of 83%. pairs A . Thisslight is increase the lowest in recordedthe previous since two the years 1980s was when reversed the population in 2016,

42 Dorset Bird Report 2016 expansion was underway. Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 20 51 43 n/c n/c 39 42 60 50 49 64 90 Mar May Christchurch Harbour

Poole Harbour is the main site in Dorset for Cormorant. Max around the harbour include counts of: Arne 100 on 18th Sep, 200 on 20th Sep and 100 on 29th Oct; on Brownsea Island - 120 on 24th Sep, 325 on 17th Oct and 200 on 28th Oct; at Lytchett Bay - 80 on 14th Sep; 120 from a Bird Boat on 11th Nov; a single flock of approximately 90 flew west across Holes Bay on 22nd Nov; 180 at Studland on 2nd Nov. Other site maxima include 50 at Portland Harbour on 16th Nov, 19 flying over West Bexington on 9th Aug and 18 on 23rd Nov at WeBSMarshall counts: Fishery Sturminster. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 19 51 43 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 50 49 39 20 67 40 Mar27 42 May32 39 49 57 66 64 55 50 LonghamChristchurch Lakes Harbour 13 6 5 4 2 4 2 4 0 17 17 17 PooleFleet and Harbour Wey 93 112 40 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 322 280 428 212

Coastal movements:

on 21st Aug . Hengistbury Head 27 arrived from the east on 5th Aug, 25 west off Mudeford Quay

SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding: Purbeck Breeding Shag generally occur along the coast between

Durlston and Scratchy Bottom; only a subset of the overall 2016 Dorset Bird Report 43 population was surveyed in 2016 . A total of 22 Apparently Occupied Nests was found between Anvil Point and Buttery

trendsCorner, . comparedThe tendency with for 36 adults in 2015. not Theto breed changes every in year numbers may beof nestingone reason Shag forin Purbeckthe variability have not in closelythe Purbeck reflected population national . Fluctuations may be masking a long-term decline .

WeBS counts: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 4 1 2 2 2 3 0 4 0 13 Poole Harbour 2 1 Mar0 n/c Mayn/c n/c n/c n/c 0 0 0 6 Fleet and Wey Other records (all counts of 10 or more): Portland Bill 10 on 16th Jun .

Portland Harbour 50 on 2nd Jan, 12 on 9th Feb. Shell Bay 83 flew into Poole Harbour on 11th Jan, 82 on 18th Nov. speciesThe paucity appears of records to have of ‘declined 10 birds locally’ or more, . and apparent declines in the numbers recorded in WeBS counts, may point to a general decline in Dorset. The CHOG Report notes that the

BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Uncommon winter visitor.

First winter period:

between 21st Jan and 13th Feb . LodmoorArne Moors/Swineham RSPB ThereA bird were was seenintermittent at Arne records Moors of or single Swineham birds onfrom six Jan dates to

Radipole Lake RSPB Thereearly Mar.were Thisintermittent disappointing records showing (8 dates) was of single followed birds by from the 7thsight Jan of tono 21st fewer Feb than . 5 birds departing at dusk on 21st Mar.

West Bexington 1 in the nature reserve on 23rd Jan followed the record in Oct Summer records: 2015, the first since 1952.

Lodmoor RSPB secondA booming time bird in 3 was years present that a near male daily has held from territory at least 8th. May to 22nd May constituting the first site record in May. This is the may have subsequently moved to Lodmoor RSPB . A bird was Radipole Lake RSPB A booming bird was heard between 22nd Mar and 5th Apr; it

Second winter period: present between 9th & 11th Jun.

Hogchester Nature Reserve 1 on 2nd Dec . Arne Moors/Swineham 1 on 17th Oct.

Christchurch Harbour 1 on Central Marsh, Stanpit, on 16th Nov was probably forced 44 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lodmoor RSPB 1-2 on many dates between 7th Oct and 16th Dec . Radipole Lake RSPB 1out on into 8 dates the openbetween by an 18th exceptionally Sep and 5th high Dec tide. .

CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Increasing passage migrant, annual since 2005, with an influx of birds in 2007.

The fortunes of this cosmopolitan species keep improving .

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 30th Dec (SA Groves) . Bockhampton Dairy Farm 2 from 14th Dec into 2017 (OJ Frampton et al) . East Holme 1 from 12th-28th Dec (per DBC et al IM Stanley et al , photo). DBC et al Lodmoor RSPB 1 in breeding plumage on 6th May ( DBC et , alphoto). Lower Bockhampton 1 at Norris Mill Farm on 15th & 16thO Thomas Dec (per) . , photo). Nottington Up to 5 present from 3rd Dec into 2017 (per , photo). Puddletown Forest 1 at Beacon Corner on 17th Dec ( LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding:

HengistburySite maxima: Head Four pairs were present, three of which successfully raised young. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 48 11 12 n/c n/c 25 52 22 83 28 13 12 Lytchett Bay 15 18 Mar23 15 May12 n/c 21 21 28 10 n/c n/c Christchurch Harbour Brownsea Island 51 on 25th Jul .

WeBS counts: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 10 11 12 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 37 28 13 12 Poole Harbour 45 37 Mar57 n/c Mayn/c n/c n/c n/c 154 122 73 64 Christchurch Harbour 44 18 38 27 15 28 55 16 26 15 11 20

InlandFleet and counts Wey of 10 or more:

FramptonAvon Causeway/Sopley 5019 on 6th1st Jan,Feb 20. on 11th Jan, 25 on 9th Feb. Beacon Corner/Forest 12 on 17th Dec.

Holfleet Dairy 13 on 22nd Dec. PorteshamLitton Cheney 1017 on 25th13th FebFeb. . RiverLongham Stour Lakes 1315+ and on 5th17 betweenDec. Shapwick and Spetisbury during Jan and

Tolpuddle 28Feb on WeBS 23rd counts Feb . respectively. Tincleton CBs 14 on 15th Dec. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 45 Two Riversmeet GC 2013 on 11th18th Jan.Feb . West Knighton/Lewell Farm 20 on 7th Jan, 18 on 30th Jan, 15 on 11th Feb, 18 on 15th Feb, Roost counts:

leaving the Hengistbury Head roost . Christchurch Harbour The max counts in the table above for Jan and Sep were of birds bushes at Overcombe . PooleLodmoor Harbour RSPB TheFor thesmall third evening year roost running, on the birds boundary occasionally of the roosted Lytchett in Bay the

onrecording 21st Sep area . was again used occasionally with a max 15 on Sturminster GP 115th at Apr. distant 63 were roost in on a high 31st tide Oct roost. in NW corner of Holes Bay

CoastalWinkton movements: 11 on 14th Dec, 12 on 23rd Dec.

and 2 in Dec . Portland Bill 4 bird-days in May, 2 in Jun, 6 in Aug, 1 in Sep, 3 in Oct, 2 in Nov

GREAT WHITE EGRET Ardea alba Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor - annual since 2002.

The number of records of Great White Egret has continued to increase such that as from 1st Jan 2015 it was removed from the list of species, records of which are assessed by the 59)Dorset are Rareshown Birds in the Panel. graph Poole below Harbour . is the premier site in Dorset; the main sites are Arne, Brand’s Bay, Brownsea Island, Holes Bay and Little Sea Studland. Bird-days (totalling

All other records:

Briantspuddle 1 on the water meadows on 16th Sep . Abbotsbury 1 on Fleet just southeast of The Swannery on 13th Jul.

Broadway, Southbourne 2 on 9th Oct. 46Chard Dorset Junction Bird Report GP 2016 1 on 6th Oct. (2 birds) . The latter birds came in-off-the-sea over the Barn Christchurch Harbour Recorded on 16th Jun, 8th Aug, 6th Oct (2 birds) and 9th Oct

Hatch Pond 1Field on 24th and flewNov .east through the Harbour. Dorchester area 1 flew over the A37 on 22nd Jun, 1 over the A35 on 5th Jul. Jul and a long-staying bird from 19th Oct to 13th Nov . A bird Lodmoor RSPB Single birds were recorded on 15th and 20th Jun, 18th and 19th

remainedflew over oninto 5th 2017 Dec. . Longham Lakes 1 on 23rd Nov increased to 2 birds by 25th and 3 by 29th; these

Radipole Lake RSPB 2 on North Marsh on 16th May, 1 on 29th Oct. Spetisbury 1 on 21st Feb and 9th Mar. Sturminster Marshall 1 on 11th Jan. West Bexington 2 on 19th Mar, 6 on 5th Oct and 2 on 24th Nov. Wyke Regis 3 flew south on 26th Nov. GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Fairly common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Hengistbury Head 2 pairs nested; for the second year running, 1 nest with 5 eggs failed to hatch. 2 out of 5 eggs hatched in the other nest but, on 6th Mar, the adults ate the 2 young and the remaining eggs. The pair re-laid, eventually producing a further clutch of 5 eggs, of which 1 was successfully reared and fledged. Lodmoor RSPB clearlyNo sign come of nestingfrom close or by prospecting (Nottington) this . year. Nevertheless, present daily. A particularly young juvenile on Nov 14th had Monthly maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 1 4 n/c 3 21 n/c 11 19 4 9 5 Poole Harbour 28 19 Mar6 n/c Mayn/c n/c n/c n/c 18 27 38 25 Christchurch Harbour 11 15 9 16 12 20 14 26 32 15 26 16

OtherThe Fleet site and maxima: Wey

Portland Hbr/Ferrybridge 12 on 18th Dec . Arne Moors RSPB 17 on 22nd Feb.

Radipole Lake RSPB 12 on 21st Feb, 21 on 26th Aug, up to 15 in Sep, 14 on 13th Nov. CoastalRiver Stour passage: Canford Magna 15 on 28th Mar. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 24 3 5 Portland Bill 3 0 Mar1 2 May2 2 8 5 13 7 1 1 Christchurch Harbour

2016 Dorset Bird Report 47 BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra Very rare passage migrant.

PortlandThere was one record, the 13th1 over individual Ferrybridge to be recordedon 7th Sep in Dorsetwhich then toured the island before heading back N at great height (CE Richards et al

, photo). WHITE STORK Ciconia ciconia Rare passage migrant.

DBC et al CE Richards et al Coward’s Marsh 1 on 8th Aug (per , photo). Portland Harbour 1 on 9th Aug, same as above ( , photo). GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus Rare but increasing passage migrant.

ID Ballam et al Given that the only previous Lytchett Bay record was of two Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 11th May ( , photo), remaining until 13th.

The occurrence pattern of Glossyshot Ibisin Aug in Dorset1842, this is erratic felt like . There a site were first! eight records involving since 2000 are shown below . 18 birds in the 19th Century, followed by records in 1956, 1977, 1986 and 1987. Records

Glossy Ibis - Number of Records and Birds 10

8

6

4

2

0

Rec ords Birds

SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Site Maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Poole Harbour 40 20 14 7 1 2 1 11 27 60 35 27 Mar May

48 Dorset Bird Report 2016 5th and 10th Oct with 59 at Shipstal Point on 7th with 1 at Lytchett Bay . All 60 birds were As in 2015, the peak count in Poole Harbour was in Oct. Over 50 birds were present between present at Arne the next day, the largest site count recorded in the UK.

Other records:

Christchurch Harbour beaten58 bird-days in 2012 exceeded only because the 2015 there total was ofa long-staying39 bird-days individual which in turn had represented the second-best total for at least 20 years,

to increase the number of bird-days. Of the 59, there was an excellent day total of probably 27 birds on 1st Oct. A flock of 13 arrived over Mudeford Quay and was thought to have flown north but, several hours later, a flock of 15 (presumed to be the thisfirst lattergroup group with two had extra been birds) noted was moving at Stanpit west beforepast Pennington leaving to the west, and then a party of 12 arrived at Stanpit. Interestingly,

butafter in thecolonies flock a offew 15 hundred had departed. miles apart Two . of the birds, both juveniles, were colour-ringed and both had hatched in Holland,

Ferrybridge 2 on 20th Aug, 1 on 21st Aug, 2 first-years on 1st Nov and one NW over on 8th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB After Poole Harbour, Lodmoor is the second most regular site for Spoonbill in Dorset with a total of 94 bird-days (38 in Feb, 42 in Mar, 2 in May, 6 in Oct and 6 in Nov). Between 2 and 4 birds were andpresent 8th betweenNov . 2nd Feb and 21st Mar. 2 on 22nd May were last seen soaring upwards. A first-winter was seen between 25th Oct

RadipoleMoors Valley Lake CP RSPB 18 on 29th15th OctSep. and 7th Nov . Portland 1 first-year at Portland Bill on 24th Oct.

The Fleet Single bird(s) at Langton Herring on 17th Apr, Abbotsbury on 19th, 20th, 24th, 25th and 27th Apr, 2 at Littlesea on 3rd Oct. Verwood 4 over on 4th Oct. Wareham Forest 1 over Morden Bog on 14th May. West Bridport 2 flew over on 17th Jul.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 49 Wigeon - Christchurch Harbour - 16th November 2016 - Joe Murphy

Goldeneye - Poole Harbour - 7th February 2016 - Peter Moore

50 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lesser Yellowlegs - Lytchett Bay - 12th January 2017 - Ian Ballam

Bar-tailed Godwit - Brownsea Lagoon - 23rd April 2016 - Peter Moore

2016 Dorset Bird Report 51 HONEY BUZZARD Pernis apivorus Uncommon passage migrant and summer visitor, attempts to breed annually.

Breeding: Breeding season records were received from various sites in an area where it has bred in the

Springpast. Breeding passage: was not confirmed. S Simmonds) . (S Robson) . Hurn 1 on 29th May ( LytchettAutumn Baypassage: 1 on 6th May Dorchester 1 on 18th Jul (GS Upton) . CE Richards) .

Portland 1 over Verne Common on 24th Aug ( RED KITE Milvus milvus A scarce passage migrant, and increasing wanderer from introduction schemes elsewhere in Britain. Breeds in neighbouring counties. lighter spring migration . Displaying birds were noted at two locations but there has still A total of 212 records were received, a reduction on last year’s 295, with a somewhat

Recordsbeen no by firm month: evidence Jan of breeding.Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec All sites 9 17 36 46 57 13 7 3 3 14 4 3 Mar May Large counts (all counts of 5 or more are given):

GussageEggardon All Hill Saints 5 on 5th6th NovMay. . PimperneIwerne Minster 65 on 8th24th Oct Apr . and 6 on 7th Sep.

Pymore, Bridport 6 on 24th May. Sutton Waldron 7 on 6th Oct.

We urge observers to continue to send all records in, especially if displaying or other breeding activity is noted, so that the population can be monitored. MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Scarce breeding resident, uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding records:

Lodmoor RSPB Displaying was first observed on 13th Jan, when 4 birds were present, 2 of which were in courtship display, and on 20th Jan a youngbird was by seen 30th carrying Jun . The nest last material. of these A pairdispersed nested on successfully, 17th Aug . Thiswith thewas first the fledgedseventh juv successive appearing year on that28th birdsMay andhave 3 fledgedbred at the site .

52 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lower Avon Valley A pair present from 30th Jan were seen displaying on 10th Apr and mating on 3rd May. The male was seen carrying food on 7th May and breeding was confirmed when a food pass was observed on 14th May. The first juv was seen flying on 18th Jul, recordand by for26th this Jul site 3 juvs . were on the wing. All 3 juvs remained in the area until at least 16th Sep. This is the first recent breeding

Poole Harbour Preliminary courtship behaviour was seen in Feb, followed by nest building in Mar. Nesting involved just a single pair with the female beginning to sit around 9th or 10th Apr. The first Allhatching four birds took left place by the around end of 12th Jul .MayA second and thefemale first present fledgling in Aprappeared also frequently on 21st Jun, displayed with a second but did juv not confirmed attract a mate on 13th . Jul. Radipole Lake RSPB 3 birds were displaying on 14th Feb and a male was seen

Theycarrying remained nest material on the reserveon 16th until Mar. atThree least fledglings 30th Jun .took their first flight together on 22nd Jun with both adults in attendance.

Apr to 5th Jun . In addition, at West Bexington an unaccompanied female was seen almost daily from 6th First winter period:

immature male frequenting the Harbour at both ends of the Christchurch Harbour This year saw a dramatic increase in observations, with an with a second bird on 3rd Jan and on 14th Feb . year. This bird was present on various dates during Jan-Mar, Horton A female on 21st Feb . Cogden Beach Singles on 4 dates in Jan.

Morden Bog increasingA female on to 6th7 after Feb. a storm on 9th Feb . 4 were still present in late Poole Harbour At least 6 were present in west Poole Harbour roosts in early Jan,

Feb, and 3 in Mar. Birds were seen during the day at Arne RSPB, Hartland Moor, Holton Lee, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere and Swineham. Portland Singles on 17th Jan at Weston and 5th Feb at the Bill. The Fleet Singles at Rodden Hive on 3rd Jan, Abbotsbury Swannery on 17th Jan and Moonfleet on 11th Feb. West Bexington Singles on 4 dates in Jan/Feb. SpringWeymouth passage: Bay 1 on 8th Feb.

Christchurch Harbour The 2cy male was seen on several dates to 27th May with another probable first winter male on 2nd Mar. In addition, birds were seen moving N on 11th, 12th & 31st Mar, W on 9th Longham Lakes 1Apr heading and E northover the on sea19th on Apr 6th . May. Cogden Beach 2 on 12th Apr and 1 on 13th Apr.

Portland RoddenSingles at Hive the on Bill 23rd on 23rd Apr . Apr and 24th May. The Fleet Singles at Abbotsbury Swannery on 20th & 23rd Mar and at

Verwood 1 flew N over Ringwood Forest on 9th May.2016 Dorset Bird Report 53 Autumn passage:

Christchurch Harbour Recorded on 12 dates in Jul, involving an adult female and a young male, which was joined by a recently-fledged juv from the Avon Valley on 8th Aug. The young male remained into the winter, occasionally joined by other birds. 23 bird-days in Sep, with 4 soaring together on 12th, and 15 bird-days in Oct. Cogden Beach 1 on 30th Aug. Durlston CP 1 flew E on 6th Oct. East Bexington andSingle their birds young flew . W on 6th & 11th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB At various times up to 8 other birds joined the breeding pair 3 on 18th and 27th . 4 were counted at various roost sites in Poole Harbour 7 different individuals were seen in Aug, with day maxima of and Lytchett Bay during the day . mid-Sep, rising to 6 on 21st Oct. Up to 3 were seen at Arne RSPB and at Barleycrates Lane on 10th Oct . Portland Singles on 13th Sep at Weston, at the Bill on 14th & 15th Sep 30th Oct . Radipole Lake Single birds were present on several dates in Jul-Oct, with 3 on Abbotsbury Swannery on 19th Oct . The Fleet Singles at Rodden Hive on 24th Sep & 23rd Oct and at

Wareham Forest Singles over Decoy Heath on 28th Sep and Morden Bog on 12th Oct. West Bexington A juv on 7th Aug. Weymouth 1 at Wyke Regis on 13th Sep. SecondWyke Down winter period: 1 on 15th Aug.

Christchurch Harbour The young male remained, sometimes joined by other birds, with 3 present on 10th & 11th Nov and on 14th Dec. Lodmoor displaying1 or 2 present on 28th throughout . Nov and Dec. Mild weather in Dec saw the resident pair establishing territory early, with the male

Poole Harbour At least 5 were present at roosts in early Nov, rising to 11 on Radipole Lake RSPB Single15th, with birds 7 orremaining a pair seen at theon variousend of Dec.dates Up in to Nov 4 were and Dec seen . at Arne RSPB and Middlebere during the day.

West Bexington An adult female on 22nd Dec. HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Localised winter visitor and scarce passage migrant.

First winter period:

Poole Harbour 2 ringtails were roosting at the start of Jan, rising to 3 on 4th. A grey male settled between 16th & 24th Jan and 4 separate withringtails a male were also identified present infrom late 13th Jan. Feb A single and a female third ringtail roosted alsoduring present early lateFeb, inrising Feb . to Single two ringtails ringtails from were around recorded 9th,

54 Dorset Bird Report 2016 fairly regularly in Mar, involving up to 3 different birds. Most sightings during the day were from Arne RSPB, Hartland Moor, Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. Undisclosed roost site 2 on 17th Jan and 20th Mar (male and ringtail on both dates). Wyke Down Singles on 10th Jan, 13th, 19th & 20th Mar and 16th Apr.

Also recorded on one or two dates from: Badbury Rings (14th Jan), Charminster (7th Mar), Cranborne (21st Jan), Morden Bog (17th Jan), Norden SF (19th Jan), Shroton (25th Mar) and SpringWhite Horse passage: Hill (10th Mar).

Poole Harbour 1 female on 12th Apr, and a juv male “skydancing” over Swineham on 14th Apr, remaining until 6th May. Portland 1 male at the Bill on 4th May, heading E. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 male on 5th May, heading E. Almer 1 ringtail on 5th Oct .

Durlston CP 1 male flew E on 10th Oct. Langton Matravers both1 on 28that the Sep, Bill probably. the same as the Winspit bird. Portland 1 female/juv on 15th-16th Sep and a juv from 14th-28th Oct,

Winspit A ringtail was present 24th-28th Sep, and presumably the Second winter period: same bird in Worth Matravers on 5th Oct.

Oct and an adult male on 31st Oct . By 4th Nov 3 males and a Poole Harbour A ringtail from mid-Oct was joined by a juv male on 22nd 2 ringtails present on 11th Nov . By the end of Dec 2 females ringtail were present around the Harbour, with 2 males and

remained. Most sightings were from Hartland Moor, Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. West Bexington 30th1 ringtail Nov fromand on 7th 1st to Dec 14th . Dec. Wyke Down An adult male on 29th and 30th Nov, and a ringtail also on

Undisclosed roost site 2 on 20th Nov and 1 on 18th Dec (all males).

Also recorded on one or two dates from: Abbotsbury Swannery (18th & 20th Dec), Avon HerringstonCauseway (7th (18th Nov), Nov) Hinton . Martell (26th Nov), Kingston (26th Nov), Milborne St Andrew (6th Nov), Spetisbury (20th Nov), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (15th Nov) and Winterborne

MONTAGU’S HARRIER Circus pygargus Scarce passage migrant - no breeding records since 2004.

L Chappell) .

Wimborne 1 male on 6th Jun to the north of the town (

2016 Dorset Bird Report 55 GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Very rare visitor – probable breeder in small numbers.

The species remains rare but may be starting to become established, helped by growing naturepopulations and the in Hampshirepaucity of records and Wiltshire. submitted It is . estimated that there are at least 5 pairs in the county but establishing exactly how many there are is difficult due to their secretive Breeding: Details were received from one site where up to 3 birds were seen together in Feb . Birds were observed here up to mid-Jun but the outcome of any attempted breeding is unknown . Another KE Betton) . sightingAll sightings in early should Mar from be senta potential to the breeding County Recorderlocation is beingwho will withheld deal (with them in the strictest confidence.

SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

The species remains widespread. Breeding was confirmed or presumed at: Arne RSPB, Bracketts Coppice DWT, Hengistbury Head (2 young), Lodmoor RSPB (at least 2 pairs in the area), Lytchett Bay, Merley Park (1 pair raised 2 young), Portland (pairs raised 2 young at East Weare, 3 young at Old Hill and 2+ young at Southwell), Rushcombe Bottom, Stanpit Migrants:Marsh, Thorncombe Wood, West Bexington and Winterborne Whitechurch.

Christchurch Harbour with6 moved 6 on E 7th from Oct Hengistbury . Head on 7th Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 5th Mar then 1 or 2 on 8 dates between 3rd & 27th Oct,

BUZZARD Buteo buteo Common breeding resident.

Breeding: although few details of breeding success were received . Widely reported throughout the county, and remains the commonest raptor in most parts Large counts (all counts of 10 or more are given):

Arne RSPB 10 over Coombe Heath on 24th Feb and 12 on 7th Apr. Arne Moors RSPB 12+ on 23rd May. Bere Regis 20 near Lower Woodbury Farm on 25th Feb. PooleCoward’s Marsh 1210 overon 12th Oakdale Apr and on 12th12 on Apr 10th . Aug. Maiden Castle 20+ on 10th Mar. Puddletown 13 on 30th Apr . Poole Harbour 20+ viewable from one point on 18th Feb.

56 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Sadborow 10 on 15th Sep .

Stalbridge 14 on 15th May. Wareham 20 on 24th Feb. Migrants:Winterbourne Abbas 43 in a field being ploughed on 19th Apr. Lodmoor Single birds arrived from the Bay on 13th and 16th Aug .

Portland Harbour Single birds moved N across the harbour on 9th Feb and 6th & 18th May. Weymouth 2 arrived at Redcliffe Point from Weymouth Bay on 4th Feb. OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

A reasonable spring passage, with 29 records, 2 of which were of 2 birds.

Christchurch Harbour 2 on 13th Apr, 1 on 6th May. Poole Harbour Singles at Arne RSPB (24th Mar & 5th-7th Apr, with 2 on 5th, and on 6th-8th Jun), Lytchett Bay (5th & 14th Apr and 7th May) and Wareham (5th, 25th & 26th May and 6th Jun). Portland Singles on 3rd, 11th, 12th & 26th Apr and 6th & 16th May.

Also recorded from Abbotsbury (5th & 6th May), Bryanston (23rd Mar), Chard Junction GP Autumn(12th May), passage: Morden Bog (7th & 26th May) and Weymouth (16th May). passedAnother through excellent the autumn, county with (158 at leastbird-days) 4 present . This in Poolecompares Harbour with in last early year’s Sep. The minimum presence of of long-staying individuals makes it difficult to assess numbers. At least 38 different birds increased reporting of long-staying Poole Harbour birds . 42 birds and 117 bird-days, the higher number of bird-days this year probably reflecting

Christchurch Harbour Singles on 25th Aug and 1st & 11th-13th Sep. Morden Bog 2 on 18th Aug, singles on 30th Aug and 9th & 10th Sep. Poole Harbour Up to 4 birds present from 25th Jun to 22nd Oct. Seen most frequently in the Middlebere Channel, either from Middlebere or Arne RSPB Coombe Heath (1 on 25th Jun then numerous harboursightings or from nearby 15th including Aug to 29thLytchett Sep, Bay with (14 maxima dates between of 4 on 29th Aug & 1st Sep). Also reported from other parts of the

27th29th Aug)Jun and . 22nd Oct, with 2 on 27th Aug and 20th Sep). Portland Singles at Ferrybridge (16th & 26th Aug) and at the Bill (18th &

Also recorded from Abbotsbury (11th Sep), Briantspuddle Heath (12th Sep), Burton Bradstock (5th Aug), Fifehead Magdalen (23rd & 30th Oct), Hogchester (nr Charmouth, 8th Sep), Longham Lakes (22nd Oct), Lytchett Matravers (29th Jun), Rodden Hive (3rd & 11th Sep), Stalbridge 2016 Dorset Bird Report 57 (11th Oct), Sturminster Marshall GP (2nd Oct), Todber (12th & 13th Sep), Verwood (24th Aug), ExtremeWest Stour dates: (30th Oct), Weymouth (13th Sep) and Winspit (28th Sep).

23rd Mar at Bryanston and 30th Oct at West Stour. KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Fairly common breeding resident and passage migrant.

Breeding:

Widely reported, although few records of confirmed breeding. Bred at Arne RSPB (2 pairs raised 3 young), Chard Junction GP (1 pair raised 3 young), Coward’s Marsh (3 young), Hengistbury Head (2 young), Morden Bog, Portland (6+ pairs bred successfully), Ringstead Bay, Stanpit Marsh (2 young), Stoborough Heath, The Fleet Bridging Camp (4 young) and Migration:West Bexington.

(2) and 25th Oct (3) . Durlston CP Likely migrants on 28th Sep (2), 3rd Oct (4),th 6th Oct (2), 7th Oct

Hengistbury Head migrants2 heading . SW on 4th Apr, 3 arriving on 6 May, 3 moving E on 7th Oct and 1 flying S on 12th Oct were all considered likely

Poole 1 over Constitution Hill on 7th Oct. RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus Rare passage migrant.

BJ Hill et al Morden Bog 2cy female present around the Old Decoy Pond area from 4th to 8th May ( , photo). MERLIN Falco columbarius Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

First winter period:

In Poole Harbour noted at Arne RSPB & Arne Moors (1 or 2 on several dates up to 20th Mar), Brand’s Bay (9th Jan), Brownsea Island (12th, 13th & 31st Jan and 16th Feb), Godlingston Heath (30th Jan), Hartland Moor (singles on various dates) Lytchett Bay (singles in Jan & Feb), Middlebere (10th Mar), Stoborough Heath (2nd Mar) and Upton CP (2nd Mar). Elsewhere recorded at Bere Heath (24th Jan), Bournemouth (Throop on 5th Mar), Godmanstone (18th Mar), Holt Heath (21st Feb and 20th Mar), Martinstown (4th Mar), Portland (2 bird-days in Jan, 4 in Mar), Puddletown Forest (27th Mar), Stanpit Marsh (2 on 18th Mar), Tarrant Rushton (19th Mar), The Fleet (Cuttcleaves Cove on 15th Jan), Tincleton (8th Mar), Wareham Forest Spring(30th Jan) passage: and Weymouth (Lorton Meadows on 21st Mar).

Lodmoor RSPB (6th Apr), Mudeford Quay (in off the sea on 28th Mar & 2nd May), Portland (8 bird-days in Apr), Rodden Hive (2nd Apr), Stanpit Marsh (2nd Apr) West Bexington (12th Apr) 58and WykeDorset BirdDown Report (2nd 2016 Apr). Autumn passage and second winter period:

Christchurch Harbour Noted on 7 dates in Oct, mainly at Hengistbury Head, with 2 on 53rd in &Nov 6th and Oct 1 and in Dec3 on (on 7th. 7th) Also . 1 at Stanpit Marsh on 22nd Nov. Durlston CP Singles on 30th Sep, then on 18 dates in Oct (2 on 1st, 7th & 9th),

Poole Harbour Arne RSPB & Arne Moors (14th Aug & 7th Dec), Brand’s Bay (27th Nov and 11th & 22nd Dec), Brownsea Island (17th & 29th Oct, 14th & 20th Nov and 17th & 23rd Dec), Hartland Moor (up Heathto 3 during (27th Oct Oct) – Dec),. Lytchett Bay (4th Aug and several dates Oct–Dec), Middlebere (26th Oct & 22nd Dec) and Stoborough

Portland (all sites) 6 bird-days in Sep, 27 in Oct and 8 in Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head Singles on 30th Sep, 7th, 9th and 12th Oct, West Bexington Singles on 25th Aug, 20th, 28th & 30th Oct, 19th Nov and 11th Dec.

Also recorded on one or two dates from Abbotsbury Swannery (21st Oct), Ashmore (2nd Nov), Holt Heath (20th Nov & 18th Dec), Milborne St Andrew (13th Oct), Spetisbury (18th Nov), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (23rd Oct), Upton Heath (14th Dec), Winspit (4th Oct) and Worth RecordsMatravers by (5thmonth: Oct). Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec All sites 26 9 22 13 1 0 0 2 7 77 26 11 Mar May Extreme dates:

2nd May at Christchurch Harbour and 4th Aug at Lytchett Bay. HOBBY Falco Subbuteo Localised breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

toMigrant be the numbersworst year remain ever at low, this forsite example . Only 3 were CHOG recorded recorded at 27Portland bird-days, during well the below autumn the . average of 44 for the last 10 years, and only 3 were recorded at Lodmoor RSPB, considered

Groups of 4 or more were seen at Arne Moors RSPB (7 on 14th May, 11 on 16th May), Hartland Moor (9+ on 12th May, 5+ on 8th Jun) and Morden Bog (up to 7 on various dates Breeding:between 4th May and 27th Jun). Recorded in the breeding season (Jun-Jul) at 41 sites . The population is estimated to be in the region of 30-35 pairs . This species appears to be in decline in Dorset and observers are urged to continue to submit all sightings .

Extreme dates:

2nd May Morden Bog and 11th Oct Lytchett Bay.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 59 PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The population is estimated at 30-35 breeding pairs and appears to be stable and could increase further through the use of tall buildings such as church towers . In Bournemouth the pair on the Lansdowne clock tower started egg-laying on 15th Mar, and 3 chicks were hatched by 26th Apr, all of which fledged successfully. On Portland pairs at The Grove and The Verne raised 1 chick each and another pair bred successfully elsewhere on the island. Dorset Bird Report 2015 . A full report of the long-term survey by Granville Pictor, documenting the species’ growth since its return to Dorset as a breeding bird in 1984, was published in WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Rare Birds Breeding Panel of the BTO estimates the total Dorset population to be at least 184 pairs, based on the 2013 survey of Poole Harbour. Breeding was confirmed at Migration:Lodmoor RSPB (at least 2 pairs), Radipole Lake RSPB (2 pairs) and Stanpit Marsh.

recording on 4th Apr and 8th Aug . Poole Birds flying over Old Town were detected through night sound

Portland 17 were recorded in north Portland between 1st Jan & 23rd Mar and 45 between 13th Oct & 31st Dec. Elsewhere there recordingwere scattered on 11th records, Aug . with a rather late migrant on 1st May. Wareham 1 flying over Stoborough detected through night sound

SiteWinspit maxima: 1 on 31st Oct. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 3 3 2 15 17 7 2 1 4 Lodmoor RSPB 6 5 Mar5 4 May2 1 2 4 3 ChristchurchPoole Harbour Harbour 3 1 2 3 Radipole Lake RSPB 5 3 4 1 2 10+ 5 3+ 11+ 6+ 4+ SPOTTED CRAKE Porzana porzana Scarce migrant.

Lytchett Bay 1 on 19th Sep (S Robson et al) .

CORNCRAKE Crex crex Former breeder now very rare migrant.

Ringstead Bay 1 on 7th Sep (GS Upton) .

60 Dorset Bird Report 2016 MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Common breeding resident. breeding population was higher than usual with at least 9 pairs in the area . Breeds commonly throughout the county, although often inconspicuous. At Lodmoor the Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 6 2 3 12 14 2 2 Lodmoor RSPB 3 Mar1 May 3 1 2 2 1 ChristchurchPoole Harbour Harbour 24 10 10 12 Radipole Lake RSPB 14 11 13 12 9 4 7 11 17 8 11 23 32 21 19 21 32 18 22 Sherborne Lake 15 13 13 3 7 4 6 4 7 20 11 15 Whitemill-SpetisburyThe Fleet 11 25 20 22 22 11

COOT Fulica atra Common breeding resident and winter visitor. recovered to 6 pairs from the previous year’s low of 3-4 pairs . Breeding was confirmed at the usual sites, and at Sturminster Marshall GP the population Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 107 79 19 172 82 195 96 Lodmoor RSPB 89 66 Mar60 57 May17 37 24 86 34 50 19 32 ChristchurchLongham Lakes Harbour 69 61 48 31 23 49 172 189 146 218 286 134 Poole Harbour 138 179 52 Radipole Lake RSPB 128 102 92 66 30 56 85 76 69 127 118 125 The Fleet 409 255 203 50 50 85

CRANE Grus grus Rare passage migrant and winter visitor (some records may relate to the reintroduction schemes at Slimbridge and the Somerset levels).

Hengistbury Head 3 on 16th Nov (I Southworth et al) . P Morton) .

Holton Lee Harbour2 on 5th Maron 3rd ( Oct (CE Richards et al Portland Oct2, an (per adult DBC, and photo) a juv, . flew E over Ferrybridge and Portland DBC) . ); same flew N on 4th

Portland Harbour 4 flew W on 8th Nov (per OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Uncommon breeding resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: in the past 50 years . 5 pairs attempted to nest in west Dorset: at Lodmoor RSPB 2 pairs The species’ status as a breeding bird in Dorset does not appear to have changed significantly

2016 Dorset Bird Report 61 raised 4 young, at Radipole Lake RSPB a pair laid eggs but these were predated, a pair bred successfully in the Little Tern colony at Ferrybridge, and a nest with eggs was found on Chesil Beach. Birds were present during the summer at several other locations but nesting was not confirmed. No serious breeding attempts were made this year at Christchurch Wintering/passage:Harbour, where the species sometimes nests.

Poole Harbour held large numbers at the beginning of the year, with 1,017 in Jan, 779 in Feb and 585 in Mar. Numbers rose again from the autumn, with 699 in Sep, rising to 982 in Dec. The highest site counts were from Arne RSPB, Brownsea Lagoon, Lytchett Bay and Turlin Moor.

Elsewhere the highest count at Christchurch Harbour at the start of the year was 54, in Feb, and the autumn peak was 89 in Aug, falling to a max of 33 in Dec. In Weymouth and The Fleet the highest start-of-year count was 71 in Jan, with autumn peaks of 52 in Aug and Sep and a winter max of 63 in Dec. Inland, large numbers were counted in the Lower Avon Valley when high tides displaced birds from Christchurch Harbour, with a max of 48 in Jan. The only inland records received were of birds heard or recorded overhead at night, with a max of 5 over Old Town, Poole, on 8th Aug. BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Rare but increasing passage migrant.

