Dorset Bird Report 2015

Home , Anvil Point, Babylon Hill, Bowleaze Cove, Broadcroft Quarry, Bulbarrow Hill, Canford Heath

Published June 2017

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2 Dorset Bird Report 2015 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2015

CONTENTS

...... 5 ...... Report Production Team ...... 8-9 Notes for Contributors 6-7 ...... 10-14 A Brief Review and Highlights of the Year ...... 15 The Dorset List NotesSystematic to Systematic List for List2015...... 16-158 ...... 159 ...... 160-161 Escapes ...... 161 Pending and Requested Records ...... 162-163 Not Proven Records ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – Summary for 2015 ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – Selected Recoveries in 2015 164-172 ...... Dorset Bird Ringing – County Totals up to end of 2015 173-178 ...... 189-191 A Study of breeding Peregrine Falcon in Dorset by Granville Pictor 179-188 ...... 192-196 County Map ...... Gazetteer ...... List of Contributors 197-200 Photographic Credits Inside Back Cover

2015 Dorset Bird Report 3 CALLUNA BOOKS Specialists in out-of-print NATURAL HISTORY BOOKS Books bought & sold

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

T: 01929 552 560 John Tennent, Dorset Bird Artist: we have E: [email protected] selection of unmounted prints - ask for details W: www.callunabooks.co.uk Visitors welcome by appointment 10% discount to DBC members Neil Gartshore, Moor Edge, 2 Bere Road Wareham, BH20 4DD

4 Dorset Bird Report 2015 DORSET BIRD REPORT 2015

PRODUCTION TEAM

Editor:

Species Accounts: Marcus Lawson

Mute Swan to Mallard Marcus Lawson Pintail to Ruddy Duck Robin Trundle Galliformes to Grebes Marcus Lawson Fulmar to Spoonbill Jol Mitchell Raptors to Coot Geoff Upton Crane to Phalaropes Daragh Croxson Skuas to Terns Ian Stanley Auks to Swifts Clive Cottrell Kingfisher to Pipits Nick Woods Wagtails to Wheatears Stephen Smith Thrushes to Hippolais Shaun Robson Sylvias to Phylloscs Geoff Upton Crests to Shrikes Pete Forrest Corvids to Redpolls Malcolm Dowty Crossbills to Buntings John Lockwood Escapes Marcus Lawson Ringing Information:

Map: Kevin Sayer

Gazetteer: Nick Hull

Nick Hull

CURRENT COMMITTEE OF THE DORSET BIRD CLUB

Trustees: George Green, John Lockwood, Jol Mitchell, Robin Trundle Chairman: Marcus Lawson [email protected] Secretary: Jol Mitchell Treasurer: Trevor Buck Conservation Officer: Jol Mitchell Membership Secretary: Diana Dyer [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, Dave Taylor.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 5 NOTES FOR CONTRIBUTORS

Dorset Bird Report

The is an annual publication by the Dorset Bird Club of records and papers on all aspects of Dorset ornithology. All contributions, from both residents and visitors to the county, in the form of records, papers, drawings and photographs are welcomed. All contributors are acknowledged in the report. These notes should assist you if you wish to WHATcontribute RECORDS to the report. 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 and status of each species for that year. The DBC database, managed through the Dorset Environmental Records Centre, is an archive of all the records where they are accessible by groups or individuals for future reference.

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 10-14. Species requiring a full written description are marked with either (*) for national rarities, or (D) for birds which are rare or scarce in the county. Descriptions of national rarities will be forwarded to the British Birds Rarities Committee (BBRC), whilst records of locally rare or scarce birds will be assessed by the Dorset Records Panel (DRP). The DRP reserves the right to request further information 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 sites and nature reserves as they are excellent places to see birds. Many of these sites produce their own reports, which are incorporated into the Dorset Bird Report, but please don’t assume that your records will be forwarded to us automatically by other organisations. Records away from these sites are often thin on the ground, so “local patch” records and casual recording from less well-watched areas are very important – this includes such sites as your own garden! These enable us to gain as full a picture as possible of what is happening to Dorset’s birds. Many national surveys 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 HOWso the SHOULDinformation I SEND can beMY added RECORDS to our IN? database.

recorder@dorsetbirds org. .uk Casual records and descriptions of rare and scarce birds can be e-mailed to the DBC at the following address: 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 2015 WHEN SHOULD I SUBMIT MY RECORDS?

If possible, individual records should be sent to the County Recorder periodically throughout the year to enable them to be logged on to the database over a period of time. This will help to ensure that there will not be a backlog of data inputting to be done all at once 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 will be accepted, but it may not be possible to include them in the report for that year.

Records of birds requiring a full written description should be submitted as soon after the sighting as possible.recorder@dorsetbirds Rarity submission .org forms .uk can be found here http://www.dorsetbirds. org.uk/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 and once completed should be sent to the County WHORecorder SHOULD at I SUBMIT MY RECORDS TO?

BirdTrack,

The British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) recording system, allows the individual to input records directly online which the County Recorder can then access. This is the preferred way in which we would like to receive your records. BirdTrack This from the BTO website: BirdTrack “ is an exciting tool that looks at migration movements and distributions of birds throughout Britain and Ireland. provides facilities for observers to store and manage their own personal records as well as using these to support species conservation at local, regional, national and international scales.”

More details on Birdtrack can be found here: Whenhttp://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/about/introducing-birdtrack-home registering please ensure to check the box which allows the forwarding of recordshttp://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack/taking-part/how-register 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 .

Excel

An 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.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 7 A BRIEF REVIEW AND HIGHLIGHTS OF THE YEAR Marcus Lawson

269 species recorded for the year is the mean for the previous 9 years, although several more species could be added once descriptions have been received and accepted thereafter. The2006 table below shows2008 the annual2009 totals2010 for the2011 past 10 years.2012 2013 2014 2015 268 258 261 258 269 269 2007 278 279 275 277

The 2014 total moves up to 277 with the late addition of Black Kite. The totals for 2011 & 2012 now include Caspian Tern records.

BelowBonaparte’s are the rarity Gull highlights (10 or fewer previous records) for the year in the county: Olive-backed Pipit 6th Spotted Sandpiper - Chesil Cove & Radipole Lake from 7th March to 7th April. 6th Hume’s Warbler - Portland BO from 13th-14th October. 7th Western Bonelli’s -Warbler Chard Junction GP from 24th October into 2016. 8th - Weymouth on 30th October. 10th - Portland BO on 22nd & 26th August.

It is never too late to submit any descriptions of rare or scarce species from previous years and these late submissions are welcomed by the Dorset Bird Club as it helps to create a more complete picture of the frequency of their occurrence. I am indebted to Geoff Upton for his continued assistance in entering many thousands of records from various sources which otherwise would have been lost.

I would like to thank Footprint Ecology for allowing us to use data from their Purbeck Seabirds Survey Report as well as Dave Chown & The Birds of Poole Harbour who carried Temperature in South England 2015 out surveys on the gull islands(Against in the 1981-2010 Wareham Period Channel.Average)

18.0

16.0

14.0

12.0

10.0

8.0 Mean Temp (°C) Mean Temp

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2015 S England 1981-2010 S England

8 Dorset Bird Report 2015 We were also fortunate to receive much breeding data from the RSPB, in particular our rarer heathland breeding species. The DBC is striving to improve relationships with all recorders in our county to help establish as clear a picture as possible as to how our birds are faring. I would also like to thank the Dorset Environmental Records Centre (DERC) for providing records we wouldn’t otherwise have seen as well as inputting some historical paper records - an ongoing task for which any offers of assistance would be gratefully received.

Lastly, I would like to thank Shaun Robson for compiling data for the Rare Breeding Birds Panel. Rainfall in South England 2015 (Against 1981-2010 Period Average)

120.0

100.0

80.0

60.0 Rainfall (mm)

40.0

20.0

0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2015 S England 1981-2010 S England

Sunshine Hours in South England 2015 (Against 1981-2010 Period Average)

250.0

200.0

150.0

100.0 Sunshine Hours

50.0

0.0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May June Jul Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2015 S England 1981-2010 S England

2015 Dorset Bird Report 9 THE DORSET LIST

NBLetters - Species in brackets recorded indenote 2015 arewhich highlighted types of in recordsbold are requested for each species.

Mute Swan Bewick’s Swan Red-legged Partridge Whooper Swan (B C M) GreyBlack PartridgeGrouse (D) (A) (B C) (D) Pheasant (A) White-frontedBean Goose (D) Goose GoldenQuail (A) Pheasant GreylagPink-footed Goose Goose (D) Red-throated (U) Diver (A) Black-throated Diver (A) Canada Goose (A) Great Northern Diver (A) BarnacleSnow Goose Goose (D) (A) Brent Goose (B C) (A) (A) LittleWhite-billed Grebe Diver (D) Egyptian Goose (C F&L I) GreatPied-billed Crested Grebe Grebe (*) Red-breasted Goose (*) Red-necked (BGrebe C) Shelduck (A) Slavonian Grebe (B C) MandarinRuddy Shelduck (A) Black-necked Grebe (A) Wigeon (B C M) (A) (A) Fulmar (A) Gadwall (C M S) Black-browed Albatross (*) AmericanTeal Wigeon (D) (B I M) Green-winged (B C) Teal SootyCory’s ShearwaterShearwater (D) Mallard (B C M) ManxGreat ShearwaterShearwater (D) Pintail (D) Balearic Shearwater (A) Garganey (B C M) (A) (C M S) Storm Petrel (A) Shoveler (A) Leach’sMacaronesian Petrel Shearwater (*) Red-crestedBlue-winged TealPochard (*) Gannet (A) Pochard (C M S) Cormorant (D) (A) Shag (I M) (B C M) Bittern (B C I) TuftedRing-necked Duck Duck (D) (B C I) ScaupFerruginous Duck (D) (A) (B C M) NightAmerican Heron Bittern (*) Eider (A) Little Bittern (*) Lesser Scaup (D) Cattle Egret (D) Long-tailed (A) Duck LittleSquacco Egret Heron (*) CommonKing Eider Scoter (*) Great White (D)Egret (A) Grey Heron (A) Velvet Scoter (C M) Purple Heron (D) Surf Scoter (D) Black Stork (B C) Goldeneye (A) (D) SmewBufflehead (*) Glossy Ibis (*) Red-breasted (C MMerganser S) SpoonbillWhite Stork (D) Goosander (A) Honey Buzzard (D) Ruddy Duck (C I M S) (A) (A) (D) (A) Black Kite (D) 10 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Red Kite Little Stint