DBC, photo) . birding information Christchurch Harbour services,2 on 6th May photo) (per . Lodmoor RSPB 1 1st or 2nd summer on 10th May (per D Jones et al, same as above . Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 11th May, remaining until 14th May ( photo),

AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Common winter visitor to Poole Harbour, which is of international importance. Elsewhere, a scarce passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Poole Harbour 500 65 6 3 2 13 41 178 942 Mar May 1,077 1,300 1,705

Counts of 100 or more were made at Arne RSPB, Brownsea Lagoon, Holes Bay, Lytchett Bay, SpringMiddlebere passage: and Upton CP.

Christchurch Harbour 1 or 2 on 7 dates in Mar, 2 on 11th May, 2 on 11th Jun. Lodmoor RSPB 1stSingles Apr on. 12th, 13th, 19th-20th Mar and 27th May. 2 on 5th Jun. Portland 7 flew E off the Bill on 6th Mar and 2 flew E from Chesil Cove on Autumn passage:

Christchurch Harbour Up to 5 on 15 dates during Jul-Nov. Portland 2 flew W off the Bill on 14th Sep; 2 in Portland Harbour on 7th Nov. 62 Dorset Bird Report 2016 STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Rare passage migrant and formerly regular breeding species.

Durlston CP 1 on 10th Oct. Portland Singles at the Bill on 2nd Nov and at Chesil Cove on 4th Dec. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 9th Oct. one on 26th Oct 2012 . The records from Portland were the latest for the island; the previous latest record was of

LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Scarce breeding visitor and uncommon passage migrant.

Breeding: where Dorset is one of its strongholds with an estimated 7-8 breeding pairs according to This species continues to expand its population both nationally and in the south west, the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. Bred successfully at Warmwell Quarry, where 5 birds were bypresent a female on 30th on 29th Mar. Jun3 pairs . 3 young nested, hatched each fledging on 19th 1 Julor 2but young, were raisingpredated a total by 28th of 5 young.Jul . No informationBred unsuccessfully was received at Chard from Junction another GP, site where where a 3male pairs that bred arrived in 2015 on .5th Apr was joined

Spring passage:

Arne Moors RSPB 2 on 25th Mar, rising to 5 on 12th Apr. 3 still present 25th May. Christchurch Harbour 1 or 2 birds on 4 dates between 31st Mar and 24th Jun. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 25th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 31st Mar, 18th Apr, 28th Apr, 30th Apr and 2nd May. Lytchett Bay Up to 3 on 8 dates from 21st Mar to 17th Jun. Portland (all sites) 1 on 25th Mar and 4 bird-days in Apr. Swineham GPs 1 on 15th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 21st Mar.

distinct from the breeding pair . Chard Junction GP 4 on 28th Jul and 1 from 1st-12th Aug, with 2 on 9th Aug, were

Christchurch Harbour 1strong or 2 birds passage on 8 between dates between 13th and 15th 23rd Jul andJul . The11th peak Sep. of 12 on Lytchett Bay 20thUp to Jul 12 was on a 36 record dates count from for 6th the Jul site to . 26th Aug, with a very

26th Aug . PortlandPoole (all sites) 4Singles bird-days over in Old Jul Townand 2 nightbird-days recording in Aug station . on 11th, 12th &

Stalbridge 1 on 14th Sep . StoboroughRadipole Lake RSPB 1Singles heard on overhead 9th, 20th, in night24th &recording 25th Jul. on 11th Aug . Trent 1 at Trent Farm on 16th Jul .

Extreme dates:

Lytchett Bay on 21st Mar and Stalbridge on 14th Sep. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 63 RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: this period saw the loss of most of the population from east Dorset . The Bird Atlas 2007-11 The British breeding population is estimated to have declined by 37% during 1984-2007, and 3 chicks on rough ground beside Portland Harbour near the Sailing Academy and at least 2 pairs confirms that its status as a breeding bird in SW England remains scarce. In Dorset a pair raised submit all records of suspected breeding . nested successfully on Chesil Beach. No other records were received and observers are urged to Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 50 34 41 41 50 2 6 45 78 82 46 56 Ferrybridge/The Fleet 33 20 Mar30 50 May50 10 80 240 250 60 64 25 ChristchurchPoole Harbour Harbour 18 1 11 15 35 2 1 59 58 33 17 64

Spring passage:

Bat’s Head 1 on 11th Jun . Avon Causeway 1 between Avon Causeway and Sopley Island on 8th May.

Christchurch Harbour 50 flew over Stanpit Marsh on 11th May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 26th Feb, then birds present on 14 dates from 19th Apr to 2nd Jun, with max of 9 on 21st May. Lytchett Bay 2At on least 17th 35 Jun birds . passed through on 10th May (a record count for the Bay) and 31 different birds were present the next day.

Portland Bill 1 bird-day in Apr, 4 in May. AutumnSt Aldhelm’s passage: Head 5 on 9th May.

Christchurch Harbour 16thBirds Sep flew and W on16 6through dates between the Harbour 24th onJul 18thand 18th Sep .Sep, with 58 Lytchett Bay Autumnthrough themigration Harbour commenced on 5th Sep, on 25 8th over Jul Hengistbury and continued Head until on 9th Oct .

Portland Bill 2 bird-days in Jul, 23 in Aug, 26 in Sep and 1 in Nov. KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrines Scarce and decreasing passage migrant.

L Chappell) . DBC et al Christchurch Harbour 1 female at Stanpit Marsh on 8th May ( Portland 1 male at Ferrybridge on 1st May (per , photo).

64 Dorset Bird Report 2016 DOTTEREL Charadrius morinellus Rare and decreasing passage migrant.

N Whitehouse) .

Christchurch Harbour 1 flew E at Hengistbury Head on 21st Sep (

This is the first accepted record for the county since a similarly brief visit of one at Christchurch Harbour on 5th Aug 2009. AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis dominica Very rare vagrant.

Lodmoor 1 moulting adult on 21st Sep (IM Stanley et al) .

Only the 4th record for Dorset and, surprisingly, the first in the autumn. GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Winter:

The flock at Maiden Castle rose to 1,000 in Jan and swelled again in mid-Apr to 2,000. 250 had returned by late Oct, rising to 1,500 in mid-Nov, remaining at this number to year-end. Smaller numbers associated with this flock were also seen at Dorchester WMs, Grove Hill Bottom (Martinstown), Lodmoor RSPB, Portland and Winterborne Herringston. Elsewhere SpringTarrant passage:Rushton airfield held 170 on 20th Jan.

Brownsea Island 1 on 15th Sep . Bradford Abbas 150 on 18th Mar.

Durlston CP 17 bird-days 30th Sep -14th Nov, max 4 on 21st Oct. Eggardon Hill 180 on 8th Mar. Poole 1 over Old Town night recording station on 21st Mar. Portland (all sites) 2 bird-days in Mar. Powerstock Common 70 on 4th Mar. Puncknowle 100 on 20th Mar, 22 on 26th Mar. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 31st Mar, 2 on 8th Jun. West Bexington 150 on 15th Mar rising to 400 on 20th Mar. White Sheet Downs 150 on 17th Mar, 65 on 22nd Mar. AutumnWyke Down passage: 100 on 19th Mar.

KingstonChristchurch Russell Harbour 2001 or on2 on 17th 12 datesNov . between 17th Aug and 29th Nov. LodmoorEggardon RSPBHill 2800 on on22nd 24th Sep Nov, . 300 on 25th Nov.

Poole 1 over Old Town night recording station on 10th Aug . Lytchett Bay 3 flew over on 21st Oct and 3 on 28th Oct.

Portland (all sites) 20 were in Portland Harbour on 29th Aug. In addition, there were 3 bird-days in Aug, 3 in Sep, 10 in Oct2016 and Dorset 10 Bird in ReportNov. 65 Rodden Hive 9 on 23rd Oct . StRingstead Aldhelm’s Bay Head 12 on 27th23rd AugSep, . 1 on 23rd Oct.

Wyke Down 150 on 29th Nov. GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 23 6 2 10 3 0 0 1 89 15 9 20 Poole Harbour 172 148 Mar39 3 May13 1 0 1 24 31 33 209 TheChristchurch Fleet/Ferrybridge Harbour 19 8 0 0 8 0 0 5 8 9 7 16

Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 2 N on 11th Apr, 1 E on 22nd Apr, 2 E on 5th May. Lodmoor RSPB 2 from 4th-7th May, up to 5 daily 8th-14th May, singles on 16th May and 23rd-26th May. Poole 2 over Old Town night recording station on 10th Mar. Portland (all sites) 3 bird-days in Mar, 1 in Apr and 108 in May. St Aldhelm’s Head 81 E on 9th May; 3 E on 10th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Singles on 5th and 7th May.

Christchurch Harbour 11 records of birds moving through between 15th Sep and 28th Nov, max 77 W on 21st Sep. Durlston CP 1 on 30th Oct. East Bexington 1 on 4th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 21st Sep, 5 on 22nd Sep, 2 24th Sep – 4th Oct and 1 9th Oct. Lytchett Bay An excellent year with 77 bird-days on 44 dates. 12 were present on 21st Sep, 23rd Oct and 1st Nov. StudlandPoole 5Singles at Shell over Bay Old on Town 15th night Nov . recording station on 20th & 21st Sep. Portland (all sites) 18 bird-days in Sep, 12 in Oct, 31 in Nov and 14 in Dec.

LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Declining breeding resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The BTO Breeding Bird Survey has recorded a 25% decrease nationally in the breeding population in the last 20 years and the Bird Atlas 2007-11

confirms that the species has been lost as a breeder from most of SW England in the last 40 years.

Most of the remaining pairs are in the Poole basin and the Lower Avon Valley, where 9 pairs or territories were found at Avon Causeway, Burton, Coward’s Marsh and Ogber. Breeding pairs (or suspected) were also present at Arne Moors RSPB, Hampreston Meadows, Keysworth, Lytchett Bay, Monkton up Wimborne, Swineham GPs and Winfrith Heath (7 pairs raised 5 juveniles). Observers are urged to continue to send in all records of breeding in the county. 66 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 150 773 1 1 1 27 20 35 277 290 374 686 Poole Harbour 500 646 Mar1 3 May5 45 70 72 58 150 420 TheChristchurch Fleet/Ferrybridge Harbour 205 426 0 0 0 3 9 6 24 75 531 518 1,817 Winter:

In addition to the sites listed above, large flocks gathered in the early part of the year at Avon Causeway (max 500 on 15th Feb), Avon Tyrrell (max 600 on 20th Feb), Dorchester water meadows (max 1,350 on 21st Jan), Lodmoor RSPB (max 340 on 16th Feb), Maiden Castle (max 500 on 17th Jan and 12th Apr), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (max 450 on 18th Feb) and Warmwell Quarry (max 200 on 18th Feb). In the second winter period significant flocks were at Eggardon Hill (300 on 25th Nov), Lodmoor RSPB (573 early Dec) and Maiden Castle Passage:(max 1,000 on 27th Dec).

Durlston CP 7 bird-days between 5th and 28th Oct. StEast Aldhelm’s Bexington Head 1 on 9th4th OctOct. . Portland Bill 4 bird-days in Sep, 61 in Oct, 13 in Nov and 1 in Dec.

White Nothe 2 on 16th Sep. KNOT Calidris canutus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 1 6 2 1 4 5 68 9 3 0 Poole Harbour 22 8 Mar11 4 May3 4 1 4 40 9 6 51 ChristchurchThe Fleet/Ferrybridge Harbour 2 0 0 0 4 0 4 20 3 1 6 1

Poole Harbour continues to be Dorset’s most important wintering site for this species . The

Springflock of passage:51 had gathered on Brownsea just before Christmas.

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 on 11th May, and singles on 15th & 17th. Christchurch Harbour 1 E Stanpit on 22nd Apr, 1 over Hengistbury on 7th May and 4E on 16th May. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 10th-14th & 24th May. Lytchett Bay 1 on 10th May. Portland Harbour 2 on 10th May. AutumnSt Aldhelm’s passage: Head 14 E on 9th May.

Abbotsbury Swannery 5 on 31st Jul, 1 on 15th-17th Aug and 1st-3rd Sep, 3 on 23rd Sep. Ferrybridge on4 on 5th 12th Sep Jul, 1-2 on. many dates 17th Aug-Oct. Hengistbury Head 3 W on 20th Jul, then several including 12 E on 3rd and 68 W

Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 25th Aug, 15th Sep and 22nd Sep. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 67 Lyme Regis 1 on 7th Sep .

Poole Harbour 4 on 28 Jun on Brownsea; 1-2 on many dates there in Aug were Portland Bill 1followed on 17th by Sep a . build-up of wintering as well as passage birds, incl 40 at Middlebere on 20th and 36 at Arne RSPB on 25th Sep.

SANDERLING Calidris alba Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 0 0 1 45 0 6 23 6 12 0 0 Poole Harbour 50 Mar35 May3 0 2 2 2 9 25 43 ChristchurchThe Fleet/Ferrybridge Harbour 1 0 3 2 18 8 15 41 23 8 0 0

Studland in Jan and Bramble Bush Bay in Dec . The biggest counts of the year came, as usual, from the southern end of Poole Harbour: at Spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery Marked passage 2nd-20th May, max 20. Chesil Cove 7 on 8th May. Christchurch Harbour Most records came from Mudeford Sandspit in May, max of 45. Ferrybridge 1 on 2nd, 2 on 30th Apr. Regular in May, max 11, and 8 on 4th Jun. Lodmoor/Preston beach 1 on 11th Apr; 31 from 10th May-4th Jun, max 14. Lytchett Bay Singles on 2nd and 10th May were the 3rd and 4th site records. St Aldhelm’s Head 3 on 6th May; 44 on 9th May. The Fleet 1 on 30 Apr, 3 on 8th May, 5 on 29th May. AutumnWareham passage: Channel 3 on 5th May.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1-5 regular in Aug, 2 on 17th Sep. Brownsea Lagoon 1-2 from 5th Aug-25th Sep, 9 on 1st Oct. Chesil Cove 9 on 29th Jul, 8 on 4th Aug. Ferrybridge 15 on 13th Jul, 8 on 28th Jul, 1-3 regular in Aug, 1-6 regular in Lodmoor RSPB 6Sep, singles max 2326th on Aug-8th 30th; 8 onOct 7th . Oct. LymeHengistbury Regis Head 13 Wfrom on 3rd-6th20th Jul, Sep 4 W . on 11th Sep. South Haven 2 on 23rd Jul .

The Fleet 3 on 17th Jul, 6 on 8th Aug. West Bexington Max 4 on 1st Jul. LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn, and rare winter visitor.

None were recorded in the spring .

68 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Autumn passage:

Brownsea Lagoon 1-2 on 11 dates from 9th Aug-7th Oct . Abbotsbury Swannery 1 juv on 20th Aug.

Christchurch Harbour About 12 on 9 dates from 28th Aug-14th Oct, mostly in Sep. Ferrybridge Singles on 14th & 30th Aug. Langton Herring Singlesto 5 almost on 16th daily & to 18th 27th Aug . and 12th-15th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 1 juv on 21st-25th Aug, 8 on 26th Aug, 5 to 31st Aug. In Sep up Last on 29th Sep . Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 8th, 2 on 15th Aug, then up to 3 almost daily to 10th Sep.

Radipole Lake RSPB number2 on 22nd, of years1 on 24th Aug,. 1 on 15th Oct. West Bexington 2 on 7th & 1 on 14th Sep were the first site records for a Winter Longham Lakes 1 from 29th Nov-5th Dec .

PECTORAL SANDPIPER Calidris melanotos Scarce autumn passage migrant

Sutton Bingham Reservoir 1 on 3rd Sep (T Farr, photo) .

CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn. pickings in 2015 . Always a much appreciated bird in spring, and a bumper autumn following some slim Spring passage:

Ferrybridge 1 on 5th May. AutumnHengistbury passage: Head 1 over on 5th May.

Arne RSPB 1 on 10th Sep . AbbotsburyBrands Bay Swannery 1 adon on11th 17th-19th, Sep . 4 W on 18th, 1 juv on 20th Aug, 1 on 21st Sep.

incl 7 on 16th and 9 on 19th . Finally 7 on 7th Oct . Brownsea Lagoon Up to 5 3rd-25th, with 10 on 27th Aug. 1-5 regular Sep-1st Oct, involving mainly singles but 6 on 15th . In Oct 1 at Stanpit on Christchurch Harbour 2 on 25th, 1 on 29th Aug at Stanpit. In Sep 25 bird-days

8th & 2 on 9th. LytchettFerrybridge Fields RSPB 1582 on bird-days28th Aug, 19th 1 on Aug-30th30th Aug, Nov3 on . 10th Sep, 1 on 20th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 7 on 19th Aug, 1 on 27th Aug, 1-2 10th Sep-11th Oct. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 18th Aug . The max of 9 on 21st Aug was a site record.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 69 PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 14 22 23 1 2 0 0 0 0 3 24 10 13 12 Mar10 13 May7 0 0 0 2 0 9 PooleHengistbury/Mudeford Harbour 3 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 PortlandLyme Regis Bill (The Cobb) 7 8 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 8

Winter:

In addition 1-2 were occasionally attracted to the rocks around Nothe Fort in Weymouth in Nov and Dec. It was one of these that made the short trip across Weymouth Bay to become Extremethe first recorded dates: in the Lodmoor area for 33 years.

20th May and 24th Sep at Lyme Regis. DUNLIN Calidris alpina Common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 220 212 59 190 350 3 19 99 150 161 150 230 Poole Harbour Mar269 42 May236 18 324 423 Christchurch Harbour 209 165 120 60 170 5 150 210 140 45 200 300 2,141 1,561 1,572 1,691 1,526 The Fleet/Weymouth

Lytchett Bay enjoyed its best ever spring incl a count of 236 on 2nd May. Wader watching in Christchurch Harbour continued to be blighted by green algae but nevertheless included 154 through on 11th May. There was something of a county wide arrival of birds in early Aug, with 152 gathered on Brownsea Lagoon. RUFF Philomachus pugnax Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

Wintering:

25thEarly Feb in the . Later year ina series the year of records a bird lingered of mainly in singles Lytchett in theBay Avon until Valley/Christchurch the end of Nov and may Harbour well area culminated in 5 together by Avon Causeway on 2nd Feb. Another was in Studland Bay have been the bird that turned up nearby at Upton CP around Christmas. Isolated records Springcame with passage: 1 W past Hengistbury Head on 14th and 1 at Abbotsbury Swannery on 18th Dec.

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 15th Apr . Holes Bay 1 on 13th Apr, perhaps the same as the South Haven bird. South Haven 1 on 12th Apr . Lytchett Bay 1-2 on 5th-12th May.

70 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Autumn passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 18th, 5 W on 19th Aug, 1 on 5th Sep. Arne RSPB 16thSingles Sep on . See 14th also Sep Lytchett & 22nd Bay Oct. . Brownsea Lagoon About 11 bird-days on 6 dates from 3rd Aug-1st Oct, incl 6 on

Christchurch Harbour 10 birds on 9 dates from 1st Jul-2nd Oct. Lodmoor RSPB About 9 bird-days on many dates from 16th Aug-19th Oct, max 3. RadipoleLytchett Bay Lake RSPB Singles1 on 27th-30th on 10 dates Jun, from1 on 25th21st Aug-15thJul, then near Oct .daily 10th Aug- Rodden Hive 228th on 9thSep, Aug incl . 6 on 14th Sep.

JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

First winter/spring: included some impressive gatherings by Dorset standards . A record count of 7 was recorded An obvious influx early in the year featured birds lurking in 20 widely scattered places. They at West Bexington in early Feb. Another 5 were not far away at Winterbourne Abbas CBs in Mar. But the most productive site of the year was at the other end of the county: 11 were Autumn/counted on second Burton winter:Meadows on 23rd Jan. One lingered at Powerstock Common until 24th Apr. 1-2 were noted from 11 sites from 18th Sep .

SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Scarce breeding resident, fairly common but declining winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: countrySince the and 1968-72 in Scotland Breeding . The Atlas contraction the species is due has toexperienced the loss of a its serious favoured reduction wet marshy in its breeding population in the south of England, although it has increased in the north of the

Wintering/Passagehabitats. In Dorset, no: records were submitted this year of displaying birds. This remains a very widely reported bird in winter and is one of the few wader species that is just as likely to be noted inland. Counts away from the coastal strip included up to 85 on West Knighton Heath, 23 at Sherborne Lake and 15 at Chard Junction GP in Jan. Passage birds start returning in Jul, and by Sep numbers in Christchurch Harbour had built up to 59, with 100 at Lytchett Bay in Oct. There was an obvious arrival later in the year, which helped produce maxima of 180 at Radipole Lake RSPB in Nov and 150 at Lodmoor RSPB in Dec.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 71 WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Bird Atlas 2007-11 established that the breeding range in Britain and Ireland has remain west of Hampshire . In their strongholds in the east of Dorset 6 were noted at Holt contracted by at least 50% since the 1968-72 Breeding Atlas. In SW England, very few pairs Ringwood Forest and Sugar Hill . Heath and another 4 at Moors Valley CP in Jun, with records of 1 to 2 from Pistle Down, First winter period: A good gauge of how many of these nocturnal waders overwinter was provided by an organised count . The co-ordinated survey in Poole Harbour in Feb revealed an estimated wintering population of 25 . Smaller numbers were noted from no fewer than 26 other

Springlocations, passage: with a heavy bias towards the heaths and plantations in the east of the county.

Autumn/secondTwo birds were recorded winter: at the nocturnal listening station in Old Town, Poole in 21st Mar.

Probable migrants passed through Christchurch Harbour, Durlston CP and Portland from mid-Oct to Nov. Subsequently birds were reported from 21 well-scattered sites, including 8 at Merley Park. BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. Some birds over-summer.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 86 25 76 40 18 23 23 26 25 75 70 110 Poole Harbour 673 Mar 519 May205 140 618 Christchurch Harbour Winter: 1,122 1,472 1,031 1,270 1,774 1,703 2,084 station for birds commuting between south-east Dorset and south-west Hampshire . In Jan The largest counts early in the year came from the Avon Valley, which appears to be a feeding

a flock of 450 on 11th had swelled to 1,982 by the next day, with 2,200 there on 30th and Passage:2,500 on 15th Feb.

Spring passage was in line with previous years. The summering/non-breeding flock of up onto 140 5th birdsSep and at the33 atnorthern Radipole end Lake of Poole RSPB Harbour on 17th Sepin Jun were had good swelled totals to 618for both by late sites Jul, . with more than 1,000 in the harbour by Aug. Further west flocks of 34 at Abbotsbury Swannery

72 Dorset Bird Report 2016 BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Spring passage:

HatchBrownsea Pond Lagoon 615 on on 12th 23rd Jun Apr, . 18 on 10th May. Christchurch Harbour 156 bird-days in May, incl 30 E Hengistbury Head on 9th.

Lodmoor RSPB At least 40 from 18th Apr-15th May. Lytchett Bay Dailythe Bill from on 21st1st-9th Apr May, . max 12. Portland 323 bird-days in Apr, 207 in May, max 271 E at Chesil Cove and

St Aldhelm’s Head 97 E on 9th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 4th & 5th May.

HolesChristchurch Bay Harbour 18189 on bird-days 16th Sep in . Sep, incl 36 W on 5th. 120 bird-days in Oct. Ferrybridge Max 43 on 5th Sep.

Lodmoor RSPB Up to 9 juvs to 20th Oct; occasionally also at Radipole Lake RSPB. Lytchett Bay Max 13 on 5th Sep. Winter:West Bexington 1 on 5th Sep.

The regular flock at the southern end of Poole Harbour peaked at 129 in Jan and 138 in Dec. Numbers further west were slightly higher than normal, with up to 20 on The Fleet during Oct-Dec. 1 was in Christchurch Harbour in Jan and Dec. WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Locally common passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

Spring passage:

The fifth successive good spring passage, with the usual distinct pulse in records from late Apr to early May.

Abbotsbury Swannery First on 12th Apr, max 30. EggardonChristchurch Hill Harbour 5First on 23on Apr2nd . Apr, then 330 bird-days in Apr, incl 50 at Stanpit Kimmeridge Bay 12Marsh on 28 on Apr 27th; . 142 in May.

Lodmoor RSPB First on 5th Apr, then about 160 bird-days to 26th May, max 42. Longham Lakes 1 on 3rd May. Lytchett Bay From 8th Apr-5th Jun, max 61 on 29th Apr. Portland 577 bird-days in Apr from 11th, max 292 E on 21st; 147 bird- days in May. St Aldhelm’s Head 50 past from 6th-10th May. The Fleet From 18th Apr-15th May, max 21. West Bay 1 on 30 Apr. West Bexington 163 bird-days in Apr, 70 in May. Max 38. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 73 Autumn passage: Briantspuddle Heath 1 over 25th Aug .

Christchurch Harbour 259 bird-days Jul, 162 in Aug, 31 Sep, max 27. Last 26th Oct. Dorchester 1 flew over Monmouth Road on 23rd Jul. Lytchett Bay From 15th Jul-22nd Sep, max 3. InPortland addition records of 1-2 were40 bird-daysnoted from in a Jul, number 29 in Aug.of other Last coastal on 1st sitesOct. .

Wintering:

A wintering bird was noted during the Poole Harbour WeBS counts in Nov and Dec. CURLEW Numenius arquata Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 shows that the breeding population in England declined by Bird Atlas 2007-11 showed a severe 40-year reduction

31% in the previous 20 years, and the continuein breeding to submitdistribution all records in SW suggestive England, ofwith possible few remaining breeding . in Dorset. Potential nesting birds included 4 pairs at Arne RSPB and 1 on Holt Heath in May. Observers are urged to Wintering: Numbers in Poole Harbour kept increasing from late 2015 into the early months of 2016 . population in Poole Harbour dwarfs counts from elsewhere . However, later in the year numbers appeared to fall after Oct. Nevertheless the wintering Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 15 14 19 2 1 14 42 39 56 46 24 20 Poole Harbour Mar683 117 May 100 100 259 778 919 777 632 TheChristchurch Fleet Harbour 19 3 4 1 3 2 6 1,198 1,195 Spring passage:

Harbour . The Hengistbury Head count was the biggest flock of migrants ever recorded in Christchurch

Hengistbury Head 80 E on 12th Apr . Chesil Cove 4 S on 20th Feb.

Lodmoor RSPB 10 on 11 dates from 4th Mar-22nd Apr. Poole 17 over the Old Town listening station on 7 nights in Mar. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 6 from 24th Feb-11th Apr.

in Sep was the highest for 10 years . Christchurch Harbour In Jun a total of 49 went over on 5 dates. The monthly max of 56 Lodmoor RSPB 8 from 22nd Jun-12th Dec . Cogden Beach 1 on 5th Sep.

74 Dorset Bird Report 2016 COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Fairly common passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.

Winter:

The regular Holes Bay bird lingered from 2015 to Apr, occasionally wandering to Brownsea Lagoon, and was back again in Nov. Elsewhere a second bird favoured the north shore of SpringPortland passage: Harbour Jan-Mar and again in Nov and Dec.

Migrants were noted from 15 locations from 19th Apr-31st May, with the majority passing through by early May. Inland birds turned up at Blandford Forum, Chard Junction GP with Autumna max of 10passage: at Longham Lakes, Morden Bog, Sherborne Lake and Sturminster Marshall GP. Reports came from 18 well-watched patches . 1 at Lytchett Bay on 11 Jun could have been havegoing been either missed way. Return in the past passage, included as ever, a total got of underway 31 sound-recorded in earnest overby Jul, Poole with at peak night counts from lateof 25 Jul-Oct at Ferrybridge, . 18 in Christchurch Harbour and 13 in Lytchett Bay. Some that would

SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularius Rare vagrant - six previous records.

R Harris, DW Helliar et al, photo) . Chard Junction GP 1st winter from Oct 2015 to 5th May (

By the end of its stay it was showing a full set of spots, and had begun displaying to a Common Sandpiper. GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Locally common passage migrant and winter visitor.

First winter period/spring passage:

7 at Holton Lee in Poole Harbour in Feb . Spring passage is often masked by lingering wintering Birds were noted from 19 locations. In most cases records were confined to 1-2, but included birds, but this year there was a distinct movement of birds through Dorset in Mar and Apr. These included 6 at Warmwell Quarry on 20th Apr and the last of the spring on Coward’s AutumnMarsh on passage: 22nd Apr.

The first returnee appeared on the remarkably early date of 2nd Jun at West Bexington. Otherwise birds began appearing in mid Jun, and passage did not gain any real momentum until Jul. The management work at Lytchett Bay appears to be to this species’ liking, and a count of 22 there on 5th Aug was a site record. Counts in single figures were recorded from 20 coastalother locations. strip . Inland birds were noted at Chard Junction GP, Higher Hyde Heath, Puddletown, Sturminster Marshall GP, Warmwell Quarry, and Winterborne Herringston, as well as along the

2016 Dorset Bird Report 75 Second winter period:

Towards the end of the year records were received from 13 locations, including 12 at Bere Regis CBs on 30th Dec. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

Winter: northernOnce again arms Brownsea of Poole Lagoon Harbour was and the birds only could place be to found reach theredouble up figures: to 29th upApr to and 10 againwere occasionally present there in Jan, with 15 in Oct. These birds also liked feeding in the returned on 7th Sep for its 11th year . from 15th Jul. Further east the Stanpit Marsh bird was present from 2015 to 11th Apr and Passage (away from Poole Harbour): Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 19th Aug .

Stanpit Marsh 1 on 23rd Apr was probably additional to the wintering bird. In the autumn singles on 13th & 27th Jul and on 17th & 19th Aug. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Locally common passage migrant and uncommon winter visitor.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 2 3 2 1 5 2 2 1 0 0 Poole Harbour 5 11 Mar5 13 May22 1 15 14 21 29 13 5 Christchurch Harbour Spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 20th Apr & 6th May; 2 on 10th May, 1 on 11th May. Burton Meadows 1 on 24th Apr. Chard Junction GP 2 on 7th May. Chesil Cove 1 on 20th Apr. Christchurch Harbour First was on 19 Mar, then about 10 bird-days from 9th Apr-2nd May. Lodmoor RSPB 5 bird-days from 29th Mar-1st May. RadipoleLongham Lake Lakes RSPB 1 on 27th10th AprMay. . Lytchett Bay A peak count of 22 on 5th May, highest count for nearly 40 years. Autumn passage:

Brand’s Bay Dorset’s first of the autumn on 26th Jun. Brownsea Lagoon Hengistbury2 on 5th Jul, buildingon 11th andup to 4 15over by on 23rd; 12th 21 Sep on . 3rd Sep. Christchurch Harbour Present from 27th Jun-14th Oct, incl 5 on 15th Jul, 3 past Lodmoor RSPB Just 6 from 8th Jul-4th Oct . DurlstonRadipole CPLake RSPB 1Singles on 13th past Oct on . 17th Jul & 1st Oct. Sopley 1 on 9th Sep .

76 Dorset Bird Report 2016 LESSER YELLOWLEGS Tringa flavipes Rare vagrant: nine previous records .

(ID Ballam et al, photo) . Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 first calendar-year bird on 18th Sep, remaining into 2017 and a satisfying reward for the management work that had been carried out during the year . This was the first record for Lytchett Bay, the second for Poole Harbour and the tenth for Dorset,

WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

Spring passage: The Lodmoor bird was Dorset’s earliest ever .

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 18th Apr .

Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 8th May. AutumnStanpit Marsh passage: 1 on 13th May. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 16th Sep .

Hengistbury Head 1 on 14th Sep . LodmoorChristchurch RSPB Harbour 1Described on 6th Aug as .the worst for over 30 years.

Lytchett Fields RSPB Recorded on 24 dates from 18th Aug-19th Sep, max 2. Radipole Lake RSPB Singles on 25th & 30th Jul and 20th Aug. REDSHANK Tringa totanus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 shows that the breeding population in England declined by Bird Atlas 2007-11 showed a severe 40-year reduction

35% in the previous 20 years, and the in breeding distribution in SW England, with few remaining in Dorset. A small population again nested on the salt marsh at Lytchett Bay. A pair also bred nearby on Lytchett Fields, for the third year in a row, and brought off 2 fledged young. The only records from elsewhere Siteinvolved maxima: a displaying pair on Burton Meadows and another pair nearby on Coward’s Marsh. Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 53 91 145 8 26 8 83 120 126 170 75 157 Poole Harbour 715 966 Mar798 96 May 44 157 216 654 664 541 Christchurch Harbour 50 50 60 40 5 14 4 20 55 50 1,144 The Fleet/Weymouth on 2015 . Wintering numbers in Poole Harbour at the end of the year were a distinct improvement

2016 Dorset Bird Report 77 Other records and passage:

Apart from the regular wintering flocks in the south-east of the county and on the Fleet this can be a surprisingly scarce species in Dorset in winter. Dedicated wader watchers at West Bexington, for instance, managed just 2 birds all year. Elsewhere in the west about 22 went through Lodmoor RSPB in the spring, with another 60 in the autumn. TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant - a few non-breeders over-summer.

Site maxima: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 15 13 11 29 3 0 12 10 11 21 18 7 35 32 Mar30 23 May13 6 20 30 50 20 40 41 Christchurch Harbour Ferrybridge/Weymouth

As in 2015, the highest count of the year does not feature in these tables, as the southern end of Poole Harbour attracted the biggest numbers, peaking at 66 in Dec. The totals in the Weymouth area may well have been higher than the figures suggest, because birds moved around a lot in Passage/recordsscattered flocks. Further from west, elsewhere 4 foraged include: on the rocks and Cobb at Lyme Regis in Jan and Feb.

on 29th-30th and 16 on 31st Aug . Abbotsbury Swannery Mainly singles from 2nd-17th May. Autumn records included 5

Brownsea Lagoon 1 from 23rd Jul-5th Aug, 2 on 12th Aug and 14 on 16th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 17th, 18th & 30th Aug. Lyme Regis 3 on 7th May; 13 on 7th Sep & 2 on 24th Sep. Lytchett Bay 2 N on 5th Aug, 1 on 17th Sep. Mudeford Quay 6 E on 6th Apr. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 6th May, 3 on 9th May, 1 on 10th May. The Nothe, Weymouth 10 on 22nd Aug. GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce autumn passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

Ferrybridge 1 S on 26th Jan . HengistburyThe Fleet Head 1 onat Cuttcleaves 7th Feb . Cove from 15th-17th Jan.

POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in spring.

SpringThere were passage: no records from the CHOG area for the first time since 1971.

Portland Bill 2 bird-days in Apr, 71 bird-days in May, incl max of 8 on 6th May and 4 bird-days in Jun. St Aldhelm’s Head 7 E on 9th May. 78 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Autumn passage:

PortlandBranksome Bill Chine 12 on 12th6th Oct, Jul 1. on 6th Nov, 4 on 8th Nov. Chesil Cove Singles on 4th Sep, 17th Sep, 6th Nov, 9th Nov & 17th Nov.

WinterWest Bexington records: 1 on 20th Aug.

Portland Bill 1 on 26th Jan . Durlston CP 2 W on 2nd Jan, 1 on 17th Jan.

Portland Harbour 1 on 16th Mar. ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Locally common passage migrant.

Main coastal sites: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 0 0 0 1 7 0 2 1 1 1 0 0 Portland (all sites) 0 0 Mar1 62 May71 28 13 11 20 6 3 0 Christchurch Harbour Spring passage:

Arne RSPB 1 on 23rd May. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 9th May. West Bexington 1 on 11th Apr. AutumnWeymouth passage: Bay Singles on 10th Apr and 10th Jun.

St Aldhelm’s Head 1 E on 20th Aug . Durlston CP Singles on 18th Jul, 26th Sep, 4th Oct, 9th Oct and 16th Oct.

Weymouth Bay 3 on 19th Aug. LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus Rare passage migrant.

All records: CE Richards (CE Richards) . Chesil Cove 1 first-summer on 11th Jul ( per), 1 JE juv Francis on 20th Aug

West Bay 1 juv found moribund on beach in early Nov ( , photo). GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Uncommon passage migrant and scarce winter visitor.

Main coastal sites: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 1 0 2 0 Mar0 2 May0 0 0 0 2 2 1 0 ChristchurchPortland (all sites)Harbour 14 5 4 69 54 5 8 12 2 2 13 2 Durlston CP

2016 Dorset Bird Report 79 Spring passage:

Chesil Cove Included in Portland totals above, max here of 20 on 28th Apr. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 E on 9th May. AutumnWest Bay passage: 1 on 1st May. Arne RSPB 1 on 2nd Oct . Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 1st Oct . St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 3rd Aug .

Winter records: Studland Bay 1 on 3rd Jan .

KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: The Bird Atlas 2007-11 perhaps related to local changes established in prey that abundance the UK breeding . The colonies population at Portland declined and Purbeck by 44% between 1986 and 2011. Range contraction has been particularly marked in SW England, are significant within the region, but are continuing to decline.

Blackers Hole seenJust 15 . It remainsnests counted unlikely during that the the colony Purbeck will Seabird persist Survey,here in the longerlowest term number unless at productivity this site since improves 1962, andsubstantially no chicks . were

Portland Bill whenAt least up 15to 200 pairs pairs were nested present, . but no fledged young were recorded. There has been a serious decline since the 1970s, Coastal maxima:

Chesil Cove 100 on 2nd Jan. Hengistbury Head 23 W on 9th Jan, 103 W on 16th Nov. West Bexington 40 on 11th Apr. UnusualWeymouth records: Bay 18 on 28th Mar. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 30th Apr .

BLACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus Locally abundant breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

Although nationally the range of the species has contracted since 1968-72, the south of England has seen range expansion in the same period and the species remains abundant in the southern strongholds at Poole Harbour, The Solent and the Thames Estuary.

80 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Abbotsbury Swannery 1 pair nested on the tern island and fledged 3 young. This is attemptbelieved following to be the 2014first ever . breeding record for The Fleet. PooleLodmoor Harbour RSPB A1 paircomplete fledged survey a single of breeding juv, the secondgulls within ever thesuccessful harbour breeding and the

surrounding area recorded a total of 2,589 nests at the Holton 26Bay on islands Furzey in Island the Wareham and 19 pairs Channel at Fitzworth (a near 60% . decline from 2015), 260 pairs on Brownsea Island, 190 pairs on Long Island, Coastal passage:

Chesil Cove 110 from 1st Mar-8th May. LargeDurlston counts: CP 1,700 E on 18th Jul.

Christchurch Harbour 1,105 on 7th Feb; 2,091 on 20th Sep. Corfe Mullen 1,000 on 5th Jan. Dorchester 2,000 on 3rd Mar. Lytchett Bay 1,600 on 30th Jan. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1,000 on 26th Feb and 24th Dec. Ringstead Bay 1,500 on 19th Mar. Swineham GP 1,500 on 19th Aug. West Bexington 1,500 on 8th Jan. Weymouth Bay 3,000 on 16th Feb, 2,000 on 16th Nov. LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

First winter period: Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 18th-23rd Feb .

Bowleaze Cove near2 on 2ndFerrybridge Jan, 1 on on 3rd 4th Jan . and 2 on 4th Jan. Chesil Cove At least 15 different individuals noted 1st-22nd Jan, with 11

Cogden Beach 1 on 1st Jan, 2 on 5th Jan. Durlston CP 8 W on 2nd Jan. PortlandLodmoor Bill RSPB 5Singles on 2nd on Jan 1st, . 2nd & 4th Jan. RingsteadMudeford QuayBay 32 on 2nd3rd Jan,Jan .singles on 5th, 8th & 9th Jan.

West Bexington 1 on 1st Jan and 3 on 4th Jan.

There was a notable storm-driven influx in early Jan, when single birds were also seen on one or two dates at Abbotsbury Beach, Avon Beach, Christchurch Harbour, Holes Bay, Holton SpringLee, Lytchett passage: Bay, Overcombe Corner, Radipole Lake RSPB and Steamer Point.

Lodmoor RSPB 2cy on 3rd Apr . Coward’s Marsh 2cy on 21st & 28th Apr.

Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 21st May. Swineham GPs 1 on 2nd May. Weymouth Bay 1 on 10th & 23rd Apr. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 81 Red-footed Falcon - Morden Bog - 8th May 2016 - Peter Moore

Red-footed Falcon - Morden Bog - 8th May 2016 - Pete Coe

82 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Osprey - Poole Harbour - 19th September 2016 - Simon Kidner

Great Spotted Cuckoo - Portland - 16th May 2016 - Jake Gearty 2016 Dorset Bird Report 83 Autumn passage:

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 4th Sep . Brownsea Island 5 juvs on 10th Sep.

Longham Lakes 1 on 4th & 11th Sep. SecondLytchett winterBay period: 1 juv on 21st Sep.

Durlston CP 3 on 17th Nov, 1 on 7th Dec. Weymouth Bay 1 on 10th Nov, 1 on 22nd Nov. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: has risen to at least 780 pairs according to the Rare Breeding Birds Panel report 2014 . This Since their first UK breeding at Needs Ore Point, Hampshire, in 1968 the UK population

Brownseaincluded an Island estimated 80+pairs 10 pairs in Dorset nested and (up 104 from pairs 3 pairs in Hampshire. in 2015) though suspected to

abandonedinclude displacements due to illegal from egg the collecting Wareham ofChannel. the Black-headed Wareham Channel Gull38 nests colony (down . from 64 in 2015 and 87 in 2008). All nests were

Coastal sites maxima: possibly constitutes a national record count too . The roost count of 1,100 in Feb at Weymouth Bay is not only a Dorset record but quite

Portland Harbour 300 on 28th Jan and 850 in Nov . LodmoorRadipole LakeRSPB RSPB 187170 inon mid-Jul, 31st Oct 150 and in 234 mid-Aug. on 12th Dec .

The Fleet 250 at Butterstreet Cove on 7th Mar. West Bexington 110 in Feb and 34 in Nov. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 1,000 on 27th Jan, 1,100 on 7th Feb and 580 on 28th Nov.

Durlston CP 150 W on 17th Nov. Hengistbury Head Max counts included 162 W on 9th Apr, 148 W on 14th Apr. InlandLodmoor maxima: RSPB 120 E on 12th Mar.

Longham Lakes 104 on 12th Mar. Maiden Castle 80 on 5th Jan, 150 on 27th Dec. Wyke Down 50 on 19th Mar.

84 Dorset Bird Report 2016 COMMON GULL Larus canus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. First winter period maxima: Brand’s Bay 363 on 22nd Feb . Fiddleford 200 on 10th Feb . Lytchett Fields RSPB 100 on 26th Feb . The Fleet 400 at Rodden Hive on 15th Feb .

SecondWest Bexington winter period maxima: 500 on 9th Jan.

Warmwell Quarry 270 on 14th Aug, 700 on 16th Nov and 7th Dec. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 1,000 on 9th & 16th Nov and 24th Dec.

Chesil Cove A total of 110 1st Mar-8th May. Hengistbury Head Max counts 85 E on 4th Apr and 58 W on 16th Nov. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus graellsii Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

The breeding distribution of this species has increased significantly in England and Wales due to the increase in inland nesting on rooftops, Breeding abundance in SW England, apart from the Bristol area, is relatively low. Lodmoor RSPB 1 pair bred locally . Dorchester At least 2 pairs fledged young on rooftops. rooftops in urban areas incl 28 pairs at Stanley Green Industrial Poole Harbour Estate76 pairs . estimated during breeding gull survey, mostly on Portland 3 pairs bred on rooftops .

Coastal passage:

OtherDurlston maxima: CP 24 W on 26th Oct. Brownsea Island 30 on 27th Dec .

Holes Bay 28 on 5th Aug . Coward’s Marsh 25 on 27th Mar.

PuddletownLodmoor RSPB 35 on 30th2nd Mar. Apr . Maiden Castle 20 on 21st Apr.

Radipole Lake RSPB 27 on 2nd Mar. Stanpit Marsh 50 on 4th Aug. Sturminster Marshall GP 25 on 24th Jan. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 30 on 15th Feb and 30 on 23rd Oct. Weymouth Bay 93 on 8th Feb.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 85 Larus fuscus intermedius Uncommon passage migrant. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL All records received of intermedius-types or graellsii/intermedius intergrades:

East Fleet 1 on 5th Apr .

Portland Bill 1 adult on 4th Oct . Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 28th Mar and 2nd Apr, 2 on 11th May.

Radipole Lake RSPB Several on 2nd Mar. TheWest record Bexington at Portland Bill was1 on of an4th individual May. with several characters suggesting Baltic Gull L.f. fuscus L.f. intermedius . Unfortunately it did not carry a ring which would help confirm its origin. As with a few other candidates both here and at Radipole Lake in recent years, an from the northern part of its range cannot be excluded. HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argenteus Locally abundant breeding resident, very common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: only partly offset by the increase in urban nesting . The species remains abundant around There has been a severe decline in numbers at UK seabird colonies over the past 50 years, the coast of SW England.

Poole Harbour areas811 pairs and located38 on Ballard during Down breeding cliffs gull . survey, including 719 in Poole town, port and local industrial estates, 54 in residential cliffs . Portland Harbour 20-50250-300 pairs pairs estimated on buildings, on breakwaters 5 at Verne Common/The. Grove on Purbeck coast 94 nests located during seabird survey between Old Harry and St Aldhelm’s Head .

WinterWest Bexington roosts: 15 pairs in village.

Brownsea Lagoon 1,500 on 23rd Dec. Portland Harbour 2,000 on 19th Nov. OtherWeymouth Counts: Bay 3,000 on 16th Feb, 2,000 on 19th Oct and 3,000 on 9th Nov.

LodmoorChard Junction RSPB GP 288500 onin Nov. 11th Aug . Chesil Cove 1,000 on 24th Jul.

OwermoigneLytchett Bay 7501,000 on on 31st 21st Aug Sep. . Maiden Castle 250 on 21st Apr.

Portland Harbour 1,000 on 14th Aug. Warmwell Quarry 800 on 29th Aug, 900 on 16th Nov and 500 on 14th Dec. 86West Dorset Bexington Bird Report 2016 1,000 on 20th Jul. Larus argentatus argentatus Rare winter visitor. SCANDINAVIAN HERRING GULL

TheRadipole status Lake of arctic-type RSPB argentatus 1 juv/first-winter remained from 2015 to Feb at least. linal variation complicates in Dorset is that of a true rarity. However, those from hasmore added southern argentatus areas ofto Scandinaviathe list of subspecies do occur requiring more regularly. a description C from Jan 2018 . identification, and some are left unassigned to subspecific level. The Dorset Records Panel

YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Very rare breeding resident, locally common passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: Brownsea Island The usual pair successfully raised one young . This is one of only

Spring: two breeding pairs in the UK.

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 4th Apr . Hengistbury Head 1 3cy on 6th May.

Lytchett Bay 1 2cy on 8th May, Single ad on 13th May & 29th May. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 4cy on 2nd Mar, and 1 2cy on 9th May. Autumn:Weymouth Bay 1 ad on 30th Mar. Brand’s Bay 6 on 25th Jul .

East Fleet 1 on 5th Aug . Christchurch Harbour 13 bird-days 26th Jul-13th Sep.

Holes Bay 3 on 25th Jul, 4 on 9th Aug, 1 on 6th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 3 singles in Jul, with 6 in Aug. Lytchett Bay 1-2 on several dates Jul-Nov, max 4 on 15th Sep. Middlebere 9 on 25th Jul. Poole Single juvs W over Oakdale on 1st Aug & 5th Aug. StPortland Aldhelm’s (all Headsites) 148 on bird-days 5th Aug in. Jul, 34 bird-days in Aug and 6 bird-days in Sep. SwanageRadipole Lake RSPB 13 on 8th20th Aug Aug, . 1 on 30th Sep. Swineham Point 4 on 19th Aug .

Winter:West Bexington 1-2 20th Jul-1st Aug.

Brownsea Island 1 on 25th Jan . FerrybridgeBrand’s Bay 21 on 9th Feb& 13th . Jan. Longham Lakes 1 on 23rd Nov .

Middlebere 1-2 in Jan and Feb. Mudeford Quay Singles on 21st Jan and 12th Dec. Weymouth Bay 1 on 8th Feb. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 87 CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Rare but increasing passage migrant and winter visitor.

Just one record this year, the 14th county record: DBC

Portland Bill 1 first-winter at Culverwell on 21st Nov (per , photo). ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

There were probably 7 different individuals in late winter/early spring:

Brownsea Island 1 2cy on 21st Feb .

HolesDurlston Bay CP 1 2cy on 24th28th AprMar. . Hengistbury Head 1 imm flew W on 6th May. Portland Bill 1 2cy on 19th Apr . RadipoleMaiden Castle Lake RSPB 1 1cysub-ad on 23rdon 22nd Nov Apr. .

Stanpit Marsh 1 2cy on 13th Mar. West Bexington 1 ad on 17th Dec. GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Chesil Cove 1 2cy on 26th Jan. GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: declinedAlthough by the 35% species during has 1986-2011 expanded .its range along the south coast of England since 1968, including in Dorset, breeding abundance is relatively low. The UK population as a whole Lodmoor RSPB 1 pair bred locally .

Portland 8 pairs bred on buildings . PortlandPoole Harbour Harbour 10-5028 pairs pairs located, estimated including on the 13 breakwater on Brownsea . Island. Purbeck coast 8 pairs noted during seabird survey (Old Harry to St Aldhelm’s) .

TheMonthly Fleet maxima: Jan 1Feb pair with 3Apr young at theJun BridgingJul AugCamp.Sep Oct Nov Dec Portland Harbour 350 145 200 200 100 100 100 600 650 650 400 160 Mar May

88 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Other counts: Brands Bay 22 on 19th Apr .

Brownsea Island 90 on 24th Sep, 100 on 23rd Dec. RadipoleChesil Cove Lake RSPB 20200 on on 14th 22nd Nov Jul. . Durlston CP 30 on 15th Oct.

West Bexington 51 on 9th Sep. LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Uncommon breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

Many colonies have been lost in England since 1968 and those remaining have poor productivity, due to predation, disturbance, flooding by high tides and poor weather, often despite intensive wardening. Success at the Chesil Beach colony at Ferrybridge – the only one SW England – has been as a result of a RSPB-led project. The colony was declining, with poor productivity, until in 2013 wardens started to ensure eggs were on sand patches to insulate the eggs from cold wind. Hatching success has increased significantly since then. successful year ever for this colony . By contrast in 1992 a total Ferrybridge Aof total55 pairs of 38raised pairs only fledged 4 young 71 . young, representing the most

Spring:

Arne RSPB 2 on 25th Apr and 1 on 28th Apr . Abbotsbury Swannery 4 on 6th May, 2 on 8th May and 6 on 11th May.

Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 20th Apr, 1 on 23rd Apr and up to 6 on several dates 4th- 17th May, with pairs noted prospecting the tern islands. Lytchett Bay 2 on 6th May. Middlebere 4 on 30th Apr. Mudeford Quay Max counts 10 on 28th Apr, 17 on 2nd May & 15 on 3rd May. South Haven 1 on 7th May. AutumnWeymouth: Bay 1 on 28th Apr, 12 on 7th May. Brownsea Island 2 on 23rd Aug .

Christchurch Harbour HampshireA poor autumn . with max count of 3 W on 6th Sep, thought to Poole Harbour 3be on related 5th Aug to (nothe locationfailure of given) the colony . at nearby Hurst Castle, South Haven 2 on 12th Aug .

ExtremeWest Bexington dates: 3 E on 19th Aug.

11th Apr at Portland and 6th Sep at Christchurch Harbour.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 89 BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

Portland (all sites) Christchurch Harbour E9 Non on 5th 6th . May. Autumn passage: 14 bird-days in Apr, max 8 on 23rd; 64 bird-days in May, max 38 Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 2nd Sep . Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 2nd-9th Aug .

Lodmoor RSPB 1 ad on 31st Aug . Christchurch Harbour 1 on 10th Aug. South Haven 1 on 31st Jul . StMudeford Aldhelm’s Quay Head 1Juvs E on on 29th 20th Sep Aug, . 6th-7th Sep and 2nd Oct.

West Bexington 1 E on 28th Aug. WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Rare passage migrant.

L Chappell) .

Mudeford Quay 1 juv on 6th Sep ( SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Very local breeding visitor, passage migrant and scarce winter resident.

Breeding:

The breeding distribution in England reduced by 14% between 1968 and 2011, but the sincecolony the on 2009 Brownsea peak of Island, 263 pairs where is a breeding cause for was concern first confirmedas it is related in 1972, to a new is the type only of predationsignificant for one this in SWcolony England. . Colony sizes are known to fluctuate widely, but the decline

Brownsea Lagoon c200 pairs, but chick mortality was again high due to heavy Coastal passage: predation from Mediterranean Gulls.

PortlandHengistbury Bill Head 296Max bird-dayscounts 58 inE onApr 4th . Apr, 62 E on 5th May, 152 W on 3rd Aug and 343 W on 7th Aug. First winter period:

Ferrybridge/Portland Hbr 3 present from 22nd Jan-23rd Feb . LodmoorChristchurch RSPB Harbour 1Up from to 4 2nd-10th in Jan and Feb Feb. .

Poole Harbour Recorded at various localities incl 3 at Arne on 30th Jan, with up to 8 at Baiter Park and Brownsea Lagoon in early Mar.

90 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Second winter period:

FerrybridgeChristchurch Harbour 1Up on to 6th 5 in Dec Dec. . Durlston CP 1 on 3rd Dec.

Poole Harbour 11 on 24th Nov in Parkstone Bay, with 3 on 15th Dec. Weymouth Bay 1 on 15th Dec. COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Locally common breeding visitor and common passage migrant.

Breeding: as a whole has undergone a possible decline . The colonies in Dorset and Hampshire are the Although the number of colonies on inland waters in England is increasing, the UK population only significant ones in SW England. Brownsea Island c50 pairs . Abbotsbury 50-60 pairs with 115 young fledged.

Coward’s Marsh Herring1 pair in GullMay . and Jun, local breeding suspected but not proven. Lodmoor RSPB 40 pairs, but just c25 young fledged due to predation by local Coastal passage: Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 2 46 593 20 207 503 174 9 Mar May ExtremeChristchurch dates: Harbour

28th Mar at Christchurch Harbour and 4th Oct at East Bexington. ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.

All records: Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 9th Jul and 25th Jul . Brownsea Island Singles on 22nd Jun and 4th Aug .

Chesil Cove 2 on 4th May, 1 on 7th May. Christchurch Harbour 1 W on 6th Sep. Hengistbury Head Singles on 30th Apr, 13th May and 2nd Jun. Mudeford Quay 1-2 from 4th-6th May. Portland Bill 1 from 3rd-6th May; 2 on 5th May. ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Fairly common passage migrant.

Spring passage:

LodmoorChristchurch RSPB Harbour 125 on from 3rd 17thApr . Apr-10th May. PortlandDurlston (allCP sites) 942 on from 15th 3rd Apr. Apr-1st Jun .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 91 Autumn passage:

PortlandChristchurch (all sites)Harbour 129 from from 6th 28th Sep-2nd Jul-29th Oct. Sep . SouthDurlston Haven CP Singles1 on 1st on Oct 1st & Sep15th and Oct. 5th Oct .

OtherSt Aldhelm’s records: Head 1 W on 29th Sep. Brownsea Island 1 on 9th Jul . Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 9th Jul . Poole 1 on 11th Aug sound recorded at the Old Town listening station .

Sterna hirundo/paradisaea

‘COMMIC TERN’ given below: Large movements of Common or Arctic Terns not positively identified to species level are

Portland (all sites) 4,386 E from 2nd Apr-1st Jun. GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

Although there has been a 17% range contraction in England since 1968, overall numbers have increased, and the Dorset colonies appear to be doing well.

Purbeck coast highestThe Purbeck count Seabirdsince systematic Survey found recording 1,020 began adults in onthe breeding1960s . ledges between Durlston CP and St Aldhelm’s Head. This is the systematic count made . Portland Bill A breeding colony of 500+ birds at the Bill was the only Away from the breeding sites:

Hengistbury Head 19A poorE on 7th year. Dec Recorded . in single figures up to 21st May. In autumn, 1 on 3rd Jul then small numbers from 27th Sep, max

RAZORBILL Alca torda Local breeding resident, common winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

Bird Atlas 2007-11) . Although there has been a 17% range contraction in England since 1968, overall numbers in atthe the UK Dorset are thought colonies to . have increased by 59% between 1986 and 2011 ( Breeding distribution in Dorset is largely unchanged from 1968, but numbers have fluctuated

92 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Purbeck coast

Portland Bill AThe breeding Purbeck colony Seabird of Survey c100 birds found at 52 the adults Bill butbetween no systematic Durlston CP countand St madeAldhelm’s this Head,year . a reduction from the peak of 83 in 2015.

Away from the breeding sites:

singles) and in autumn 1 on 18th Aug and further records from Hengistbury Head As with Guillemot, a poor year. Recorded up to 21st May (8

1st Oct, max 7 E on 7th Dec. Uria/Alca sp.

AUKHengistbury sp. Head Recorded in several months but numbers very low . The best

month was Nov with 83 bird-days, max 50 W on 16th. Portland Bill c25,000 birds on 2nd Jan. BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grille Rare winter visitor and passage migrant.

Poole Harbour 1 from 3rd Jan to 18th Feb on most dates . Also 1 off Brownsea

Portland Harbour Singles on 19th Feb and 1st Nov . Island on 31st Mar.

LITTLE AUK Alle alle Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn, and winter visitor.

Hengistbury Head 1 W on 24th Nov. PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Uncommon breeding visitor and scarce passage migrant.

Breeding:

Nationally the species has undergone substantial declines since 2000, perhaps associated andwith up climate-induced to 25 pairs at Portland sea temperature . rises and pressure from fishery. There has been a steady decline in Dorset since the 1950s, when almost 100 pairs nested on the Purbeck cliffs Dancing Ledge The Purbeck Seabird Survey found 1 breeding pair .

and 6th Jul . Portland Bill Breeding not confirmed, but singles present between 12th Feb Other records:

Portland 1 on 18th Dec . PortlandMudeford Bill 1 on 18th25th JanOct. and 14th Aug . Studland 1 on 26th Oct .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 93 ROCK DOVE/FERAL PIGEON Columba livia Common urban breeding resident, also breeding locally along the coast.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 There has been a 37% decline in SW England over the past 20 years, according to the , although the distribution across England as a whole has Largeincreased. counts Resident (40+): on north Portland with 500-1,000 birds present.

BrownseaPoole Harbour Island 200100 on 16th22nd Feb Mar. . PooleLodmoor Park RSPB 10240 on on 28th 9th DecMar. . Puddletown 47 on 25th Jan . Radipole Lake RSPB 80 on 9th Feb .

STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Common, but declining, breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: according to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . The distribution in Dorset has remained largely unchangedThe breeding since population 1968 . The in species the south is present west in has low increased densities by throughout 25% in the the lastcounty 20 . These years, were the only breeding records received .

Arne RSPB 3 pairs bred .

Chard Junction GP 1 pair nested in a Barn Owl box. Christchurch Harbour 3 pairs at Hengistbury Head and 2 pairs at Stanpit Marsh. Merley Park 8 breeding pairs. SpringPortland passage: Breeding confirmed at several sites.

AutumnPortland passage:Bill 11 N on 18th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 20 on 6th Nov. Durlston CP 20 on 6th Nov, 10 on 8th Nov and 12 on 13th Nov. East Bexington 23 on 6th Nov. FlocksPortland above (all sites) 20: 110, mainly S, between 20th Oct and 8th Nov.

SherfordChristchurch Bridge Harbour 2547 on 9th28th Sep Sep. . Martinstown 50 at Ryland’s Barn Farm on 31st Dec.

Wareham Forest 30 at Sugar Hill on 11th Feb. Winterborne Whitechurch 60 on 22nd Apr.

94 Dorset Bird Report 2016 WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . The species remains widespread and abundantThe breeding in Dorset population . in SW England has significantly increased in the last 20 years (47%), according to the

Portland Bill 24 pairs bred . Merley Park 15 pairs bred. Spring passage:

AutumnPortland passage:Heights 290 N on 22nd Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 3,145 bird-days in Nov, max 1,450 on 11th. Durlston 1,410 bird-days in Nov, max 600 on 13th. East Bexington 1,960 on 6th Nov. FlocksHardy Monument above 100 (outside 1,000of peak on migration16th Nov. periods):

LangtonCame Down Herring 5501,000 on on 8th 11th Aug Feb. . LytchettFiddleford Bay 140300 on 22nd6th Mar. Sep .

Portland 128 at Barleycrates Lane on 22nd Sep . Martinstown 500 at Ryland’s Barn Farm on 6th Jan; 800 there on 31st Dec. Puddletown 200 on 18th Dec . Portland Harbour 100 on 4th Mar.

StanbridgeSherborne Castle 100150 on 1st29th Apr Feb. . Spetisbury 100 on 19th Mar. Trent Hill 500 on 15th Jan . TurnworthTarrant Rushton 140 aton Hedge 19th Mar. End Farm on 22nd Apr .

Upton CP 233 on 4th Apr. Wareham Forest 200 on 10th Feb. Witchampton 150 on 25th Mar. COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident.

Breeding: Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . The breeding population in SW England is unchanged from 1995 according to the

2016 Dorset Bird Report 95 Flocks of more than 10:

Fiddleford 22 on 28th Jun . Christchurch Harbour 18 on 15th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 12 on 27th Aug . LytchettFortuneswell, Bay Portland 1520 on 3rd9th Dec.Feb . Puddletown 16 on 25th Sep .

Worth Matravers 12 on 12th Sep. TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Declining breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: eastern England . The BTO Birdtrends site states that current rates of decline will bring the The species’ breeding range has shrunk by 51% since 1968 and is now largely confined to species “close to extinction in the UK within the next two decades”, and itBird is nowAtlas classed2007-11 by . IUCN as globally threatened/vulnerable. The Breeding Bird Atlas 1968-72 found confirmed or probable breeding in 28 10km squares in Dorset, compared to just 3 in the is likely to have been a migrant . The only records in the breeding season away from coastal This year there was no evidence of breeding, as the juvenile at West Bexington on 15th Sep

Coastalmigration migration: sites were single birds at Beaminster on 5th May and at Arne RSPB on 13th May.

from 9th Aug to 7th Sep . Christchurch Harbour 3 singles in spring from 4th May to 3rd Jun; 3 singles in autumn

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 11th May. Portland (all sites) 1 on 17th Apr and 5 in May; 11 singles in autumn. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: A juvenile on 15th Sep.

17th Apr and 29th Oct, both at Portland. RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Uncommon introduced breeding resident

Durlston CP 3 on 28th Mar, 2 on 26th & 28th Oct. Langton Matravers 1 on 10th Mar. SwanageStudland 2Present on 16th all Dec year, . max 8 on 30th Oct; breeding probable but not confirmed.

96 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GREAT SPOTTED CUCKOO Clamator glandarius Very rare vagrant.

Portland Bill A Bentley et al

1 first-summer from 13th May to 16th Jun ( , photo).

The bird largely remained in the Reap Lane and Bill area. This was the first record for Portland and only the third for Dorset, the previous two having been in Mar 1989 and Apr 1994. CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Fairly common, but declining, breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: years according to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . The species is becoming increasingly scarceThe breeding in the west population and north in SWof the England county has . had a major reduction of 78% in the last 20

Recorded in the breeding season from 64 sites this year: Arne RSPB, Ashington, Badbury Rings, Beaminster, Brackett’s Coppice DWT, Briantspuddle, Brownsea Island, Butterstreet Cove, Canford Heath, Chase Woods (2), Christchurch Harbour (2), Corfe Mullen, Corscombe, Coward’s Marsh, Cowgrove (2), Duddle Heath, East Stoke (2), Ebblake, Fontmell Down, Garston Wood, Grange Heath, Hartland Moor, Higher Hyde Heath, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Martinstown, Melbury Abbas, Melbury Beacon, Merley Park, Middlebere, Morden Bog, Oakers Wood, Pamphill, Pistle Down, Poole, Portesham, Portland, Preston/Bowleaze, Puddletown, Radipole Lake RSPB, Rempstone Forest, Ringwood Forest, Rushmore Park, Shaftesbury, Sherford Bridge, Slepe Heath, St Catherine’s Hill, Stanbridge, Stoborough Heath, Stour Valley LNR, Sturminster Marshall, Swineham GPs (2), Tadnoll DWT, Thorncombe Woods, Trent Hill, Turnerspuddle, Migration:Uploders, Upton Heath, Verwood, West Moors and Woolsbarrow.

Portland 24 bird-days in spring . 2 in Jul then 8 bird-days in Aug and a Christchurch Harbour single2 bird-days in Oct in Apr, 10 . in May, 4 in Jun and 1 in Jul.

Extreme dates:

12th Apr and 14th Oct, both at Portland. BARN OWL Tyto alba Scarce breeding resident.

Breeding: of vole abundance and severe winter weather . The population in England appears from the The UK population as a whole is in decline, although subject to fluctuations due to cycles

Breeding Bird Atlas 2016 to have significantly increased in the last 20 years, but this may breedingbe related season to survey . techniques. It is difficult to be certain how many pairs nest in Dorset or whether the population is stable. Reports of all sightings are requested, especially in the

2016 Dorset Bird Report 97 Arne 2 young fledged. Portland Pair reared 3 young at Verne Common.

Other breeding season records were received from Avon Heath CP, Dancing Ledge/Hedbury, Forston, Gussage All Saints, Kingcombe Meadows DWT, Lytchett Matravers, Maiden Newton, Portesham, Portland (Suckthumb Quarry), Sherborne (Shedbush Farm), Stoborough, WinterTarrant Hintonrecords: Down, Winspit, Winterborne Monkton and Wyke Down. Reported from 25 locations throughout the county .

LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Local and declining breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . Since the Bird Atlas 1968-72 there has been a marked contraction The population in England has declined by 57% in the last 20 years, according to the reportthroughout . SW England, including Dorset. Portland provided most of the breeding records, but given the species’ serious decline, more precise locations are no longer given in this Non-breeding records:

Recorded from: Arne Moors RSPB, Avon Causeway, Burton, Christchurch Harbour, Poyntington/Oborne, Throop, Two Riversmeet GC, Verwood and Weymouth. TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common breeding resident.

Breeding: Breeding Bird census data suggests that there has been a decline in the population in since the banning of organochlorine pesticides in the 1960s . The Bird Atlas 2007-11 found England since the early 1970s, although breeding success for each pair has improved breeding pairs in most parts of the county, with absence from only 2 10km squares that had been occupied in 1968-72. In 2016 fledged young were seen during May, Jun and Jul at Arne RSPB (1), Hengistbury (2), Kingcombe Meadows (1), Merley Park (2) and Rylands OtherBarn Farm, breeding Martinstown season records:(1).

Alner’s Gorse, Bridport, Broadstone GC, Chardown Hill, Colehill, Corfe Hills, Corfe Mullen (6), Coward’s Marsh (2), Creech Heath, East Holme (2), Ebblake, Filcombe Farm, Garston Wood, Girdler’s Coppice DWT, Hardy Monument, Iwerne Minster (2), Lorton Meadows DWT, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Merley House, Oakdale, Oakers Wood, Pistle Down, Powerstock Common DWT, Ridge Bottom, Ringstead Bay, St Catherine’s Hill, St Ives (2), Sandford Holiday Park, Sherborne (Shedbush Farm), Sixpenny Handley, South Mead, The Fleet (Littlesea), West Moors (2), Wimborne and Winspit.

98 Dorset Bird Report 2016 LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

Portland Bill 1 on 23rd Oct . Durlston CP 1 on 26th & 27th Oct.

SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Uncommon passage migrant and winter visitor.

Beginning of year / spring passage:

Arne RSPB Arne Moors RSPB Singles on 3rd & 11th Jan, 7th Feb and 2nd Apr. Singles on 3 dates in Jan, 2 in Feb, 1 on 2nd Apr and 1 on 3rd May. Avon Castle 1 on 24th Jan. Burton Meadows 1 on 2nd and 7th Feb. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 21st Jan, 18th Mar, 5th Apr, and 6th & 12th May. EastDancing Burton Ledge 1 on 30th11th JanMar. . HambledonDurlston CP Hill 1 on 3rd1st May.Apr .

LytchettHartland Bay Moor 1 on 11th3rd & Feb 19th . Jan. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 10th May. Portland Bill Middlebere and1 on 2 19th in Jun Jan. . Monthly max of 5 in Jan, 5 in Feb, 5 in Mar, 4 in Apr, 2 in May

Purse Caundle 1 on 24th Feb. St Catharine’s Hill 1 on 12th & 17th Apr. The Fleet 1 at Herbury Gore on 15th May. Wareham 1 on 16th Jan. Wareham Forest 1 on 3rd Mar. White Nothe until1 on 15th16th Jan.Jan . Wimborne area The 2 birds present at Eye Mead NT from Dec 2015 remained

Wimborne St Giles 1 at Down Farm on 13th Mar. AutumnWyke Down passage and end of2 onyear 15th records: Apr and singles on 9th & 16th Jun.

Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 19th Oct & 3rd Nov. Arne RSPB on1 on 8th 7th Nov Aug & 4th Dec.. Christchurch Harbour 1 at Hengistbury Head on 24th & 31st Oct, and 1 in off the sea

FerrybridgeDurlston CP 1 on 9th13 dates Oct and from 20th 9th Nov Oct . to 1st Nov; 2 on 9th & 10th Oct. EastKimmeridge Bexington 1 on 4th9th Oct.Oct . Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 8th Oct .

6 in Nov and 5 in Dec . Portland 1 on 26th Jul; singles on 1st and 14th Sep. Maxima of 9 in Oct,

2016 Dorset Bird Report 99 St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 10th Oct . The Fleet 1 at Rodden Hive on 9th Oct .

West Bexington Singles on 17th Sep and 4th Oct. Weymouth 1 on 4th Nov. Wyke Down 1 on 22nd Nov. NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Fairly common breeding summer visitor and scarce passage migrant.

Breeding: Following a catastrophic decline in range of more than 50% between the 1968-72 and 1988-

The Bird Atlas 2007-11 91 breeding atlases, the species has recovered well, especially in the south of the country. shows that the species has expanded its range in many parts of SW England, including west Dorset, since the 1988-91 atlas.

Breeding was confirmed at Hengistbury Head, where 2 pairs were present, and 2 young in Jun/Jul. Recorded elsewhere in the breeding season from Arne RSPB (78), Avon Heath CP (14), Barnsfield Heath (18), Blacknoll NR (2), Briantspuddle Heath and Culpepper Dish (6), Broadstone GC (7), Canford Heath (38). Clouds Hill (2), Corfe Hills NR (2), Corfe Mullen (4), Dunyeats Heath, (4), Ebblake Marsh (2), Ferndown Common (3), Godlingston Heath (10), Grange Heath (14), Great Ovens Heath (9), Hardy Monument (2), Hartland Moor/Slepe Heath (15), Holt Heath (27), Holton Heath (5), Hurn Forest (10), Lion’s Hill NR (3), Lytchett Bay Heath, Middlebere, Morden Bog (8), Morden Lake, Moors Valley (2), Morecombelake, Oakers Wood/Affpuddle Heath (6), Parley Common (15), Pistle Down, Ringwood Forest (3), Sandford Heath (2), South Heath, St Catherine’s Hill/Town Common (13), Stephen’s Castle NR (3), Stoborough Heath (17), Studland, Tadnoll DWT (16), Talbot Heath, Thorncombe Woods/Duddle Heath (4), Turbary Common, Upton Heath DWT (17), Wareham Forest (Sugar Hill), West Bexington and Winfrith Heath (13).

The total of 405 birds at 46 sites involves all birds seen at a site including churring males, Extremefemales and dates: juveniles.

8th May and 29th Aug, both at Arne RSPB. SWIFT Apus apus Declining breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

The breeding population in SW England has had a major reduction of 61% in the last 20 Theyears, decline according is partly to the associated Breeding withBird lossSurvey of suitable2016. Although nesting stillsites breeding as a result in mostof modern 10km buildingsquares, thetechniques abundance and rates refurbishment are significantly of older lower houses than . Breedingin 1988-91 records in almost were every received square. in 2016 from and Dorchester (screaming party of 7 on 18th Jul) . Blandford Forum, Boscombe (screaming party of 14 on 19th Jul), Briantspuddle

100 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Migration:

in Jul and 91 in Aug . Christchurch Harbour Bird-days: 13 in Apr, 219 in May, 95 in Jun (max 70 on 2nd), 781

Langton Herring 150 on 29th May. LonghamLangton Matravers Lakes 90300 on on 25th 25th and Jun. 200 on 29th Apr . RadipoleLodmoor RSPBLake RSPB 200100 on 23rd2nd May. Jun . Trent 200 on 14th Jul .

Extreme dates:

31st Mar on Portland and 28th Sep at Stoborough Heath. KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

The Waterways Breeding Bird Survey data from 1974-2016 shows that the Kingfisher higherpopulation now declinedthan in the steeply mid-1980s until the. The mid-1980s, breeding range since in when Dorset it seems has contracted to have madeslightly a complete recovery, only to enter another decline from 2008, though numbers are still much since 1968-72, with 3 10km squares in which they were no longer present in 2007-11.

There was only one breeding record submitted in 2016, at Wimborne Minster, where fledged young were seen in the Pamphill/Eyebridge area. Also recorded in the breeding season from Blandford St Mary, Bridport, Christchurch Harbour, Dorchester, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Lodmoor RSPB, Merley Park, Moors Valley, Nunnery Mead, Radipole Lake RSPB, OutsideSherborne the Castle, breeding South season: Mead, Sturminster Marshall GP, Tarrant Crawford and Tolpuddle. Recorded from 58 sites . though still regular in autumn . Regarded as less common than it used to be in Christchurch Harbour,

BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Scarce passage migrant, mainly in late spring and summer. Attempted to breed in 2006.

All records: DBC et al photo) . LodmoorPortland RSPB 1 on 30th14th AprMay at seen the Eightbriefly Kings before Quarry flying (per off DBCN (per ,

, photo).

2016 Dorset Bird Report 101 Woodcock - Christchurch Harbour - 11th November 2016 - Jimmy Main

Hoopoe - Portland - 16th April 2016 - Mark Wright

102 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Nightingale - Corfe Ridge - 30th April 2016 - Peter Moore

Stonechat - Christchurch Harbour - 5th April 2016 - Joe Murphy

2016 Dorset Bird Report 103 HOOPOE Upupa epops Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in spring.

All records:

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Hengistbury on 30th Sep & 1st Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 7th & 8th Apr. Little Cheney 1 on 15th & 16th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 1 N on 27th May. Portland the1 from Bill . 11th-17th Apr was reported from various sites, and Ringstead Bay 1more on 15th than Jul one . bird may have been involved; 1 on 24th Aug at Swanage 1 on 7th-8th Apr .

WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records: Arne RSPB Singles on 19th-20th Sep and 28th Sep .

Cogden 1 on 25th-26th Aug. LodmoorDurlston CPRSPB Singles on 7th1st May,Sep and 26th 9th & 29thOct . Aug and 1st, 18th & 24th Sep. LytchettHengistbury Bay Head 1Singles on 19th on Aug 26th . & 30th Aug, 12th-13th & 17th Sep and 8th Oct.

Parkstone 1 on 29th Sep . PorteshamMorden Bog 1 on 28th26th AprAug. .

Portland 1 on 3rd Apr (the Bill), 1 on 30th Aug-1st Sep (Barleycrates 17thLane), Sep-2nd 1 or more Oct 12th-18th (the Bill) . Sep (Avalanche Road/Coombefield Quarry), 1 from 16th-22nd Sep (Barleycrates Lane) & 1-2 from Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 24th Apr . ShiptonPuddletown Gorge 1 on 2nd8th & Sep 10th-11th . Sep. South Haven 1 on 30th Sep . St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 10th Oct .

West Bexington 2 on 24th-25th, 1 on 26th Aug and 1 on 16th Sep. GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 The population in SW England has remained stable in the last 20 years, according to the . Breeding was confirmed at Arne RSPB (woodland 12 pairs and heaths 6 pairs), Chard Junction GP (juv seen), Hengistbury Head, Higher Hyde Heath DWT (fledged young), Lytchett Bay, Merley Park (2 pairs), Osmington Mills (fledged young), Poole (Constitution Hill - fledged young), Osmington (fledged young), Powerstock Common DWT (fledged young), Sturminster Marshall GP (at least 2 pairs), Warmwell Heath (fledged young)104 Dorset and Bird West Report Bexington. 2016 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common breeding resident and rare passage migrant.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . Breeding As in the rest of the country, the population in SW England has undergone a dramatic increase (128%) in the last 20 years, according to the was confirmed at Arne RSPB (nest with young), Bournemouth (fledged young, Queens Park), Briantspuddle (nest with young), Chard Junction GP (nest with calling young), Hardown Hill (fledged young), Hardy Monument (fledged young), Hibbit Woods DWT (nest with young), Higher Hyde Heath DWT (2 families with fledged young), Holton Lee (fledged young), Lodmoor RSPB (at least 4 pairs in area), Lorton Meadows DWT (nest with young), Lytchett Fields RSPB (nest with young), Merley Park (3 pairs fledged 6 young), Morden Bog (nest with young), Ringstead Bay (fledged young), Stanpit Marsh (pair raised two young), KnightonThorncombe Heath Wood (nest (nest with with young) young), . Tonerspuddle Heath (2 pairs with fledged young), Town Common (occupied nest), Trent (fledged young), West Bexington (1 pair), and West Post-breeding dispersal or migration:

PortlandDurlston BillCP PresumedTotals of 26 post-breeding E & 19 W between dispersal 26th involved Sep and at 7th least Dec. 4 different Poole 3 at Constitution Hill on 7th Oct.

individuals; recorded in every month except May. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Scarce and declining breeding resident.

Breeding: andThe BTOhas subsequentlyBirdtrends 2016 disappeared site states fromthat nationallymany more the of species its former has declined localities significantly . The Rare and rapidly since around 1980; it had already contracted in range from the 1968-72 Atlas, notes that the population is clearly greater than recorded . There were Breedingof breeding Birds in 2016 Panel although has estimated birds werethe 2016 regularly Dorset recorded population at Sherford as 7+ pairs, Bridge although between it no confirmed records

Other13th Mar records: and 16th May, suggesting the bird at least held territory here.

BriantspuddleArne Moors RSPB 1Recorded on 21st Junon 2 . occasions in the breeding season. Arne RSPB 2 present in the breeding season but no confirmed breeding.

KingstonBrownsea Lacy Island 1 on 23rd22nd AugMar. . Holton Lee 2 on 12th Mar. Trent Singles at Trent Farm on 12th Feb and 13th Apr . Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 12th Mar.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 105 WOODLARK Lullula arborea Scarce breeding resident and uncommon passage migrant, forming flocks during winter.

Breeding:

The species has extended its range in southern and eastern England since 1968-72, but in recent the same years period . The hasRare disappeared Breeding Birds from Panel most estimated sites in Cornwall, the 2016 Devon,Dorset Somersetpopulation and as west Dorset. In the eastern parts of Dorset where it still occurs, it has been doing very well between 61 and 257 pairs, noting that felling is creating much suitable habitat. The figure of 257 is based on the 2006 survey, and is still a reasonable estimate.

Higher Hyde Heath 2 families fledged. Holton Lee 3 fledged young on 23rd Jul. South Heath 1 fledged young on 25th Jun. West Knighton Heath 4 pairs, breeding success not known.

Also reported during the breeding season at: Arne RSPB (5 pairs), Avon Heath, Canford Heath, Garston Wood (1 pair), Grange Heath (3 pairs), Holt Heath, Holton Heath (3 pairs), Hurn Forest, Sandford Heath, Slepe Heath, Stoborough Heath, Town Common, Wareham SpringForest and passage: Winfrith Heath.

Hengistbury Head Singles N on 17th, 19th & 30th Mar. AutumnPortland passage: 15 bird-days in Mar with 4 N over Blacknor on 19th.

Christchurch Harbour 1 E on 7th Sep, 1 on 6th Oct, 2 E on 8th Oct, 1 E on 10th Oct and 1 W on 14th Nov. HengistburyDurlston CP Head 2Totals E on of8th 17 and E & 1 11 E on W 10thon 20 Oct dates . 6th Oct-7th Dec. East Bexington 1 W on 13th Nov.

Hillfield Hill 2 over on 14th Oct. Langton Matravers 1 E on 3rd Oct. PooleLodmoor RSPB 1Singles over on NE 6th over Nov Southdown . Ridge on 13th & 21st Oct. PortlandLytchett Bay 92 bird-daysover on 23rd in Oct-Nov Jul, 1 over . on 30th Sep and 1 over on 11th Oct. Ringstead Bay 1 over on 13th Nov . Stanpit 1 on 7th Sep and 1 on 6th Oct .

Winter periods:

Crossways 8 on 29th Dec feeding on maize stubble near old quarry. Lewell 2 on 30th Jan by road to Warmwell Quarry. Wareham Forest 1 on 3rd Feb.

106 Dorset Bird Report 2016 SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Declining breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

shows a 26% reduction in the population since 1995, but boththis is the on number top of a of steady breeding and attempts continuing possible decline and since the theoverwinter mid-1970s. survival The ratemajor due cause to loss of decline appears to be the change from spring to autumn sowing of cereals, which reduces of winter stubble fields. Arne RSPB 2 pairs . Arne Moors RSPB 14 pairs. described as average . Christchurch Harbour 7-9 pairs at Hengistbury Head and 1 at Stanpit Marsh; success Lytchett Fields RSPB 2 pairs . PortlandCogden Beach 30-40Minimum pairs of . 10 pairs with confirmed breeding. Stoborough Heath 2 pairs .

West Bexington Minimum of 11 pairs with confirmed breeding. SpringWest Lulworth passage: Fledged young on 14th Jul.

Durlston CP 2 E on 5th Mar. AutumnLytchett Baypassage: 5 on 25th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 167 bird-days 2nd Oct-3rd Nov incl 38 E on 10th Oct, 50 W on 19th Oct, 29 E on 26th Oct and 17 E on 3rd Nov. Durlston CP 279 W and 583 E 28th Sep-7th Dec incl 102 E on 25th Oct and 98 W on 13th Nov. LodmoorEast Bexington RSPB Total4 W on of 23rd470 overSep, between8 E on 27th 2nd Sep, Oct 94 and E on11th 31st Nov Oct, . 6 W on 6th Poole NovNight and recordings 113 W on of 13th 3 on Nov.29th Oct and 14 on 30th Oct . Portland 148 S between 28th Sep and 14th Nov .

on 28th Oct and 5 on 31st Oct . Ringstead Bay 10 (incl 5 S) on 28th Sep, 15 on 2nd Oct, 10 NE on 23rd Oct, 8

West Bexington/Cogden c100 W on 13th Nov. WinterWinspit flocks (30 or more):12 W on 26th Oct.

Bottom . Martinstown 50 on 6th Jan and 30 on 31st Dec in Grove Hill Bottom/Ridge

Maiden Castle 40 on 27th Dec. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 100 on 15th Nov.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 107 SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Locally common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Bird Atlas 2007-11 found that since the 1988-91 Breeding Atlas there had been marked toIncreases determine in Ireland, long-term Scotland population and northern trends because England of butthe significanttransient nature decreases of the in breedingmuch of southern England, including Dorset. Within the county, as in the rest of the UK, it is difficult colonies. The last reported breeding at Chard Junction GP was in 2013, and the two colonies below appear to be the only current ones in Dorset. However, it is worth remembering that a colony of c6,000-7,000 was found in 1979-80 at a previously inaccessible site near West Knighton, so other colonies could exist undetected.

Christchurch Harbour At Hengistbury Head 30-40 pairs raised at least 150 young. Warmwell Quarry operators105 occupied delayed nest workholes until of which the birds approximately had left . 12 predated. Some birds nested in a pit due to be infilled, thankfully quarry Spring passage (counts of 40 or more):

Christchurch Harbour Best count 40 on 9th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 60 on 2nd Apr, 200 on 18th Apr and 100+ daily 22nd Apr to 5th Swineham GPs 120May on(max 16th 200 Apr on . 24th Apr). Poole Park 40 on 29th Mar. Autumn passage (counts of 100 or more):

Christchurch Harbour 150 on 27th Jun. Jul counts included 136 S on 13th, 1,650 SW on 14th, 220 S on 15th, 185 W on 20th, 230 W on 25th & 135 W on on28th. 19th In Aug,Jul with 100 up on to 10th 150 and daily 250 for on following 14th. 250 two W onweeks 14th . Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 100 on 7th Jul increasing to 200+ on 14th and peaking at 500 Radipole Lake RSPB 200 on 18th Jul . Longham Lakes Peak counts of 100+ on 20th Aug and 250+ on 3rd Sep.

ExtremeWest Bexington dates: 750+ W on 14th Jul.

13th Mar at Sherborne and Trent and 3rd Nov at Lodmoor RSPB. SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: According to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 32% in the last 20 years . At the time of the Bird Atlas 2007-11 the species’ range in England , the population in SW England has increased by and currently appear to be in decline since 2010 . had remained largely unchanged from 1968-72. The UK population has fluctuated over time

108 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Arne RSPB 3 pairs bred .

Hengistbury Head 2 pairs bred at the visitor centre raising at least 10 young . LangtonCoombe Valley-BincombeHerring 10-202 pairs pairs back bred on territory in farm inbuildings barns. . Longham Lakes Fledged young seen . Lytchett Bay Bred at French’s Farm .

Portland 5-10 pairs bred North Portland . ShedbushOvercombe Farm Corner OccupiedNested, details nest . not known. Trent Occupied nest .

West Bexington Minimum of 2 pairs. SpringWeymouth passage (peak counts):10 pairs bred in farm buildings near Wyke Regis.

Christchurch Harbour 1,032 bird-days in Apr-May; peak counts of 130 on 13th Apr, 250 on 20th Apr, 230 on 13th May and 105 on 19th May. GreenlandsDorchester Farm 100300 Non on 15th 17th Apr Apr at . Louds Mill Sewage Farm. Durlston CP 180 on 2nd May.

Lodmoor RSPB In Apr 120 on 16th, 100 on 18th, 200 on 21st and 300 on 22nd; in May 300 on 2nd and 100 on 14th. SherborneLytchett Fields 100 on 9th16th Apr May. . Portland 223 N on 5th Apr, 100 on 14th Apr. Autumn passage (all records of 1,000 or more birds):

Christchurch Harbour 47,191 bird-days Aug-Oct, with peak counts in Sep of 7,790 E on 7th, 1,000 E on 8th, 1,700 W on 12th, 3,500 W on 14th, 29th1,100 . E on 15th, 16,750 W on 16th, 1,200 W on 17th, 1,800 W on 21st, 1,500 W on 24th, 2,500 W on 28th and 1,450 W on

Durlston CP 1,200 W on 30th Sep. East Bexington numbers2,100 E on in 4th comparison Oct. to other years . Portland North Total of 10,500 22nd Jul-21st Oct flying S or SE. Very low

ExtremeWinspit dates: 2,500 on 4th Oct. on19th from Mar the at reportsPortland in and late Langton Dec 2015) Herring and a andsingle 2nd bird Nov was at Westreported Bexington on several and datesCogden along Beach. the In addition a single bird was seen at Canford Magna and Merley on 1st Jan (possibly following coast from Studland to Portland (with one record from West Compton) until 11th Dec.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 109 HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: According to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 23% in the last 20 years . At the time of the Bird Atlas 2007-11 the species’ range in England , the population in SW England has decreased by sincehad remained the 1970s largely led to the unchanged species being from moved 1968-72, from however the green relative to the abundanceamber list in in 2002 the south. and east of the country has declined significantly since 1988-91. The decline noted in surveys Ashmore Occupied nest .

at least 6 well grown young seen on 21st Jul . Canford Heath 38 nests on East Canford Heath estate, minimum 16 active with

Cerne Abbas Nests with young. Dorchester andAt leastPoundbury 2 small (nest colonies building) incl . sites at D’Urberville Close, Herringston Dairy Farm (4 nests), Mill Stream (nest building) Kingston Lacy 9 nests on main house and café . Kingcombe Nests with young at DWT Kingcombe Centre. Portland c50 pairs . StudlandLytchett Bay Occupied10 nests at nests Watery Lane .of which 4 collapsed or destroyed.

Upton Nest building at Sea View Road. SpringWimborne passage Minster (all counts Nestsof 200 with or more young. birds):

Swineham GPs 300 on 16th Apr . Lodmoor RSPB 200 on 14th May. Autumn passage (all counts of 1,000 or more birds):

Christchurch Harbour 25,881 bird-days Jul-Oct incl 1,500 W on 14th Sep, 4,000 on 16th Sep and 7,000 W on 18th Sep. East Bexington 1,800 E on 4th Oct. Old Harry compared1,000 on 25th to other Aug. years . Portland North Total of 4,600 S or SE 13th Sep-21st Oct, very low numbers

ExtremeWinspit dates: 2,500 on 4th Oct.

14th Mar at Lodmoor RSPB and 16th Dec at Burton Bradstock. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica Scarce migrant, mainly in spring and summer.

DBC et al

Lodmoor 1 from 14th-15th May (per , photo).

110 Dorset Bird Report 2016 RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardi Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records: Abbotsbury 2 birds seen intermittently from 15th Dec remaining into 2017 (SA Groves et al, photo) . S Simmonds) . St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 8th Sept (B Pinchen) . Mudeford 1 at Mudeford Spit on 1st Nov (

TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Locally common breeding visitor and fairly common passage migrant.

Breeding:

Bird Atlas 2007-11 Since 1994, Breeding Bird Survey data for the species have shown a severe decrease in England, on top of the decrease already noted since the 1968-72 Atlas. The infound Dorset that was the largely breeding unchanged range had from contracted the 1988-91 by 29% Atlas since . 1968-72. However, most of the 10km squares occupied in Dorset in the first Atlas remained occupied and relative abundance Arne RSPB 2 pairs .

Grange Heath 7 pairs . Garston Wood 1 pair.

Higher Hyde Heath 3 families fledged.

Also reported during the breeding season at Avon Heath, Briantspuddle Heath (up to 4 singing birds), Canford Heath, Coombe Heath, Hardown Hill, Hartland Moor, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Morden Bog, Oakers Wood (5 singing males), Pistle Down, Powerstock Common, Ramsdown Plantation, Ringwood Forest (4 singing males), St Catherine’s Hill, Sopley SpringCommon, passage: Tadnoll, Thorncombe Woods, Tonerspuddle Heath and Upton Heath.

migration for 15 years) . Christchurch Harbour Singles on 14th, 16th, 20th & 24th Apr (the poorest spring

Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 4th & 5th May. AutumnPortland passage (all counts40 of bird-days 10 or more Apr-Jun; are shown): 351 bird-days Aug-Oct.

Christchurch Harbour At least 254 bird-days between 8th Aug and 20th Oct, incl 25 on 26th Aug, 13 on 29th & 30th Aug, 23 on 7th Sep, 21 on 11th Sep, 2410 on 12th25th SepAug and. 32 W on 14th Sep (above 10 year average). LytchettCogden Beach Bay 1571 bird-days between 17th13th &Aug 25th and Aug, 3rd incl Oct 43 . on 24th Aug and Poole

The Old Town listening station recorded 1,083 calls on 20 nights 13th Aug-2nd Oct, with 940 on night of 24th/25th Aug. Portland 351 bird-days in Aug-Oct, max 85 on 25th Aug. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: 17 bird-days 24th Aug-12th Sep.

22nd Mar at Morden Bog and 21st Oct at Portland. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 111 MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: According to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016

, the population inBird SW EnglandAtlas 2007-11 has decreased the species’ by range13% in had the contracted last 20 years. only Because slightly of in the Dorset species’ since long-term 1968-72 decline and the In relative the UK itabundance has been moved in the countyfrom the was green unchanged to the amber from 1988-91 list. However, levels at. the time of the

Arne RSPB c50 pairs in breeding season . Arne Moors RSPB 8 pairs in breeding season.

Christchurch Harbour 7-9 pairs at Hengistbury and 3 pairs at Stanpit. GrangeCoombe Heath Valley-Bincombe 7Display pairs in seen. breeding season . Corfe Castle Display seen at Challow Hill. Holt Heath Bird seen carrying food . LodmoorHigher Hyde RSPB Heath DWT 1Presumed pair may territory. have bred at Redcliff Point . Portland c100 pairs . Radipole Lake RSPB 6 pairs in breeding season . Stoborough Heath 29 pairs in breeding season .

SpringTown Common passage (all counts Presumedof 100 or moreterritory. birds):

Christchurch Harbour 6,363 bird-days 5th Mar to 14th Apr, with 112 on 17th Mar, 5,500 on 18th Mar, 100 N on 21st Mar and 270 on 30th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB 150+ on 15th Mar and 300+ on 18th Mar. AutumnPortland passage (all countsMax of 4,000over 400N at thebirds): Bill and 500 N at Portland Heights on 18th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 10,968 bird-days 7th Sep to 4th Nov. Peak counts in Sep, included 630 W on 14th, 740 E on 15th, 900 W on 16th, 430 W on 17th, 630 W on 18th, 1100 W on 21st and 1,100 W on 28th. In Oct 800 W on 2nd, 440 E on 3rd and 1,400 E on 7th. Durlston CP Portland450 W on Heights 28th Sep. . StPortland Aldhelm’s Head 500Max on2,000 30th S Sepon 30th . Sep at the Bill; 665 13th Sep-15th Nov at

WinterWest Bexington flocks: (20 or morec2,000 birds) grounded on 2nd Oct between West Bexington and Cogden. Abbotsbury Swannery 50 on 28th Dec .

Avon CP 20 onon 25th 6th Jan. Feb and 25 on 29th Feb - these may have been migrants . Broadstone Golf Course 28 on 1st Feb and 39 on 9th Feb. Christchurch Harbour Hill LNR . FramptonCorfe Mullen 2028 on 3rd25th Jan Jan at and Southover 38 on 17th . Dec at Rushcombe and Barrow

112 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lodmoor RSPB

At least 15 present late winter period; 100+ at Redcliff Point in Oct. RingsteadMaiden Castle Bay 2060 on 13th4th Jan. Nov and 16th Dec . Puddletown 20 on 18th Dec near Beacon Corner.

TheSturminster Fleet Marshall GP 7010+ on on 13th 28th Nov Nov at and Herbury 19th Dec. Gore . Tarrant Rushton Airfield 30 on 15th Nov.

Upton CP 30 on 10th Jan. Upton Heath 22 on 10th Jan. Warmwell 70 on 31st Jan. Worth Matravers 20 on 17th Jan. ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus petrosus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: At the time of the Bird Atlas 2007-11 the species’ range in Dorset was unchanged from 1968- 72 . The estimate of c30 pairs at Portland suggests that the current population is healthy .

Charmouth Present in breeding season. DancingChesil Cove Ledge PresentFamily party in breeding on 29th season Jun at .the Chesil Beach storm drain. Christchurch Harbour 4 pairs at Hengistbury Head (3 successful).

Durlston CP Singing bird on 24th Apr. LymeGolden Regis Cap SingingPresent birdin breeding on 7th Apr season. . Lulworth Cove Adult with 3 juveniles on 20th Jul.

WinterPortland counts: c30 pairs, bird carrying food/faecal sac on 22nd Jul.

Christchurch Harbour Max 5 at Stanpit in Feb and 5 at Mudeford on 11th Nov. Durlston CP Max 9 on 5th Mar. Portland Max 18 on 27th Jan. Tyneham and Worbarrow 15 on 3rd Jan. SmallWeymouth numbers also recorded5 elsewhereon 29th Oct along and 18ththe coast Nov .in the Nothe area.

Passage:

28th Sep-7th Dec . Durlston CP 1 E on 5th Mar & totals of 16 E on 8 dates & 16 W on 7 dates Birds recorded by visible migration observers undoubtedly relate to the migrant subspecies A. p littoralis rather than the sedentary A. p. petrosus .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 113 Anthus petrosus littoralis Locally common winter visitor. ‘SCANDINAVIAN’ ROCK PIPIT Arne RSPB 1 on 11th Nov .

Christchurch Harbour Approx 53 bird-days, mainly at Stanpit Marsh, from 1st Jan to Longham Lakes 113th on 3rdApr, Oct max . 6 on 6th Apr; 1 on 27th Oct. Ferrybridge 1 on 16th Mar. on 22nd Feb . Lytchett Bay Common winter visitor until 27th Mar and from 9th Oct; max 8

West Bexington 1 on 22nd Mar. WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Scarce winter visitor and passage migrant.

Numbers reported as increasing to previous levels at Lodmoor RSPB (following a series of habitat created there . DNA from feathers of a bird ringed there on 4th Nov matched that of thelean nominate years). Good subspecies numbers A. spinolettaalso reported spinoletta at Lytchett . Bay, the species apparently liking the

First winter period:

Burton Meadows 2 on 25th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 1 to 3 birds on 16 dates 1st Jan-22nd Apr (usually at Stanpit). HoltonCoward’s Lee Marsh 12 on 25th20th, Feb25th . & 26th Mar (also at Burton Meadows). Dorchester WMs 1 on 8th Mar. Apr (incl some spring plumage birds) . Lodmoor RSPB Up to 3 in early Jan, rising to 7 by mid Feb and 11 on 5th-8th

Lytchett Bay Present until 14th Apr, max 12 on 22nd Feb. Portland Bill 2 on 30th Mar. SecondUpton Heath winter period: 1 on 22nd Feb. Arne RSPB 1 on 11th Nov .

Avon Causeway 1 on 7th Nov. Burton Meadows Singles on 13th, 20th & 28th Nov. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Stanpit on 13 dates 17th Oct-29th Dec. Coward’s Marsh Singles on 13th & 20th Nov and 28th-29th Dec. Kinson Sewage Works 1 on 18th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB year1 irregularly . from 22nd Oct, with numbers increasing to at Longham Lakes Presentleast 11 onby 15thlate Nov,Dec .birds then remaining until the end of the

Lyme Regis 6th2 on Dec the . Cobb on 20th Sep. Lytchett Bay Seen almost daily from 29th Oct until the end of Dec, max 7 on Dec . Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 26th & 29th Nov, 3 on 1st Dec, 2 on 2nd Dec and 1 on 18th .

114Wareham Dorset Bird Report 2016 Singles on 22nd (between Wareham and Ridge) and 23rd Nov YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Fairly common passage migrant. for the future . The excellent autumn totals at Christchurch and especially West Bexington give some hope Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Portland Bill 0 0 0 67 56 3 15 422 547 12 0 0 Mar May Spring passage (all counts of 10 or more birds):

Longham Lakes 12 on 22nd Apr . Christchurch Harbour 77 bird-days 13th Apr-20th May, max 13 on 24th Apr.

AutumnLytchett Baypassage (all counts18 of bird-days 30 or more 15th birds): Apr-6th May, max 4 on 15th Apr.

7th Sep . Christchurch Harbour 1,209 bird-days 13th Jul-2nd Oct, max 95 E over Stanpit on Lodmoor RSPB 80 bird-days 24th Aug-20th Oct . Hartland Moor 30 on 4th Sep.

PortlandLytchett BayBill 9588 onbird-days 25th Aug 6th . Jul-27th Sep, max 10 on 3rd Sep. Middlebere 80 on 1st Sep.

Wool WMs reedbed53 on 6th here Sep. held a sizeable roost during the second half of Aug West Bexington and448 early bird-days Sep which Aug-Sep, peaked with at over a max 500 of birds 207. . In addition, the

Extreme dates:

5th Apr and 11th Oct, both at Portland Bill. Motacilla flava flava Rare passage migrant. BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL

West Bexington 1, along with a second bird not conclusively identified to race, ringed on 26th Aug at reedbed roost; another ringed on 1st Sep. Wyke Regis 1 on 15th Sep. Motacilla flava thunbergi Rare passage migrant. GREY-HEADED WAGTAIL MJ Morse) .

West Bexington A female of this race was seen briefly on 5th Jun ( This is the first sighting for the area.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 115 CITRINE WAGTAIL Motacilla citreola Rare but increasing vagrant to western Europe.

Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 1st Sep (B Spencer et al

, photo).

This is the third record for Dorset, the two previous ones having been at Portland Bill in 2014 and Lodmoor in 2009. A record from Stanpit Marsh in 1966 dates from the days when the Christchurch area was part of Hampshire. GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: Because of a rapid nationwide decline the species was moved from the green to the amber Breeding Bird Survey 2016, listbreeding in 2002, range and in subsequently Dorset appeared to the in UKthe redBird list Atlas in 2007-112015. According to have changedto the only slightly the population in SW England has decreased by 22% in the last 20 years. The known to be larger than indicated by the records . since 1968-72. Very few reports of breeding were received in 2016 but the species’ status is

Christchurch Harbour A pair holding territory did not breed. Longham Lakes Breeding considered probable in the area; 4 present on 19th May. SpringWarmwell passage: CBs Thought likely to have bred.

Christchurch Harbour 1-2 birds in Mar, also Jun and Jul. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 12th Mar. AutumnPortland passageBill (all counts8 bird-daysof 10 or more in Mar, birds): 1 in May and 2 in Jun.

Christchurch Harbour 148 bird-days 23rd Aug-26th Nov, max 16 on 17th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Up to 5 daily, 13th Sep-17th Oct. Portland Bill 3 bird-days in Jul, 35 in Aug, 262 in Sep, 40 in Oct and 4 in Nov. Ringstead Bay 10 on 11th Sep, mainly over White Nothe. AlsoWest recorded Bexington from many sites23 inbird-days winter . 6th Sep-27th Oct, max 7 on 13th Sep.

PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

The UK breeding population has remained relatively stable since 1968-72, and there have been no significant changes in distribution or density in Dorset. Hengistbury 2 pairs bred . Chard Junction GP One carrying food on 12th Jul.

116 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Lodmoor RSPB Fledged young seen in Jun .

Lytchett Bay Territorial behaviour at Turlin Moor. Mudeford 1 pair bred on roof of the Haven Inn. SpringWest Bexington passage (counts of 100Successful and above): breeding reported.

Christchurch Harbour 180 bird-days in Mar, max 135 at Stanpit on 18th. AutumnLodmoor passage RSPB (counts of150 100 roosting and above): in early Mar.

on 7th Oct . Christchurch Harbour 2,434 bird-days 11th Sep-31st Oct, max 340 E at Hengistbury

Durlston CP 2,580 bird-days over 22 dates in Oct, max 535 on 6th; 72 bird- Isle of Portland 150days at in Portland first half Heightsof Nov. on 26th Sep . East Bexington 238 on 4th Oct. Lytchett Fields RSPB Passage peaked in Oct with roosts at several places on site . RadipoleLodmoor LakeRSPB RSPB 150100 overheadon 5th Oct on . 6th Oct; 150 roosting in late Oct and early Nov.

WinterWorth Matravers roosts/flocks above120 40: on 5th Oct.

Dorchester 42 on 8th Jan and 60 on 15th Nov . Coward’s Marsh/Ogber 49 on 4th Jan. Portland 40 in Avalanche Road area on 25th Jan . Poole 100 in town centre on 30th Mar.

Upton CP 44 on 18th Jan. Motacilla alba alba Fairly common passage migrant. WHITE WAGTAIL Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 3 at Stanpit Marsh on 23rd Mar, 2 at Hengistbury Head on 13th Apr and 1 at Stanpit Marsh on 17th Apr. Durlston CP 1 on 29th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 8th Apr, 22nd Apr and 4th May. Longham Lakes Singles on 8th & 11th Apr. Lytchett Bay 11 bird-days 22nd Mar-3rd May. Portland 2 at the Bill on 30th Mar, 1 at Portland Castle on 19th Apr, 2 at Tophill on 30th Apr and 1 at Portland Heights on 12th May. Puddletown Forest 1 on 27th Mar. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 2 on 5th Apr, 1 on 28th Apr and 2 on 4th May.

Briantspuddle Heath 1 on 23rd Sep . BrownseaBournemouth Lagoon 12 onat Stour 16th SepValley . LNR on 20th Oct. Kimmeridge 1 on 2nd Nov .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 117 StPortland Aldhelm’s Bill Head 32 onat PBO 8th Sepon 17th . Sep; 1 on 3rd Nov. Puddletown Forest Singles on 24th Sep, 16th Oct and 29th Oct.

West Bexington 2 on 2nd Oct. WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Irruptive winter visitor.

Another poor year for this species in Dorset; the most recent influx of any size was in Jan 2013. East Holme 1 on 29th Oct . Christchurch Harbour 4 flew in off the sea at Hengistbury Head on 20th Oct.

DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Uncommon breeding resident in the west of the county.

The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 shows that the population in England has declined

2015 . The Bird Atlas 2007-11 highlights the south west as one of the regions where breeding significantly in the last 20 years (39%) and the species was moved from green to amber in thererange washas contracted;a welcome returnthis includes of sightings disappearance at Sherborne from . several 10km squares in Dorset that were occupied in 1968-72. Sadly no definite breeding records were received this year, but

Beaminster/Parnham Singles on River Brit on 25th Mar and 2nd Nov. Chard Junction GP 1 singing male on River Axe on 16th Jan. Kingcombe Meadows DWT 2 at River Hooke on 20th Dec. Lyme Regis 1 or 2 present on River Lim from Jan to Mar, with pair together on 12th Mar. 1 or 2 also on 23rd & 24th Sep. Nottington 1 on River Wey on 7th Dec. Sherborne Castle 1 or 2 on 24th Apr and 6th May. WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common breeding resident.

Breeding: populationThe Wren’s reached current an UK all-time population high estimate in 2015 is. The the Breeding highest forBird any Survey species 2016 and, shows on the that latest the figures, one in ten UK breeding birds is a Wren. The BTO Birdtrends site reports that the BritishBird Atlas 2007-11 populationincluding in in Dorset SW England . There increasedwere 25 singing slightly males in the at last Portland 20 years Bill (15%).and 19 However,successful thepairs at shows that relative abundance had decreased in most of England since 1988-91,

Sitenorth maxima Portland. (counts Successful of 10breeding or more): was confirmed at Chard Junction GP and West Bexington. Alners Gorse 17 in Apr . Arne RSPB 46 counted in a RSPB breeding bird survey .

118 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Beaminster 25 on 25th Mar. FiddlefordChristchurch Harbour 2742 inat HengistburyApr . in early Dec. Dorchester 16 on 17th May. Lytchett Bay 12 on 4th Apr . Garston Wood 34 on 30th Jun. Puddletown area 26 on 29th Dec . RadipolePowerstock Lake Common RSPB DWT 4210 on 30th28th JunMay. . Ringstead Bay 14 on 11th Jun .

Turnworth 16 at Hedge End Farm on 22nd Apr; 11 on 19th May. DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Very common breeding resident.

Breeding: The BTO’s Birdtrends site shows a steady improvement since the low point in the late Breeding Bird Survey 2016 shows that the

1990s, but the species is still amber-listed. The Sitepopulation maxima in (countsSW England of 10 increased or more): slightly in the last 20 years (18%).

Beaminster 22 in Mar. Christchurch Harbour 11 at Wick Fields on 14th Apr; 30 at Hengistbury in early Dec. Corfe Castle 10 at Challow Hill on 24th Apr. PortlandFiddleford 1315 atin SuckthumbFeb and Mar. Quarry on 18th Apr . FromePuddletown Whitfield 1014 onin Dec 18th . Mar. Sherborne area 10 at Trent Hill on 13th Jan .

Upton CP 14 in Mar. ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 The BTO’s Birdtrends site reports a continuing increase in Britain and Europe, and the shows that the population in SW England increased slightly in the last 20 years (18%). The highest breeding population was recorded at Merley Park, where 11 pairs were noted with young. Records at Portland, however, showed some evidence of a Migration:fall in breeding numbers, with only 5 pairs in north Portland.

The peak count at the Bill was 100 on 20th Oct. The table below shows significant counts (10+) from a selection of sites.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 119 Maxima Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Alners Gorse 20 10 Arne RSPB Mar May 20 25 Beaminster area 24 26 Fiddleford area 18 15 21 15 11 Hengistbury Head 27 21 29 14 11 10 18 Ringstead Bay 12 10 Moors Valley CP

NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos Uncommon, declining breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 shows that a serious reduction in the England population has taken place in the last 20 years (48%) . The Bird Atlas 2007-11 showed that the breeding range with a reduction in population density resulted in an estimated 90% decline in numbers overhas contracted the 40-year significantly period . The since BTO 1968-72, Birdtrends with site a 40 says year that change there of is 43%, strong which evidence combined that deer grazing is having a negative effect on Nightingale numbers . Studies have highlighted numbers to promote the heterogeneous vegetation structure that Nightingales need . the benefit of habitat management for this species, involving coppicing and control of deer had been found in 1968-72 and the downward trend appears to be continuing . In Dorset, the species was absent in 2007-11 from the majority of 10km squares in which it

Alners Gorse 1-3 on 13 dates 16th Apr-25th May. Bournemouth 1 at Stour Valley LNR on 1st May, apparently holding territory. Cheselbourne 1 on 25th Apr. Corfe Ridgeway 1 on Challow Hill 23rd Apr-5th May. Higher Hyde Heath DWT 1 on 30th Jun. Ringstead Bay Up to 5 on 8 dates in Ringstead Bay and White Nothe undercliffs Spring passage: 16th Apr-11th Jun, with 5 singing males on 15th May.

Hengistbury Head 1 singing in the Nursery on 19th Apr . PortlandChard Junction Bill GP 1 on 25th21st Apr.Apr .

Autumn passage:

Durlston CP 1 on 25th Aug. ExtremeWinspit dates: 1 on 8th Sep.

16th Apr at Alners Gorse and Ringstead Bay and 8th Sep at Winspit.

120 Dorset Bird Report 2016 BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica Rare passage migrant.

svecica or namnetum Portland DBCA first-summer et al male of the white-spotted form ( ) at the Privet Hedge, PBO on 16th & 17th Apr. (per , photo). toThere belong have to been one orthree other previous of these records forms of. Another male White-spotted female – a well-watched Bluethroat atbird Portland, at the Billall in Mar and Apr 2013; a female during the same period was assumed by association also between 21st Apr & 2nd May 1988 – seems likely to have been White-spotted as well. Most, if not all, other records of Bluethroat in Dorset have been assigned to the red-spotted race. RED-FLANKED BLUETAIL Tarsiger cyanurus Rare vagrant.

(per birding information services et al Portland Bill Adult male trapped & ringed at the Observatory on 25th Oct , photo).

There has been a marked increase in national records over the last decade, and the British total has now passed 180, so this was an overdue first record for Portland. This was Dorset’s third, the previous ones having been at Winspit in 1993 and Durlston in 2011. BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochuros Locally common passage migrant and winter visitor, occasionally breeds.

Breeding:

As far as is known, the species has only ever been an occasional breeder in Dorset. The records from Dancing Ledge, Winspit and Worth Matravers (which may all result from one Bournemouthpair) are a welcome record of1 confirmedsinging male breeding on 10th this Jun year. .

Dancing Ledge Singles on 11th Mar and 6th Apr, apparently on territory. OtherWinspit records: 4 on 5th Jun incl 2 fledged young.