(A) (A) MarshWhite-tailed Harrier Eagle (D) Temminck’s Stint (D) Short-toedHen Harrier Eagle (*) White-rumped Sandpiper (D) (A) Baird’s Sandpiper (*) (A) CurlewPectoral Sandpiper Sandpiper (D) Northern Harrier (*) Sharp-tailed Sandpiper (*) GoshawkPallid Harrier (*) Purple Sandpiper (A) SparrowhawkMontagu’s Harrier (D) DunlinStilt Sandpiper (*) Buzzard (D) (A) (B M) Buff-breasted (C M) Sandpiper Osprey (B C M) RuffBroad-billed Sandpiper (*) KestrelRough-legged Buzzard (D) Jack Snipe (D) Red-footed (A) Falcon Snipe (A) Merlin (B M) (A) Hobby (D) (B C M) (A) Great Snipe (*) Peregrine (A) WoodcockShort-billed Dowitcher (*) WaterGyr Falcon Rail (*) Black-tailedLong-billed Dowitcher Godwit (*) (B I) Bar-tailed Godwit(A) (B C M) Whimbrel (C M) Spotted Crake (D) Curlew (C M) Little Crake (*) (C F&L M) MoorhenBaillon’s Crake (*) (B C M) Corncrake (D) CommonUpland Sandpiper Sandpiper (*) Coot (B C M) TerekSpotted Sandpiper Sandpiper (*) CraneAllen’s Gallinule (*) Green Sandpiper (C M W) (B C M) Spotted Redshank (*) (D) Greenshank (C M) OystercatcherLittle Bustard (*) (C M) Black-wingedGreat Bustard (*) Stilt (C M) Avocet (B C M) WoodLesser SandpiperYellowlegs (*) Stone Curlew (*) RedshankMarsh Sandpiper (*) (A) Turnstone (A) (A) (B C M) LittleCream-coloured Ringed Plover Courser (*) Red-necked (C Phalarope M) RingedCollared Plover Pratincole (*) GreyWilson’s Phalarope Phalarope (*) Kentish Plover (A) Pomarine Skua (D) (B C M) Arctic Skua (A) (D) Long-tailed Skua (A) Dotterel (D) Great Skua (A) GoldenAmerican Plover Golden Plover (D) (D) GreyPacific Plover Golden Plover (*) (A) (C M) KittiwakeIvory Gull (*) (C M) Bonaparte’sSabine’s Gull (D)Gull LapwingSociable Plover (*) Black-headed (B C GullM) KnotWhite-tailed Plover (*) Little Gull (*) Sanderling (B C M) (B C M) (A) (A) (A) Ross’s Gull (*) Semipalmated Sandpiper (*) MediterraneanLaughing Gull (*) Gull Western Sandpiper (*) Franklin’s Gull (*) Red-necked Stint (*) (A) 2015 Dorset Bird Report 11 Common Gull Kingfisher Lesser Black-backed (C M S) Gull Bee-eaterLittle Swift (*) Ring-billedHerring Gull Gull (D) (A) Yellow-legged Gull (B C M) Hoopoe (D) Caspian Gull (B C M) WryneckRoller (*) (A) Green Woodpecker (A) Iceland Gull (D) Great Spotted (A) Woodpecker GlaucousAmerican HerringGull Gull (*) Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (B) Great Black-backed (A) Gull (B M) (A) (A) (B C M) Calandra Lark (*) LittleSooty Tern (*) WoodlarkShort-toed Lark (D) Bridled Tern (*) SkylarkLesser Short-toed Lark (*) (B C F&L M) (A) Gull-billed Tern (*) Sand Martin (B C M) BlackCaspian Tern Tern (*) SwallowShore Lark (D) White-wingedWhiskered Tern Black (*) Tern House Martin (B C F&L M) Sandwich Tern (A) Red-rumped (B C SwallowF&L M) (D) (B C F&L M) (B C F&L M) Richard’s Pipit (D) CommonLesser Crested Tern Tern (*) Cliff Swallow (*) Forster’sRoseate TernTern (*) Tawny Pipit (D) Arctic Tern (B F&L I M) Olive-backedBlyth’s Pipit (*) Pipit Guillemot (A) Tree Pipit (*) (A) (D) Razorbill (B I M) Meadow Pipit (A) BlackBrünnich’s Guillemot Guillemot (*) Red-throatedPechora Pipit (*) Pipit Little Auk (B I M) Rock Pipit (B C M) Puffin (D) Water Pipit (*) (A) Yellow Wagtail (B C M) Feral Pigeon (A) (A) StockPallas’s Dove Sandgrouse (*) Grey Wagtail (A) Woodpigeon (C U) White/PiedCitrine Wagtail Wagtail (D) Collared Dove (C M) Waxwing (B C M) Turtle Dove (C M) Dipper (B C M) Ring-necked Parakeet (C M) Wren (A) (A) (A) Cuckoo (A) Dunnock (U) Great Spotted Cuckoo (*) Brown Thrasher (*) Barn Owl (B F&L M) Robin (U) Yellow-billed Cuckoo (*) Alpine Accentor (*) Little Owl (A) Nightingale (M U) ScopsTawny Owl Owl (*) Thrush Nightingale (*) Long-eared (A) Owl (A) Short-eared (B Owl C) Siberian Rubythroat (*) Nightjar (A) BlackBluethroat Redstart(D) (A) Red-flankedRedstart Bluetail (*) (A) Whinchat (A) SwiftEgyptian Nightjar (*) Stonechat (B F&L M) Common Nighthawk (*) (B F&L M) Alpine (B Swift C F&L M) Wheatear (B C M) Pallid Swift (*) Siberian Stonechat (*) (D) (B F&L M) 12 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Willow Warbler Goldcrest Pied Wheatear (*) Firecrest (B F&L M) Black-eared Wheatear (*) Spotted Flycatcher (B M) Desert Wheatear (*) Red-breasted (A) Flycatcher RingRock OuzelThrush (*) (B F&L M) BlackbirdGrey-cheeked Thrush (*) Pied Flycatcher (D) (A) BeardedCollared Flycatcher Tit (*) Fieldfare (M U) Long-tailed Tit (A) SongBlack-throated Thrush Thrush (*) Blue Tit (A) Redwing (C F&L M) Great Tit (B C) Mistle Thrush (B M) Coal Tit (U) (C F&L M) (U) Cetti’s Warbler (B M) Marsh Tit (B C) American Robin (*) NuthatchWillow Tit (D) (A) (B C) GrasshopperFan-tailed Warbler Warbler (*) Treecreeper (B C) Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler (*) Wallcreeper (*) (A) Penduline Tit (B C) SedgeSavi’s Warbler Warbler (*) GoldenShort-toed Oriole Treecreeper (*) AquaticPaddyfield Warbler Warbler (*) (D) (B F&L M) Red-backed Shrike (D) (*) Isabelline Shrike (*) ReedBlyth’s Warbler Reed Warbler (D) Great Grey Shrike (A) Marsh Warbler (D) Lesser Grey Shrike (*) (B F&L M) (A) Great Reed Warbler (*) JaySouthern Grey Shrike (*) Eastern Olivaceous Warbler (*) MagpieWoodchat Shrike (D) Booted Warbler (*) (B M) MelodiousSykes’s Warbler Warbler (*) (C) BlackcapIcterine Warbler (D) JackdawNutcracker (*) Garden Warbler (D) RookChough (D) Barred Warbler (B M W) Carrion Crow (C M) Lesser Whitethroat (B F&L M) Hooded (C) Crow (D) Raven (C) (B F&L M) Starling (A) WhitethroatOrphean Warbler (*) Rose-coloured (A) Starling AsianDartford Desert Warbler Warbler (*) House Sparrow (C M) Subalpine Warbler (B F&L M) Tree Sparrow (D) (B M) (C M) (D) Chaffinch (A) Sardinian Warbler (*) BramblingRed-eyed Vireo (*) Pallas’sGreenish Warbler Warbler (D) Serin (C M) Yellow-browedArctic Warbler (*) Warbler Greenfinch (A) Hume’s Warbler (D) Goldfinch (A) (A) Siskin (C M) (*) Linnet (C M) WesternRadde’s Warbler Bonelli’s (D) Warbler Twite (B C M) Dusky Warbler (D) Lesser (BRedpoll C M) Wood Warbler (*) (D) ChiffchaffEastern Bonelli’s Warbler (*) (B C M) (A) Common Redpoll (D) (B M W) Arctic Redpoll (D) Iberian Chiffchaff (*) Two-barred Crossbill (*) 2015 Dorset Bird Report 13 Crossbill Yellowhammer Common Rosefinch Cirl Bunting Bullfinch (A) Ortolan Bunting (B C) Hawfinch (D) (D) (B C M) Little Bunting (A) (A) Rustic Bunting (*) Northern Parula (*) Reed Bunting (D) Northern Waterthrush (*) Yellow-breasted Bunting (*) LaplandSavannah Bunting Sparrow (*) Corn Bunting (B C M) SnowDark-eyed Bunting Junco (*) Black-headed Bunting (*) (A) (A) (A) TotalBobolink – 423 (*) (2015 – 269) Pine Bunting (*) Selected Identifiable Subspecies

Greenland White-fronted Goose Pale-belliedTundra Bean BrentGoose (D)Goose WhiteBlue-headed Wagtail Wagtail (A) Black Brant (D) ContinentalGrey-headed StonechatWagtail (D) Continental Cormorant (A) (A) Scandinavian (D) Herring Gull (A) ‘Intermedius’ Lesser Black-backed (A) Gull SiberianGreenland Chiffchaff Wheatear (A) (A) ContinentalSiberian Lesser Coal Whitethroat Tit (D) Scandinavian Rock Pipit (A) (A) Kumlien’s Gull (D) (A) Category D Species (A)

Hooded Merganser White Pelican Baikal Teal WoodGreater Duck Flamingo Eagle Owl Ruddy Shelduck Saker

Marbled Duck Red-headed Bunting Key

A B C All records D Breeding records F&L Counts of roosts, flocks or monthly maxima I Dorset rarities and scarcities (full written description required) M First and last dates recorded S All inland records U Migration or weather movements W All records from May to August * Unusual records (albino, behaviour, etc) All winter records National rarities assessed by BBRC (full written description required)

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

14 Dorset Bird Report 2015 SYSTEMATIC LIST FOR 2015

NOTES TO SYSTEMATIC LIST

NationalThe following and termsInternational are used Importance:in the species accounts:

These terms are only applied to waterfowl: a nationally important population is defined as 1% or more of the UK population. An internationally important population is slightly more complicated: for wintering wildfowl it is 1% or more of the north-west European 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 the total of the day-counts of that species in the month, so if there are 2 Chiffchaffs every day in September at a regularly watched site, the bird-day total for September is 60. A monthly maximum is often included to provide perspective. Bird-days are normally used at sites which are watched regularly, as the bird-day total is of course greatly affected by the number of days on which counts are made.

For further information on bird population trends, the JNCC/BTO Breeding Birds in the Wider Countryside Report is of immense help. The report is a “one-stop-shop” for information about the population status of our common terrestrial birds. Users can quickly find all the key information about trends in population size and breeding performance over the period 1966-2008 as measured by BTO monitoring schemes. It not only reports on population trends over the UK as a whole, but also, where possible, within specific habitats and regions. An early warning ‘alerts system’ shows where there www.bto.org/birdtrends2010are worrying declines in population size or reproductive success, with special reference to species on the Birds of Conservaion ConcernAbbreviations lists. It used:can only be accessed via the web – at ad Adult bird incl Including CBs (Water)cress Beds juv Juvenile - a bird of the year CHOG Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group max Maximum CP Country Park n/c No Count received cy Calendar Year PBO Portland Bird Observatory 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 & Radipole Lake RSPB.

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

2015 Dorset Bird Report 15 MUTE SWAN Cygnus olor Common breeding resident & winter visitor.

Breeding:

The population at Abbotsbury Swannery is of national importance. This year there were 98 nests, 85 of which hatched young with a total of 170 fledging, a welcome increase on the poor return of just 70 in 2014. , Breeding was also evidenced at, (No. of pairs in brackets if >1): Canford Bridge, Canford School, Chard Junction GP, Charmouth,, Crichel Lake, Fiddleford (2) Hampreston Meadows, Hatch Pond, Lodmoor RSPB (4) Lower Avon Valley (2+), Lytchett Bay, Merley Park, Nether Cerne, Radipole Lake RSPB (4) Sherborne Lake, Spetisbury, Stanpit Marsh, Sturminster SiteMarshall maxima: GP (2), White Mill. Apr Sep Nov 4 2 3 4 50 21 23 11 6 4 0 4 Jan5 Feb2 Mar3 4 May3 Jun6 Jul3 Aug 19 Oct3 6 Dec5 Sturminster Marshall GP WeBSWest Bexington counts: 7 Apr Sep Nov 16 20 16 4 Jan2 Feb2 Mar9 14 May9 Jun3 Jul2 Aug2 6 Oct2 3 Dec4 Bardolf WMs 19 24 12 169 186 136 Chard Junction GP 28 19 14 5 10 2 3 2 2 9 Christchurch Harbour 688 629 543 463n/c 591n/c 680n/c 810n/c 832n/c 849 833 157 Crichel Lake 50 26 15 36 6 10 18 30 21 28 38 Fleet & Wey 111 96 1167 787 Longham Lakes 2 2 2 3 1 27 Lower Frome 11748 100 121 153 Moors Valley CP 8 9 2 1 127 7 67 6 87 67 7 Poole Harbour 2375 14 29 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 3277 13794 24 14 Sherborne Lake OtherWhitemill-Spetisbury significant counts:

Abbotsbury Swannery 720 in Jul. Canford Bridge 83 on 26th Jan. Christchurch Harbour 370 on 23rd Aug. Hampreston 85 on 23rd Mar. CoastalTincleton passage: 55 on 23rd Jan.

Chesil Cove 2 W on 8th Jun. East Bexington 20 W on 2nd Sep. South Haven 2 S on 16th Sep. BEWICK’S SWAN Cygnus columbianus Scarce and decreasing winter visitor.

Tincleton 1 from 10th Jan-8th Feb with 2 present from 11th-13th Jan. 16 Dorset Bird Report 2015 WHOOPER SWAN Cygnus cygnus Scarce winter visitor.

DN Smith

Christchurch Harbour 1 N on 11th Mar ( ). WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE Anser albifrons Rare winter visitor & passage migrant.