At least 10 were present at Portland during Jan and Feb, and at least 15 during Nov and Dec, at locations including Blacknor, Chesil Cove, Culverwell, Ferrybridge, PBO, Portland Castle, PortlandBird-days: Harbour, PortlandJan HeightsFeb and Tophill.Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec 1 0 3 1 0 0 0 2 1 10 4 2 Portland (all sites) Mar45 17 May7 1 0 1 0 99 Durlston CP The Oct count on Portland10+ included10+ 30 at Portland Heights on 22nd . Elsewhere the15+ records15+ show a strong influx from this date.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 121 Abbotsbury 1 on 11th Dec .

BournemouthArne RSPB 1 aton Southbourne 26th & 27th Oct.on 4th Dec . Ballard Down 2 on 25th Feb, and 4 at Old Harry on 11th Mar.

Bridport/West Bay Singles on 24th Feb, 7th Mar and 25th Oct. Butterstreet Cove 1 on 13th Mar. Cerne Abbas 1 on 8 dates in Jan and 2 dates in Mar. Chapman’s Pool 1 on 24th Oct. Chickerell 2 on 23rd Feb. Christchurch Harbour A poor year with only one long-staying individual. Singles at Hengistbury Head on 4 dates in Mar, and 1 at Wick Fields on 26th Mar. Singles at Hengistbury on 26th Oct and around Lodmoor RSPB 1Mudeford in a garden Sandspit bordering on 9 thedates RSPB in Nov. reserve in late Feb . LonghamDorchester Lakes 1 on 28th6th Jan; Oct 1 . at Poundbury on 13th Nov; 3 on 7th Dec.

Lulworth Cove 1 on 4th & 10th Feb; 3 on 30th Oct. Lyme Regis 1 on 4th Feb; 2 on 25th Feb; 1 on 29th Feb. Lytchett Bay 1 on 6th May. PorteshamMelcombe Bingham 1 on 20th JanNov. . PuddletownPoole 1Singles on 1st on Jan 24th . Oct, 12th Nov and 16th Nov. Sandbanks 1 on 22nd Oct .

Studland 3 on 15th Jan; 1 on 1st Nov. ThorncombeSwanage 1Singles at Sadborow on 29th on Nov 25th and Oct at Peveril. Point on 30th Mar, 19th Dec & 22nd Dec.

Warmwell Quarry Singles on 14th & 21st Dec. West Bexington 1 near coastguard cottages 30th Oct-16th Nov. Weymouth 1-2 in Jan, Feb, Mar and Dec. 1 at Radipole on 26th Nov. Weymouth Bay Also1 at Newton’s 1-2 on 26th Cove Oct on and 6th 3rd Jan. Nov . Winspit 1-2 in Jul, Aug and Sep, perhaps the birds that had bred locally.

Wyke Regis 1 on 21st Jan and 22nd Feb. REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Scarce breeding visitor and fairly common passage migrant.

Breeding: According to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016

(31%) in the 40 years between the 1968-72, theand populationthe 2007-11 in AtlasesEngland . Thehas decreaseincreased was by 28% in the last 20 years. However, the species’ breeding range contracted significantly absent in 2007-11 from several 10km squares in which it had been found in 1968-72 . most noticeable in lowland areas, including much of SW England. In Dorset, the species was

Breeding is now concentrated mainly in the Poole Basin area, especially in Wareham Forest.

122 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Arne RSPB 1 singing male on 22nd Apr and 2nd May; 2 birds present on 24th Apr and 13th May; 6 on 30th Jun; 1 juv on 27th Jul seemed likely to have fledged locally. Fitzworth 1 singing male on 7th May. Morden Bog 1-3 on 5 dates in Apr, incl 1 singing male on 13th & 28th; 3 on 9th & 27th May. Moreton A pair on 6th Jun. Sherford Bridge 1 singing male on 4th & 16th May. Verwood Present at Pistle Down on 10th Apr, near the 2015 breeding site.

PortlandBird-days: remains the principalJan Feb site for migrants;Apr totalsJun perJul monthAug wereSep as follows:Oct Nov Dec Portland (all sites) 0 0 0 191 11 0 0 31 27 1 0 0 Mar May

SpringThe Apr passage total includes (all counts a max of of 5+50 birds/bird-days):on 30th, and the autumn max was 15 on 25th Aug.

5th Apr . Christchurch Harbour 55 bird-days 3rd Apr-6th May, max 6 males at Hengistbury on

Durlston CP 7 bird-days 7th-30th Apr. AutumnTrent passage (all counts7 bird-daysof 5+ birds/bird-days): at Trent Farm, 5th-28th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 38 bird-days 3rd Jul-26th Sep, max 7 at Hengistbury on 18th Sep. Cogden Beach 5 bird-days 24th-30th Aug. Durlston CP 13 bird-days 17th Aug-17th Oct. Langton Matravers 6 on 30th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 5 bird-days 26th Aug-8th Oct, max 2 on 16th Sep. Lulworth Cove 5 on 28th Aug, 1 on 23rd Sep. Martinstown 5 bird-days Aug-Sep. Puddletown 8 bird-days at the ‘Brick-pond’, 3rd Jul-6th Sep. Ringstead Bay since6 on 30th recording Aug, singles began onin 2010 7th, 23rd . & 25th Sep. Rushcombe Bottom LNR 17 bird-days 25th Aug-13th Sep, the highest total at this site

Trent 2 at Trent Farm on 12th & 14th Aug. Stoborough Heath 1 on 4th Sep, 5 on 11th Sep. West Bexington 7 bird-days 24th Aug-8th Oct.

Counts below five were received from Badbury Rings, Ballard Down, Bincombe, Briantspuddle, Bridging Camp (The Fleet), Bulbarrow Hill, Chaldon Herring, Church Knowle, Cowgrove, Durdle Door, East Lulworth, Fontmell Down, Greenlands Farm, Hartland Moor, Holnest, Kingston, Kingston Lacy, Lambert’s Castle, Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere, PC World Drain (Poole), Radipole RSPB, Ridge Moors, Ringwood Forest, Studland, Swanage, ExtremeSwineham, dates Thorncombe,: Upton CP, West Bexington, Winspit and Wyke Regis.

2nd Apr at Holnest and 17th Oct at Durlston CP.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 123 31st August 2016 - Ian Ballam Sedge Warbler - Swineham GPs - Aquatic Warbler - Lytchett Fields RSPB - 27th August 2016 - Peter Moore

Pallas’s Warbler - Portesham - 27th February 2016 - Peter Moore

124 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Pine Bunting - PBO - 25th October 2016 - Nick Hopper Red-flanked Bluetail - PBO - 26th October 2016 - Martin Cade

Red-eyed Vireo - PBO - 14th October 2016 - Nick Hopper

2016 Dorset Bird Report 125 WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Fairly common passage migrant.

Passage:

PortlandBird-days: remains the mostJan productiveFeb siteApr for migrants;Jun totalsJul perAug monthSep wereOct asNov follows:Dec Portland 0 0 0 81 13 0 0 19 101 33 0 0 Mar May The Apr total peaked at 40 on 30th Apr .

Spring passage (all counts of 2+ birds):

Arne RSPB 1 on 2nd & 6th May. Bincombe 1 at Coombe Valley on 26th & 28th Apr. Corfe Castle 2 on Challow Hill on 23rd Apr. HoltChristchurch Heath Harbour 216 late bird-days birds on between 6th Jun 15th. Apr and 8th May. Durlston CP 1 on 29th Apr; 2 on 2nd May.

Lytchett Bay 1 on 21st Apr, 2 on 3rd May, 1 on 6th May. Maiden Castle 2 on 4th May. AutumnRingwood passage Forest (all counts2 nearof 4+ Verwood birds): on 13th Apr, 2 on 29th Apr, 1 on 11th May.

Arne Moors RSPB 6 on 25th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 79 bird-days 8th Aug-3rd Oct, max 7 at Hengistbury on 18th Sep. Cogden Beach 6 on 24th Aug and 12 on 25th Aug. Durlston CP 6 bird-days 27th Aug-1st Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 6 bird-days 14th-18th Sep, max 2 on 17th & 18th Sep. PuddletownLytchett Bay 139 bird-days bird-days 27th 7th Aug-24thAug-17th SepSep, . max 4 on 15th Sep. RadipoleMartinstown Lake RSPB 45 bird-dayson 29th Aug Aug-Sep & 21st . Sep.

Ringstead Bay 22 bird-days 13th Aug-28th Sep, max 5 on 30th Aug. West Bexington 130 bird-days Jul-Oct incl 25 on 24th Aug and 15 on 24th Sep. Winspit 9 bird-days in Sep.

Records below these thresholds were received from Briantspuddle, Bridging Camp – The Fleet, Canford Heath, Chard Junction GP, Coward’s Marsh, Dancing Ledge, Durdle Door, Eggardon Hill, Greenlands Farm, Hartland Moor, Kingston, Langton Herring, Longham Lakes, Lulworth, Lyme Regis, Melcombe Bingham, Middlebere, Morden Bog, Poole, Portesham, St Aldhelm’s Head, Stoborough Heath, Stonehill Down DWT, Studland, Sunnyside Farm, ExtremeSwineham, dates Trent: Farm, Tyneham, Upton CP, Wool, Worbarrow, Wyke Down and Wyke Regis.

12th Apr and 15th Oct, both at Portland Bill.

126 Dorset Bird Report 2016 STONECHAT Saxicola torquatus Fairly common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor. Breeding: According to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016

, the population in England has increased severesignificantly winter the weather last 20 and years loss (55%),or fragmentation although stillof suitable below breeding the peak habitat population . The ofnational 2006. However, there had been a long-term decline between the 1940s and 1990s, probably due to a good season in Dorset for the second consecutive year . breeding population has been rising for the past four years, and this trend was reflected in Arne RSPB 37 pairs .

Badbury Rings 1 pair on territory on 8th & 15th Jun. Briantspuddle Up to 16 in the area incl fledged young in first 2 weeks of Jun. Broadstone GC adults1 pair onfeeding 28th youngMay. and a singing male . Canford Heath Max 20 incl fledged young on 17th May. By 25th May, 13 incl

Corfe Castle area Fledged young on 8th Jul. GrangeCorfe Mullen Heath 193 incl pairs fledged . young at Barrow Hill on 29th May. HengistburyDancing Ledge/Seacombe 58 pairsincl fledged bred . young on 17th May.

Higher Hyde Heath DWT 10 incl fledged young on 1st Jun. Holt Heath 6 incl fledged young on 31st May. Holton Heath 10 incl fledged young on 20th May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 pair fledged at least 1 young. Morden Bog 8 incl fledged young on 31st May. Portland 5 pairs at the Bill and 1 pair at West Wears. Powerstock Common DWT Visiting probable nest site, 18th Apr. StoboroughRingstead/White Heath Nothe 2311 pairsincl fledged . young on 5th Aug. Sopley Common DWT 6 incl fledged young on 6th Jun.

Swineham GPs 2 incl fledged young on 31st Jul. Tadnoll DWT 2 incl fledged young on 17th Jun. Upton Heath DWT 2 incl fledged young on 6th Jun. Wareham Forest Fledged young on 23rd Jun. Warmwell Heath 3 incl adult feeding young on 8th Jul. West Bexington/Cogden 8 pairs. West Knighton Heath 2 incl fledged young on 22nd Jul. Wimborne area 4 at Furzehill on 30th Jun incl fledged young.

Birds were also present in the breeding season at Arne Moors RSPB, Brownsea Island DWT, Challow Hill, Clouds Hill, Corfe Hills, Durdle Door, Durlston CP, Godlingston Heath, Golden Cap, Greenlands Farm, Hartland Moor, Holton Lee, Lower Avon Valley, Lulworth Cove, Middlebere, Moors Valley CP, Norden, Osmington, Puddletown, Radipole Lake RSPB, Redcliff Point, Ridge, Studland Heath, Sunnyside Farm, West Bay, West Moors CP, Winfrith Heath and SpringWyke Regis. passage:

about 20 . Hengistbury Head A clear influx on 24th Mar boosted the resident population to 2016 Dorset Bird Report 127 Autumn passage and winter (counts of 10 and above):

Arne Moors RSPB 30 on 25th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 52 at Hengistbury on 28th Sep; 20 at Stanpit on 20th Oct. Cogden Beach 10 on 25th Aug. Durlston CP Mean Sep day-count 7, max 14 on 30th; mean Oct day-count 23, Lytchett Bay 12max on 50 14th on 21st;Oct . mean Nov day-count 15, max 25 on 1st. Hartland Moor 15 on 4th Sep.

Ringstead Bay 14 on 30th Aug and 11th Sep; 15 on 23rd Sep; 21 on 28th Sep. West Bexington 21 on 24th Aug.

SherfordAs usual, Bridge birds tended. to move away from the heathlands in winter to downlands and farmlands. The highest counts in Nov and Dec were 4 at Durlston, Ringstead Bay and

Saxicola torquatus rubicola

“CONTINENTAL” STONECHAT

Christchurch Harbour: Last year’s white-rumped bird, showing strong characteristics of this subspecies, was back at Whitepits on 8th Mar. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe A rare breeding species and common passage migrant.

Winter:

The wintering bird at Tarrant Rushton Airfield, first seen in Dec 2015, was last seen on 15th Breeding:Feb; the next record at this site, on 25th Mar, was assumed to be a spring arrival. The population declined dramatically in lowland areas throughout the country since the 1950s and is now found only occasionally as a breeding bird in Dorset . Although it had been found in several 10km squares in Dorset in the 1968-72 Breeding Atlas only 3 in 2007-11 . No records were received indicative of breeding in 2016 . , it was suspected in Migration: where totals per month were as follows: The autumn passage was poor at many sites. The principal site for migrants is Portland, Bird-days: Jan Feb Apr Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Portland Bill 0 0 303 927 146 3 2 788 242 7 0 Mar May 1,360

SpringThe maximum passage: counts at Portland were 100 on 31st Mar and 320 on 7th Aug.

StoboroughChristchurch Heath Harbour 23437 on bird-days 19th Apr 17th . Mar-11th May, max 110 on 30th Mar. Durlston CP 20 on 29th Apr.

West Bexington/Cogden 89 bird-days Mar-May. 128 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Autumn passage:

Christchurch Harbour 748 bird-days 10th Aug-24th Oct, max 94 on 16th Sep. Ringstead Bay 27 on 30th Aug, 34 on 1st Sep, 31 on 11th Sep and 37 on 16th Sep. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 28 on 4th Sep. The Fleet 24th111 at Sep the . Bridging Camp on 14th Aug. West Bexington/Cogden 247 bird-days Jul-Nov, with reports of c100 on 24th Aug and Extreme dates:

Excluding the wintering bird at Tarrant Rushton, the extreme dates were 13th Mar and 5th Nov, both at Portland Bill. Oenanthe oenanthe leucorrhoa Scarce late spring and autumn passage migrant. GREENLAND WHEATEAR Portland 5 at Portland Heights on 14th Sep .

Ringstead Bay Singles on 20th Apr and 6th May.

Single birds were also noted at Baiter Park, The Fleet and Winspit in Sep and Oct. RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Scarce passage migrant, especially autumn.

This set of records is consistent with those of recent years . All records are listed .

Spring passage:

Chickerell 1 on 11th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 7 bird-days between 30th Mar & 30th Apr, all singles. EggardonDurdle Door Hill 2Singles on 25th on Apr 23rd . Mar & 30th Mar. FontmellDurlston CPDown 12 on 3rd2nd AprMay .

Stoborough Heath 1 on 18th Apr . Portland 21 bird-days between 13th Mar-end of Apr Autumn passage: Abbotsbury 9 on 8th Oct .

BlackArne RSPB Down 182 on on 8th 8th Oct, Oct 1 . on 15th Oct and 3 on 18th Oct. Ballard Down 1 on 3rd Oct, 5 on 11th Oct.

Chapman’s Pool 1 on 15th Oct. DurdleChristchurch Door Harbour 1511 onbird-days 9th Oct between . 26th Sep and 12th Oct, max 4 on 14th. Cogden Beach 1 on 20th Oct. Holes Bay 1 on 6th Oct . Durlston CP 119 bird-days between 3rd Oct-8th Nov, max 18 on 8th Oct. 6th Oct . Lodmoor 9 records involving 12 birds between 9th-30th Oct. Max 3 on 2016 Dorset Bird Report 129 Lulworth Cove 10th1 on 12thOct (2) Oct, and 3 on 20th 14th Oct & . 15th Oct. LytchettPoole Bay 1 onat Oakdale8th Oct. onNocturnal 29th Oct migrants . Nocturnal recorded migrants on 3rd recorded Oct, 8th at Oct,Old

7th Oct (2) and 8th Oct (2) . Town listening station on 2nd Oct (3), 4th Oct (3), 3 6th Oct (3), Puddletown Forest 2 at Brick Pond on 11th Oct . RadipolePortland Lake RSPB 4150 on bird-days5th Oct . between 1st-31st Oct, max 30 on 8th.

South Haven 2 on 12th Oct . Sopley Cemetery 2 on 2nd Nov.

St Aldhelm’s Head 28 bird-days 7th–13th Oct. Max 7 on 7th and 8th. West Bay 1 on 28th Oct. Winspit Singles on 6th, 16th & 20th Oct. ExtremeWyke Regis dates: 1 on 15th Oct.

22nd Mar at Portland Bill and 8th Nov at Durlston CP. BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. sound recording in Poole has provided good insight into the scale of nocturnal migration . Almost 4,000 records were submitted of our commonest thrush. The adoption of nocturnal Breeding: Over the last 20 years there has been a slight (20%) increase in the breeding population in

AutumnSW England passage and the and species winter: is abundant and widespread across the county. Poole At Old Town listening station 712 nocturnal calls were recorded

on 28th Oct, 300 on 29th Oct and 500 on 30th Oct. FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor and passage migrant. headlands were particularly low . All counts of 100 or more listed. Overall a poor year; numbers seen on migration at coastal Beginning of the year and spring passage (counts above 100): Badbury Rings 320 on 3rd Jan .

FiddlefordBlandford Forum 100180 onat Down 28th Jan Farm . on 13th Mar. Came Down 150 on 11th Feb.

Melcombe Bingham 150 at Dorsetshire Gap on 22nd Mar. Puddletown 120 on 25th Mar. Sydling St Nicholas 200 on 16th Mar. 130 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Trent 100 on 21st Jan .

AutumnWareham passage Forest and end of 200year: at Sugar Hill on 9th Feb.

Fiddleford 120 on 28th Dec . Arne RSPB Up to 150 during the first two weeks of Nov. Trent 150 on 31st Oct . Martinstown 100 on 12th Dec.

WykeExtreme Down dates: Good numbers in Nov and Dec, peaking at 380 on 31st.

12th Apr at Maiden Castle and 17th Sep at Moors Valley CP. SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant. but as with other thrushes nocturnal migration was best illustrated by sound recordings . Almost 2,000 records of this species were submitted. Autumn passage was generally poor Breeding:

Although there was a serious (54%) decline in the UK population from 1970-2010, the last 20 years have seen a recovery in most regions, including a 17% increase in SW England. The species is relatively abundant across Dorset, especially in the east. Reports of breeding pairs included Arne RSPB (17), Briantspuddle (4), Christchurch Harbour (c15), Garston Wood Autumn(8), Grange passage Heath and(2), Lytchettend of year: Bay (12) and Radipole Lake RSPB (1). Lytchett Bay 164 nocturnal calls recorded on 3rd Oct . 100 grounded on 5th Oct .

th Oct . PortlandPoole Bill 1001,544 on nocturnal 25th Oct calls. recorded at Old Town listening station on South Haven 2984th Oct,N on 1045 5th Octon 28th. Oct and 2,000 on 30

REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor and passage migrant. each season . The use of nocturnal recording demonstrated large movements in each season . All sites recording more than 100 or more are published, together with their max count in Beginning of year and spring passage:

CanfordFiddleford Magna 100150 on 16th2nd Jan. Jan . Corfe Mullen 200 on 2nd Mar.

Lytchett Bay 204 nocturnal calls recorded on 12th Mar and 140 on 21st Mar. TrentPoole 1001,351 on nocturnal 21st Jan . calls recorded at Old Town listening station on 10th Mar, 532 on 12th Mar and 384 on 21st Mar.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 131 Upton CP 100 on 9th Jan. Wareham Forest 300 at Sherford Bridge on 22nd Mar. West Compton 150 on 10th Jan. AutumnWinfrith Heathpassage DWT and end of300 year: on 25th Feb. Athelhampton 260 on 15th Dec .

Charmouth 550 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 30th Oct. FiddlefordCorfe Mullen 160202 on 26th24th DecDec. . HoltonDurlston Lee CP 1001,255 on N 26th on 30th Dec Oct.. Lytchett Bay 317 nocturnal calls recorded on 31st Oct .

Poole 402 nocturnal calls recorded at Old Town listening station on Martinstown 200 on 30th Dec. Portland Bill 924 bird-days from 4th Oct to end Nov . Puddletown 6th100 Oct,on 19th 631 Decon 8th . Oct and 3,256 on 28th Oct. South Haven 295 N on 7th Oct and 269 N on 12th Oct . Thorncombe 150 at Sadborow on 12th Oct . Trent 400 at Trent Farm on 31st Oct .

Extreme Dates:

12th Apr at Maiden Castle and 2nd Oct at Old Town, Poole. MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

was750 unremarkable records were . submitted to BirdTrack, a little up on 2015, from a wide geography. However the number of post breeding flocks of greater than 10 fell and autumn migration Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . Breeding The species has declined alarmingly throughout England and Wales over the last 20 years, with a 47% reduction in SW England according to the numbers in 2016 were somewhat higher than the previous year and this increase is reflected Bayin Dorset. (1) and Records Sherford of Bridgebreeding (2) pairs . Observers this year are were urged received to continue from: toArne send RSPB in all (2), breeding Chard Junction GP (1), Garston Wood (1), Kingcombe Meadows DWT, Longham Lakes (1), Lytchett

Post-breedingseason records andflocks sightings of 10+: of post-breeding flocks. Athelhampton 30 on 24th Sep .

FiddlefordAvon Causeway 1310 on 12th5th Jun. Aug . Corfe Mullen 16 on 4th Aug.

Puddletown Forest 10 at Beacon Corner on 25th Aug.

132 Dorset Bird Report 2016 CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding: The Rare Birds Breeding Panel has estimated the Dorset population at a minimum of 184 breeding pairs . This number arises from casual reports of a species recovering since cold winters at the turn of the decade . The Panel considers the population to be much greater than this number. At least 137 singing birds were reported, compared to 102 in 2015. Abbotsbury Swannery (1), Arne RSPB (4), Burton Meadows (1), Canford Bridge (1), Canford Magna (1), Corfe River (1), Christchurch Harbour (5), Cogden Beach (5), East Stoke (4), Higher Hall (1), Holton Lee (1), Lodmoor RSPB (48), Longham Lakes (7), Lorton Meadows DWT (5), Lytchett Bay (9), Merley Hall Farm (1), Moors Valley CP (2), Radipole Lake RSPB Migrants(19), Swineham and dispersal: GPs (16) and West Bexington (6).

Portland Bill 1 trapped & ringed on 13th Nov. GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.

Breeding: The species has been lost as a breeding bird from most of southern and central England

2since present the first on the Breeding last date Atlas . This of 1968-72follows reports and it is of now possible only anbreeding occasional nearby breeder at Lodmoor in Dorset. in 20151 held . territory at Horselynch plantation, Weymouth from 20th Apr to 17th Jun, with

Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 21 bird-days between 13th and 30th Apr. Max 5 on 13th Apr. Coombe Valley 1 on 1st May. Durlston CP 1 on 19th Apr. Langton Matravers 1 on 19th Apr. LytchettLodmoor Bay RSPB 14 on 27th19th Apr& 1 on. 20th Apr. PortlandLorton Meadows Bill DWT 211 on bird-days 23rd Apr. in Apr . Radipole Lake RSPB Singles on 9th and 19th Apr .

AutumnWinspit passage: 1 on 19th Apr.

The ringing data from Lytchett Bay and Durlston CP gives some indication of the actual passage through Dorset as opposed to field sightings of this notoriously unobtrusive species.

Christchurch Harbour 21 bird-days between 25th Jul and 28th Sep, max 3 on 18th Sep. Durlston CP 10 bird-days between 28th Jun and 28th Sep, max 3 on 27th Lytchett Bay 42Aug. bird-days In addition between 102 were 14th trapped Jul and & 18th ringed Sep during . This the was autumn, largely max 10 on 7th Sep.

down to a record total of 18 on 27th Aug. In addition, 41 were trapped & ringed. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 133 Portland Bill 21 bird-days from Jul to 7th Oct . Melcombe Bingham Singles on 1st Sep and 28th-29th Sep. Trent 1 at Trent Farm on 14th Jul . Puddletown Forest 1 at Beacon Corner on 26th Oct.

West Bexington Singles on 22nd Jul and 29th Aug. ExtremeWinspit dates: 1 on 14th Sep.

9th Apr at Radipole Lake RSPB and 28th Oct at Beacon Corner, Puddletown. AQUATIC WARBLER Acrocephalus paludicola Globally threatened and red listed. Breeds mainly in Poland, Belarus and western Russia, migrating through Holland, Belgium, and when the weather is right, southern England in autumn.

ID Ballam et al Observers’ names withheld) . Lytchett Bay 1 first-year on 31st Aug ( , photo). Undisclosed location 2 trapped & ringed on 14th Aug ( SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . Reports of multiple breeding pairs There has been a slight decrease of 12% in the SW England breeding population over the last 20 years, according to the were received from Christchurch Harbour (no survey), Lodmoor RSPB (27+), Radipole Lake SpringRSPB (11+), passage: Sturminster Marshall GP (2) and Swineham GPs (3).

Christchurch Harbour 30 bird-days between 11th & 30th Apr, max 15 on 28th Apr. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 51 bird-days from 12th Apr to end of May.

Portland Bill 569 bird-days from Jul to 24th Sep . Christchurch Harbour 625 bird-days between 22nd Jul & 14th Sep, max 150 on 25th Jul. Trent 50 on 11th Aug . The Fleet 40 at Cuttcleaves Cove on 30th Jul. Extreme dates: 3rd Apr at Lodmoor RSPB and 8th Oct at Lytchett Bay .

PADDYFIELD WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola Very rare vagrant.

Only the third record for Dorset, all of which have been discoveredObservers’ in mist names nets. withheld) .

Undisclosed location 1 trapped & ringed on 19th Sep ( 134 Dorset Bird Report 2016 BLYTH’S REED WARBLER Acrocephalus dumetorum Rare autumn passage migrant - five previous records.

Portland Bill 1 on 6th-8th Oct (per DBC et al, photo) . have been found in mist nests at Portland Bird Observatory . The three previous autumn records fell between 27th Sep & 12th Nov. All 6 county records

REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

This species breeds widely across Dorset and has increased in some parts of the county, especially the north, over the last 40 years. Multiple singing males were reported from Arne RSPB (7), Chard Junction GP (5), Christchurch Harbour (17+), Cogden Beach (17), Fiddleford (c8), Hatch Pond (2), Langton Herring (3), Lodmoor (68), Longham Lakes (14), Lytchett Bay (c80), Studland (3), Swineham GPs (53+), Upton CP (11), Warmwell Quarry (4) Springand West passage: Bexington (23). Portland Bill 104 bird-days from 23rd Apr to end of Jun .

Autumn passage: Portland Bill 41 bird-days from Jul to 23rd Oct .

Extreme dates: 3rd Apr at Lodmoor and 31st Oct at Trent Farm .

ICTERINE WARBLER Hippolais icterina Rare migrant, mainly in autumn.

Portland 1 at Sheet Quarry on 25th Sep (per DBC et al

, photo). MELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

IM Lewis et al, photo) . Portland Bill 1 on 16th Aug (per DBC et al, photo) . Durlston CP 1 trapped & ringed on 26th Jul (

BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common breeding visitor and passage migrant; also uncommon winter visitor.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 were located at Lytchett Bay where has shown15 years that ago the it was species described has increased as an ‘occasional in SW England breeder’ by . 128% in the last 20 years. This expansion is reflected in Dorset; for example 13 territories

2016 Dorset Bird Report 135 Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 311 bird-days between late Mar and mid-May. Portland Bill 1,545 bird-days during Mar-Jun. AutumnPortland passage:North 150 recorded between 2nd Apr and late May.

Charmouth 70 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 2nd Oct. Christchurch Harbour 421 bird-days between 13th Aug and 9th Nov; the lowest since Sep2007, and but 10th following Oct . 2015’s best autumn for 15 years. PortlandDurlston CPBill 871731 bird-days betweenduring Jul-Nov 26th Sep . and 14th Nov; max 65 on 30th Portland North 310 recorded between 12th Aug and late Nov .

Winter:Winspit Max counts of 40 on 14th Sep and 42 on 4th Oct. gardensWintering at birdssome timewere during reported the from season 33 . Theresites across were many Dorset, more but records this under-represents in Jan and Feb than the true status of this species as a wintering bird, which probably now occurs in most urban in Nov and Dec, but that may partly reflect increased observer effort in that period. GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Local breeding visitor and fairly common passage migrant.

Breeding:

In line with the rest of SW England, there are indications that the species has declined in recent years, especially in the north and west of Dorset. Likely breeding birds were recorded at Alners Gorse, Bonsley Common, Coombe Heath, Creech Heath, Garston Wood (2 pairs), Hibbit Woods DWT, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Longham Lakes, Powerstock Common DWT, SpringRadipole passage: Lake RSPB (1 pair), Rocksmoor, Sturminster Marshall GP (2 territories) and Trent.

Christchurch Harbour 14 bird-days between 12th Apr and 7th May. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 8 bird-days in Apr and 40 In May.

Christchurch Harbour 45 bird-days between mid-Jul and 23rd Sep. SmallPortland numbers Bill were recorded2 bird-days at many other in Jul, sites 3 in .Aug, 14 in Sep and 1 in Oct.

Extreme dates:

8th Apr at Trent and 14th Oct at Durlston CP.

136 Dorset Bird Report 2016 LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca curruca Fairly common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: This species is widely distributed in the county and at the time of the Bird Atlas 2007-11 observers have noted reduced numbers since then and records are still requested for all there had been no significant change in breeding abundance since 1968-72. However, some migrants and breeding birds. Breeding reported from Cogden Beach, Hengistbury Head, Lodmoor RSPB (2 pairs), Portland North (2 pairs), Portland Bill (the first recorded breeding Springfor that passage:area), Radipole Lake RSPB (3 pairs), Ringstead Bay, and West Bexington.

Christchurch Harbour 10 bird-days between 17th Apr and 17th May. Lodmoor RSPB Migrants present from 14th Apr with max of 7 on 23rd Apr. Portland Bill 26 bird-days in Apr and 4 in May. AutumnPortland passage:North Total of 45 between 13th Apr and late May.

PortlandChristchurch Bill Harbour 123 in bird-days Aug . 7 bird-days between in 28th Sep Jul. and 23rd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Migrants present almost daily from 8th Aug to 10th Sep.

ExtremePortland Northdates: Only 6 recorded, from 6th Aug.

10th Apr at Alners Gorse and 26th Oct at Middlebere. Sylvia curruca blythi Rare autumn migrant. SIBERIAN LESSER WHITETHROAT Highcliffe 1 from 21st Oct until 20th Nov (P Morrison et al) .

and 29th Oct-21st Nov (per DBC et al Portland Singles trapped blythi & ringed at PBO on 9th Oct, 11th-19th Oct , photo). These 3 were confirmed as via mtDNA testing carried out by Dr Martin Collinson of Aberdeen University. WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: This species breeds widely across Dorset and there has been little change in its distribution or abundance over the last 20 years. Counts of breeding pairs/territories came from Hengistbury Head (7-8), Langton Herring (15), Lodmoor RSPB (8), Lower Avon Valley (7+), Portland North (30), Ringstead Bay (13), Radipole Lake RSPB (1), Stanpit Marsh (4) and Sturminster Marshall GP (2).

2016 Dorset Bird Report 137 Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 150 bird-days from 9th Apr to 13th May. Durlston CP 35 on 30th Apr. Portland Bill No reports of exceptional migrant numbers. AutumnPortland passage:North Total of 123 bird-days between 13th Apr and late May.

Christchurch Harbour 485 bird-days from mid-Aug to 8th Oct, with max of 85 on 25th Aug. PortlandDurlston NorthCP TotalSmall ofnumbers 39 bird-days (max between4) from 14th 6th AugAug andto 15th 17th Aug. Sep . Portland Bill No reports of exceptional migrant numbers. Extreme dates:

29th Mar at Lyme Regis and 15th Oct at Durlston CP.

The graph below shows the variation in bird-days at Christchurch Harbour since 2000.

DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Dorset is one of the UK strongholds for this species. The range has extended westwards thankssince 1968-71, to high quality and abundance and highly has protected increased. habitat Although . The national there has Rare been Birds a setbackBreeding in Panel the west of the county since the cold winters of 2010 and 2011, the population is recovering estimates the Dorset population to be at least 473 pairs, an increase of 49 since 2015 but still significantly lower than the 754 pairs found in the 2006 survey. 138 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Autumn passage and end of year:

Durlston CP 5 bird-days between 19th Jan and 30th Apr; 44 bird-days between 17th Jul and 14th Nov with a max of 3 on 28th Oct. Ferrybridge Singles on 16th Jan, 25th Feb and 4th Mar. Portland 1 at the Bill remaining from 2015 to 12th Mar. Also at the Bill 1 on 13th Aug, 3+ 21st-22nd Oct and 1+ 3rd-4th Nov; 1 at Verne Common on 12th Oct. Stanpit Marsh 8 bird-days between 15th Oct and 11th Dec.

Single birds also reported on one or two dates from Redcliff Point, Ringstead Bay, The Fleet (Cuttcleaves Cove) and West Bexington. “WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER” Sylvia cantillans iberiae/inornata Very rare passage migrant.

birding info Portland services1 first-summer et al male trapped & ringed at PBO on 13th Apr, relocated to East Cliffs 16th-17th Apr (per , photo). SUBALPINE WARBLER sp . Sylvia cantillans sp.

Sylvia inornata/cantillans/subalpina (per DBC Portland 1 male on West Cliffs 5th Oct not specifically identified between , photo). GREENISH WARBLER Phylloscopus trochiloides Very rare passage migrant.

DBC et al DBC et al Portland Bird Observatory 1 ad trapped & ringed on 18th Jun (per , photo); 1 first-year on 22nd Aug (per , photo). PALLAS’S WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Rare autumn passage migrant - has overwintered.

Portesham 1 from 25th Feb to 28th Apr (G & C Whitby et al DBC et al , photo). Portland Bird Observatory 1 trapped & ringed on 23rd Oct (per , photo). YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Rapidly increasing autumn passage migrant, occasionally overwinters.

All Records:

Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 10th Oct, 19th Oct, 25th-28th Oct, 1st Nov, 8th Dec, Athelhampton 112th from Dec 26th & 14th Nov Dec.to 13th Dec . Arne RSPB 1 on 28th-29th Sep, 3 on 6th Oct, then 1 on 8 dates 8th-29th Oct. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 139 with 2 on 30th Oct . Bournemouth 1 in Stour Valley Nature Reserve on 6 dates 15th-26th Oct,

Chard Junction GP 1 from 7th-10th Oct and another from 16th to 26th Dec. Charmouth theSingles previous on 20th peak & 21stbeing Sep 16 andbird-days 7th Oct. in 2005 . Christchurch Harbour 26 bird-days between 21st Sep & 15th Nov. The best ever year,

Cogden Beach 2 on 8th Oct and 1 on 27th Oct. Durlston CP 1 or 2 on 16 dates between 30th Sep and 8th Nov. Holes Bay At PC World Drain 3 on 3rd Oct, 2 on 4th & 6th Oct and 1 on 7th Oct. LytchettLodmoor Bay RSPB 3Single different birds birdson 24th 8th-11th Sep, 6 dates Oct .in Oct, 8th Nov and 9th & 12th Dec. Lulworth Cove 2 on 15th Oct, Portland (all sites) A total of 115 bird-days between 20th Sep and 4th Nov were Lytchett Matravers 2 on 14th Oct. of 15 on 9th Oct . considered to involve a minimum of 63 individuals, with a max

Ringstead Bay 2 on 15th Oct, 1 on 30th Oct. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 on 9th Oct, 1 on 10th Oct. West Bay Singles on 4th Oct, 20th Oct, 23rd Oct and 29th Oct.

Singles also at Brownsea Island (17th Oct). Corfe Castle (26th Oct), Dorchester (9th & 21st Oct), East Lulworth (3rd Oct), Hurn (26th Feb), Langton Matravers (14th Oct). Longham Lakes (17th & 21st Oct), Lulworth Camp (8th Oct), Lyme Regis (10th Oct), Norden SF (16th Oct), Okeford Fitzpaine (16th Apr), Osmington Mills (8th Oct), Peveril Point (10th Oct), RegisPuddletown (14th-16th Forest Oct) (26th . & 30th Oct), Radipole Lake RSPB (15th Oct), Studland village (8th & 9th Oct), West Bexington (20th Oct), Winspit (4th Oct), Wool (24th & 31st Oct) and Wyke autumn 2015 and 90 in 2014 . A minimum of 140 different individuals were reported during An outstanding autumn for this species, with at least 260 bird-days, compared to 120 in submit all records so that changes in the species’ occurrence can be accurately monitored . the year, from most regularly-watched sites. It is important that observers continue to 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 6 27 22 9 9 8 6 8 21 17 38 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 16 35 41 21 19 19 50 58 66 83

140+ HUME’S WARBLER Phylloscopus humei Very rare vagrant.