After a blank year in 2013 and just single records in both 2014 & 2015 this species could soon become a description species for the county.

Warmwell Quarry 2 on 1st Dec. Anser albifrons flavirostris Rare winter visitor. GREENLAND WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE

per DBC et al, Abbotsbury Swannery The lone bird from 2014 remained until 19th Apr ( photo). GREYLAG GOOSE Anser anser Increasing feral breeding resident.

Breeding:

Poole Park 2 pairs raised 4 & 3 young respectively. Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 24 1 12 30 300 100 220 Jan4 Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug32 42 Oct20 Dec Abbotsbury Swannery WeBSWarmwell counts: Quarry 27 17 Apr Sep Nov 24 4 15 3 8 49 320 Jan Feb8 Mar24 May Jun Jul2 Aug Oct Dec Crichel Lake 20 1 Longham Lakes 8 18 93 2 158 0 51 Lower Frome Poole Harbour n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c Other significant counts:

Avon Causeway 450 on Oct 25th. Longham Lakes 41 on 10th Mar. CoastalPoole Park passage: 107 on 16th Feb.

Chesil Cove 5 W on 5th Mar. Durlston CP 2 past on 4th Apr. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 17 Hengistbury Head 2 W on 30th Mar, 5 E on 1st Apr & 1 W on 7th Apr. Portland Bill 4 E on 11th Feb. St Aldhelm’s Head 4 E on 5th Apr & 8 W on 17th Apr. West Bexington 3 E on 11th Feb. CANADA GOOSE Branta canadensis Very common feral breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeding was noted at the following sites: Abbotsbury Swannery, Brownsea Lagoon, Chard Junction GP (2 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB (4+), Longham Lakes (2), Morden Bog, Poole Park, SiteToller maxima: Whelme and Warmwell Quarry Apr Sep Nov 40 Jan Feb10 Mar 5 May2 Jun Jul Aug29 90 Oct40 66 100Dec Abbotsbury Swannery 30 36 4 2 2 0 8 60 12 Puddletown 200 94 32 2 3 6 6 11 98 455 222 Sturminster Marshall GP 26 4 16 28 18 26027 7 10 30 Upton CP 55 19 1 8 30 38 50 5 16 30 10 Warmwell Quarry 7 17 170 West Bexington 74 Other significant counts:

Abbotsbury Swannery 690 in Jun. Christchurch Harbour 425 on 20th Aug. WeBSLodmoor counts: RSPB 570 on 31st Aug. Apr Sep Nov 96 32 120Jan Feb40 Mar34 18 May16 Jun Jul43 Aug14 59 Oct99 45 Dec8 Bardolf WMs 7 2 13 28 Chard Junction GP 4 6 6 20 8 472 3 69 51 Christchurch Harbour 40 81 69 90 99 660 680 425 95 68 Crichel Lake 21 44 16 9 22 20 11 65 9 8 Fleet & Wey 29 763 724 Longham Lakes 22237 162 143 289 Lower Frome 70 Poole Harbour n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 167 176 704 BARNACLE GOOSE Branta leucopsis Rare winter visitor & passage migrant in a wild state and scarce feral resident.

All records:

Brand’s Bay 25 E on 20th Nov. Cogden Beach Nov3 on . 22nd Nov. Poole 1 in Poole Park on 6th Jan. 12 W past Constitution Hill on 22nd

Portland Bill 20 S on 20th Nov and 1 present on 20th-21st Nov. 18The FleetDorset Bird Report 2015 38 at Rodden Hive from 2nd Jan-15th Feb. 12 returned there on 22nd Nov rising to 24 the following day then remaining until the end of the year. West Bexington 45 flew E on 12th Feb. DARK-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Branta bernicla bernicla Locally common winter visitor and passage migrant.

CHOG report that no juveniles were noted in the second winter period until 4th Dec and after that only 4 were seen which would appear to represent a poor season on their breeding grounds. Likewise, even though Ferrybridge recorded record numbers of 2,900 on 12th Nov Siteonly maxima:11 of these were juveniles. Apr Sep Nov 6 2 1 1 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec WeBSWest Bexington counts: 27 Apr Sep Nov 201 203 9 145 223 211 Jan Feb Mar69 0 May0 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 240 Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 276 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 0 100 Fleet & Wey 1,006 1,193 3,586 1,831 3,177 CoastalPoole Harbour passage: 1,454 1,640 872 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 784 1,261

Hengistbury Head A total of 203 E from 9th Jan-24th Apr. Unseasonal records: A total of 188 W from 11th Sep-31st Dec.

Stanpit Marsh 2 on 22nd Jun and 1 on 18th Jul. Branta bernicla hrota Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant. PALE-BELLIED BRENT GOOSE Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 1 21 19 Jan1 Feb0 Mar1 May Jun Jul Aug 0 Oct0 6 Dec5 Ferrybridge 7 FirstPoole winterHarbour period: n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 2nd Jan at Stanpit Marsh, 4 Mudeford Quay on 28th Feb, 1 Stanpit 26th-27th Apr then 2 there on 8th May. SecondWeymouth winter Bay period: 6 on 29th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Stanpit Marsh on 19th Sep & 2 E past Hengistbury Head on 2nd Dec. Weymouth Bay 4 E on 15th Sep.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 19 Branta bernicla nigricans Scarce winter visitor - first recorded in 1991, annual since 2004. BLACK BRANT

The Fleet Presumably the regular returningCE Richards bird et first al seen in Nov 2006 was at Lynch Cove on 30th Sep and then at various sites on the Fleet until the year end ( , 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 reflected in the increasing number of records in the rest of the county. Maximum count from Otherthe Avon records valley ofwas more 63. than 2 birds:

Lodmoor RSPB 6 N on 26th Nov. Longham Lakes 3 from 1st-4th Dec. Swineham GPs 3 on 3rd Jun. Warmwell Quarry Peak of 18 on 4th Dec. SHELDUCK Tadorna tadorna Locally common breeding resident & fairly common winter visitor.

Breeding:

Regular breeder in coastal habitats, confirmed breeding was received from: Brownsea Lagoon, Lodmoor RSPB (2 pairs with 3 & 2 juvs) Lytchett Bay (3 pairs raised 6, 4 & 2 juvs), Middlebere 4 pairs with 17, 2, 8 & 7 juvs), The Fleet (2 pairs with 3 & 6 juvs) and Upton SiteHeath maxima (pair with (non-WeBS): 9 chicks). Apr Sep Nov 6 40 54 14 10 0 5 3 14 2 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec WeBSChristchurch counts: Harbour 70 37 Apr Sep Nov 62 113 68 10 5 3 62 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug 52 Oct 628 Dec Fleet & Wey 70 127 57 17 17 Poole Harbour 837 987 827 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 171 667 MANDARIN Aix galericulata Uncommon introduced breeding resident, mainly along the Stour valley.

Breeding:

Canford School A female laid 14 eggs in a nest box and was later seen nearby with 11 ducklings on 19th May. Chard Junction GP A female with 7 ducklings in May was the first evidence of 20 Dorset Bird Report 2015 breeding at this site. Magna GC Several pairs bred but no further data was supplied. OtherMerley records: Park 3 pairs raised 10 young.

Abbotsbury Swannery Drake from 5th-16th Jan. Christchurch Harbour A female on the river at Stanpit on 26th Jun then 16th & 21st Aug. Delph Woods 2 on 23rd Mar. Forde Abbey 1 on 29th Jun. Hampreston Peak of 5 on 23rd Mar. Lodmoor RSPB Male on 27th May. Longham Lakes Pair on 21st Mar. Moreton 3+ on 31st Oct. Owermoigne 3+ on 31st Oct. Trent Farm 2 on 29th Jul. WIGEON Anas penelope Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 315 616 428 30 1 1 1 3 282 406 833 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherChristchurch significant Harbour counts: 847

WeBSAvon Causeway counts: 400 on 18th Jan. Apr Sep Nov 413 280 315Jan 616Feb Mar428 May Jun Jul Aug 162 Oct 833Dec Bardolf WMs 5 57665 12762 Christchurch Harbour 391 142 n/c6 n/c n/c n/c n/c1 320 376 847 Crichel Lake 3 4 16 3 Fleet & Wey 790 1,832 2,280 1,865 Longham Lakes 119 163 Lower Frome 27 7 Poole Harbour 1,079 1,640 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 1,755 2,641 1,486 GADWALL Anas strepera Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

The only records of proven breeding came from Lodmoor RSPB where 4 broods were seen Siteand Radipolemaxima: where 2 pairs were seen with 5 & 7 young respectively. Apr Sep Nov 2 4 6 8 5 2 6 0 8 2 Jan15 Feb2 Mar May Jun2 Jul3 Aug3 12 Oct28 24 Dec5 Christchurch Harbour 23 247 25 2 7 4 Hatch Pond West Bexington 7 2015 Dorset Bird Report 21 WeBS counts: Apr Sep Nov 2 6 2 Jan2 Feb4 Mar3 May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Bardolf WMs 200 85 5 6 2 4 6 10 16 Chard Junction GP 115 18 82 66 16 65 83 86 Crichel Lake 17543 9 1 15 11 16 Fleet & Wey 21 8 5 5 574 74 3067 12752 18 Longham Lakes 119 6317 30 42 22 63 Moors Valley CP 28 47 Poole Harbour n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 117 OtherWimborne significant St Giles Lake counts:

West Bexington 14 were offshore on 28th Mar. TEAL Anas crecca Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

A female was seen on Morden Bog with a good size brood of chicks on 13th May. 2 pairs Sitewere maxima seen displaying (incl WeBS): at Lodmoor RSPB into Jun but no breeding was confirmed. Apr Sep Nov 119 230 153 125 1 0 0 35 68 34 111 136 130Jan Feb30 Mar28 22 May Jun Jul Aug11 2 Oct 40 Dec Christchurch Harbour WeBSWest Bexington counts: 76 Apr Sep Nov 82 26 22 Jan62 Feb Mar26 11 May Jun Jul1 Aug6 36 Oct49 59 Dec20 Bardolf WMs 107 230 153 33 34 111 136 Chard Junction GP 6 2710 4 Christchurch Harbour 97 464 123 8 6 1 26 858 650 Crichel Lake 44 12 4 Fleet & Wey 708 71324 22 317 1,391 Longham Lakes 15 3 137 4 2 3 Lower Frome 67 Moors Valley CP OtherPoole Harbour significant counts:2,092 1,729 1,009 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 2,202 2,437 3,096 3,370

Avon Causeway 400 on 18th Jan. Chard Junction GP 64 on 29th Nov. King’s Stag 100 nearby at Rooksmoor on 2nd Feb. Lodmoor RSPB 405 on 30th Oct represents a record site count. Lytchett Bay 1,094 on 31st Oct is also a new site record. GREEN-WINGED TEAL Anas carolinensis Rare vagrant from North America.

SA Groves et al

Abbotsbury Swannery Drake on 10th Feb & from 6th-9th Mar ( , photo).

22 Dorset Bird Report 2015 MALLARD Anas platyrhynchos Very common breeding resident & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Breeding was reported from just 22 sites around the county but this is clearly understating Sitetheir maxima true status (incl as WeBS):a widespread breeder. Apr Sep Nov 69 55 230 109 115 103 125 53Jan Feb Mar52 31 May34 Jun Jul Aug 44 34Oct 50 45Dec Christchurch Harbour 60 40 1576 n/c16 n/c10 c15011 n/c10 52 12 80 80 Hatch Pond 70 57 73 67 WeBSWest Bexington counts: 17 Apr Sep Nov 35 40 44 21Jan Feb6 Mar8 11 May8 14Jun 36Jul 68Aug 60Oct 12 Dec Bardolf WMs 600 55017 350 105 91 120 500 520 450 450 550 Chard Junction GP 584 622 432 258 250 419 402 644 37 78 Crichel Lake 69 26 29 33 40 65 50 13 29 29 Fleet & Wey 90 99 65 740 870 742 727 Longham Lakes 23 197 24 9 26 90 1 16 2027 33 25 Lower Frome 265 139 118 368 225 138 222 Moors Valley CP 64 58 9371 154 100 85 62 Poole Harbour 32 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c Sherborne Lake 3275 74 36 13378 120 Wimborne St Giles Lake Whitemill-Spetisbury 67 79 127 PINTAIL Anas acuta Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 2 20 15 1 1 5 120Jan 219Feb Mar116 2 May0 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 28 154Oct 185 Dec Christchurch Harbour 52 211 9 3 5217 184 7 Fleet & Wey (WeBS) 271 Poole Harbour 197

Also recorded at Abbotsbury Swannery, Crichel Lake, East Stoke, Longham Lakes, Radipole CoastalLake RSPB, passage:Rushton Farm, West Bexington and Winterborne Herringston. Apr Sep Nov 55 3 14 Jan Feb8 Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct 1 Dec Christchurch Harbour 17 Portland Bill GARGANEY Anas querquedula Uncommon passage migrant, has occasionally bred.

Spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 3rd Apr, 2 on 15th & 16th May. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 23 Chard Junction GP 1 present from 4th–11th Apr. Christchurch Harbour On 22nd Mar at least 6 and possibly as many as 9 were seen in the area. A drake flew in off the sea on 23rd Mar. In Apr 1 flew E past Hengistbury Head on 1st with drakes at Stanpit Marsh on 8th & 10th and 2 past Hengistbury Head on 17th. Lastly, a drake flew north on 13th May. Coward’s Marsh 1 female on 12th-13th Mar, 1 drake on 20th Mar. Fleet & Weymouth 1 on 1st Apr. Lodmoor RSPB Pair present from 18th-22nd May, 1 on 24th May, pair on 12th Jun & 1 on 15th Jun. Longham Lakes 1 drake from 3rd-26th Apr with 2 drakes on 9th. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 11th Jul. Portland Bill 1 E on 16th Apr. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 present from 19th-25th Apr, 1 on 12th May. St Aldhelm’s Head 4 E on 8th Apr. Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath Pair from 18th-30th Mar, 2 on 6th Apr. AutumnWest Bay passage: Bridport 1 on 7th Apr.

Brownsea 1 on 29th Aug. Coward’s Marsh 1 eclipse drake on 22nd & 26th Jun. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 4th Jul, 1 on 20th & 29th Aug then 3 present the following day with 1 lingering to 3rd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 23rd Aug. ExtremeRodden Hive dates: 1 female-type on 25th Nov.

Coward’s Marsh 12th Mar and Rodden Hive on 25th Nov. Anas sp.

Blue-winged Teal x Shoveler hybrid

A drake presumed to be of this pairing was present on Coward’s Marsh from 12th-22nd Mar. SHOVELER Anas clypeata Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

SiteFemale maxima: with 6 ducklings seen at Overcombe Pool, Lodmoor, in Jul. Apr Sep Nov 6 3 2 6 2 2 3 11 23 6 6 161Jan Feb82 Mar May2 Jun0 Jul0 Aug4 39 Oct 95 114Dec Christchurch Harbour 15 20 5 9 20 1 178 65 86 15 Fleet & Wey (WeBS) 141 38 1457 17 9 13567 100 100 Lodmoor RSPB 62 9 29 2 17 1 19 23 2557 35 Poole Harbour 118 9 1 Radipole Lake RSPB 26 55 36 3 22 Swineham GPs West Bexington 72 24 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Also recorded at: Chard Junction GP, Durlston CP, Hatch Pond, Longham Lakes (max 35), CoastalMoors Valley passage: CP, Morden Bog, Sturminster Marshall GP and Warmwell Quarry. Apr Sep Nov 3 2 2 11 23 5 Jan Feb Mar 2 May Jun Jul Aug3 Oct 1 Dec Christchurch Harbour Portland Bill RED-CRESTED POCHARD Netta rufina Scarce visitor, mainly winter, from feral populations on the continent or inland Britain.

Longham Lakes A pair on 17th May. POCHARD Aythya ferina Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Lodmoor RSPB An excellent year. First brood appeared on 27th May. At least 5 pairs were successful with broods numbering 7, 5, 4, 3 & 3. Site maxima: Survival rates were unknown. Apr Sep Nov 400 351 200 220 18 12 1 19 58 220 510 100Jan Feb Mar25 33 May22 Jun35 Jul16 Aug 9 Oct50 300 462Dec Fleet & Wey (incl WeBS) 30 35 4 1 1 2 1 2 1 37814 24 Lodmoor RSPB 1137 7 2 Longham Lakes 10 18 14 1 1 1 5 2 Poole Harbour 1817 Radipole Lake RSPB 7 Swineham GPs

Also recorded at: Chard Junction GP, Christchurch Harbour and West Bexington. TUFTED DUCK Aythya fuligula Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Bride Valley Fish Farm 1 brood of 5 ducklings on 12th Jul. Chard Junction GP In Jul 2 broods of 10 & 6 ducklings. Lodmoor RSPB In Jul 3 broods of 6, 4 & 4 ducklings. Longham Lakes 245+ ducklings recorded on 25th Jul. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 brood with 2 fledged. West Bexington 1 brood of 10 ducklings recorded.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 25 Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 9 22 29 25 14 21 13 20 362Jan 340Feb Mar298 May59 Jun Jul68 Aug42 184 291Oct 341 Dec Chard Junction GP 18 1417 14 379 2 6 171 3 4 14 1417 12 Fleet & Wey (WeBS) 100 14 34 17335 24 2078 12 14 12 36 116337 Hatch Pond 111 130 195 192 288 250 140 126 Lodmoor RSPB 65 40 21 7 10 36 30 Longham Lakes 200 62 33 25 24750 50 27340 17833 35 12557 Poole Harbour 33 39 24 18 19 4 178 3 6 Radipole Lake RSPB 34 16 1170 5 6 4 1 1 2 704 6 Sturminster Marshall GP 7 West Bexington

Also recorded at: Bardolf WMs, Canford Magna, Chesil Beach, Christchurch Harbour, Cogden Beach, Crane Lake, Creekmoor Pond, Crichel Lake, Harbridge, Little Bredy, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Pallington Lakes, Portland Harbour, Ringstead Bay, Sherborne Lake & Warmwell Quarry. SCAUP Aythya marila Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 5 5 5 1 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 3 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherAbbotsbury records: Swannery

Brand’s Bay 1 on 8th Jan. Hengistbury Head 1 on 6th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB 3 from 21st-29th Jan with 4 on 26th, 1 present from 4th-31st Dec. Longham Lakes 1 present from 3rd Jan-30th May, 1 on 12th Aug. Wyke Regis 3 on 27th Dec. AYTHYA HYBRID Aythya sp.

All records:

The Fleet 1 on 18th Jan-8th Mar. Poole Harbour 1 on 15th Feb. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 Tufted Duck-like drake on 1st Apr; flanks very pale grey (finely vermiculated), tuft very short. EIDER Somateria mollissima Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

FirstNone winterwere recorded period: passing Portland Bill, the first year since 1961 without a record.

Christchurch Harbour 3 E on 5th Jan, 1 W on 3rd Feb, 3 E on 8th Mar. 26 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Ferrybridge 3 on 17th Jan, 2 on 24th Jan & 1 on 17th Feb. SpringPortland passage Harbour 4 present from 1st Jan-21st Feb with 1 present until 24th Feb.

: SecondChristchurch winter Harbour period: 1 E on 23rd Apr. 4 W on 4th May & 1 on 8th May.

Brand’s Bay 1 on 26th Dec. Christchurch Harbour 2 E on 28th Oct, 7 on 19th Nov & 4 W on 3rd Dec. Weymouth Bay 3 (young male and 2 females) on 26th Nov. LONG-TAILED DUCK Clangula hyemalis Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

First winter period:

Abbotsbury Swannery From 2nd Jan-19th Apr birds were seen every day with a maximum count of 4. Chesil Cove 1 SW on 16th Apr. Hengistbury Head 1 on 3rd Jan & 1 on 13th Feb. Portland Harbour 1 on 30th Jan. Seacombe 1 on 2nd Jan, 1 on 17th Jan, 1 from 22nd-30th Jan & 1 on 12th Feb. SecondStudland winter Bay period: 1 intermittently from 10th Jan-23rd Mar.

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 on 30th Nov, 2 on 5th Dec & 1 on 13th Dec. Chesil Cove 1 on 13th Nov, 1 on 20th Nov. Hengistbury Head 1 on 14th Dec. COMMON SCOTER Melanitta nigra Locally common non-breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Coastal passage: Monthly totals: Apr Sep Nov 6 0 19 418 51 3 19 33 0 2 4 4 Jan Feb3 Mar3 151 May Jun Jul35 Aug5 5 Oct 15 Dec1 Chesil Cove 36 244 62 29 155 18 Durlston CP 113 2437 57 Hengistbury Head 25 22 22 6 57 6817 21 11 27 1 1 St Aldhelm’s Head 974 West Bexington 75 27

Portland Bill 2,119 moved offshore between Jan and Jun. Other notable records: 1,633 moved offshore between Jul and Dec.

Abbotsbury Beach 1 on 24th Jan. c60 on 19th Jul. Brand’s Bay 1 on 21st Feb, 1 on 3rd Sep, 5 on 7th, 3 on 19th & 2 on 22nd Nov. Branksome Chine 2 on 15th Dec. East Bexington 8 E on 26th Oct. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 27 Holes Bay 2 from 24th-28th Oct. Old Harry 2 on 30th Aug. Portland Harbour Max 3 from 25th Jul-7th Aug. Ringstead Bay 1 on 3rd Jan. Shell Bay 4 on 20th Aug, 2 on 4th Sep, 5 on 4th-7th & 2 on 18th Nov. Studland Bay 12 between 2nd–26th Jan, 6 on 1st Feb, 1 on 20th Oct, 3 on 10th, 5 on 19th & 10 on 22nd Nov, 7 on 2nd-4th Dec. Weymouth Bay 20 on 8 dates between 28th Jan & 23rd Feb, 2 on 2nd & 4th Apr, 5 on 26th Apr. A total of 16 on 6 dates from 2nd-29th Jul. 11 on 6 dates from 18th Nov-25th Dec. 2014Winspit correction: 12 on 8th Apr. Coastal passage: Monthly totals: Apr Sep Nov 4 141 80 22 18 Jan Feb Mar161 May9 Jun35 Jul13 Aug85 94 154Oct 45 Dec Chesil Cove 310278 165437 385 218 15 100 14647 22 Durlston CP 18379 168 408 118 18 36 21 Hengistbury Head 177 West Bexington 27 47 78 VELVET SCOTER Melanitta fusca Uncommon winter visitor and passage migrant.

All records:

Chesil Cove 1 on 4th Feb & 1 on 5th Mar. Durlston CP 1 W on 18th Oct & 6 on 31st Oct. Hengistbury Head 2 E on 4th Jan, 2 W on 24th Jan, 1 E on 13th Apr, 1 W on 30th Oct, 2 on 15th Nov & 1 W on 18th Nov. Mudeford Quay 1 on 19th Nov. Portland Bill 1 W on 14th Jan & 1 W on 13th Dec. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 E on 6th Apr. Studland Bay 1 on 12th-13th Jan & 2 on 23rd Mar. Weymouth 1 on 30th Nov. GOLDENEYE Bucephala clangula Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 11 1 69 44 Jan20 Feb25 Mar20 May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec4 Poole Harbour 77 OtherThe Fleet records:

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 25th Jan, 1 on 8th-15th Feb, 2 on 18th-22nd Nov, 1 on 29th Nov, 1 on 26th Dec. Longham Lakes 1 from 7th-14th Feb. Moors Valley CP 1 on 20th Nov. 28 Dorset Bird Report 2015 SMEW Mergellus albellus Scarce winter visitor, subject to cold weather influxes.

First winter period:

Holes Bay 1 redhead from 4th Jan-25th Feb. SecondPoole Harbour winter period: 2 redheads on 2nd Feb off Furzey Island.

Holes Bay Returning redhead from 7th Dec into 2016. RED-BREASTED MERGANSER Mergus serrator Fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 104 299 36 11 88 332Jan 365Feb Mar220 200 May1 Jun Jul Aug 1 Oct25 150 200Dec Poole Harbour 170 OtherPortland records: Harbour/Fleet

Cogden Beach 1 on 24th Nov. Longham Lakes 1 on 17th-18th Oct. CoastalPeveril Point passage: 4 on 5th May. Monthly totals: Apr Sep Nov 3 19 2 5 8 12 Jan Feb3 Mar 2 May Jun Jul Aug Oct2 4 Dec1 Christchurch Harbour 17 Durlston CP

Chesil Cove 2 on 6th Apr, 1 on 2nd Jun, 1 on 30th Dec. Portland Bill 9 moved offshore from 12th Feb to 6th Apr. 1 on 9th Jun. 8 moved offshore from 27th Oct to 23rd Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 on 8th Mar, 1 on 12th Mar, 1 on 17th Mar, 3 on 23rd Mar. 4 on 7th Apr, 7 on 10th Apr. GOOSANDER Mergus merganser Uncommon winter visitor, passage migrant & occasional breeder.

Breeding:

FirstNo evidence winter ofperiod: breeding reported this year.

Coward’s Marsh 11 on 4th Apr. Shapwick 5 on 18th Jan, 3 on 31st Jan, 15 on 4th Feb, 7 on 8th Feb, 6 on 8th Mar, 1 on 14th Mar. Spetisbury 1 on 8th Feb, 6 on 8th Mar. Sturminster Marshall GP 2 on 9th Jan, 4 on 8th Feb, 2 on 8th Mar. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 29 Also recorded at: Brownsea Island, Chesil Cove, Cowgrove, Crichel Lake, Eye Mead, Harbridge, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Poole Harbour, Portland Bill, Portland Harbour, SummerSopley, St reports:Aldhelm’s Head & West Bexington.

Coward’s Marsh 1 on 10th May. SecondHengistbury winter Head period: 3 W on 31st Jul.

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 28th Oct, 4 on 12th Nov, 1 on 15th Nov. Shapwick 5 on 11th Nov & 4 on 20th Dec.

Also recorded at: Arne RSPB, Brand’s Bay, Eyebridge, Ferrybridge, Lodmoor RSPB, Pamphill, Sturminster Marshall GP & West Bexington. RUDDY DUCK Oxyura jamaicensis A once regular introduced resident, now all but extirpated by the Defra eradication programme.

Lodmoor RSPB 2 from 18th Mar-8th Apr when they were shot. Radipole Lake RSPB 2 on 30th Jun. RED-LEGGED PARTRIDGE Alectoris rufa An under-reported non-native species; numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding:

Puddletown Forest Fledged young seen at Beacon Corner. NotableWest Bexington records: & Cogden Several pairs present but no confirmed breeding.

Lodmoor CP 1 in a neighbouring garden on 7th Mar. Lytchett Bay 1 on 6th & 7th Apr. SignificantPortland counts: 1 at various sites from 5th Apr until year end.

Iwerne 240 on 17th Oct. Langton Herring 30 on 25th Oct. Watcombe Down 20 on 24th Nov. Wyke Down 20+ on 22nd Nov. GREY PARTRIDGE Perdix perdix Uncommon declining resident; numbers are supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding:

There30 Dorset were Bird no Report confirmed 2015 breeding records received this year. All non-breeding records:

Cerne Abbas 2 on 27th Aug. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 27th Apr was only the 4th record in the past 25 years. Eggardon Hill 2 on 12th May. Iwerne Minster 1 in Brookman’s Valley on 7th Mar. Redcliff Point 1 flushed on 11th Feb is only the 4th Lodmoor area record. Ringstead Bay Singles on 4th & 12th Jun. Sherborne 6 at Coombe Farm on 11th Oct. Sturminster Marshall GP 1 on 17th Apr represents the first site record. Wimborne St Giles 1 on 7th Jun. Worth Matravers 2 on 21st May. Wyke Down 3 on 17th Mar, 2 on 13th Jun & 4 on 1st Oct. PHEASANT Phasianus colchicus An abundant, but under-reported, introduced species supplemented by releases for shooting.

Breeding:

Brownsea Island Confirmed breeding but no numbers given. Christchurch Harbour Confirmed at Hengistbury and Stanpit & probably Wick. Lodmoor CP Confirmed breeding at the northern end. Merley Park 2 females with 8 chicks. Portland Bill Two broods seen. OtherWest Bexington records (10 & Cogden or more Confirmed birds): breeding but no numbers given.

Badbury Rings 30 on 26th Sep. Beaminster 30 on 20th Feb. Iwerne 540 on 17th Oct. Langton Herring c150 on 25th Oct near release pens. Lillington 40 on 24th Sep. Puddletown 40 in Ilsington Wood on 10th Oct, 45 at Beacon Corner on 24th Nov. Wyke Wood 30+ on 31st Aug. GOLDEN PHEASANT Chrysolophus pictus Uncommon introduced breeding resident on Brownsea & Furzey Islands, Poole Harbour.

All records:

Brownsea Island 1 on several occasions in spring. Furzey Island 3+ males in May.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 31 RED-THROATED DIVER Gavia stellata A scarce but increasing winter visitor & passage migrant.

Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov Coastal passage: 2 6 1 2 12 148Jan 120Feb Mar32 1 May1 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 1 Oct1 Dec24 Chesil Cove 201 385 997 307 10 0 0 0 3 1 32 Hengistbury Head 2 13 63 22 4 37 Portland Bill 42 8 5 872 St Aldhelm’s Head UnusualWest Bexington records and selected peak counts:

Durlston CP 92 past on 11th Feb. ExtremeHoles Bay dates: 1 on 5th Jan.

Portland Bill 14th May and 13th Sep. BLACK-THROATED DIVER Gavia arctica Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 2 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 5 10 Jan1 Feb8 Mar5 5 May6 Jun0 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct0 1 Dec9 Hengistbury Head 7 OtherPortland records: Bill

Branksome Chine 2 past on 29th Apr & 1 on 5th May. Poole Harbour 1 around Brownsea Island from 12th-23rd Dec. Portland Harbour First winter period max of 4 in Feb. Second winter period max of 1 on 1st Dec. Studland Bay 1 on 5th & 9th Jan. 1 from 18th Nov to the year end. ExtremeWeymouth dates: Bay Singles on 14th Jan, 1st Jun (breeding plumage) & 26th Nov.

Weymouth Bay on 1st Jun , Portland Bill and Studland Bay on 18th Nov. GREAT NORTHERN DIVER Gavia immer Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Weymouth Bay locals stated that this was a particularly poor year for the species with between 1-4 birds up until mid-Feb with further singles on 3rd Apr, 5th May and a breeding plumaged individual on 18th May. In the second winter period 1-3 birds were seen from 22nd Nov-7th Dec which was described as the worst Dec ever. One flying N over Lodmoor RSPB on 31st Dec was a genuinely rare sight.

32 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 13 1 2 12 1 0 0 0 0 12 4 Jan2 Feb1 Mar1 5 May50 Jun1 Jul0 Aug0 0 Oct5 1 Dec0 Hengistbury Head 7 Portland Bill Other records:

Branksome Chine 2 in breeding plumage on 2nd Jun. Lulworth 4 on 21st Nov. Poole 1 flew SW over Oakdale on 3rd Dec. Poole Harbour/Studland Bay First winter period max of 8 on 13th Jan, Second winter period max of 8 on 30th Dec. Portland Harbour First winter period max of 14 on 16th Jan. Second winter period max of 9 on 29th Dec. Ringstead Bay 2 on 18th Jan. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: Singles on 24th May & 2nd Nov.

Portland Bill 4th Jun & 17th Oct. LITTLE GREBE Tachybaptus ruficollis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Briantspuddle 1 pair bred on the fishing lake. Chard Junction GP 3 pairs raised 7 young. Lodmoor RSPB At least 10 sites across the reserve had singing birds or pairs in early spring. Swineham GPs At least 5 pairs but only 1 juv seen. SiteWarmwell maxima Quarry (incl WeBS): 1 pair raised 3 young. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 4 5 8 10 8 8 10 8 5 3 2 Jan5 Feb3 Mar3 0 May0 Jun2 Jul2 Aug1 4 Oct 6 Dec Chard Junction GP 35 35 18 10 8 4 1 15 357 36 33 42 Christchurch Harbour 23 39 13 2 1 22 25 n/c22 20 137 Fleet & Wey 8 10 2 9 11 10 12 Longham Lakes 2 2 37 2 2 Poole Harbour Whitemill-Spetisbury

Also recorded at: Canford Bridge, Hatch Pond, Higher Hyde Heath, Littlebredy, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Morden Park Lake, Sturminster Marshall GP and Tolpuddle. GREAT CRESTED GREBE Podiceps cristatus Uncommon breeding resident & locally common winter visitor.

Breeding:

Hatch Pond 1 pair bred successfully. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 33 Lodmoor RSPB 3 pairs fledged just 1 young. Longham Lakes 2 pairs raised 2 & 4 young. Morden Park Lake 1 pair bred. Radipole Lake RSPB 5 pairs. Sherborne Lake At least 1 pair bred successfully. Sturminster Marshall GP 1 pair raised 3 young. SiteSwineham maxima GPs (incl WeBS): 2 pairs raising 2 & 3 young. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 20 62 9 6 3 1 2 1 1 1 3 Jan41 Feb25 Mar24 54 May40 Jun56 Jul65 Aug 50 Oct52 Dec45 Christchurch Harbour 9 3 9 13 15 15 35 83 54 81 7 Fleet & Wey 68 112 74 56 84 6527 Longham Lakes 8 4 10 11 14 675 16 10 18 1327 Poole Harbour 11 29 27 71 Sherborne Lake 4 20 12 3 2 1 1 3 Studland Bay OtherWest Bexington records:

Chard Junction GP 1 on 27th Sep was only the 4th site record. Weymouth Bay 85 on 6th Feb. RED-NECKED GREBE Podiceps grisegena Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.

All records:

Christchurch Harbour 1 off Hengistbury on several dates between 1st-15th Jan, 2 past Mudeford Quay on 18th Jan. 1 off Hengistbury on 21st-22nd Feb with another there on 4th Mar. 1 off Mudeford Quay on 26th Dec. Portland Harbour 1-2 from 1st Jan until 15th Feb. Studland Bay 1-2 from 1st-29th Jan. 1 from 19th Nov-26th Dec. Weymouth Bay 2 from 15th-18th Jan, 1 on 17th Feb, 1 on 26th Nov and 1 on 28th & 31st Dec. SLAVONIAN GREBE Podiceps auritus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima (incl WeBS): Apr Sep Nov 8 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Jan2 Feb1 Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec1 Fleet & Wey 4 3 2 1 Poole Harbour OtherStudland records: Bay

Christchurch Harbour 1 was off Hengistbury on 13th Feb. 1 in full breeding plumage was on the sea off the Sandspit on 3rd Apr. In Dec singles flew across Christchurch Bay on 19th and 23rd and one was on the 34 Dorset Bird Report 2015 sea off Mudeford Quay on 25th. Ringstead Bay Singles on 18th Jan & 14th Mar. West Bexington Singles on 10th & 12th Feb. ExtremeWeymouth dates: Bay 1-2 from 3rd-14th Jan.

Portland Harbour 7th Apr & 10th Nov. BLACK-NECKED GREBE Podiceps nigricollis Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Nationally important numbers of this grebe now roost in Studland Bay during the winter, although numbers were well down on last winter. Birds from within Poole Harbour are not Siteconsidered maxima to (incljoin the WeBS): evening roost just outside it. Apr Sep Nov 21 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 14 6 Jan15 Feb22 Mar0 1 May Jun Jul Aug Oct0 12 Dec24 Fleet & Wey 34 2817 13 0 14 20 14 Poole Harbour OtherStudland records: Bay

Christchurch Harbour Singles were offshore on 4th & 13th Jan. In Nov birds were seen on the sea on 26th, 28th & 29th with 1 on 1st Dec. Longham Lakes 2 from 12th-15th Mar and 1 from 29th Jun-20th Aug. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 E on 8th Apr. ExtremeWeymouth dates: Bay Singles on 25th Mar & 22nd Nov.

St Aldhelm’s Head 8th Apr & Longham Lakes 29th Jun. FULMAR Fulmarus glacialis Locally common breeding resident & passage migrant.

Breeding:A perennially under-recorded species particularly at its breeding sites.

Hive Beach Cliffs 2 birds at a site on 24th Mar. Portland 8 chicks were seen at Blacknor Cliffs on 12th Aug, 3 at Grove Cliffs on 16th Aug. Purbeck The Purbeck Seabird Survey located a total of 38 Apparently Occupied Sites (AOSs) between Handfast Point and White Nothe; 11 AOSs were between Durlston Head and the Lighthouse and a further 11 between Crab Hole and Buttery Corner. The total of 38 AOSs is an increase of 4 compared with 2014, which in turn increased from the 20 AOSs recorded in 2013. However, the historic trend is still one of fluctuating decline (174 individuals were recorded in the early 1980s), broadly reflecting the national decline. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 35 Coastal maxima: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 4 12 2 10 6 4 1 2 2 2 Jan2 Feb5 Mar25 32 May28 Jun20 Jul1 Aug11 Oct Dec1 Durlston CP 9 12 4 Hengistbury Head 1 2 15 4 1 1 2 1 St Aldhelm’s Head OtherWest Bexington notable records:

Chesil Cove 100 on 5th May. SOOTY SHEARWATER Puffinus griseus Uncommon autumn passage migrant.