Thumb Lane during Jan 2017 (per DBC et al Portland 1 at Avalanche Road 14th-21st Dec, rediscovered at nearby , photo). DUSKY WARBLER Phylloscopus fuscatus Rare autumn passage migrant - 20 previous records.

Portland 1 in a Southwell garden on 26th Oct (per DBC et al

, photo). 140 Dorset Bird Report 2016 WESTERN BONELLI’S WARBLER Phylloscopus bonelli Rare passage migrant.

birding information services et al Portland Bill 1 trapped & ringed on 11th May (per , , photo). WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Uncommon passage migrant and sporadic breeder.

Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Hengistbury Head on 18th Apr and 3 there on 2nd May; 1 at Stanpit Marsh on 29th Apr. Portland Singles at Fortuneswell on 21st Apr, Portland North on 27th Apr, Verne Common on 28th Apr and the Bill on 11th-12th May. Sherborne 1 on 13th May. AutumnStanbridge passage: 1 in the Allen Valley on 13th May. Horton 1 at Riverside Lakes campsite on 16th Aug .

Extreme dates: 18th Apr at Hengistbury Head and 16th Aug at Horton .

CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita collybita Very common breeding visitor, passage migrant and increasingly common winter visitor.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown that the species has increased significantly in SW England by 81% in the last 20 years. Significant numbers of territories were recorded at Arne RSPB (9) Chard Junction GP (8), Lower Avon Valley (c11), Lytchett Bay (11), Radipole PassageLake RSPB at (8), the Ringsteadmain sites: Bay (10) and Sturminster Marshall GP (7).

Christchurch Harbour 408 bird-days between 15th Mar and late May, with maxima of 102 on 30th Mar and 40 on 5th Apr. 2,267 bird-days between 3rd Sep and 29th Nov, with maxima of 230 on 18th Sep and 205 on 21st Sep. Durlston CP Maxima in spring 20 on 1st Apr; in autumn 450 on 30th Sep and 150 on 8th & 10th Oct. Lytchett Bay 551 bird-days Aug-Nov with max of 142+ on 18th Sep. Portland Bill late429 Novbird-days . in Mar, 958 in Apr, 228 in May and 24 in Jun. Portland North Totals of 460 from 11 Mar to late May and 340 from 6 Aug to Other passage records:

FiddlefordArne RSPB 2250 on 8th7th Apr& 11th . Apr. Charmouth Max of 100 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 2nd Oct.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 141 Kingcombe 20 on 14th Apr . Holes Bay Max of 60 on 15th Sep.

Lulworth Cove 70 on 2nd Oct. StPortland Aldhelm’s Bill Head 392 bird-days on 9th Oct in Jul,. 9 In Aug, 647 In Sep, 1,069 in Oct and 60 in Nov. Ringstead Bay Max of 55 on 2nd Oct.

Swanage 10 at Peveril Point on 30th Mar. Trent Farm Max of 50 on 5th & 28th Apr and 35 on 31st Oct. Wareham Forest 30 at Sherford Bridge on 26th Aug. WinteringWinspit records: 25 on 14th Sep and 14th Oct.

Birds were recorded during the winter (max counts shown) from Abbotsbury Swannery (2), Arne RSPB (5), Athelhampton (6), Ballard Down, Bridport, Brownsea Island, Coward’s Marsh, Christchurch Waterworks, Colehill, Dorchester WMs (5), Ferrybridge, Fiddleford (3), Forston, Frampton, Hatch Pond, Holes Bay (20), Holfleet, Holton Lee, Kinson (7), Langton Herring, Lions Hill, Lodmoor RSPB (7), Longham Lakes (6), Louds Mill SF (15), Lytchett Bay (2), Maiden Castle, Martinstown, Middlebere (2), Moreton, Norden SF (2), Parkstone Bay, Portesham (3), Portland North (7), Portland Bill (3), Portland Harbour (10), Puddletown (2), Radipole Lake RSPB, Ringstead Bay, Shapwick (2), Sherborne SF (10), Stanpit Marsh (7), Studland Bay, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs (2), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (2), Tincleton CBs, Trent (8), Upton CP, Upton Heath (2), Warmwell Heath, West Bexington (3), Weymouth (2) and Wick Fields (2). Phylloscopus collybita tristis Scarce autumn migrant and increasing winter visitor. SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF All records: Arne RSPB 1 on 5th Nov .

Bournemouth 1 in Stour Valley Nature Reserve on 18th Feb and 23rd-24th Feb; 1 at Kinson SF 17th-18th Oct Dorchester 1 in water-meadows 28th Jan & 11th Mar, with 2 there on 28th Feb; 2 at Louds Mill SF on 27th Feb with 1 there on 31st Dec. Holes Bay Singles at Fleets Lane on 21st Jan, 2nd Feb and 22nd Dec. Lodmoor RSPB 1 singing and displaying 23rd Mar to 9th Apr. Singles on 28th Oct, 10th Nov and 1st Dec, probably the same bird. Lytchett Bay 1 on 22nd Mar. Portland (all sites) 1 at Portland Castle on 5th-6th Jan and 22nd-23rd Feb. Singles at Radipole Lake RSPB Singlesthe Bill on on 4th 17th Oct, Jan Blacknor and 2nd-3rd on 24th Apr Oct, . Church Cope Cove on 29th Ringstead Bay 1Oct, on the 11th Bill Nov on 12th. Nov and Avalanche Road on 14th-17th Dec.

SouthSherborne Haven 1 aton Sherborne 13th Apr . SF from 3rd-9th Mar; 1 in south Sherborne 25th Oct & 17th Nov; 1 In West Mill Lane 22nd Dec.

Stanpit Marsh 28th1 intermittently Nov . from 4th Jan to 19th Feb. West Bexington 1 from 24th Jan to 3rd Feb. 2 on 3rd Nov, with 1 remaining until

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WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus Common but declining breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: foundThe species by the has Breeding declined Bird as Surveya breeding 2016 bird . Records in recent of two years or morein Dorset, territories especially were along received the coastal strip. This is consistent with the decrease of 60% in SW England in the last 20 years from: Arne RSPB (13 pairs), Cattistock (3 territories at Lankham Bottom), Chard Junction GP (3 singing males), Higher Hyde Heath DWT (2 families fledged), Lower Avon Valley (4 territories), Morden Bog (2 singing males), Powerstock Common DWT (4 singing males), HeathRadipole (2 singingLake RSPB males) (4 pairs), Sherford Bridge (2 singing males), Stoborough Heath (3 pairs), Town Common/St Catherine’s Hill (4 singing males), Verwood (2 territories), Warmwell and West Knighton Heath (2 singing males). Observers are requested Passage:to continue to submit breeding season records, including numbers of singing males.

Christchurch Harbour In spring 2,127 bird-days between 25th Mar and 24th Jun, with withpeaks peaks of 150 of on212 5th on Apr, 6th Aug120+ and on 18019th on Apr 26th and Aug 200+ . on 28th Apr; in autumn 1,349 bird-days between 15th Jul and 11th Nov Aug to 3rd Sep . Lodmoor RSPB 25 on 5th Apr, rising to 30+ on 21st Apr; up to 20 daily from 6th

Lytchett Bay Max 20 on 15th Aug. Portland Bill In spring 15 bird-days in Mar, 3,188 in Apr, 290 in May and 7 in Jun; in autumn 171 in Jul, 1,087 in Aug, 284 in Sep and 2 In Oct. Max 250 on 25th Apr. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 143 and 18 Sep . Portland North Totals of 953 between 31 Mar and 11 Jun; 80 between 6 Aug Sherborne 40 on 9th Apr . StPuddletown Aldhelm’s ForestHead 20Max on counts 19th Apr of 25 . on 9th Aug, 35 on 18th Aug.

Trent Maxima at Trent Farm of 50 on 5th Apr and 28th Apr. ExtremeWinspit dates: 30 on 3rd Apr and 50 on 5th Apr.

12th Mar at Chardown Hill, Morcombelake and 11th Nov at Hengistbury Head. GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: This species breeds widely across Dorset and there has been little change in its distribution or abundance over the last 20 years. Multiple counts of breeding pairs/territories were recorded at Christchurch Harbour (6 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB and surrounding area (7 pairs), Passage:and Merley Park (2 pairs).

Arne RSPB 25 on 20th Mar, 30 on 22nd Oct. Charmouth 30 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 24th Nov. Christchurch Harbour 80Negligible on 13th springOct . passage (max of 6 on 24th Mar). Autumn passage of 360 bird-days between 21st Sep and 23rd Nov, max

LytchettCorfe Mullen Bay No12 onspring 15th passage Oct. noted . Autumn passage of only 96 bird-days . PortlandDurlston BillCP 32024 on bird-days 26th Sep. in Oct .

Ringstead Bay 11 on 28th Oct . Portland Heights 16 on 11th Mar.

West Bexington 15 on 22nd Oct. FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Increasing passage migrant, winter visitor and breeder.

Breeding: probably higher . Breeding records were received from Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens The Rare Birds Breeding Panel estimated the 2016 Dorset population to be at least 26 pairs,

(fledged young), Arne RSPB (singing birds on several dates), Ashley Wood DWT (singing birds on several dates), Briantspuddle Heath (fledged young), Brownsea Island (singing birds on Passageseveral dates), records: Puddletown Forest (fledged young) and Ringwood Forest (fledged young).

Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens Max of 7 on 4th Sep. Arne RSPB Max of 6 on 25th Sep. 144 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Brownsea Island 3 on 10th Oct .

Christchurch Harbour 45 bird-days during Mar to Apr with a max of 10 on 26th Mar; 83 bird-days from Sep to Nov. Durlston CP Max of 7 on 4th Oct. Lulworth Cove Max of 4 on 2nd Oct. Portland 39 bird-days Mar-Apr; 28 bird-days Aug-Oct.

1 or 2 birds were also recorded from Bournemouth, Cogden, Corfe Mullen, Kinson SF, Lodmoor RSPB, Lytchett Bay, Martinstown, Poole, Ringstead Bay, Sherford Bridge, St WinterAldhelm’s records: Head, Trent, Upton CP, Wareham, West Bexington and Winspit.

Noted at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Arne RSPB, Bere Regis, Bournemouth, Branksome, Broadstone, Brownsea Island, Canford Cliffs, Chard Junction GP, Charmouth (Hogchester Nature Reserve), Christchurch Harbour, Corfe Mullen, Creekmoor Ponds, Durlston CP, Highcliffe, Holes Bay, Kingston Lacy, Kinson SF, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Lulworth Cove, Lytchett Bay, Moreton, Poole, Portland, Puddletown Forest, Ringstead Bay, Sherborne, Stoborough, Studland, Trent, Upton CP, Verwood (Boys Wood), Wareham, West Bexington, West Moors CP and Weymouth. SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Fairly common but declining breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has confirmed the significant nationwide decline of the species. The species has decreased in SW England by 61% in the last 20 years. Breeding in the county was confirmed only at Arne RSPB (occupied nest), Bedchester (fledged young), Bushey (fledged young), Grange Heath (fledged young), Hendover Coppice DWT (fledged young), Holwell (occupied nest), Lambert’s Castle (fledged young), Thorncombe Wood (fledged young) and Trent (nest with young). Records indicating likely breeding were also received from Briantspuddle, Garston Wood, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Holton Lee, Norden Passage:SF, Oakers Wood and West Compton.

BriantspuddleArne RSPB Heath 9In on autumn, 26th Aug 17 . bird-days between 14th Jul and 23rd Sep, with max of 6 on 26th Aug.

Chard Junction GP 7 on 19th Aug. Christchurch Harbour In spring, 25 bird-days between 2nd May and 2nd Jun. In autumn, 81 bird-days between 6th Aug and 24th Sep, with a max of 12 on 26th Aug. East Holme 7 on 6th May. HoltonDurlston Heath CP 108 on on 2nd 26th May. Aug . Hartland Moor 6 on 26th Aug.

Lambert’s Castle 6 on 30th Aug. Langton Matravers 6 on 30th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 spring record; 10 bird-days between 19th Aug and 24th Sep, max 4 on 16th Sep. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 145 14th Aug and 18th Sep . Lytchett Bay 1 spring record of 4 on 6th May; in autumn 5 bird-days between

PuddletownLytchett Minster Forest 106 on on 6th 25th Sep. Sep . RingsteadPortland (all Bay sites) 7130 on bird-days30th Aug Apr-Jun;. 59 bird-days Aug-Oct. Sherford Bridge 8 on 26th Aug .

Extreme dates: Portland Bill on 22nd Apr and Portland Bill on 9th Oct .

RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

DBC et al photo) . Portland One first-year trapped & ringed at PBO on 15th Sep (per ,

PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 13 bird-days between 9th Apr and 3rd May. Durlston CP 5 bird-days between 8th Apr and 29th Apr. Lulworth Cove 1 on 16th Apr. PuddletownMorden Bog 1 on 30th14th AprMay. . StPortland Aldhelm’s (all Headsites) 255 on bird-days 19th Apr in . the period Apr to May.

Trent Singles at Trent Farm on 10th & 28th Apr. AutumnWinspit passage: 1 on 19th Apr.

Arne RSPB Singles on 29th Jul and 17th Sep . Abbotsbury 1 on 21st & 22nd Aug.

Beacon Corner 1 on 27th Aug. Charmouth Singles at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 2nd Sep and 4th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 7 bird-days between 23rd Jul and 8th Sep. GrangeCorfe Mullen Heath 21 on 11th9th Sep. Sep . HolesDurlston Bay CP 16 onsingles 14th between Sep . 1st Aug and 13th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 17th Sep .

Portland (all sites) 30 bird-days in the period Jul to Sep . RingsteadMiddlebere Bay 1Singles on 30th on Aug 7th-8th . Jul and 4th Sep.

ExtremeWinspit dates: Singles on 2nd Aug and 8th Sep.

Durlston146 Dorset on Bird 8th Report Apr 2016and Hogchester Nature Reserve, Charmouth on 4th Oct. BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Uncommon breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: probably an underestimate . All records are given . The Rare Birds Breeding Panel estimated the 2016 Dorset population to be at least 18 pairs,

Arne Moors RSPB Up to 4 present on many dates between 24th Mar and Jun but breeding not confirmed. Christchurch Harbour 2 pairs bred at Stanpit Marsh, where 6 young were seen, and a 6further pairs over1 or 2the pairs whole bred site at . Wick. Lodmoor RSPB Breeding confirmed with occupied nest seen. Estimate of

Lytchett Bay At least 1 pair bred, possibly 2. OtherRadipole records Lake RSPB Present all year but no confirmed breeding records received.

Arne Moors throughoutPeak of 7 on the 21st year Jul. . Peak was of 12 on 20th Oct . LodmoorChristchurch RSPB Harbour AtOutside least 30 the on breedingseveral dates season in Nov low and numbers Dec . were recorded

Lytchett Bay Peak of 10 on 10th Nov . Lower Avon Valley Present at Avon Castle in Feb and Mar. on 27th Oct . Portland Bill 1 on 23rd Sep, 2 on 9th Oct, 2 on 25th Oct, 4 on 26th Oct, and 1

Radipole Lake RSPB Max of 10 on 27th Sep. Swineham Point 2 on 24th Jan and 25th Mar. Upton CP 2 on 10th Feb. West Bexington 2 present Jan to early Mar. LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Common breeding resident.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown an increase of 33% in SW England in the last 20 years, and the species is clearly doing well in Dorset. Multiple breeding records were received from Hengistbury Head (5 pairs), Merley Park (3 nests found), north Portland (4 Post-breeding/winterpairs) and Stanpit Marsh flocks (3 pairs). of 20+ birds:

Dorchester 20 on 14th Feb . Corfe Mullen 23 on 15th Oct. Hengistbury 31 on 5th Jan . Durlston CP 23 on 14th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB At least 40 around the recording area in the autumn . Charmouth 25 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 11th Nov.

Portland 30 at Verne Common on 25th Jun. Puddletown Forest 25 at Beacon Corner on several dates in2016 the Dorset autumn. Bird Report 147 Sherford Bridge 25 on 30th Dec . Swanage 20 at Old Harry on 22nd Oct . Tadnoll Heath 20 on 30th Nov .

BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common breeding resident

Breeding:

Breeds commonly across the county, and there has been little change of the population in SignificantSW England counts: over the last 20 years. 10 pairs bred at Merley Park.

The highest counts of the year came from Upton Heath (30 on 10th Jan), Charmouth (35 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 24th Nov) and Oakers Wood (50 on 23rd Jan). GREAT TIT Parus major Very common breeding resident

Breeding: Breeds commonly across the county and the population is doing well . The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown an increase of 39% in SW England in the last 20 years. 13 pairs bred Significantat Merley Park, counts: compared to 9 pairs in 2015.

The highest counts were from Oakers Wood (50 on 23rd Jan) and Upton CP (23 on 15th Feb). COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds commonly across the county, and there has been little change of the population in OtherSW England records: over the last 20 years.

Counts of 15 or more birds were made at Arne RSPB (22 on 22nd Oct), Charmouth (18 at Hogchester Nature Reserve on 10th Nov), Oakers Wood (50 on 23rd Jan), Puddletown Forest (15 at Beacon Corner on 10th Aug) and Trent (17 at Trent Farm on 2nd Jan). Periparus ater ater Rare passage migrant. ‘CONTINENTAL COAL TIT’ Hengistbury Head 1 on 26th Oct .

148 Dorset Bird Report 2016 MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Uncommon declining breeding resident.

Breeding: Breeding Bird Survey 2016

The decline of this species in the county is confirmed by the , which has shown a decrease of 41% in SW England in the last 20 years. Successful breeding was confirmed at Morden Bog, Sherford Bridge, Thorncombe Wood and Thornicombe. Records of birds during the breeding season were also received from Alners Gorse, Arne RSPB, Arne Moors RSPB, Brownsea Island, Canford Heath, Cattistock (Lankham Bottom), Chard Junction GP, Garston Wood, Hibbit Woods DWT, Hilfield, Holton Lee, Kingcombe, Iwerne Minster, Melbury Bubb, Powerstock, Puddletown Forest, Rooksmoor Copse, Tollard WinterRoyal and records: West Knighton Heath. Records of birds during the winter months were received from Abbotsbury Subtropical

Gardens, Alners Gorse, Alum Chine, Arne RSPB, Badbury Rings, Briantspuddle, Brownsea Island, Cerne Abbas, Chard Junction GP, Chase Wood, Corfe Castle, Fontmell Down, Frampton, Golden Cap, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Hilfield, Hogchester Nature Reserve, Hooke Park, Kingcombe Meadows DWT, Langton Matravers, Lyons Gate, Lyme Regis, Lytchett Bay, Lytchett Minster, Moonfleet Manor, Morden Bog, Moreton, Oakers Wood, Ower Bay, Powerstock Common, Puddletown Forest, Puncknowle, Rooksmoor Copse, Sherborne Castle, Thorncombe Wood, Trent Farm, Verwood, Warmwell Heath and Weymouth. NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Nationally, the population of this species is doing very well: there has been a 91% increase in England in the last 20 years, mainly in the north, and there has been a 71% increase in SW England in the same period. In Dorset, breeding was confirmed at Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Arne RSPB, Beacon Corner (Puddletown Forest), Black Down/Hardy Monument, Briantspuddle, Cadbury Castle, Canford Park, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Holton suitableLee, Kingcombe, habitat during Merley the Park breeding (3 pairs), season Puddletown, . Sturminster Marshall GPs, Swineham GPs, Thorncombe Wood, and Upton Heath. Many other records were received of birds in Other records:

The highest counts received were of 12 at Garston Wood RSPB on 30th Jun and 12 at St Gabriel’s Mouth on 5th Oct. TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds across the county, and there has been little change in population in SW England in the last 20 years. Records of probable or confirmed breeding were received from Alners Gorse, 2016 Dorset Bird Report 149 Arne RSPB, Arne Moors RSPB, Corfe Mullen, Garston Wood RSPB, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Melbury Bubb (Hell Corner), Merley Park (2 pairs with young), Spetisbury, Sturminster Marshall GP, Trent Farm, Weymouth (Two Mile Coppice) and Wytch Causeway. GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus Scarce passage migrant, mainly in spring and summer.

N Fowler) .

Weymouth 1 in a garden near Lodmoor RSPB on 5th Jun ( ISABELLINE SHRIKE Lanius isabellinus Rare vagrant.

CE Richards et al photo) . Portland 1 first-winter at Verne Common on 30th Oct ( , The 7th record for Dorset . Photographic evidence strongly indicates this individual as belonging to sub-species L. i. isabellinus

2017) . , commonly known as Daurian Shrike but the BBRC currently list it as “showing characteristics suggestive of Daurian” (British Birds 110:596,

RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant.

All records:

RadipoleChristchurch Lake Harbour RSPB 1 adjuv male at Solent from MeadsNorth HideGolf Courseon 5th Junon 26th. Aug; another juv in South Paddock at Wick on 18th Sep.

GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor.

First winter period:

AvonSt Leonards Heath CP 1 on 10th FebFeb. . Morden Bog 1 between 6th Jan & 25th Mar ranging to Oak Hill.

SecondUpton Heath winter DWT period: 1 on 11th Jan.

Godlingston Heath 1 on 29th Dec . Canford Heath 1 on several dates between 3rd Nov and 29th Dec.

Hartland Moor 1 on several dates between 25th Oct and 29th Dec. Morden Bog 1 on several dates between 18th Oct and 18th Dec. Verwood 1 on 12th-13th Nov and at Pistle Down on 27th Nov.

150 Dorset Bird Report 2016 WOODCHAT SHRIKE Lanius senator Scarce passage migrant.

All records:

(D Chown et al Martinstown 1 2cy female in the MartinstownDBC et al area from 10th-14th Jun. , photo). Wyke Regis 1 juv on 11th Sep (per , photo). JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident and scarce passage migrant, subject to autumn influxes.

Breeding: and a slight decline in the north over the last 20 years . Breeding was noted at Arne RSPB The Dorset population is stable, with a slight increase in breeding abundance in the east

(1 pair), Garston Wood RSPB (3 pairs), Hengistbury Head (2 to 3 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB (1, possibly 2 pairs, in Two Mile Coppice), Merley Park (5 pairs all with young), Poole (2 pairs Significantin the Constitution counts Hilland area) passage and Stanpitmovements: Marsh (1 pair). Brownsea Island 7 on 23rd Dec .

Charmouth 5 on 10th Nov at Hogchester Farm. Christchurch Harbour 8 at Stanpit on 6th Nov. Corfe Mullen 5 on 27th Mar at Lambs’ Green and 8 on 27th Oct at Rushcombe. LytchettDurlston Fields CP RSPB 96 on 21st5th Mar; Sep .in autumn 174 bird-days from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, max 22 on 26th Oct.

Poole 12 on 7th Oct over Constitution Hill. Upton CP 15 on 19th Jan. MAGPIE Pica pica Very common resident.

Breeding: This species breeds widely across Dorset and there has been little change in its distribution or abundance over the last 20 years. Notable breeding records were received from Merley CountsPark (10 of nests, 20+ birds:all with young) and Portland North (10 pairs). Hatch Pond 34 on 2nd Jan .

Lodmoor RSPB 24 in Mar. Lower Avon Valley 32 on 2nd Jan on Burton Meadows. Moors Valley CP 24 on 21st Jan.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 151 JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 by 40% in the last 20 years . Notable breeding records were received from Arne RSPB (5 has shown that the population in SW England has increased pairs), Merley Park (12 pairs all with young), Ringstead Bay (5+ pairs at Burning Cliff) and PassagePortland records:North (35-50 pairs around Verne Common).

Durlston CP Apr180 andW on 12 19th N on Oct, 23rd 45 Sep W on . 26th Oct and 65 E on 1st Nov. Hengistbury Head 27 N on 17th Mar, 2 in off the sea on 25th Mar, 4 E and 8 N in Counts of 100+ birds: Abbotsbury Swannery 250 on 28th Dec .

Badbury Rings 100 on 19th Nov . Allen Valley 100 in High Hall area on 30th Jun. Hengistbury Head 100 left Nursery roost on 28th Sep . LangtonEast Lulworth Herring 100110 onat Cockles 29th Aug on . 29th Sep.

winter months . Lodmoor RSPB c1,500 roosted in Horselynch/Rugby Ground area during

OwermoigneLytchett Fields RSPB 100200 on 31st1st Jan Aug and . 111 on 26th Mar. PortlandMaiden Castle Bill 200100 Non on 12th 23rd Mar. Oct .

Portland North 200+ on several dates in Jan, Mar, Aug, Oct and Dec at Portland Heights or the Grove Stadium. Max 250 on 12th Aug. StPuddletown Aldhelm’s Head 300100 on 7th23rd Oct Mar . and 3rd Dec and 120 on 28th Dec. Ringstead Bay 100+ several dates in Jan, Feb, Mar, Aug and Oct.

Stour Valley 220 on 6th Jan at Cowgrove. The Fleet 100 at the Bridging Camp on 30th Jun; 100 at East Fleet on 14th Nov & 2nd Dec. Wareham Forest 150 on 11th Feb at Sugar Hill. West Knighton Heath 200 on 14th Aug and 100 on 6th Sep. Wool 120 at New Buildings on 24th Jan. ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 The population in SW England has decreased by 24% in the last 20 years, according to . Rookery counts of nests were received from Almer (34), Bridport (8 by River Brit), Burton Bradstock (c14 at Bennett’s Hill Farm), East Lulworth (c30 at Broom’s Plantation), Fontmell Magna (2 rookeries of c16 & c38), Hampreston (16 at Little Moors Farm), Hengistbury Head (3 pairs, of which 2 raised young, the first record of 152 Dorset Bird Report 2016 successful breeding in the CHOG area), Lodmoor (c25 at Preston Road and 8 at Overcombe), Lulworth Park (55), Lytchett Bay (17 at Watery Lane), Martinstown (100 in Grove Hill Bottom), Osmington (c25 in village and 55 at Upton), Osmington Mills (16), Owermoigne (45 at Galton), Portesham (39), Ringstead Bay (12 at Ringstead Dairy), Warmwell Cross (7), West Parley (14), Weymouth (49 nests at Littlesea Holiday Park), Wimborne Minster (10) Countsand Winfrith of 200+ Newburgh birds: (41). Abbotsbury Swannery 300 on 28th Dec .

East Fleet 200 on 14th Nov . LangtonAllen Valley Herring 250200 on 29th30th AugJun in . the High Hall area. Lodmoor RSPB 300 on 26th Nov .

Owermoigne 300 on 31st Aug . RingsteadMartinstown Bay 200250 on 2nd17th Jan Jan and at Grove up to Hill300 Bottom. 1st-30th Aug .

St Aldhelm’s Head 200 on 19th Jul, 750 on 26th Jul and 500 on 7th Oct. Spetisbury there200 on on 19th 23rd Mar. Oct . Tarrant Rushton 200 in village on 23rd Jun; 220 at airfield on 18th Sep and 500

Wareham Forest 250 at Sugar Hill on 11th Feb. West Knighton Heath 600 on 11th and 200 on 14th Aug. PassageWool records: 270 on 24th Jan at New Buildings.

Durlston CP Passage recorded from 2nd Oct to 7th Dec with peak counts of 18 E on 17th Oct and 18 W on 27th Oct. Hengistbury Head In spring 19 N on 17th Mar, 3 in off the sea on 25th Mar, 19 Portland (north) 2over N on on 16th 30th Apr Mar and and 18 21 N E or on S 17thfrom Apr. 17th In Sep autumn to 29th 120 Oct left . the South Haven Nursery4 on 12th roost Oct . on 28th Sep, 7 E on 23rd Oct and 1 E on 31st Oct.

CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: This species breeds widely across Dorset and there has been little change in its distribution or abundance over the last 20 years . The only notable breeding record was received from

CountsPortland of North, 40+ birds: where 10 pairs nested.

EastBadbury Fleet Rings 10040 on on 27th 26th May. Oct and 150 on 12th Dec . Coward’s Marsh 59 at Ogber on 4th Jan.

LangtonFiddleford Herring 100Good on numbers 26th Aug present and 100 all on year, 23rd max Nov 42 . on 17th Mar. Hampreston 50 on 25th Jan and 87 on 16th Feb at Manor Farm.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 153 Longham Lakes 75 on 16th Jan .

Maiden Castle 100 on 12th Mar. Portland Grove87 at PortlandStadium on Bill 21st on 30thJan and Mar, 31st 71 Dec at Barleycrates and 200 at Portland Lane on 22nd Sep, 100 at Tophill on 26th Apr and 12th Oct, 150 at

Heights on 25th Mar and 6th Jul. Ringstead Bay 40+ on 19th Mar. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 50 on 15th Feb. Weymouth Present in numbers all year, often on the beach, day max 200. RAVEN Corvus corax Fairly common breeding resident - has been increasing.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown an increase of 125% in the population in SW England in the last 20 years, and this major increase has been seen in Dorset. Confirmed breeding was reported from Briantspuddle (a pair with 2 fledglings), Golden Cap on Langdon Hill (1 pair), Oakers Wood (a pair with 1 fledgling), Portland (3 pairs bred successfully: a pair at Blacknor raised 4 young and a pair on cliffs at the Grove raised 4 young), Thorncombe CountsBeacon (1of pair),10+ birds: and Weymouth (a pair raised 4 young at Bincleaves). Hengistbury Head 15 at the Nursery on 11th Nov .

Maiden Castle 25 on 12th Mar, some feeding on dead lambs. PuddletownPortland 1017 onN on 31st 29th Aug Aug . and 20 over on 9th Oct, both at Blacknor, Stalbridge 1014 on 8th29th Jul Aug . at Verne Common.

STARLING Sturnus vulgaris Widespread but declining breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: the last 20 years according to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 There has been a major decrease in the UK breeding population, which has declined by 50% in . In SW England there has been a decrease of 72% - the greatest loss in any UK region. Observers are urged to submit records of Passagelate summer records: flocks of juveniles, as this gives a good indication of breeding abundance.

Durlston CP 3 E on 5th Mar and a total of 605 over from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, Hengistbury Head 16max NE 65 on on 6th 23rd Oct Oct and and 6 E 30th on 23rd Oct. Oct . East Bexington 11 W on 6th Nov and 626 W on 13th Nov. 8th Oct to 29th Nov . Portland Combined total from Bill and Blacknor of 6,785, mainly E, from

Ringstead Bay 10 N on 31st Oct, 300 NW on 4th Nov and 30 N on 30th Nov. West Bexington 600+ W on 13th Nov and 400 W on 21st Nov. 154 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Winter roosts and other counts of 300+ birds:

Avon Valley Pre-roost flock of 1,300 at Burton on 30th Jan. Christchurch Harbour Pre-roost flock of c1,000 at Stanpit Marsh on 7th Jan, c1,550 roosted at Wick Fields on 5th Jul and 750 on 28th Sep. LittlemoorEggardon Hill 50010,000+ on 27th on 28th Oct . Oct. Hardy’s Monument 25,000 in 3 flocks on 29th Nov.

Lodmoor RSPB Max 3,000 on 30th Oct. Lytchett Bay Roost of c1,000 near Lytchett Way in early Dec. Maiden Castle 500 on 17th Jan. PortlandMartinstown North Total500 at of Rainbarrow 710 from 20th Farm Oct on to 16th 22nd Dec. Nov . Portland Bill Flock in spring had max 300 on 20th Mar. Sutton Poyntz 300 on 10th Nov . Puddletown 1,000 on 25th Dec and 600 on 26th Dec.

West Bexington c5,000 roosted in reed-bed at Cogden during Dec. West Knighton Heath 2,000 in roost on 5th Jan and 1,000+ on 2nd Dec. Rose-coloured starling Pastor roseus Rare passage migrant. of the neat chronological order of appearances . From photographic evidence it would appear that three individuals were involved, in spite

IM Stanley et al Dorchester 1 juv in Damers Road area on 22nd Oct and 28th,DBC et29th al & 31st Dec, remaining into 2017 ( , photo). Lodmoor RSPB 1(R juv Hargreaves, around Sandown S Morrison Ave 6th-20th et al Oct (per , photo). Portland 1 juv in the Haylands Estate (Weston) area 17th-29th Sep , photo). HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus Common, but declining breeding resident.

Breeding:

BreedingAlthough Bird the Survey UK population 2016 . The continues species is to reported decline, especiallyas thriving inin Londonsome areas and of SE the England, county the population in SW England has remained stable over the last 20 years, according to the Portland . such as Christchurch Harbour and Lodmoor RSPB, but declining elsewhere, particularly on Autumn passage:

Christchurch Harbour Oct1 W and on 2nd 2 E onOct 30th and Oct5 E on. 31st Oct. Durlston CP Singles on 11 days from 29th Sep to 7th Dec, 5 W on 19th

2016 Dorset Bird Report 155 Counts of 40+ birds: Arne RSPB 50 on 14th Apr . Ferrybridge 100 on 11th Sep .

Hamworthy 50 on 30th Aug . HengistburyFiddleford Head 5540 inon Dec 4th .Mar.

Southdown Ave . Lodmoor RSPB 100 on 23rd Jun, 40 on 17th Oct and 100 on 5th Dec around

PuddletownLytchett Bay 4079+ on roosted 30th Aug near and Sandy 45 on Close 4th PondSep . during first winter period. RingsteadPortland North Bay 40Up onto 30013th in Aug autumn/winter . period.

West Bexington 60+ on 6th Sep. Weymouth 200 ads and juvs in Bincleaves area on 7th Jul. Winspit Valley 50 on 3rd Aug. TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Scarce local breeding resident and uncommon passage migrant.

No records of breeding or of spring passage were received this year .

Autumn passage:

LodmoorDurlston CP RSPB 12 EW calling on 26th on Oct 11th and Oct 7 E. on 1st Nov. PortlandHengistbury Bill Head 1 NW on on 13th 23rd Oct Sep. . South Haven Point 2 N on 12th Oct .

Other Records:

Shaftesbury 1 at Stour Row on 6th May. RED-EYED VIREO Vireo olivaceus Very rare vagrant from North America.

The 2nd record for Portland and just the 4th for Dorset. Unfortunately, as with several other autumn megas, this was only seen by those present nearby after its discovery in a mistbirding net. information services et al Portland Bill 1 trapped & ringed at PBO on 14th Oct (per , photo). CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: There has been little change in the distribution or abundance of this species over the last 20 years. Notable breeding records were received from Arne RSPB (22 pairs), Hengistbury Head (5 156or 6 pairs),Dorset MerleyBird Report Park 2016 (6 pairs), north Portland (5-10 pairs) and Radipole Lake RSPB (7 pairs). First winter period (counts of 50+ birds):

Durlston CP 68 on 29th Mar. Golden Cap 100 on 10th Feb at Langdon Hill. Martinstown 100 on 6th, 100 17th Jan and 60 on 4th Feb at Grove Hill Bottom. Stanbridge 50 on 28th Mar. Tadnoll DWT 30060 at on Tadnoll 11th Feb and at Winfrith Sugar Hill Heaths . on 17th Jan. Wareham Forest 100 at Lane End/Bere Heath on 20th Jan and 60 on 24th Jan;

West Knighton Heath 50 on 11th Feb. Whitcombe 100 on 14th Feb. SpringWytch Causeway passage: 70 on 26th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 23 on 18th Mar at Stanpit. AutumnDurlston passage:CP 4 E on 5th Mar.

Very poor autumn passage was reported from Christchurch Harbour and Durlston CP this year.

Brownsea Island 23 W on 17th Oct. Durlston CP 4,076 bird-days from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, with maxima of 970 W on 19th Oct, 370 E on 6th Nov and 570 W on 13th Nov. East Bexington 37 W on 6th Nov and 624 W on 13th Nov. Hengistbury Head 819 bird-days from 28th Sep to 28th Nov, with maxima of 273 on 28th Sep and 125 on 26th Oct, 31st Oct and 3rd Nov. PortlandPoole North 2003 on N7th on Oct 20th over Oct Constitution . Hill. Portland Bill Max 450 N on 14th Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 3 N on 12th Oct . SouthRingstead Haven Bay 1415 onN on 12th 13th Oct Oct, . 11 W on 20th Oct and 14 NE on 23rd Oct.

SecondWest Bexington winter period (counts600+ of W 40+ on birds):13th Nov.

Puddletown Forest 45 on 24th Oct . SherfordLytchett Fields Bridge RSPB 100Max on40 30thon 16th Dec Dec. . Turnerspuddle 200 on 3rd Oct .

BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant. reported the lowest autumn count for 20 years . Good numbers wintered at the start of the year, but autumn passage was poor. CHOG First winter period:

Alderholt 1 on 13th Mar and 4 on 26th Mar. Athelhampton 3 on 10th Jan and 1 on 17th, 19th & 20th Jan. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 157 Chard Junction GP 4 on 16th Jan. SouthbournePuddletown Forest 5Present on 29th from Feb 20th . Feb to 20th Mar, max 13 on 12th Mar. St Ives 3 on 28th Feb and 5 on 20th Mar.