All records:

Hengistbury Head 1 past on 31st May (first CHOG spring record). Portland Bill Singles past on 21st Sep, 24th Oct, 16th Nov & 26th Dec.

The annual number of Sooty Shearwater recorded in Dorset is very variable. The last three years have been particularly poor with the 2015 total reflecting the lowest number past Portland2000 2001 Bill 2002since 20031967.2004 2005 2006 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 35 36 12 34 33 108 126 139 235 43 40 110 19 11 5 2007 197 MANX SHEARWATER Puffinus puffinus Fairly common passage migrant & non-breeding summer visitor.

Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 43 151 10 Jan1 Feb1 Mar May Jun Jul 655Aug 3 Oct0 0 Dec0 Hengistbury Head 1 40 11 32 10 5 Portland Bill 47 2,877 3,998 2,161 1,239 West Bexington

Portland Bill is the premier site in Dorset for Manx Shearwater. The 2015 total at the site was 10,982 bird-days. The last decade has seen the annual total at the Bill fluctuate between a peak of 44,175 in 2008 and a low of 4,741 in 2014; during the previous decade (1996- 2005), there was only one year with an annual total higher than 10,000. Apart from winter Othersingles notable on 7th Jan records: and 22nd Feb, the extreme dates at the Bill were 28th Mar and 27th Sep.

Branksome Chine 10 on 5th May, 1 on 2nd Jun. Chesil Cove 26 on 23rd Apr, 45 on 5th May, 82 on 29th May. Peveril Point 10 on 29th May, 25 on 2nd Jun. St Aldhelm’s Head Spring bird-days: 2 in Mar, 80 in Apr, 113 in May; 1,032 on 2nd Jun.

36 Dorset Bird Report 2015 BALEARIC SHEARWATER Puffinus mauretanicus Locally common non-breeding summer visitor, autumn passage migrant & occasional winter visitor, mainly off Portland.

Coastal passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 0 0 0 0 2 0 116 642 104 9 0 0 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Portland Bill

Portland Bill is the premier site in Dorset for Balearic Shearwater. Birds were recorded between 14th May & 29th Oct with the highest count of 146 on 28th Aug. The annual total Otherat the Bill records: was the seventh highest recorded there.

Branksome Chine 1 on 20th Aug, 2 on 26th Aug. Chesil Cove 23 bird-days between 12th Jul & 12th Sep. Cogden Beach 6+ lingering on 10th Sep. Durlston CP 31 bird-days between 13th Jul & 27th Aug (14 on 23rd Aug). Hengistbury Head 10 bird-days between 20th Jul and 14th Sep; (compared with 5 in 2014, 146 in 2013 and 102 in 2012). Studland Bay In Aug 1 past Pilot’s Point on 20th with 2 on 21st. West Bexington 19 bird-days between 18th Aug and 11th Sep (9 on 11th Sep). STORM PETREL Hydrobates pelagicus Uncommon non-breeding summer visitor & autumn passage migrant.

All records:

Chesil Cove 2 on 5th May (1 blown into Portland Harbour) & 1 on 2nd Jun. Hengistbury Head 1 on 18th & 31st May, 2 on 2nd Jun. Portland Bill 2 on 2nd Jun, 1 on 3rd Jun, 2 on 15th Sep. Additionally, 14 sound-lured and trapped at night at the Bill between 26th May and 10th Jul, one found moribund at the Bill on 13th Sep and one found dead at Chiswell on 15th Sep. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 11th May. West Bexington 1 on 2nd Jun. LEACH’S PETREL Oceanodroma leucorhoa Rare autumn & winter visitor, subject to wrecks in adverse weather.

AJ Barrett, MJ Morse There was only 1 record: a bird briefly at West Bexington on 26th Dec ( ). This continues the pattern of the last 10 years in which, other than the spectacular wreck of 29th Nov 2009 when over 600 birds were recorded at Chesil Cove alone, annual Leach’s Petrel bird-days have been fewer than 5.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 37 GANNET Morus bassanus Fairly common passage migrant, offshore all year.

Site maxima: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 342 16 29 133 602 113 129 251 80 21 38 Jan Feb68 Mar26 May42 Jun Jul41 Aug Oct19 19 192Dec Hengistbury Head 1,036 OtherWest Bexington sites maxima: 71 67 73 67 257

Branksome Chine 50 on 14th May. Chesil Cove 400 on 30th Dec. Durlston CP 1,000 on 30th Dec. Hengistbury Head c250 W on 24th Dec, 289 W on 27th Dec. Portland Bill Feeding flock of 1,000 on 1st Feb, 1,500 E on 14th Sep. St Aldhelm’s Head 377 E on 13th Feb, 300 E on 20th Mar, 213 mostly E on 7th Apr, 245 mostly E on 17th Apr, 195 mostly E on 14th May. West Bexington 140 on 30th Dec. OtherWeymouth unusual Bay records: 55 on 22nd Dec

Portland Harbour 5 on 5th Jun. West Moors Adult flew low over heading south on 3rd Apr. CORMORANT Phalacrocorax carbo Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Lodmoor RSPB No suggestion of breeding but a pair displaying and exchanging twigs on 21st Feb. Purbeck Seabird Survey 83 apparently occupied nests (AON) represents an increase on last year’s total of 77. The main concentration was between Site maxima: Handfast Point and Ballard Down with 42 AONs. Maxima Apr Sep Nov 65 30 38 35 23 25 48 64 36 Jan30 Feb16 Mar14 2 May4 Jun0 Jul5 Aug21 32 Oct 15 Dec25 Christchurch Harbour n/c 50+ 72 Longham Lakes 27

Poole Harbour is the main site in Dorset for Cormorants. Maxima around the harbour include: 78 on 8th Oct at Arne RSPB, 120 on Brownsea Island on 7th Feb & 249 there on 28th Oct, 130 on 27th Oct at Lytchett Fields RSPB, 277 at Shell Bay on 12th Oct, 250 on WeBSStoney counts: Island on 2nd Jan (of these, 112 flew into Brand’s Bay to roost). Apr Sep Nov 38 36 24 25 38 63 85 46 48 183Jan Feb Mar42 May Jun Jul Aug 421Oct 222 110Dec Fleet & Wey 57 73 71 CoastalPoole Harbour movements: 87 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 272

Hengistbury38 Dorset Bird HeadReport 2015 112 W past on 31st Jul. SHAG Phalacrocorax aristotelis Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Portland Bill Bred 1950 and annually since 1998, but no further details. Purbeck Seabird Survey 43 apparently occupied nests sees a healthy increase of 72% on WeBS counts: 2014 numbers. Apr Sep Nov 8 18 2 3 0 0 0 0 1 16 0 Jan1 Feb0 Mar0 May Jun Jul Aug 1 Oct0 19 Dec15 Fleet & Wey 7 OtherPoole Harbour records (all counts of 10 or more):n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c

Arne RSPB 23 on 17th Jul. Brownsea Island 40 on 15th Jul. Chesil Cove 25 on 15th Nov. Durlston CP 10 on 10th Apr, 10 on 24th May, 11 on 16th Jul. Lyme Regis 17 on 12th Oct. Portland Bill 15 on 4th Apr, 20 on 29th Aug, 54 on 20th Feb. Portland Harbour 20 on 6th Jan, 30 on 7th Jan, 70 on 16th Jan, 40 on 16th Nov. Shell Bay 87 entering Poole Harbour in 1 hour on 18th Nov. Studland Bay 10 on 11th Jan. Weymouth Bay 20 on 1st Dec. BITTERN Botaurus stellaris Uncommon winter visitor.

First winter period:

Arne Moors/Swineham Reported on 3rd & 26th Jan, 5th (2 birds), 7th (2 birds), 9th & 10th Feb & 25th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB Occasional sightings of 1-2 birds Jan/Feb until 3 seen leaving at dusk on 20th Mar continuing this now well-established pattern of birds leaving the wintering/staging sites in favourable conditions around this time of year. SummerRadipole Lakerecords: RSPB Singles on 2nd, 4th & 23rd Jan, 2nd & 9th Feb and 3rd Apr.

Lodmoor RSPB There was no repeat of last year’s boomer or any sign of Second winter period: lingering birds in spring.

Arne Moors/Swineham 1 on 3rd Nov. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 4 occasions in Oct: 8th, 11th, 14th and 27th. Crichel Lake 1 on 15th and 16th Nov was the first for 25 years. Lodmoor RSPB 1-2 birds from 3rd Oct, seen regularly until 14th Dec. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 12th & 23rd Sep; 1st, 9th & 19th Oct, 25th Nov & 29th Dec. West Bexington 1 in the nature reserve on 3rd Oct was the first since 1952. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 39 NIGHT HERON Nycticorax nycticorax Very rare passage migrant - 25 previous records.

L Chappell

Anper adult DBC flew north along Moors River, Hurn in the early morning of 18th Apr ( ) and what was presumably the same individual was seen at the Stour Valley LNR on 21st April ( , photo). This represents the 26th Dorset record and the first since 2011 when a series of records were the first since 2006. CATTLE EGRET Bubulcus ibis Very rare passage migrant but annual since 2005, with an influx of birds in 2007.

Initially, a flock of 23 egrets seen flying over Stanpit on 30th Aug was confirmed to include at least 6 Cattle Egret and 1 Little Egret, but the birds soon turned away. It was, however, suspected that the vast majority were Cattle Egret. As the birds were seen to drop out of sight, locations in the Lower Avon Valley wereDN visited Smith andS theClarke birds et were al found at Coward’s Marsh. They preferred a distant area with cattle in long grass and were difficult to see, but a count of 22 was eventually confirmed ( , , photo). This record constitutes the largest-ever flock to be seen in the UK. The birds flew off north at 17:55, heading over Ringwood (Hants). The CHOG Report states that a ‘flock of approximately twenty-five unidentified egrets seen O passing Frampton the Isleet al of Wight early in the morning on 30th were presumably these birds’. On 1st Sep, 2 were at Stanpit, having been seen in the Lower Avon Valley the previous day ( , photo). These were thought to be additional birds, as 2 were noted earlier on the 31st flying west past Lymington. Birds were seen in the area up to 3rd Sep. SA Groves et al

Abbotsbury Swannery 2SA on Groves the afternoon et al of 7th Sep ( , photo). A single bird was present from 30th Sep-6th Oct ( , photo). LITTLE EGRET Egretta garzetta Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding:

HengistburySite maxima: Head 4 pairs raised at least 12 young. Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 6 10 13 48 12 32 3 9 Jan15 Feb15 Mar15 14 May11 Jun15 Jul22 Aug13 22 Oct18 19 Dec10 Christchurch Harbour 1 3 1 n/c1 17 1 n/c1 n/c3 2 2 2 Lytchett Bay West Bexington

WeBSBrownsea counts: Island 29 on 3rd Oct. Apr Sep Nov 6 10 13 12 32 3 9 Jan25 Feb31 Mar44 44 May30 Jun22 Jul33 Aug20 14 Oct22 8 Dec23 Christchurch Harbour 23 26 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 148 29 Fleet and Wey Poole Harbour 47 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 76 76 40 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Inland counts of 10 or more:

Bardolf WMs 12 on 18th Jan. Bere Regis CBs 12 on 15th Feb. River Stour 11 between Whitemill and Shapwick on 15th Nov and 20th Dec, 16 between Shapwick and Spetisbury on 20th Dec, Roost counts: between 15 and 18 at Eye Bridge in last week of Dec.

Lodmoor RSPB A roost in bushes around the reserve during late Jul consisted of up to 18 birds. Poole Harbour A small evening roost was identified on the boundary of the Lytchett Bay recording area with up to 8 birds counted. A flock of 23 flew over Middlebere heading to roost on 9th Aug. 47 birds were counted moving up the Wareham Channel from roost on Coastal movements: 21st Aug. 60 moved up the Frome valley at dawn on 9th Nov.

Some coastal passage was noted at Portland Bill, mainly in spring and early autumn. 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 All1st records:Jan 2015, records of the species will no longer be assessed by the Dorset Records Panel.

Bridport 1 on Asker Meadows, Bridport on 20th May. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 30th & 31st Aug. Frampton 1 on 12th Jan. Hengistbury Head 1 flew west over Hengistbury Head and was lost to view above Wick on 23rd Mar; 2 flew high west over the end of Hengistbury on 13th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 1st & 17th Sep. Lytchett Matravers 1 over on 31st May; 1 over on 17th Oct. Poole Harbour Determining the number of birds present in Poole Harbour has proven to be difficult with records from a number of sites of which the most frequent were from Brand’s Bay, Little Sea Studland and Middlebere. 2 birds (identified on plumage characteristics) were present up to around the middle of Feb, with 1 remaining until the end of Mar. A bird was present on Brownsea Island on 6th Jun. There were records from 3rd Sep to the end of the year with 2 birds at Middlebere on 18th & 20th Oct. River Stour 1 in the Eye Bridge/Canford Bridge/Cowgrave/Spetisbury area from 1st Nov to 25th Dec. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 19th Apr. Sturminster Marshall GP 1 on 15 & 16th Aug Wyke Regis 1 on 17th Sep, 17th Oct & 22nd Oct.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 41 GREY HERON Ardea cinerea Fairly common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Canford Magna At least 12 pairs raising a minimum of 20 young. Hengistbury Head 2 pairs raised 5 young. Lodmoor RSPB Last year’s nesting pair prospected the same part of the WeBS counts: reedbed again in the spring but did not stay. Apr Sep Nov 1 2 2 3 1 1 6 2 4 3 2 2 Jan6 Feb Mar3 May Jun Jul Aug 5 Oct3 5 Dec2 Chard Junction GP 16 20 1 19 8 12 12 9 13 15 12 Christchurch Harbour 3 37 1 4 4 5 4 4 3 3 3 4 Fleet and Wey 44 40 2 17 26 45 38 21 Longham Lakes OtherPoole Harbour site maxima: n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c Maxima: Apr Sep Nov 6 5 3 1 3 15 4 2 8 2 Jan1 Feb3 Mar1 1 May Jun1 Jul1 Aug3 2 Oct2 2 Dec Bride Valley Fish Farm OtherWest Bexington counts:

Portland Harbour 15 in Dec. CoastalSwineham passage: GPs 20 on 21st Feb.

ChristchurchBird-days: Harbour 6 arrived fromApr E on 18th Jul, 7 W high overSep HengistburyNov on 0 10th0 Sep.0 0 2 6 4 22 15 6 1 2 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Portland Bill PURPLE HERON Ardea purpurea Rare Passage migrant.

per DBC et al

A first-summer bird present at Lodmoor RSPB from 12th–28th May ( , photo) could be both ‘frustratingly elusive at times and amazingly confiding at others’. The bird was the first area record for 6 years, and the first Dorset record since 2012. BLACK STORK Ciconia nigra Very rare passage migrant.

MJ Bruce et al A juvenile bird first recorded in the Arne/Middlebere/Wytch Channel area in the early evening of 8th Aug was present in the general area the nextD & day G Walbridge( et al, photo), allowing some attendees at Arne RSPB’s Hen Harrier Day to have brief views. On the 11th Aug the bird reappeared over central/northern Portland ( ), it then drifted over Weymouth, before heading west towards Abbotsbury (where it was seen in a 42 Dorset Bird Report 2015 AJ Barrett, MJ Morse, A Simon et al, field to the west of the village) before moving further west to West Bexington where it was seen until 09:00 the next day ( photo). This is the 12th individual to be recorded in Dorset. The bird was also seen at Lydd-on-Sea and Dungeness in Kent on 7th Aug and subsequently in Sussex at Rye Harbour and Bexhill-on-Sea between 12th Aug and 5th Sep. GLOSSY IBIS Plegadis falcinellus Rare but increasing passage migrant.

SA Groves per DBC, Abbotsbury Swannery 2 W on 10th Oct, same asRA Lodmoor, Ford ( , photo). Lodmoor RSPB 2 W on 10th Oct ( photo) 1 flew over on 24th Oct ( ). SPOONBILL Platalea leucorodia Uncommon passage migrant & increasing winter visitor.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 4 3 3 5 Jan35 Feb34 Mar26 15 May Jun4 Jul10 Aug26 42 Oct60 46 Dec35 Lodmoor RSPB Poole Harbour 7

The peak counts for the Poole Harbour flock were from Arne RSPB and Brownsea Island with the birds split between the two sites on the peak date of 8th Oct. The Poole Harbour flock continues to increase; it is the largest in the UK.

Other sites around the Harbour for Spoonbill include Brand’s Bay (max count of 20 on 11th Dec), Holes Bay (11 on 22nd Nov) and Middlebere (16 on 31st Jan). Birds from the Poole Harbour flock are increasingly visiting Lytchett Fields and Bay - before 2013 there had only been 5 records of the species;B(AE) in 2015, + W(AE)the species was recorded on 69 dates with sightings spread evenly between the Fields and Bay and a max count of 12 on 30th Nov. Two colour ringed birds were recorded: present on 13th Mar was ringed as a pullus at Schiermonnikoog, Netherlands on 19th Jul 2006. ItYfG(m)/GYL had previously visited the Bay on 23rd Mar 2013. Over the years, it has commuted back and forth between Holland and Poole Harbour with occasional visits to the Somme, France. was present on 17th- 18th May 2015 and again on 19th Nov 2015. It was ringed as a pullus2015 at DorsetSchiermonnikoog, Bird Report 43 Netherlands on 1st Jul 2014. It seems to have spent the summer around Poole Harbour as it Otherwas on records: Brownsea Island in Aug. This is not unusual for 1st year birds.

Christchurch Harbour 39 bird-days represented the second-best total for at least 20 years, beaten in 2012 only because there was a long-staying individual to increase the number of bird-days. Corfe Castle 1 over on 20th May. East Holme 6 on 3rd Feb, 2 on 25th Feb. Langton Herring 1 on 16th & 18th Mar & 12th Aug. Little Sea, The Fleet 1 on 4th Mar. Portland 3 E over the Bill on 30th Sep. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 28th Feb, 2 on 7th Mar, 1 on 20th Mar, 3 on 30th Sep. Swineham GPs 16 on 3rd Jan. Wool 4 on 5th Feb. Wyke Regis 1 on 4th Mar. 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 past. Breeding was not confirmed, although 3 birds seen together on 9th Jul could have Otherbeen a records:family party. DH Taylor et al C Chapleo et al Christchurch Harbour 1 on 27th Jun ( per). 1 DBC over photoWick Fields on 12th Sep ( ). Portland 1 N at Southwell on 4th Jun ( , ). BLACK KITE Milvus migrans Rare passage migrant, mainly spring.

Additional 2014 record: P Morton

Slepe Heath 1 on 31st Aug ( ). RED KITE Milvus milvus Scarce passage migrant, and increasing wanderer from introduction schemes elsewhere in Britain.

The increase continues, with 295 records, easily exceeding the previous highest total of 222 in 2011. As recently as 2000, 19 sightings set a new record. Moreover, there were 14 reports this year of 4 or more together, mainly in the west or north of the county, compared to 7 last year. However, there were no reports of displaying birds or any other evidence of breeding. The large roost found last year was used again in Dec. 44 Dorset Bird Report 2015 A juvenile bird was ringed during the year but unfortunately no further details were forthcoming so we are unable to confirm whether successful breeding took place in the county.

As the species could be breeding regularly in the county, or on the verge of doing so, we have chosen not to publish the locations of sightings. We urge all observers to continue to send records in, especially if displaying or other breeding activity is noted, so that the population canRecords be monitored. by month: Apr Sep Nov 10 14 50 86 52 44 6 2 10 15 2 4 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec All sites MARSH HARRIER Circus aeruginosus Scarce breeding resident, uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding records:

Lodmoor RSPB A pair began displaying during the first mild weather in Jan, with mating in Feb. Both birds could be seen hunting again from 9th May, which normally indicates they have chicks. The first 2 juvs appeared on 19th Jun. Eventually a total of 4 were fledged - a fantastic success story. After their initial dispersal at least 2 juvs returned and it was possible to see both parents and 2 of their growing young regularly to the year’s end. Poole Harbour In west Poole Harbour, birds were seen displaying and nest building from 22nd Mar but it was unclear which birds were paired with which, with five or six different individuals involved. By late Apr it was confirmed that there were three different females on nests, two of them mature birds that nested last year, and one an inexperienced female. Two of the nests failed but one female succeeded in fledging two young, with first juv sighted on 1st Jul. Radipole Lake RSPB In early Jan two males were seen in aggressive display, with the resident female looking on. One of the males left and the remaining pair were later seen displaying and food-passing in early Apr. Two birds were raised successfully, with the first First winter period: fledgling seen on 6th Jul.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 10th Jan. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 26th Jan, 4th, 17th & 18th Feb and 7th, 13th & 18th Mar. Coward’s Marsh 1 from 23th-26th Jan. Morden Bog 1 on 15th Feb. Poole Harbour In early Jan up to 12 birds were using various roost sites in west Poole Harbour. During the day, birds were regularly seen at Spring passage: various sites including Arne RSPB, Brand’s Bay, Brownsea Island, Lytchett Bay, Middlebere and Swineham.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 11th Apr. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 45 Christchurch Harbour Singles on 14th Apr and 8th, 13th and 26th May. Cogden Beach 1 on 8th May. Langton Herring 1 on 8th Jun. Lodmoor RSPB The breeding pair was joined briefly in Mar by another female, with a white rump. Longham Lakes 1 on 3rd May. Morden Bog 1 on 12th May. Morden Park Lake 1 on 6th Apr. AutumnWarmwell passage: Quarry 1 on 13th May.

Adber, nr Sherborne 1 on 11th Aug. Burton, Christchurch 1 on 7th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 11th & 29th Aug, with 2 on 28th; singles on 9th, 13th, 26th & 28th Sep and 1 present for much of Oct. Cogden Beach 1 on 19th Oct. Coward’s Marsh Singles on 12th Sep and 29th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB In addition to the breeding birds, a different male was seen occasionally in the autumn Poole Harbour Several juvenile birds were present from Aug onwards, some of which may have arrived from elsewhere. By mid-Oct 7 birds were present, nearly all females or immatures, joined in late Oct by a new adult male. Portland 1 at the Bill on 11th Aug and 5 at all sites between 1st & 13th Oct. SecondWest Bexington winter period: Singles on 30th Jul, 8th Sep and 17th & 19th Oct.

Christchurch Harbour Singles on 9th, 11th, 12th and 24th Nov. 1 on 6 dates in Dec. Cogden Beach A single female on 19th Nov and 22nd Nov and 12th Dec. Lodmoor RSPB The breeding adults remained and the mild weather in Dec prompted them to begin displaying before Christmas. Poole Harbour The number of birds in the area peaked at 10 on 15th Nov, dropping to 5 by mid-Dec. Radipole Lake RSPB 1-2 birds were seen occasionally in Nov, with up to 4 in mid-Dec. Rodden Hive An adult male on 25th Nov. West Bexington A female was seen regularly from 17th Nov to 16th Dec, the same bird as at Cogden. HEN HARRIER Circus cyaneus Localised winter visitor and scarce passage migrant.

First winter period:

Poole Harbour Up to 5 birds were present in Jan and Feb: a full adult male, a sub-adult male, 2 females and a juvenile male that arrived in Sep 2014. 3 remained in Mar, reducing to 2 in early Apr, with the juvenile bird last seen on 12th Apr. Most sightings were at Arne, Hartland Moor, Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. Sixpenny Handley Singles on 2nd, 9th, 14th & 31st Jan, 10th Feb and 7th, 11th, 14th & 17th Mar. Wyke Down A single male on 5th, 15th & 22nd Jan and on 1st, 4th, 14th, 16th, 46 Dorset Bird Report 2015 17th & 19th Mar, with a ringtail on 1st, 6th, 10th & 19th Mar. Black Stork at West Bexington - 11th August - Mike Morse

Kentish Plover at Preston Beach - 3rd August - Brett Spencer

2015 Dorset Bird Report 47 Buff-breasted Sandpiper at White Nothe - 20th September - Brett Spencer

Spotted Sandpiper at Chard Junction GP - 25th October - Dave Helliar

48 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Also recorded on one or two dates from: Acton (1st Feb), Gussage All Saints (17th Feb), Gussage Hill (19th Mar), Holt Heath (2 on 18th Jan), Martin Down (1st Mar), Morden Bog (31st Jan), St Aldhelm’s Head (11th and 26th Jan), Sutton Hill (a male on 20th Feb) and Wool Spring(13th Jan). passage:

Chesil Cove 1 on 8th May. Morden Bog 1 on 21st May. AutumnPortland passage: A ringtail flew N at Blacknor on 18th Mar.