Trent 2 on 2nd Jan, 5 on 18th Feb, 7 on 19th Feb and 2 on 13th Mar Verwood 3 on 7th Mar in Telegraph Plantation. Wareham Forest Up to 80 in the Bere Heath/Sugar Hill area from 16th Jan to 4th Mar and up to 5 at Cold Harbour 2nd-9th Mar. Warmwell 4 on 27th Mar in caravan park. Wytch Farm 6 on 26th Mar.

SpringIn addition, passage: 22 records of 1 or 2 birds were received from 19 sites across the county.

Poole 1 recorded at night over Old Town on 10th Mar. AutumnPortland passage:Bill Singles in Mar and Apr.

Brownsea Island 1 W on 17th Oct. HengistburyDurlston CP Head 28119 bird-days bird-days from in Oct 12th (max Oct 53 to W 24th on 19th),Nov . 52 bird-days in Nov Poole 1(max recorded 19 W aton night 13th) over and Old1 W Town on 7th on Dec. 30th Nov . Portland Bill 39 bird-days in Oct and 59 bird-days in Nov .

Second winter period: Arne RSPB 6 on 24th Nov . Athelhampton 1 on 5th Nov .

Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 15th Nov and 1 on 15th Dec . Charmouth 20 on 24th Oct and 3 on 9th Nov at Hogchester Farm. Puddletown 2 on 22nd Oct and 1 on 29th Oct . Parley Common 1 on 27th Nov. Trent 2 on 31st Oct . Stanpit Marsh 1 on 2nd Dec.

SERIN Serinus serinus Scarce to uncommon passage migrant - has bred.

Spring and summer records:

Durlston CP Singles on 3rd May and 17th Jul. Portland At the Bill, 1 on 2nd Apr, 1 male on 12th Apr, 1 on 13th-14th May, 2 on 28th May, 1 male on 4th Jul and 1 on 5th Aug. Also 1 at Autumn records: Blacknor on 1st May & 17th Jul and 1 over West Cliffs on 9th May.

Durlston CP female1 W on on12th 3rd Oct. Nov . Portland Bill 1 female on 21st Oct, 1 1cy male on 28th-31st Oct and 1 1cy

158 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Common, but declining, breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

555Breeding bird-days numbers in 2015 and . passage movements continue to decline, due mainly to the effect of trichomonosis. No autumn movement at all was recorded by CHOG this year compared to Breeding: over the last 20 years according to the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 Therehas been has a been decrease a major of 54% decrease - the greatestin the UK loss breeding in any population,English region which . Reports declined of breeding by 46% . In SW England, there included Arne RSPB (3 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB (6+ pairs), Merley Park (7 pairs), Portland SpringBill/Southwell passage: (7+ pairs), Radipole Lake RSPB (4 pairs) and Stanpit Marsh (6 pairs). Portland 8 N on 5th Apr .

Autumn passage:

RingsteadDurlston CP Bay 4154 N onbird-days 13th Oct from . 26th Sep to 7th Dec, max 18 E on 7th Oct. SouthPoole Haven 332 on on 12th 7th Oct .over Constitution Hill.

Wintering and post breeding flocks:

Longham Lakes 16 on 16th Jan . Christchurch Harbour 17 at Hengistbury and 8 at Wick Fields during early winter. Portland Bill 15 on feeders on several dates in Jan and Feb . PuddletownLytchett Bay 25Max on 15 10th on 18thDec . Dec.

Trent 20 on 12th Mar Weymouth 25 along Rodwell Trail on 18th Feb. GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis. Very common increasing breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown an increase of 128% in the South West population over the last 20 years, and this major increase has been seen in Dorset. Reports of breeding included Arne RSPB (3 pairs), Higher Hyde Heath DWT (2 pairs), Radipole Lake RSPB Spring(5 pairs), passage: Merley Park (3 pairs) and Portland North (1-5 pairs).

SouthChristchurch Haven Harbour 3065 Non on 13th 27th Apr Apr and . 31 on 14th Apr at Hengistbury Head. Durlston CP 11 E on 5th Mar.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 159 Autumn passage:

Hengistbury Head 6,418 bird-days from 28th Sep to 17th Dec, with maxima of 130 on 28th Sep, 1,100 E on 12th Oct and 115 E on 2nd Nov. Durlston CP 14,645 bird-days from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, with maxima of 1,370 E on 17th Oct, 565 W on 13th Nov and 105 W on 7th Dec. RingsteadLodmoor RSPB Bay 20600+ N onmainly 13th NEOct on and 6th 35 Oct. E or NE on 23rd Oct . SouthPortland Haven Bill 154Max N500 on S7th on Oct30th and Sep. 167 N on 12th Oct .

Winter and post breeding flocks (counts of 100+ birds): Portland North 350 between 23 Aug and early Dec .

Winspit 150 on 29th Sep. SISKIN Carduelis spinus Locally common resident, fairly common passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: with a 69% increase (not present in enough Breeding Bird Survey squares for regional The species has expanded significantly as a breeding bird in England in the last 20 years, breakdown). Breeding was confirmed at Arne RSPB (2 pairs), Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Sherford Bridge, Thorncombe Wood and Tonerspuddle Heath. Also probably bred at FirstBriantspuddle winter period: Heath/Culpeppers Dish and Lytchett Bay.

Arne RSPB 40 on 19th Feb, 25 on 22nd & 24th Feb. Corfe Castle 25 on 15th Feb. HolnestFerndown GC 4023 on 2nd11th Apr Mar at and Ryewater 32 on 21st Farm Mar. . LodmoorHengistbury RSPB Head 39146 bird-days bird-days in in Jan Jan and and Feb Feb, . max 22 on 11th Feb. Lytchett Bay 30 on 5th Jan and 15 on 15th Jan . Norden SF 20 on 9th Jan .

Oakers Wood 100 on 23rd Jan and 30 on 7th Feb. Ower Causeway 40 on 24th Jan. Powerstock Common DWT 15 on 4th Jan. Puddletown 26 on 1st Mar. Sturminster Marshall GP 10-15 on 25th Jan. Trent 27 on 6th Jan, 40 on 13th Jan and 20 on 11th Feb. Upton CP 20 on 2nd Jan and 20 on 10th Jan. Verwood 15 on 8th Feb. Wareham Forest 50 on 28th Feb at Oak Hill. SpringWinfrith passage: Newburgh 30 on 2nd Jan.

Christchurch Harbour Small numbers with max 14 over Hengistbury on 30th Mar. Durlston CP 23 bird-days from 5th-29th Mar, max 12 on 25th. Lodmoor RSPB 2 E on 20th Apr and 1 W on 21st Apr. 160Portland Dorset Bill Bird Report 2016 8 bird-days in Mar, 23 in Apr and 6 in May. Autumn passage:

Brownsea Island 9 W on 1st Oct and 16 W on 17th Oct. LodmoorDurlston CP RSPB c1002,243 frombird-days 13th from Sep to26th 1st Sep Nov to and 7th 1 Dec, E 5th max Dec 280 . E on 17th Oct. Hengistbury Head 626 bird-days from 8th Sep to 8th Nov, max 135 E on 12th Oct.

StPoole Aldhelm’s Head 230 E on on 7th 7th Oct Oct over and 21Constitution E on 11th Hill.Oct . Portland Bill 6 bird-days in Sep, 154 bird-days in Oct and 59 bird-days in Oct.

South Haven 54 NNE on 5th Oct, 261 N on 7th Oct and 47 on 12th Oct. SecondWest Bexington/Cogden winter period: 16 bird-days in Oct. Brownsea Island 80 on 23rd Dec .

Moreton 30 on 10th Nov. Moors Valley CP 56 on 9th Dec. LINNET Carduelis cannabina Fairly common, but declining breeding resident, common migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

Breeding Bird Survey 2016 . Notable breeding The UK population has declined by 21% over the last 20 years, and the SW England population has seen a 12% reduction, according to the records came from Arne RSPB (25 pairs), Hengistbury Head (8-11 pairs), Langton Herring Spring(5 pairs), passage: Lodmoor RSPB (c7 pairs), Portland North (6 pairs) and Stoborough Heath (15 pairs).

13th Apr . Christchurch Harbour 744 bird-days from Mar to Apr, max 150 at Hengistbury on

Durlston CP 1 E on 5th Mar the only spring record this year. AutumnPortland passage:Bill Max 250 N on 5th Apr.

As with other finches, autumn passage was poor this year.

Brownsea Island 17th9 W on Oct 17th Oct. . Durlston CP 9,635 bird-days from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, max 1,055 E on

East Bexington 240 E on 4th Oct. Hengistbury Head 4,211 bird-days from 21st Sep to 4th Nov, max 670 on 17th Oct. RadipoleLodmoor LakeRSPB RSPB 350Recorded on 5th Sep Oct to . Oct incl 200+ over on 5th Oct. Portland Bill Max 750 S on 18th Oct.

Ringstead Bay 458 bird-days from 2nd Oct to 13th Nov, max 165 W on 23rd Oct. SouthSt Aldhelm’s Haven Head 27350 on on 12th 30th Oct Sep, . 540 (273 S, 267 E) on 7th Oct and 770 (270 S & 500 on land) on 10th Oct.

West Bexington 200+ E on 2nd, 4th & 18th Oct. Winspit 60 W on 26th Oct. 2016 Dorset Bird Report 161 Notable flocks (counts of 100+, excluding obvious visible migration):

LangtonChaldon Herring 300100 on 26th31st Aug.Aug . Charminster 120 on 4th Apr.

Martinstown on200 30th on 6th Dec Jan, at Rainbarrow 800 on 4th FebFarm and . 200 on 16th Sep in Grove Puddletown Forest 120Hill Bottomon 22nd area. Oct and150 100on 20th on 25th Sep, Oct 400 . on 16th Dec and 1,000

TurnerspuddleTarrant Rushton Airfield 500120 on 3rd4th Sep,Oct . 480 on 18th Sep and 200 on 23rd Oct. The Fleet 100 at the Bridging Camp on 22nd Sep.

West Stafford 150 on 18th Feb behind Lewell Barn. Worth Matravers 100 on 5th Oct at Hill Bottom. LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Scarce breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor and passage migrant.

No breeding reports were received this year .

First winter period: Bere Heath 16 on 30th Jan .

Canford Heath 10 on 6th Jan. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 15th Jan at Hengistbury Head and 2 on 18th Mar at Stanpit Shillingstone 30Marsh. on 28th Jan . Longham Lakes 50+ on 23rd Feb and 5+ on 27th Feb.

SpringWest Stafford passage: 10 behind Lewell Barn on 10th & 11th Jan and 15 on 30th Jan.

Durlston CP 3 E on 5th Mar. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 5 bird-days in May and 1 in Jun.

Christchurch Harbour 185 bird-days from 10th Oct to 24th Nov at Hengistbury, max 60 E on 28th Oct. Durlston CP 203 bird-days from 26th Sep to 7th Dec, max 31 E on 1st Nov. LytchettLangton BayMatravers 31 onN on 3rd 3rd Oct Oct. and 9 on 9th Oct . PortlandLodmoor Bill RSPB 42815 from bird-days 6th Oct Oct to to5th Nov Nov, . max 6 NE on 23rd Oct.

Ringstead Bay 2 W on 20th Oct and 15 E on 28th Oct. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 W on 12th Oct. SecondWest Bexington winter period: 1 or 2 over on 2nd Oct. Briantspuddle Heath 20 on 25th Nov .

ThroopMoors Valley Heath CP 6012 on 3rd12th Nov Nov. . Moreton 40 on 21st Nov 162 Dorset Bird Report 2016 CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Uncommon breeding resident, irruptive passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding: The Bird Atlas 2007-11

showed that there have been significant gains across SW England since 1968, in common with the rest of England. In Dorset there were no confirmed breeding records in 2016 but singing males were present at Arne RSPB, Rempstone Forest Significantand Wareham counts Forest. [8+]: Arne RSPB Several counts of up to 20 between 28th Feb and 7th Apr . Briantspuddle Heath 12 on 30th Apr .

Puddletown Forest 16 on 18th Jun . RempstoneOakers Wood Forest 1510 on 24th7th Feb. Jan .

Ringwood Forest 20 on 3rd Feb, 8 on 11th Mar and 15 on 12th Nov. Wareham Forest onAt Bere20th Heath/PhilliolsDec . Heath there were 20 on 3rd Jan, 18 on 24th Jan and, 40 on 3rd Feb. Elsewhere 10 on 28th Feb and 12

SummerWest Moors and Plantation autumn passage:18 on 3rd Jan, 15 on 10th Jan and 8 on 11th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 7 bird-days on 4 dates from 14th Jul to 23rd Nov. Durlston CP 25 on 17th Oct and 20 on 26th Oct. Studland 25 over Purbeck GC on 6th Nov. COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus Rare passage migrant.

D Foot, M Foot, photo) .

Portland A 1cy at Coombefield Quarry on 7th Oct ( BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:The Dorset population is stable, but passage numbers were well down on 2015.

Breeding season pairs present at sites all over Dorset including Arne RSPB, Christchurch Harbour, Garston Wood, Greenlands Farm, Kingcombe Meadows DWT, Lodmoor RSPB, Lytchett Fields, Merley Park, Pamphill, Portland North, Puncknowle, Radipole Lake RSPB, SignificantSouthbourne, counts West Bexington[8+]: and Winspit.

Lytchett Bay 9 between 12th and 29th Jan . Blandford Forum 10 at Hedge End Farm on 19th May. Puddletown 13 at Brick Pond on 25th Dec . RingsteadMaiden Newton Bay 1410 on 30th9th Feb. Nov .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 163 Spring passage:

AutumnPortland passage: 1 on 22nd Mar was the only presumed migrant.

Portland Singles on 20th Oct and 13th Nov were presumed migrants . Durlston CP Several records from 17th Sep to 7th Dec, max 7 on 19th Oct.

HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Scarce passage migrant and winter visitor. for the site . Disappointing numbers this year, but the Nov sighting at Coward’s Marsh was the first ever Winter and inland sites:

Cheselbourne Singles on 11th & 13th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 2 on 30th Jan. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 14th Nov. Kingcombe Meadows DWT 1 from 8th to 13th Mar. AutumnPortland passage : 1 at the Bill, Wakeham and Easton on 15th-16th Apr.

Portland 1 at PBO on 7th Nov . Durlston CP 2 on 19th Oct.

LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, and rare winter visitor.

The Mar record at Christchurch Harbour was the first CHOG spring sighting since 2006.

Christchurch Harbour Singles on 18th-19th Mar, 19th Oct and 5th-6th Nov. Durlston CP Singles on 13th Oct, 6th Nov and 13th Nov. East Fleet Bill2 on on 13th 13th Nov, Nov 1 .on 26th-27th Nov. Portland Singles at Reap Lane on 26th Oct, Blacknor on 28th Oct and the

West Bay 1 on 14th Nov. SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, and rare winter visitor.

Highcliffe 1 on 5th Dec . Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 7th Dec . Poole 1 at Poole Quay on 22nd Oct .

West Bay 1 on 23rd Nov.

164 Dorset Bird Report 2016 PINE BUNTING Emberiza leucocephalos Very rare vagrant.

on 26th Oct (per birding information services et al Portland 1 first-year female trapped & ringed in the Crown Estate Field , photo).

This constitutes only the 2nd county record – the previous one was in Apr 1975, also on Portland. Nationally, there was a record influx of nine birds during Oct 2016. YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citronella Declining breeding resident and passage migrant.

Breeding: The Breeding Bird Survey 2016

has shown that the species has decreased in SW England by 18% in the last 20 years. CHOG have noted this decline, particularly over the last 10 years. However, Lodmoor RSPB noted a small increase in numbers over the last two years. Probable breeding was noted at many sites including Avon Valley, Badbury Rings, Briantspuddle Heath, Christchurch Harbour, Cogden Beach, Corfe Castle, Dancing Ledge, Hammoon, Higher Hyde Heath DWT, Maiden Castle, Puddletown, Ringstead Bay, Shapwick, FirstTadnoll winter DWT, period Thornicombe, [10+]: Wareham Forest and West Bexington. Athelhampton 15 on 20th Jan .

Corfe Castle 12 on 24th Apr. Dorchester 14 on 7th May. Frome Whitfield 20 on 19th Mar. Martinstown At Grove Hill Bottom 40 on 6th Jan and 20 on 4th Mar. Puddletown Several counts of 10+ at Brick Pond from 10th Jan to 5th Apr, max 40 on 30th Jan. Wareham Forest 12 at Bere Heath/Philliols Heath on 24th Jan. Whitesheet Plantation 10 on 17th Mar. Winterborne Stickland 18 at Hedge End Farm on 22nd Apr. SpringWool passage: 29 at New Buildings on 24th Jan. Lodmoor 1 on 20th Apr .

AutumnPortland passage: 5 bird-days from all sites between Mar-Jun.

11th Nov . PortlandLodmoor 4Singles bird-days on 22nd from Oct, all sites 4th Nov during and Sep-Oct 16th-17th . Dec; 3 on Ringstead Bay 18 on 2nd Oct .

SecondWest Bexington winter period: 20 on 26th Oct. Athelhampton 11 on 27th Nov .

2016 Dorset Bird Report 165 Badbury Rings 12 on 19th Nov .

Martinstown 30 at Grove Hill Bottom on 31st Dec. Puddletown 14 on 6th Nov, 13 on 13th Nov. Winspit 20 on 13th Oct. ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Rare passage migrant, mainly in the autumn.

The nocturnal records from Poole, Portland and Stoborough following the nocturnal calls recorded at Lytchett Matravers in Aug 2015, suggest that migration through the county may be stronger than previously assumed, albeit whilst we sleep.

PooleChristchurch Harbour Nocturnal1 on 25th Aug.calls recorded from the listening station Hartland Moor in1 on Old 3rd Town Sep. on several nights from 22nd Aug to 11th

the total of recordings to 13 during this period . Sep. Mostly single birds, but 7 on 26th Aug bringing

Portland At least 4 records: 1+ at the Bill from 26th Aug to 2nd AtSep, least another a further there 12 on were 14th soundSep, 1 atrecorded Blacknor overnight on 18th betweenSep and one 25th at Aug-12th the Crown Sep Estate . Field on 19th Sep. Stoborough 2 sound recorded on night of 30th-31st Aug .

Wyke Regis Singles on 11th and 13th Sep. LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla Rare passage migrant.

Oct (per DBC et al Portland 1 trapped & ringed at the Crown Estate Field on 29th , photo). REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Declining breeding resident, winter visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding: the Breeding Bird Survey 2016 The species has increased in SW England by 34% in the last 20 years, as established by . Multiple singing males were recorded at Arne RSPB (16), Christchurch Harbour (15+), Cogden Beach (3), Lodmoor (6+), Lytchett Bay (c23), Radipole FirstLake RSPBwinter (5), period: Sopley (16+), Warmwell Quarry (4) and West Bexington (3). Bournemouth 20 at Southborne on 29th Feb .

Ringwood Forest 50 on 3rd Feb . Longham Lakes 14 on 12th Mar.

Upton Country Park 23 on 8th Jan. 166West StaffordDorset Bird Report 2016 20 at Lewell on 30th Jan. Spring passage:

AutumnPortland passage:Bill 2 bird-days in Mar and 1 in Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 13th217 bird-days Nov . in Sep-Oct, max 97 on 28th Sep. PortlandDurlston BillCP 25051 bird-days bird-days fromfrom 26thSep to Sep Nov to . 14th Nov, max 8 on

SecondEast Bexington winter period: 21 on 13th Nov.

No significant counts were received. CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common breeding resident.

The Breeding Bird Survey 2016 has shown a sharp decrease of 33% in England in the last 20 appearyears. Unfortunately to have declined the speciesin 2016 is . Observers not present are in urgedenough to survey continue squares to submit to make all recordsa regional of thisbreakdown. species .The Dorset population has been reasonably stable in recent years, but numbers

Breeding:

Singing males were present at Badbury Rings, Maiden Castle, Ringstead Bay, St Aldhelm’s Head (3), Tarrant Rushton Airfield (9), West Compton (4+), White Nothe and Wyke Down (4). In addition, there was a singing male at Portland Bill on 23rd Apr, following 3 birds Firstthere winteron 17th period: Apr. The species has been extinct as a breeding bird on Portland since 1987.

Maiden Castle Max of 30 on 2nd Feb and 50 on 12th Apr. Martinstown 10 on 4th Mar. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 20 on 20th & 30th Jan, 13 on 25th Mar. SecondWinterborne winter Stickland period: 14 at Hedge End Farm on 22nd Apr. Badbury Rings 10 on 31st Dec .

Martinstown onMax 20th 12 onDec 30th . Dec. Maiden Castle Peak counts of 40 on 29th Oct, 50 on 22nd Nov and 50

Milborne St Andrew 17 on 13th Oct, 20 on 20th Oct. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 10 on 15th Nov. Wyke Down 30 on 10th Nov and 31st Dec.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 167 SELECTED ESCAPES IN 2016

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Native range: Australia.

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 present intermittently throughout the year .

Canford Bridge 2 on the R Stour 15th Jan & 4th Jul and on nearby meadows 4th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 3 flew S on 4th Jul. Hampreston Meadows 1 on 16th Feb. BAR-HEADED GOOSE Anser indicus Native range: Central and South Asia.

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 22nd Sep .

HOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes cucullatus Native range: North America.

visiting Lodmoor RSPB on several occasions . Radipole Lake RSPB The long-staying drake remained throughout the year, also

REEVES’S PHEASANT Syrmaticus reevesii Native range: Central and eastern China.

Wimborne St Giles 3 males on 19th Mar and 1 on 3rd & 13th Apr. LADY AMHERST’S PHEASANT Chrysolophus amherstiae Native range: Southwestern China and northern Myanmar.

Weymouth 1 male in the Belle Vue Road area on 16th Feb. GREAT BUSTARD Otis tarda Former breeder, all records refer to birds from the attempted reintroduction scheme currently taking place in Wiltshire.

Lytchett Bay 1 on 18th Apr . Spetisbury 3 on 9th Apr .

168 Dorset Bird Report 2016 PENDING AND REQUESTED RECORDS

Requested records: The following records from 2016 have not been substantiated or submitted at the time of please submit supporting evidence as soon as possible to ensure these records are not lost publication. If you were the finder or simply an observer of any of the birds listed below, recorder@dorsetbirdsto history. Accepted records .org will.uk using appear the as forms additional found recordshere: in the systematic list of next http://wwwyear’s report. .dorsetbirds Please submit .org any .uk/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 records to the County Recorder via the following email

Black Brant Poole Harbour 5th Dec Bewick’s Swan Avon Causeway 28th Dec

Cory’s Shearwater (x4) Charmouth 20th Aug Cory’s Shearwater Portland Bill 21st Aug Honey Buzzard Durlston CP 14th May Honey Buzzard Portland Bill 27th May Honey Buzzard Christchurch Harbour 20th Sep Black Kite Durlston CP 14th May Montagu’s Harrier Cogden Beach 31st Aug Red-footed Falcon Verwood 14th May Spotted Crake Radipole Lake 20th Sep Crane (x2) Wickhampton 21st Feb Crane (x2) Horton 25th Feb Crane (x2) West Moors 15th Mar Crane Ackling Dyke 16th Apr Crane nr Baker’s Arms 3rd Jun Crane Hartland Moor 2nd Jul Crane (x2) Weymouth 9th Oct Crane (x4) Rempstone 8th Nov Crane (x2) Wareham 3rd Dec Temminck’s Stint Ferrybridge 5th May Long-tailed Skua Chesil Cove 18th May Sabine’sLong-tailed Gull Skua Portland HarbourBill 30th25th SepMay Long-tailed Skua Durlston CP 12th Aug

Black Guillemot Poole Harbour 30th Mar Bee-eater Chapel Gate, Bournemouth 8th May Bee-eater (x2) Weston 10th May Bee-eater PortlandSherborne Bill 24th14th JunMay Red-rumpedBee-eater Swallow Portland West Cliffs 16th18th AprJun

TawnyRed-rumped Pipit Swallow Portland BillWest Cliffs 14th4th May Sep Red-throatedShort-toed Lark Pipit Portland Bill 29th12th OctMay

Subalpine Warbler sp Easton 9th Oct 2016 Dorset Bird Report 169 Greenish Warbler Lulworth 27th Aug Greenish Warbler Charmouth 29th Sep Pallas’s Warbler Avalanche Road 24th Oct TwiteGolden Oriole HengistburyCorscombe Head 21st15th OctMay Hooded Crow Portland Bill 5th Apr

Cirl Bunting West Bay 14th Nov Cirl Bunting Cogden 22nd Sep TheLittle following Bunting records were consideredPortland Not ProvenWest Cliffs by either the Dorset5th Records Oct Panel (DRP) or the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC).

It should be noted that a Not Proven outcome rarely implies that a record is not as claimed, but just that the evidence presented falls short of being enough to ensure panel members BBRCare as confident as the submitter that the record was as claimed.

PallidDRP Harrier Hengistbury Head 6th May 2016 Pink-footed Goose Hatch Pond 6th October 2016

KentishHoney Buzzard Plover HengistburyChristchurch Head 20th September 2016 Black Kite nr Bere Regis 14th May 2016 6th May 2016

170 Dorset Bird Report 2016 DORSET BIRD RINGING 2016 By Kevin Sayer

Below are details of groups and individuals who have submitted ringing details for Dorset for of 129 species are known to have been ringed in the county during 2016 . This represents a 14%2016. increase Interesting on the recoveries number and caught controls in 2015 are . shown at the end of this report. 32,428 birds

PORTLAND BIRD OBSERVATORY: (www .portlandbirdobs org. .uk

) 5,932 birds of 77 species were ringed at the Obs and other nearby sites. Totals included 1,422 Willow Warbler, 915 Chiffchaff and 719 Blackcap. Three new species were trapped: Red-flanked Bluetail, STOURRed-eyed RINGING Vireo and GROUP: a Pine Bunting.

The group has 2 main sites at Lytchett Bay and Durlston Country Park. At Durlston CP they managed to catch a total of 4,682 birds of 45 species (the highest annual total at DCP). The totals included 1,468 Chiffchaff, 942 Willow Warbler, 851 Blackcap, 220 Meadow Pipit and 164 Swallow. Highlights included a Melodious Warbler, a Tawny Owl and 6 Yellow-browed Warbler. At Lytchett they managed to catch 1,279 birds of 45 species. EASTTotals FLEETincluded RINGING 296 Sedge STATION Warbler,: Ian190 DoddChiffchaff, informs 174 meReed that Warbler in 2016 and he 67 managed Blackbird. to trap

2,147 birds of 45 species at his sites at Tidmoor, Cutcleaves Cove and Littlesea. The totals included 258 Chiffchaff, 230 Goldfinch, 214 Blackcap and 127 Whitethroat. Ian also managed NEILto trap CROTON: a Yellow-browed Warbler and 2 Black Redstart.

Neil managed to trap 2,219 birds of 50 species during 2016 mostly at his West Bexington site. The totals included 617 Swallow, 373 Yellow Wagtail, 182 Chiffchaff ROGERand 164 PEART:House Martin. Roger Dunlinmanaged was to a trapnew 766species birds for of West 32 speciesBexington. during 2016 at his sites at Longham Lakes, Cobbridge, Canford School and Oakley, Wimborne. Totals included 178 Blue Tit, 117 Chiffchaff, 89 Great Tit and 73 Swallow. Roger also managed to trap CHRISTCHURCH2 Yellow-browed WarblerHARBOUR at Longham. RINGING STATION: (http://www .chog org. .uk)

In 2016 we managed to trap 856 birds of 32 species. Our totals included 302 Sedge Warbler, Hengistbury147 Chiffchaff, . 102 Reed Warbler and 50 Willow Warbler. During the annual Members’ Day in Sep we managed to trap one of only two Grasshopper Warbler caught during the year at KEVIN SAYER: In 2016 I managed to catch a total of 397 birds of 20 species in my Ferndown

Bramblinggarden, plus . 5 pullus tits. My feeders attract a variety of finches including my best ever haul of Siskin (181) in a calendar year. Also trapped were 75 Goldfinch, 29 Lesser Redpoll and 2 FLEETS LANE CORNER RINGING STATION: ringing totals for this site. Totals for 2016 were 380 birds of 22 species. Highlights were Paul Morton has informed me of the

171 Chiffchaff, 38 Long-tailed Tit and 32 Goldcrest.

2016 Dorset Bird Report 171 TONY TAYLOR: Tony continues to ring in his Spetisbury garden where he managed to catch

193 birds of 21 species. Highlights were 47 Goldfinch, 36 House Sparrow and 31 Swallow (28 Ifpulli). anybody Tony is also interested managed in to training trap 6 Piedto become Wagtail a pulliBTO andLicensed 5 Spotted Ringer Flycatcher then you pulli. can get more information at http://www .bto .org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/taking-part/learn-ring .

NB . Many of the sites used by the Ringers mentioned above are on private land and Birders are asked to respect the landowner’s privacy .

The BTO Ringing Scheme is funded by a partnership of the British Trust for Ornithology, the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (on behalf of: Natural England, Natural Resources Wales and Scottish Natural Heritage and the Department of the Environment Northern ReferenceIreland), The: National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and the ringers themselves. http://wwwRobinson, .bto .org/ringing-report R.A., Leech, D.I. created & Clark, on J.A.(2015) 7-Sep-2015 The Online Demography Report: Bird ringing and nest recording in Britain & Ireland in 2014 BTO, Thetford

Spotted Flycatcher – Hengistbury - August 2016 – Kevin Sayer

172 Dorset Bird Report 2016 RECOVERIES AND CONTROLS

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

Z65453 Adult male 29.09.1988 Fordingbridge, Hants (SEV) Caught by ringer 27.04.2000 Fordingbridge, Hants Caught by ringer 04.09.2016 Christchurch This is close to setting a BTO longevity record which currently27y 11m stands 6d, 21 at Kms 29y 1m 11d

Canada Goose Branta Canadensis 5212401 Adult 18 .09 .2007 Poole Park Freshly dead 10 .10 .2016 Poole Park

5212447 First(injury) year 13 .12 .2011 Poole2 Kms, Park 9y 0m 22d SPAIN

Field record 14.02.2016 Parque de Isabel la Catolica,Gijon, Teal Anas crecca 845 Kms, 4y 2m 1d nd SWEDEN Freshly dead 14 .12 .2016 Hurn SVS6432316 2 year male 17.06.2012 Andfanget, Ottenby,

Storm Petrel Hydrobates(shot) pelagicus 1348 Kms, 4y 5m 27d 2526487 Fully grown 30 .06 .2014 Portland Bill

Caught by ringer 29.07.2016 Alderney, Channel Islands Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 760 days, 91 Kms THE NETHERLANDS

Colour-ring Nestling 04.07.2016 Den Oever, Field record 0101.10.2016 .11 .2016 FerrybridgeChristchurch Harbour Field record 03.10.2016 River Taw, Barnstaple DENMARK

DKC2L0061 Nestling 15.05.2014 Var Holm, Nordjyllands, Field record 28.03.2016 Hartland Moor Buzzard Buteo buteo 1037 Kms, 1y 10m 13d

Field record 07 .11 .2016 Organford GF17902 Nestling female 27.06.1992 Creech North

Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 10 Kms, 24y 4m 11d FP52332 Adult 02 .10 .2011 Brownsea Island NETHERLANDS NETHERLANDS Field record 08.02.2016 Starrevaart, Field record 19.03.2016 Vogelplas Starrevaart, 471 Kms, 4y 5m 17d 2016 Dorset Bird Report 173 Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula WALES Field record 28 .08 .2015 Ferrybridge Colour-ring Adult female 15.08.2015 Llanfairfechan, Gwynedd, Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta

Field record 26 .12 .2016 Brownsea Island EY98228 Nestling 15.06.2016 Long Drag Pools, Stockton-on-Tees

Curlew Numenius arquata 439 Kms, 0y 6m 11d

FINLAND FC99111 Full grown 25.10.1999 Brownsea Island Freshly dead 05.06.2016 Telataipale, Sulkava, Dunlin Calidris (predated) alpine 2236 Kms, 16y 7m 11d NT70912 Adult 16 .12 .2002 Poole Harbour

Caught by ringer 26.01.2016 Poole Harbour NT85717 First year 07 .01 .2007 Poole0 Km, Harbour13y 1m 10d

Caught by ringer 23.02.2016 Poole Harbour Sanderling Calidris alba 0 km, 9y 1m 16d NT70876 First year 24 .01 .2002 Poole Harbour

Caught by ringer 08.03.2016 Poole Harbour BT27584 First year 28 .12 .2012 Poole0 Km, Harbour14y 1m 13d

Caught by ringer 01.08.2015 Snettisham, Norfolk Redshank Tringa totanus 295 Kms, 2y 7m 4d DB91473 Adult 06 .12 .2011 Poole Harbour

Caught by ringer 23.02.2016 Poole Harbour Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus 0 Km, 4y 2m 17d ET50410 First year 21 .11 .1998 Poole Park GERMANY

Field record 22.05.2016 Inseln Bohmke Und Werder, 1144 Kms, 17y 6m 1d NETHERLANDS EL84447 Adult 02.01.2009 Christchurch Field record 12.06.2016 Den Burg, Texel, 519 Kms, 7y 5m 10d

174 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus

PORTUGAL EL51799 Nestling 08.06.2006 Belmont Reservoir, ackburn,PORTUGAL Lancs Field record 12.11.2006 Ponta Delgada,Sao Miguel, PORTUGAL Field record 29.03.2007 Ponta Delgada,Sao Miguel, POLAND Field record 30.11.2007 Ponta Delgada,Sao Miguel, Field record 30.05.2012 Zwirownia Pilce,Dolnoslaskie, Field record 02.01.2016 Radipole Lake, Weymouth 336 Kms, 9y 6m 25d GERMANY

IA108357 Nestling 06.06.2007 Bohmke Und Werder, Field record 09.07.2015 Chesil Beach Field record 03.01.2016 Radipole Lake, Weymouth 1181 Kms, 8y 6m 28dGERMANY

5350329 Nestling 14.06.2008 Pionierinsel Luhe, Field record 24.09.2016 Radipole Lake, Weymouth 887 Kms, 8y 3m 10d POLAND

FS15770 Nestling 12.06.2016 Zb Mietkowski, Mietkow, Field record 18.12.2016 Middle Beach, Studland Herring Gull Larus argentatus 1303 Kms, 0y 6m 6d

FRANCE GR67576 Nestling 25.06.2015 Portland Port Break Water Field record 26.12.2016 Cap Gris Nez, Pas-de-Calais, 284 Kms, 1y 6m 1d FRANCE GV32671 Nestling 28.06.2016 Portland Port Break Water Field record 16.09.2016 Auderville, Manche, Razorbill Alca torda 103 Kms, 0y 2m 19d

K15284 Adult 11.06.2009 Bardsey Island, Gwynedd Freshly dead 02.02.2016 Chapman’s Pool, Worth Matravers Guillemot Uria(storm) aalge 306 Kms, 6y 7m 22d

R76141 Adult 24.03.2007 Isle of May, Fife Freshly dead 16.01.2016 Chesil Beach, Weymouth X60944 Full grown 01 .03 .1996 Burton617 Kms, Bradstock 8y 9m 23d

Unknown 10.03.2016 Wembury Point, Devon Little Tern Sternula(ring only)albifrons 107 Kms, 20y 0m 9d

NW00719 Nestling female 21.06.2010 Ferrybridge, Weymouth Caught by ringer 17.06.2016 Ferrybridge, Weymouth 0 km, 5y 11m 27d 2016 Dorset Bird Report 175 Barn Owl Tyto alba

AJ61996 Nestling 30.07.2009 Parsonage Barn, Toller Porcorum Freshly dead 16.02.2016 Sigwells, Somerset Peregrine Falco(injury) peregrinus 27 Kms, 6y 6m 17d

Sick 26 .09 .2016Gloucester GR67956 Nestling female 13.05.2016 Bournemouth College

(injury) 131 Kms, 0y 4m 13d

GV00842 Nestling male 31.05.2015 Chichester Cathedral Field record 29.08.2015 Hayling Oyster Beds, Hayling Island Field record 12.10.2015 Hurst Castle, Hants Field record 19.04.2016 Durlston CP, Swanage 87 Kms, 0y 10m 19d Field record 27 .10 .2016 Portland Bill Colour-ring Nestling 10.06.2016 Southampton Docks Blackbird Turdus merula

SWEDEN LC68922 Adult 20.10.2015 Portland Bill Freshly dead 21.05.2016 Vekhyttan, Orebro, (window) 214 days, 1460 Km

CW38748 First year male 14.12.2007 Ferndown Caught by ringer 19.01.2016 Ferndown Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 0 Km, 8y 1m 5d BELGIUM

23Z45645 First year 29.10.2011 Bellern Oost-Vlaanderen, Caught by ringer 27.03.2012 Portland Bill Robin Erithacus rubecula 150 days, 423 Km BELGIUM

14588950 First year 28.08.2016 Averbode, Brabant, Caught by ringer 17.09.2016 Portland Bill 20 days, 525 Km

Y228810 Juvenile 13.07.2011 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Caught by ringer 04.12.2016 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill 0 Km, 5y 4m 21d

X160866 Full grown 30.12.2010 Braytown, near Wool Caught by ringer 25.03.2016 Braytown, near Wool 0 Km, 5y 2m 24d

176 Dorset Bird Report 2016 Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

T837111 Juvenile 18.09.2016 Downholme, North Yorkshire Caught by ringer 02.10.2016 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill WALES 392 Kms, 0y 0m 14d Y536674 Juvenile 08.08.2015 Caerian, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Caught by ringer 08.10.2015 Portland Bill Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 61 days, 138 Km FRANCE

6197542 First year female 27.09.2009 Wimereux, Pas-de-Calais, Caught by ringer 14.04.2010 Portland Bill Z880206 Adult female 11 .04 .2016 Portland199 days, Bill 287 Km EIRE

Found dead 25.04.2016 Lanesborough, Longford, 14 days, 515 Km CHANNEL ISLANDS Y822762 First year female 25.09.2013 Durlston CP Caught by ringer 19.04.2016 Alderney, Z880306 Full grown female 17 .04 .2016 Portland98 Kms, 2y Bill 6m 25d FRANCE

Caught by ringer 27.09.2016 Marais de Pampin,La Rochelle, 491 Kms, 0y 5m 10d NORWAY

EH85378 First year female 11.10.2015 Sore Merkeskog, Utsira, Caught by ringer 08.10.2016 Durlston CP 1061 Kms, 0y 11m 27dNETHERLANDS

V788801 First year male 28.09.2016 Tjeukemeer, Rohel, Caught by ringer 25.10.2016 Tidmoor, The Fleet Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 628 Kms, 0y 0m 27d JNK920 Adult 19 .10 .2016 Portland Bill CHANNEL ISLANDS

Caught by ringer 05.11.2016 Grouville, Jersey, 17 days, 152 Km

HKK486 First year 10.09.2016 Brook Vale, Liverpool Caught by ringer 30.09.2016 Portland Bill 330 Kms, 0y 0m 20d

JER085 Full grown 22.10.2016 Dunkirk, Little Downham, Cambs Caught by ringer 29.10.2016 Durlston CP 257 Kms, 0y 0m 7d FRANCE HTN501 First year 18.10.2015 Littlesea, Weymouth Caught by ringer 13.10.2016 Mars-Ouest, Loire-Atlantique, 392 Kms, 0y 11m 25d 2016 Dorset Bird Report 177 FRANCE ECV608 First year 18.09.2016 West Bexington Caught by ringer 10.10.2016 Tour Aux Moutons, Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus 375 Kms, 0y 0m 22d SPAIN

FR5763 Adult 14.04.2013 Villarreal de San Carlos, Caceres, Caught by ringer 30.04.2013 Portland Bill JNK271 Adult 09 .08 .2016 Portland16 days, 1219 Bill Km FRANCE

Caught by ringer 20.08.2016 Roseliere, Charente-Maritime, JNK354 First year 15 .08 .2016 Portland11 days, 569 Bill Km PORTUGAL

Freshly dead 01.09.2016 Amorim de Cima, Porto, (cat) 17 days, 1330 Km SPAIN

PA6210 Adult 03.04.2013 Isla de Tabarca, Alicante, Caught by ringer 22.04.2015 Portland Bill EJK898 First year 28 .07 .2014 Longham749 days, Lakes1383 Km

Freshly Dead 03.05.2016 Cascob, Presteigne, Powys HTN163 Adult 15 .04 .2015Tidmoor1 yr 280 days, 188 Km CHANNEL ISLANDS

Caught by ringer 13.04.2016 Alderney, Firecrest Regulus ignicapillus 364 days, 102 Kms HKA728 Second year female 04 .04 .2015 Portland Bill FRANCE

Caught by ringer 15.10.2015 Trunvel, Finistere, Pied Flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca 194 days, 324 Km

D558539 Nestling 02.06.2014 Rhos-y-Meirch, Knighton, Powys Caught by ringer 23.04.2016 Portland Bill D769541 Adult female 14 .05 .2014 Portland691 days, Bill 207 Km

Caught by ringer 27.05.2016 Horner Wood, Luccombe, Somerset (at nest box) 744 days, 109 Km

Z537624 Nestling 13.06.2015 Kentmere Hall Plantation, Cumbria Caught by ringer 18.08.2016 Durlston CP Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 429 Kms, 1y 2m 5d Z379820 First year 11 .08 2015. Tidmoor FRANCE

Caught by ringer 20.08.2015 Tour aux Moutons, Donges, 178 Dorset Bird Report 2016 9 days, 367 Kms D662989 First year 24 .08 .2015 Squire’s Down SCOTLAND

Caught by ringer 10.05.2016 Meikle Loch, Aberdeenshire, 710 Kms, 0y 8m 16dN . IRELAND

Y305245 First year 03.08.2015 Milltown, Belfast, Caught by ringer 23.08.2016 Hengistbury Head D994849 First year 17 .08 .2016 Squire’s515 Kms, Down 1y 0m 20d FRANCE

Caught by ringer 28.08.2016 Terres D’Oiseaux, Gironde, 644 Kms,PORTUGAL 0y 0m 11d

A412661 First year 02.09.2015 Setubal, Caught by ringer 27.04.2016 Squire’s Down 1518 Kms, 0y 7m 10d SPAIN

3L86296 Adult 02.09.2014 Alhaurin de la Torre, Malaga, Caught by ringer 31.07.2016 Squire’s Down Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 1601 Kms, 1y 10m 29d Z881317 First year 28 .08 .2016 Portland Bill THE GAMBIA

Caught by ringer 24.11.2016 Kartong, 88 days, 4360 Km FRANCE

7796888 First year 17.08.2015 Etang-de-Moisan, Landes Caught by ringer 21.07.2016 Tidmoor 339 days, 761 KmsFRANCE

7700552 Full grown 18.04.2016 Conchemarche, Caught by ringer 05.08.2016 Lytchett Bay Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs 593 Kms, 0y 3m 18d THE NETHERLANDS

V797913 First year female 22.09.2016 Bant, Overijssel, Caught by ringer 01.11.2016 Portland Bill Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis 40 days, 620 Km Z035971 First year 14 .11 .2014 Portland Bill EIRE

Caught by ringer 13.04.2016 Illaune, Milltown, Galway, 516 days, 562 Km Z036000 First year male 16 .11 .2014 Portland Bill CHANNEL ISLANDS

Caught by ringer 23.11.2016 Alderney, 738 days, 92 Km FRANCE

7479754 First year male 10.02.2016 Saint Germain le Vieux, Caught by ringer 26.10.2016 Portland Bill 291 Kms, 0y 8m2016 16d Dorset Bird Report 179 Lesser Redpoll Acanthis cabaret

S456921 First year 09.10.2016 Lichfield Block, Cannock Chase, Staffs Caught by ringer 18.12.2016 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Siskin Carduelis spinus 212 Kms, 0y 2m 9d SCOTLAND

Z123895 Adult male 25.06.2014 Shebster, Highland, Caught by ringer 10.02.2016 Sadborrow 863 Kms, 1y 7m 16d SCOTLAND S107097 First year female 28.03.2016 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Freshly dead 20.04.2016 Loch More, Highland, Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus 837 Kms, 0y 0m 23d D155250 First year 02 .07 .2013 Longham Lakes

Caught by ringer 11.10.2016 Lytchett Bay 9 Kms, 3 yrs 101 days SWEDEN

CX77117 First year female 01.10.2016 Nidingen, Hallands Lan, Caught by ringer 21.10.2016 Tidmoor, The Fleet 1200 Kms, 0y 0m 20d

Whitethroat – Hengistbury - September 2016 – Kevin Sayer

180 Dorset Bird Report 2016 2016 Dorset Bird Report 181 182 Dorset Bird Report 2016 2016 Dorset Bird Report 183 184 Dorset Bird Report 2016 2016 Dorset Bird Report 185 186 Dorset Bird Report 2016 2016 Dorset Bird Report 187 KEY TO DORSET MAP

02 Burton Bradstock SY4889 47 St Aldhelm’s Head SY961755 01 Lyme Regis SY3492 46 Chapman’s Pool SY955770

0503 SouthPeascombe Poorton SY512975SY498944 5048 StoboroughWinspit Valley Heath SY924850SY976760 04 Loscombe SY506982 49 Middlebere SY968863

06 Brackett’s Coppice ST514074 51 Arne RSPB SY972878 07 West Bexington SY527866 52 Ham Common SY983905 08 Powerstock Common SY540973 53 Lytchett Fields RSPB SY965924 09 Kingcombe Meadows SY555992 54 Upton Heath SY980947 10 Sutton Bingham Res. ST544094 55 Corfe Mullen Meadow SY980967 11 Abbotsbury Swannery SY577845 56 Pamphill & Eye Mead ST995001 12 Langton Herring SY6182 57 Upton Country Park SY993928 13 Nunnery Mead SY615953 58 Townsend NR SZ024782 14 Muckleford SY642931 59 Durlston CP SZ032773 15 Ferrybridge SY668755 60 Kitt’s Grave SU025210 16 Lorton Meadows SY674826 61 Sutton Holms SU055095 17 Haydon Hill SY669946 62 Garston Wood RSPB SU002191 18 Brooklands Farm SY666952 63 White Sheet Plantation SU048036 2119 PortlandSherborne Bill Castle Lake SY677682ST6416 6664 BallardCanford Down Heath SZ042813SZ031955 20 Holway Woods ST633200 65 Brownsea Island SZ028878 23 King Barrow Quarries SY690728 68 South Haven SZ036867 22 Chesil Cove SY6873 67 Knoll Beach SZ033835

2624 RadipolePortland CastleLake RSPB SY6779SY684743 7169 LonghamBranksome Lakes Chine SZ064980SZ065896 25 Sandsfoot Castle SY674773 70 Alder Hills SZ063931

27 Lodmoor RSPB SY6881 72 Holt Heath SU050050 28 Tadnoll Heath SY792873 73 Cranborne Common SU100110 29 Winfrith Heath SY805870 74 Troublefield SZ124975 30 Green Hill Down ST792037 75 Sopley Common SZ132976 31 Broad Oak Orchard ST791123 76 Coward’s Marsh SZ151951 32 Piddles Wood ST796128 77 Stanpit Marsh SZ169919 33 Girdler’s Coppice ST797133 78 Hengistbury Head SZ176908 34 Mill Ham Island ST824126 79 East Holme SY895863 35 Higher Hyde Heath SY851902 80 Seacombe Valley SY984766 36 East Stoke Fen SY864866 81 Osmington Mills SY735817 3937 KimmeridgeCoombe Heath Bay SY905792SY861843 8482 PortlandRingstead Bird Bay Obs SY681689SY760815 38 Fontmell Down ST884176 83 White Nothe SY772809

4240 SherfordStonehill BridgeDown SY919926SY925822 8785 HolesMorden Bay Bog SZ0092SY913920 41 Kilwood Coppice SY933825 86 Soldiers Road SY944855 44 Sovell Down ST985107 89 Baiter Park SZ020901 4543 AshleySwineham Wood GPs SY937879ST925051 88 Dancing Ledge SY997768

188 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GAZETTEER

Abbeycroft Down ST 9505 SY4789/SY5888 Abbotsbury Beach SY559845 SY 521899 Bride Valley Abbotsbury Swannery SY 578839 SY 652773 Bride Valley Fish Farm Ackling Dyke Bridport SY 4694 Bridging Camp, The Fleet Acton SY 989784 Broadoak SY 4396 SU 015163 Affpuddle SY 805936 Broadcroft Quarry SY 698718 Alderholt Broadstone SZ 0095 Alners Gorse ST 737103 SZ 0097 SU 1112 Alweston ST 664143 Brockington Broadstone GC SY 947868 Brownsea Island SZ 0288 SU 019107 Arne RSPB SY 975878 Brownsea Lagoon SZ 029880 Arne Moors ST 9205 Bryanstone ST 8706 Ashmore ST 9117 Buckland Ripers SY 6482 Ashley Wood Athelhampton SY 771941 Bucknowle SY 949813 SY 686705 Bugley ST 7824 SZ 1497 Bulbarrow Hill ST 7705 Avalanche Rd (& Hump) Burleston SY 776942 Avon Causeway SY 761815 Avon Heath CP SU 1203 Babylon Hill ST 576155 SZ 1694/95 Avon River Valley SZ1692-SU1307 Burning Cliff Badbury Rings ST 9603 Burton Bradstock SY 48/4989 Burton (Avon Valley) Baiter Park SZ 022904 SY 508879 Ballard Down SZ 381 Bushey SY 979834 Burton Mere Bardolf Farm SY 763952 SY 6379 SY 7694 SZ 0398 Butterstreet Cove Barleycrates Lane SY 685710 SZ 032983 Bardolf WM Canford ST 6303 SZ 041986 Canford Heath SY 973950 ST 9713 Batcombe Walk Canford Magna GC Beaminster ST 4701 SY 676775 Beacon Hill Landfill Cashmoor Beaminster Down ST 4903 SZ 112947 Castle Cove Bearwood SZ 0496 ST 685011 Castlepoint, Bournemouth ST 6014 SY 6680 Cerne Abbas Bere Regis SY 8495 Bembury Walk Chafey’s Lake Bestwall SY 9287 SY 838913 Chalbury Hill SU 0106 Bincombe SY 6884 SY 955771 Chamberlayne’s Heath Bindon Abbey SY 854867 SY 922298 Chapman’s Pool Black Down SY 609876 ST 3404 Charborough Park SY 836941 ST 902039 Chard Junction GP SY 946910 SY 6892 Black Hill, Bere Regis Charlton Marshall Blackers Hole SZ 007767 SY 3693 Black Hill, Holton Heath Charminster Blacknor SY 677714 ST 718057 Charmouth Blandford Forum ST 88/8906 SY 7699 Chaston Farm SY 881948 SY 57/68 Cheselbourne SZ 035899 SY 984734 Bloxworth Chesil Beach Bokerley Dyke ST 963134 Blue Lagoon, Lilliput Chesil Cove, Portland Boscombe SZ 11/1291 SY 693705 SU 0418 Chettle SZ 0693 SY 6481 Cheyne Weare Bournemouth Hospital SZ 126942 SY 637791 Bourne Valley Chickerell SY 8388 SY 527910 Chickerell Hive Point SY 703819 ST 8312 Bovington Camp Chilcombe Boys Hill ST 673102 Bowleaze Cove Child Okeford ST 5107 ST 715035 Christchurch Harbour SU 1791 Bramble Bush Bay SZ 031862 SY 698711 Bracketts Coppice Church Hill Brand’s Bay SZ 0185 SZ 005865 Church Ope Cove Branksome SZ 0592 ST 5712 Cleaval Point SZ 0689 SY 5087 Clifton Wood Brenscombe Hill SY 986819 Branksome Chine Cogden Beach Briantspuddle SY 8193 ST 869185 Colehill SU 0201 Compton Abbas

2016 Dorset Bird Report 189 GAZETTEER (continued)

SY 593932 Fitzworth SY 992867 SY 975867 SZ 053887 Compton Valence ST 775025 Fleetsbridge SZ 010933 Coombe Heath Flaghead Chine SY 6983/84 Fontmell Down ST 884176 Coombe Hill SY 9682 Forde Abbey ST 359050 Coombe Valley SY 9580/81 Forston SY 6695 Corfe Castle SY 9996 Fortuneswell SY 6873 Corfe Common SY 9798 SY 652778 Corfe Hills SY 9684 Frampton SY 6295 Corfe Mullen Foxholes, The Fleet ST 5105 French’s Farm SY 968930 Corfe River Meadows SZ 1595 SY 6991 Corscombe Cross Furzehill Coward’s Marsh Frome Whitfield Furzey Island SZ 00/0187 Cranborne SU 0514 SU 0102 SY 9283 SY 882795 Cranborne Common SU 104112 SY 999939 Gallows Hill SY 844911 Creech Heath Gad Cliff ST 961101 Creekmoor Ponds SY 9907 Gillingham ST 8026/27 Critchel Down Garston Wood SU 002190 SY 76/7788 Glebelands SZ 0381 Critchel Lake SZ 169918 Goathill ST 675172 Crossways SY 982690 Godlingston Heath SZ 0182 Crouch Hill, Stanpit SY640789 SY 407923 Culverwell Dancing Ledge SY 997768 Golden Springs SY 8290 Cuttcleaves Golden Cap ST 7511 Gore Heath SY 9291 SZ 0197 Gotham Deadmoor Common Dewlish SY 775985 Grange Heath SY 9083 Delph Woods SU 083113 Didlington ST 665065 SY 852934 SY 8899 SU 010075 Grange Wood Dorchester SY 68/69 Great Ovens Hill SY 925903 Dodding’s Farm CBs Great Coll Wood Dorey’s Farm Pond SY 911850 Greenlands Farm SZ 0184 ST 993148 Grimstone SY 6494 Dudmoor Farm SZ 150960 Grove Point SY 706722 Down Farm, Blandford Dunyeat’s Heath SZ 0196 Grove Stadium SY 698726 Durlston Bay SZ 0377 /78 Gussage All Saints SZ 0277 Gussage St Andrew ST 986145 SU 0010 East Almer SY 924991 ST 9811 Durlston CP / Head SY 550858 Hambledon Hill ST 8412 Gussage St Michael East Fleet SY 635800 SY 9790/9890 East Bexington East Holme SY 8986 Hammoon ST 8114 Ham Common East Knighton SY 8084 Handfast Point/Old Harry SZ 055825 East Lulworth SY 8692 East Parley SZ 105975 SY 613876 Handley Cross SU 011166 East Stoke SY 8786 Harpitts Lake ST 784242 Hardy’s Monument East Stoke Fen SY 864866 Hartgrove ST 8318 East Stour ST 8023 SY 9585 SY 7073 Hatch Pond SZ 013938 Hartland Moor Easton SY 6971 SZ 0387 East Weare Eccliffe ST 798254 Hazelebury Bryan ST 745085 Haven Hotel, Poole Edmonsham Hedbury Quarry SY 992768 Eggardon Hill SY 5494 Henbury Plantation SY 9697 SU 0611 Eight Kings Quarry SY 688699 Hengistbury Head SZ 1790 Enmore Green ST 8523 Herbury Gore SY 6180/81 Eyebridge ST 995000 Herston SZ 0178 Farrington ST 8415 Hethfelton SY 851883 SZ 0799 Ferrybridge SY 667762 Highcliffe SZ 2194 Ferndown Common High Hall nr. Wimborne SU 001027 ST 779214 Higher Bockhampton SY 7292 ST 774215 Higher Hyde SY 851902 Fifehead Magdalen Fifehead Wood

190 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GAZETTEER (continued)

ST 634050 Lyme Bay SY 3391/6768 Hinton Parva ST 998044 Lyme Regis SY 3492 Hilfield ST 7816 SY 648781 Holcombe Bottom SY 6996/7185 Lyons Gate ST 660058 Hinton St Mary Lynch Cove Holes Bay SY 0092 Lytchett Bay SY 9792 Holmebridge SY 8986 SY 9495 Holnest ST 6509 SY 66/6788 Lytchett Matravers Holt Heath SY 5997 Maiden Castle Holton Heath SY 9591 SY 638968 SU 0504 Maiden Newton Holton Lee SY 954914 SY 9098 Magiston Horse Down ST 965095 SY 5099 Mapperton, nr Blandford Horselynch Plantation SY 6881/6882 ST 734061 Mapperton, nr Beaminster Horton ST 7718 Mappowder Hungry Hill SY 529974 SY 5791 SU 027074 Marnhull Hurn SZ 1297 SY 6488 Martin Down Iford SZ 1393 SY 9184 Martinstown Keysworth SY 9488 Masters Pit (MOD) SY 512975 SY 690899 Matchams Viewpoint SU 134020 Kimmeridge SY 918799 ST 5705 Kilwood Coppice Maunbury Rings Kingcombe ST 741002 ST 7602 Melbury Park, Evershot SZ 116929 SZ 020980 Melcombe Bingham King’s Stag ST 7210 SZ 00/0198 King’s Park, Bournemouth Merley ST 755095 SY 968863 Merley Park SY 956796 SY 8097 Kingston, North Dorset Middlebere Kingston Lacy ST 977013 ST 8001 Kingston, Purbeck Milborne St Andrew SY 717910 ST 9614 Milton Abbas SZ 000815 Kingston Maurward Minchington Knitson SZ 0080 SY 6180 King’s Wood, Purbeck Monkton-up-Wimborne SU 0113 Knowlton ST 9908 Moonfleet SU 022101 Moor Critchel SY 372991 SY 914917 Knowlton Church SU 024104 Moors Valley CP SU 1205 Lane End SY 850925 SY 907927 Lamberts Castle Morden Bog Langton Herring SY 6182 SY 9093 Morden Park Lake SZ 0078 SY 8089 Morden Park Corner Lankham Bottom SY 6099 SZ 1892 Langton Matravers Moreton Launceston Down ST 953106 SY 844799 Mudeford SY 921909 SZ 0995 Mupe Bay Leigh ST 6208 Nath Point SY 980859 Lawson Clump Muscliffe Lewesdon Hill ST 4301 SY 670982 Lillington ST 629127 Newton Bay SZ 0085 Nether Cerne Littlebredy SY 5889 Newton Heath SZ 004840 SZ 0384/85 SY 684782 SY 645781 Nine Barrow Down SZ 002811 Little Sea, Studland Newton’s Cove SY 5590 Norden SY 945835 Littlesea, The Fleet Loddon Lakes ST 812258 SY 961831 Litton Cheney Lodmoor SY 6881 North Poorton SY 519982 Norden Sewage Works Long Bredy SY 570904 Northbourne SY 0896 ST 9710 Northport Heath SY 911894 Longburton ST 6611 Nottington SY 6682 Long Critchel Longham Lakes SZ 062981 SY 8091 SY 7190 Oborne ST 6518 Oakers Wood Lower Bockhampton SY 7290 Okeford Fitzpaine ST 806109 Louds Mill SF Lower Parkstone SZ 0391 Organford SY 939924 SY 8279 Osmington SY 7283 Lulworth Ranges SY 8370/9082 Ower Bay SY 9986 Lulworth Cove Lydlinch ST 7413 Ower Quay SY 997862 ST 7313 Pallington SY 789912

Lydlinch Common

2016 Dorset Bird Report 191 GAZETTEER (continued)

Pamphill ST 9900 Rodwell SY 6778 Parkstone Bay SZ 0290 Ryewater ST 667108 SZ 0997 SY 9686 SZ 066828 Sandbanks SZ 03/0487 Parley Court Farm Saltern’s Marsh SY 6971 Sandford Heath SY 9389 PC World, Poole Pentridge SY 674773 Pennsylvania Castle Peveril Point SZ 040786 Scotland Farm SY 961840 SU 0317 Sandsfoot Castle SY9488-ST6902 Seaborough ST 4305 Piddlehinton SY 7197 Seacombe SY 9876 Piddle Valley Piddletrenthide SY 7099 Shaftsbury SY 8622/23 Pilsden Pen ST 4001 Shapwick ST 9401 Pimperne ST 9009 Shell Bay Plush ST 7102 Sherborne ST 6678 SU 0386 Poole Bay SZ 08 Sherborne Lake ST 64/6516 Poole Harbour SY 9988 Sherford Bridge SY 919927 Poole Park SZ 0290/91 Shillingstone ST 825110 Poole Quay SZ 011902 Shipstal Point SY 983884 Portesham SY 602857 Shipton Gorge SY 4991 Portland Bill SY 677682 ST 9917 SY 684744 SY 957863 Sixpenny Handley Portland Harbour SY 68 / 69 Slepe Plantation SY 951859 Portland Castle Slepe Copse Portland Heights SY 689730 Soldier’s Road SY 9485 Poundbury SY 6790 SZ 159913 Povington SY 8882 SZ 12/130974 Solent Meads GC Povington Heath SY 53 / 5496 South Down SY 7781 Sopley Common Powerstock SY 517961 South Haven Point SZ 0386 SY 540963 SZ 0286/0386 SY 741841 South Poorton SY 519978 Powerstock Common South Lake, Poole Hbr Preston SY 7083 Southbourne SZ 1491 Poxwell Preston Beach SY 6880-6981 SY 6294 SZ 162924 Southwell SY 6870 Southover, Frampton Puddletown SY 7594 Sovell Down ST 990107 Priory Marsh Puddletown Forest SY 737927 Spetisbury ST 9102 Puncknowle SY 5388 SZ 1692/93 St Aldhelm’s Head SY 961752 Squirrel’s Corner SU 025145 ST 695175 SZ 145953 Purewell Meadows Radipole Lake SY 675796 St Leonards Purse Caundle St Catherine’s Hill Ramsdown SZ 1396 Staggs Folly ST 6100 SU 112036 Raymonds Hill SY 323963 Stalbridge ST 7317 SY 682705 Stanbridge Redcliff Point SY 713816 SZ 16/1792 Reap Lane, Portland SU 004038 Redhill LNR SZ 087954 Steamer Point SZ 197929 Stanpit Marsh Redhorn Point SZ 021855 Stoborough Heath SY 92/9385 Rempstone SY 989825 Stock Gaylard ST 725135 Rempstone Forest SY 985845 Stoke Heath SY 84 8897 Renscombe SY 964775 Stokeford Heath SY 8788 Ridge SY 9386 Stonehill Down SY 925822 Ringstead Bay SY 760810 Stoney Down Plantation SY 9696 Ringwood Forest ST 715154 River Allen Stourpaine ST 8609 SU 1205 Stourton Caundle ST3202-ST4904 Stubhampton ST 9113 SU1307-SZ1692 River Frome SY9487-ST5704 Studland Bay SZ 040840 River Axe River Lim SY3492–SY3196 Studland Beach SZ 040826 River Stour SZ1692-ST 7731 SZ 0382 SY 6780-6685 ST 9400 Studland Village Rodden SY 611842 SY 9599 River Wey Sturminster Marshall Rodden Hive SY 604821 Sturminster Newton ST 7814 Sturminster Marshall GP

192 Dorset Bird Report 2016 GAZETTEER (continued)

Suckthumb Quarry SY 686708 SY 485925 Sugar Hill SY 883924 SY 91/9288 Walditch Sutton Bingham Res ST 549110 SY 9087 Wareham Sutton Hill ST 882160 SY 9092 Wareham Common ST 887160 SY 9287 Wareham Forest Swanage SZ 02/0378/79 SY 7586 Sutton Waldron Wareham Moors Swanage Bay SZ 0379 SY 7588 Warmwell Heath Swanworth Quarry SY 969782 SY 4690 Warmwell Quarry Swineham GPs SY 932880 SY 525868 West Bay Swineham Point SY 944878 SY 777828 West Bexington Swyre Head SY 933784 SY 5694 West Chaldon Sydling St Nicholas SY 6399 SY 932889 West Compton Symondsbury SY 4493 SY 7488 Westfields Tadnoll Heath NR SY 794872 SY 7488 West Knighton Dump ST 921033 SY 8280 West Knighton Heath Tarrant Gunville ST 9212 Tarrant Crawford West Lulworth Tarrant Hinton ST 9310 SZ 0898 West Moors Plantation SU 0903 Tarrant Keyneston ST 926043 SY 9095 West Parley ST 9408 SY 6871 West Morden ST 9405 SY 6880 Tarrant Monkton Weston The Fleet SY 5683-6675 SY 714885 Tarrant Rushton Airfield Weymouth The Grove SY 700723 SY 715843 Whitcomb Hill The Nothe SY 6878 SY 715985 White Horse Hill Thorncombe SY375034 ST 956006 White Lackington SY 726921 SY 7780 White Mill Thornford ST 6013 Thorncombe Wood White Nothe Thornicombe ST 870032 SZ 0390 Whitesheet Plantation SU 054032 SZ 160920 Whitecliff Throop Heath SY 820918 SZ 167912 Three Legged Cross SU 0805 Wick SY 643785 Wick Hams SY 766917 Tidmoor Point, The Fleet Wimborne SU 010000 Tolpuddle SY 7994 SY 805870 Tincleton CBs Wimborne St Giles SU 0312 Tout Quarry SY 686726 ST 9417 Winfrith Heath SZ 140960 SZ 1696 Win Green Townsend SZ 128948 SY 9776 Town Common Winkton Townsend Reserve SZ 0278 SY 704884 Winspit SY 6887 Winterborne Came Tripps Farm ST 687161 ST 8104 Trickett’s Cross SF SU100005 Winterborne Herringston Tuckton SZ 1492 SY 6488 Winterborne Houghton SY 977917 SY 6289 Winterborne St Martin Turnerspuddle SY 8393 ST 8300 Turlin Moor Winterborne Steepleton Turnerspuddle Heath SY 830934 SY 6190 Winterborne Whitchurch Turnworth ST 8207 ST 9806 Winterbourne Abbas SY 674821 ST 93179 Witchamton SZ 0181 SY 8486 Two Mile Copse Woodley Down ST 6502 SY 844871 Ulwell Wool SY 325936 SY 982814 Up Cerne Woolbridge SY 9893 SY 895925 Uplyme Woolgarston SY 993930 SY 872797 Upton Woolsbarrow Fort SY 9894 SY 906870 Upton CP Worbarrow SY 6684 SY 9777 Upton Heath Worgret SY 692740 Upwey Worth Matravers SY 6677 Verne Common Wyke Down SU 0015 SY 799910 SY 981852 Verwood SU 0808 Wyke Regis SY 6971 SY 9886 Waddock Cross Wytch Causeway Wakeham Wytch Lake

2016 Dorset Bird Report 193 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Adamcik T Abell C Blinston AC Coleman M Adams T Blumsom WG Collop CH Boswell SA Bollen CF Condon S Allan D Alexander I Connolly JG Branston T Bown W Constantine M Allen H Allen CA Constantine Mo Allen J Brodie ES Brett EC Conway T Allen T Coombs DC Brown A Brooks C Cooper A Appleby SR Brown J Andrews MS Cooper N Armstrong G Brown PP Cottrell C Armstrong L Couzens D Brummitt R Bruce MJ Coward B Ashworth IA Buck T Ashby V Cox S Coyle J Burgum N Avanti CDC Budden MD Craft SJ Avis DV Cragg D Bailey L Burns RB Bailey C Burns ANM Crockard A Bailey N Croton N Butcher JR Busby M Croxson DE Baker PJ Butler D Baker CG Culver C Butler T Curson L Bale R Dando G Bale JV Curtis R Ball RP Dando T Cade M Ball S Daniels B Caldwell C Ballam ID Candelin GW Balmer T Davies P Carey S Darke M Barlow GF Davis AP Carley T Barnes E Carpenter BR Barrett AJ Daw A Carpenter M Davis C & G Bartlett D Dawson R Carter PM Batchelor SD Day J Chapleo C Battson DA Chapman RE Belcher G Ditchburn G Chappell L Dewhirst M Bellamy J Dodd I Charman RA Doherty TA Chastell SM Betteridge EJ Dowding EJ Beswick NW Chown DJ Bingley JH Down J Christopher R Birkett J Clark FC Bissell LJ Downey E Clarke S Down M Bisset B Downing J Clayson T Blakeley AF Downton T Clements B Blakeley D Clemons S Blandford D Drake P Cobley A Dowty M Coe P

194 Dorset Bird Report 2016 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Green GP Hull J Droop G Green R Hull N Coleman M Dresh C Duckworth NA Green T Hume RA Collop CH Dyer D Greves D Condon S Dyer R Connolly JG Hunt MS Gross RD Constantine M Griffiths R Husband CI Egan A Grove J Insole P Constantine Mo East MJ Hutchins JVP Elborn T Jackson ED Conway T Groves SA Jarrett S Coombs DC Groves M England P Cooper A Elliott-Moustache G Evans G Hackett SJ Jones D Cooper N Gutteridge AC Jones C Evans J Hadrill P Jones J Cottrell C Evans LGR Hall KD Jones LA Couzens D Halstead H Julian D Coward B Farr T Hammick J Julian I Cox S Evans M Field A Hann S Kaplonek J Coyle J Hannam J Keene S Craft SJ Harcombe S Kempshall R Cragg D Field M Hardie AJ Kidner S Crockard A Fitzgerald M Fletcher D Croton N Flannagan AW Floyd P Harlin J Kirk D Croxson DE Hargrave C King M Foot D Culver C Ford JP Harris P Knorpel D Curson L Harris NDC Knight DC Dando G Ford RA Hart R Curtis R Dando T Forrest P Hastings D Lake S Krajenbrink H Daniels B Hatcher JJ Lambert SR Fowler N Hawkridge N Lane KE Forster MJC Davies P Frampton OJ Hawtree JN Darke M Davis AP Francis JE Hayden A Lang IM Fraser B Latham MJ Daw A Friend I Davis C & G Haydon RM Lawson MJ Dawson R Hetherington P Lee K Helliar DW Leatherdale C Day J Fuller KA Hewitt R Lester G Fryatt C Levey P Ditchburn G Hilary J Lewis H Dewhirst M Furley C Highfield M Dodd I Gale J Hill D Fussell M Doherty TA Gartshore N Hoar N Lewis P Lewis IM Dowding EJ Hoare D Leyland K Down J Gifford J Hold A Leyland SA Gibbons M Gill S Holland D Liley D Downey E Gillingham R Hollidge K Lockwood J Down M Downing J Gleason R Honey G Lovegrove AO Downton T Goble PR Hopkin P Lowther J Goldsmith S Horrocks K Drake P Gorringe DJ Howell R Dowty M MacKinnon M MacNicoll A

2016 Dorset Bird Report 195 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Parr K Parry ES Robins B Mann J Roberts GCM Peacock J Robson S Manning S Pearce A Rogers DI Mantripp K Peart RH Rogers K Markham RJ Percival L Marriner N Ross JH Martin BS Rolfe M Perry AS Rowbotham BJ Martin H Perrin CA Peters A Martin JP Rylands K Martin P Ryall C Peters J Sandford JH McCarthy JS Peters HM Phillips J Saville D McCoy AH Phillips L Sayer KR McMillan JD Phillips R Scantlebury RL McMullen C Scott E Mead G Piccolo A Scott S Merritt M Phipps M Pictor G Seabrook RJ Millar A Pike AR Seaward J Minvalla C Pinchen B Sharp PJ Mitchell JR Piotrowski S Shaw A Moore P Piper DJ Moran N Posen S Sheils B Morgan KJ Shaw MD Potter N Sheppard D Morrison SJ Powell GD Morse MJ Powell J Shimeld Kevern S Mortimer L Shilland EM Price N Morton P Priddle N Sibsey I Moss R Shipley AM Simpson S Mould B Prudden BG Singleton D Murphy C Pritchard DM Pugh A Murphy J Murray DP Singleton M Pyke L Sketch PA Murray FAE Pulling M Sitjar A Nash R Quinney A Musgrove A Rankin G Smallwood J Slade AM Rankin JDK Smart S Neal SM Nelson R Smith A Neate-Clegg M Newton SJ Rawlings ND Smith DN Raper MGT Nicklin RS Raymond B Norquoy G Smith RH Smith M Overy L Smith SF Raymond CJ Reese RA Redhead JW Southworth I Owen GM Smith SW Papas N Rendle P Spencer B Padmore M Reeves M Park N Parker PE Riddle D Spring NP Richards CE Spicer M

196 Dorset Bird Report 2016 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Squire T Robins B Stacey G Roberts GCM Warrick T Wilcox C Robson S Waterfall KW Wilkinson D Rogers DI Stantiford N Stanley IM Waterman P Wilkinson I Rogers K Stevens G Watson IR Wilkinson T Watts AJ Williams-Jones D Ross JH Stockwell J Watts PJ Williamson J Rolfe M Stewart M Rowbotham BJ Sullivan J Weale T Wills P Suttle KH Webb R Wilson JD Werran R Winn AC Rylands K Sutton P Ryall C West S Winn R Sandford JH Swallow JL Whale C Winsper JL Saville D Wheatcroft AV Wood M Sayer KR Whitby C Wood-Homer H Swift RW Scantlebury RL Whitby GJ Woodford L Taylor AM Scott E Taylor DH White B Woodley T Taylor C Scott S Taylor K White C Woods NJ White G Worsfold J Seabrook RJ Taylor L White T Wright M Seaward J Taylor RJ Whitelegg D Yates CD Sharp PJ Whitfield J Young CA Shaw A Thain C Thomas A Theobald RC Sheils B Thomas O The above list is largely derived from observers who Shaw MD Sheppard D Thomson A submitted their records via BirdTrack . Tims G Shimeld Kevern S Toomer J Shilland EM Tooth ND Sibsey I Treen P following for their records and assistance: Shipley AM Simpson S The Dorset Bird Club would also like to thank the Singleton D Trundle R Birdguides Trew M Tunstall J Birds of Poole Harbour Turner J Singleton M Sketch PA Turner L BTO WeBS Sitjar A Twinberrow G CHOG Smallwood J Tyrrell R FootprintDorset Environmental Ecology Records Centre Slade AM Smart S PortlandDorset Wildlife Bird Observatory Trust Smith A RSPB Upton GS Smith DN Viles DJ Vodden CH Smith RH Smith M Vranjes D Smith SF Walbridge G Walker BJ Southworth I Smith SW Wall S Spencer B Walls S Walters JM Spring NP Spicer M Ward P Wareham D

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