Butterstreet Cove A female on 15th Oct. Christchurch Harbour A ringtail on 16th Oct and single males on 4th & 12th Nov. Cogden Beach A ringtail on 16th Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 22nd Oct. East Bexington 1 ringtail flew W c1km offshore on 22nd Nov. Horton 1 on 23rd Oct. Lulworth Cove 1 on 1st Nov. Milborne St Andrew A male on 27th Oct. Poole Harbour 1 on 13th Oct. Portland Singles at High Angle Battery on 25th Oct and at the Bill 17th-18th Nov. Sixpenny Handley 1 on 28th Oct and 2nd & 4th Nov. Upwey 1 on 29th Oct. West Bexington A ringtail on 23rd & 24th Oct. Winspit 1 on 16th Sep. SecondWyke Down winter period: Singles on 18th & 28th Oct.

Milborne St Andrew A male on 29th Dec. Poole Harbour A female was seen at Arne RSPB from 20th Oct into Nov. Up to 3 birds, 2 ringtails and an adult male, were present intermittently in the area in Nov and Dec. West Lulworth 1 on 13th Dec. Winterbourne Monkton 1 on 28th Dec. Wyke Down Singles on 2nd & 4th Nov.

Undisclosed roost site 2 on 15th Nov, 4 (3 males and a ringtail) on 20th Dec. GOSHAWK Accipiter gentilis Very rare visitor – probable breeder in small numbers.

The species remains rare but is starting to become established, helped by growing populations in Hampshire and Wiltshire. It is estimated that there are at least 5 pairs in the county but establishing exactly how many there are is difficult due to the secretive nature of both the birds and their observers.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 49 Breeding:

Details were received from just oneAll site sightings where display should was be notedsent to in the Mar County and a groupRecorder of 3 whotogether will nearbydeal with in Junthem suggests in the strictesta successful confidence. breeding outcome though unfortunately no supporting evidence was provided. All other records: S Morrison & SW Smith

South Haven 2cy male N on 22nd Mar ( ). SPARROWHAWK Accipiter nisus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

The species remains widespread. Breeding was confirmed or presumed at: Arne RSPB, Ballard Down, Corfe Mullen, Hengistbury Head (pair raised 2 young), Lodmoor CP (2 or 3 pairs bred), Merley Park (pair raised 3 young), Portland (probably bred at Castletown, Old Hill, Southwell, The Grove and Verne Common), Puddletown, Stanpit Marsh (7 displaying Migrants:birds in Mar), Trent and West Bexington.

Christchurch Harbour 8 E over Hengistbury Head on 18th Sep and 7 SW on 8th Oct. Durlston CP 3 on 10th, 11th & 31st Oct and 4 on 22nd Oct & 8th Nov were the only counts of 3 or more. Portland 5 N between 4th Apr and 7th May; 3 S between 4th-9th Oct. South Haven Point 2 N on 11th Oct and single birds N on 12th & 13th Oct. BUZZARD Buteo buteo Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

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

Arne RSPB 10 on 5th Sep. Bloxworth 20 on 4th Jun. Christchurch Harbour 10 soaring N of Wick on 8th Apr. Hazelbury Bryan 20 on 26th May. The Fleet 19 on 25th Sep. Migrants:Wareham WMs 15 on 20th May.

Lodmoor Suspected migrants went through on 12th, 22nd & 23rd Mar.

50 Dorset Bird Report 2015 OSPREY Pandion haliaetus Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

A reasonable spring passage, with 30 records, all of single birds.

Christchurch Harbour Singles on 5th-7th, 19th & 27th Apr and on 20th May. Poole Harbour Singles at Arne RSPB (6th, 8th and 13th Apr), Lytchett Bay (7th & 20th Apr), Middlebere (13th Apr) and Upton (20th Apr). Portland (all sites) Singles on 5th-8th, 21st & 24th Apr.

Also recorded from Abbotsbury (1st Jun), Dorchester (7th Apr), Morden Bog (11th May), Oakdale (Poole) (23rd Jun), Parley Common (5th Apr), Radipole Lake RSPB (4th Apr), AutumnTincleton passage: (30th Apr), Trent (20th Mar), Verwood (4th Mar) and Wimborne (4th Apr).

Another excellent autumn, with at least 5 present in Poole Harbour in late Aug/early Sep. As ever, long-staying birds make it difficult to assess overall numbers. A minimum of 42 different individuals passed through the county (112 bird-days), similar to last year (minimum 45 birds, 117 bird-days).

Abbotsbury Singles on 24th Jul and 5th-7th, 12th-13th and 17th-29th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 17th, 20th & 29th Aug, up to 3 or possibly 4 3rd-10th Sep, and a late single on 8th Nov. Poole Harbour 1 or more at Arne/Middlebere on 11th, 12th & 19th Jul, 25th Jul-1st Aug (3 on 31st Jul), 6th & 9th Aug, 19th Aug- 9th Sep (max 5 on 19th Aug and 6th Sep), 14th-15th Sep and 12th Oct; Brand’s Bay 25th Aug-13th Sep (max 3 on 4th Sep); Lytchett Bay 2 on 20th Aug and singles on 7 further dates until 25th Sep; and Swineham/Wareham Channel 14th Jul, 2 on 4th Sep and 1 on 5th Sep. Also seen occasionally at other sites around the Harbour, with the first of the autumn at Hartland Moor on 11th Jul. Portland Singles at Blacknor on 16th Aug & 3rd Sep, the Bill on 30th Aug and 3rd & 9th Sep, Chesil Cove on 12th Sep and Portland Harbour on 1st Sep.

Also recorded on one or two dates from Alner’s Gorse (30th Sep), Avon Valley (8th Nov), Burton (15th Aug), Cogden Beach (30th Aug), Corfe Castle (9th Jul), Coward’s Marsh (30th Aug), Durlston CP (8th Nov), Longham Lakes (7th Sep), Milton Abbas (7th Nov), Poole (15th ExtremeAug), Rodden dates: Hive (29th Aug).

4th Mar at Verwood and 8th Nov at Avon Valley, Durlston CP and Stanpit Marsh.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 51 KESTREL Falco tinnunculus Fairly common breeding resident & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Widely reported throughout the year, although few records of confirmed breeding. At least 10 pairs bred successfully on Portland; elsewhere breeding was confirmed near Hengistbury Head (2 young) and at Canford, Christchurch, Durlston CP (3 young), Portesham, Stair Hole, Migration:The Fleet Bridging Camp (3 young), Trent, West Bexington (1 young) and Winspit.

Christchurch Harbour Probable migrants were noted at Hengistbury Head on 7th (1 N) & 14th Mar (1 W). In autumn 5 W on 15th Sep and 7 on 22nd Oct were likely migrants. Durlston CP Likely migrants on 10th Oct (4), 12th Oct (3) and 31st Oct (4). East Bexington 1 E on 20th Oct. RED-FOOTED FALCON Falco vespertinus Rare passage migrant.

Wareham A first-summer femaleper DBC was et foundal at the River Frome water- meadows near Wareham on 20th May, remaining in the area until 26th May ( , photo). MERLIN Falco columbarius Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

First winter period:

In Poole Harbour noted at Arne RSPB (1 or 2 on 7 dates in Jan, 5 in Feb and 1 in Mar), Brand’s Bay (3rd, 15th & 24th Jan), Brownsea Island (5th, 8th & 11th Jan and 9th Feb) Greenlands Farm (7th Jan), Hartland Moor (15th Feb), Lytchett Bay (2nd Jan & 2nd Feb), Middlebere (3rd, 22nd & 24th Jan and 3rd & 7th Feb) and Wytch Causeway (12th & 18th Jan). Elsewhere seen at Butterstreet Cove (13th Feb), Compton Abbas airfield (25th Feb), Martinstown (11th Feb), Melcombe Bingham (7th Jan), Portland (1 in Jan and 6 dates in SpringFeb), Stanpit passage: Marsh (14th Feb) and Wyke Down (5th & 6th Jan and 14th Mar).

Arne RSPB (1 on 1st Apr), Durlston CP (3rd, 5th, 9th & 24th Apr), Portland (2 in Mar, 2 in Apr and 1 in May), Stanpit Marsh (5th & 16th Apr), Stoborough Heath (25th Mar), Sugar Hill Autumn(11th Mar), passage Swineham and secondPoint (13th winter May) period: and Wyke Down (11th Apr).

Durlston CP Singles on 1 date in Sep, 10 in Oct, 6 in Nov and 3 in Dec. East Bexington 1 E on 9th Sep. Hengistbury Head Singles on 5 dates in Oct and 4 in Nov. Milborne St Andrew Singles on 19th Sep, 15th & 27th Oct, Portland (all sites) 12 in Sep, 27 in Oct, 9 in Nov and 4 in Dec. 52 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Poole Harbour Arne (on 5 dates in Oct, 4 in Nov, 4 in Dec), Brand’s Bay (singles in Nov and Dec), Brownsea Island (singles in Nov and Dec), Hartland Moor (3 dates in Sep, 1 in Oct, 2 in Nov and 1 in Dec), Lytchett Bay (2 in Nov and 2 in Dec), Middlebere (singles in Oct, Nov and Dec), South Haven Point (1 in Sep and 2 in Nov) and Wareham WMs (singles in Sep and Nov). Trent Singles on 8th Sep and 18th & 26th Nov. Wyke Down A female on 4th, 12th and 16th Nov.

Also recorded on one or two dates from: Cogden Beach (2 on 14th Sep), Corfe Mullen (18th Oct), Durdle Door (6th Dec), East Bexington (9th Sep), East Lulworth (2 on 12th Oct), Longham Lakes (16th Aug), Lodmoor RSPB (16th Aug), Puddletown (23rd Oct), Trent (28th Oct), West Lulworth (2 on 18th Oct, 1 on 1st Nov), West Bexington (21st Oct), White Nothe (18th Sep), Winfrith Heath (4th Nov), Winspit (29th Oct) and Worth Matravers (1st & 5th Nov).Total records by month Apr Sep Nov 29 22 10 2 0 3 2 24 66 39 20 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec CorrectionAll sites to 2014 report: 7 Total records by month Apr Sep Nov 14 4 8 2 0 0 0 13 39 21 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec All sites 7 76 HOBBY Falco subbuteo Locally common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Another poor year for migrants, with Christchurch Harbour’s 22 bird-days the poorest showing since 2001, and Portland’s 15 the poorest since 1992. Groups of 4 or more were seen at Canford Magna (4 on 22nd May), Fiddleford (4 on 15th May), Morden Bog (5 on 12th Breeding:May & 8th Jun) and Wareham Meadows (4 on 20th May).

Breeding season records (Jun and Jul) were received from 26 sites, but with no records of confirmed breeding. This species appears to be in decline in Dorset and observers are urged Extremeto continue dates: to submit all sightings.

7th Apr Radipole Lake RSPB and 30th Oct Winspit. PEREGRINE Falco peregrinus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

The long-term survey of the county’s breeding pairs did not take place in 2015 and few records were received of confirmed breeding. A pair in the Avon Valley raised 3 young, while at Portland 4 pairs were present, all of which failed to breed. The pair on the Lansdowne Tower in Bournemouth raised 3 juvs whilst fledged young were seen at Old Harry. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 53 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 8 10 12 12 12 14 16 20 20 22 23 23 Year 13 24 13 21 13 19 199732 18 28 22 Pairs 7 Juveniles 2003 2004 2005 2006 2008 200927 2010 2011 201224+ 2013 2014 201527 24 32 30 25 28 28 28 30 29 32 Year 23 29 25 32 200728 30 32 23 30 19 Pairs 27 27 7 Juveniles 37+ 26+ 7 WATER RAIL Rallus aquaticus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

There has been no change in the breeding status at Lytchett Bay since the 2013 survey which found 67 pairs, with a total of 177 pairs in Poole Harbour. Elsewhere breeding was Migration:confirmed at Hengistbury Head, Lodmoor RSPB (at least 4 pairs), Stanpit Marsh and Wick.

Lytchett Matravers Calling birds were detected through night sound recording on 3rd and 4th Apr. Portland North 18 were recorded between 1st Jan & 5th Apr and 59 between 16th Oct & 31st Dec. Wareham Detected through night sound recording on 6th Jun and at Stoborough on 12th Jul. SiteWinspit maxima: 3 on 29th Oct. Apr Sep Nov 3 3 4 2 1 2 Jan5 Feb3 Mar5 4 May2 Jun3 Jul1 Aug2 3 Oct5 6 Dec3 Christchurch Harbour 4 8 2 1 4 2 1 Lodmoor RSPB 1 5 1 1 2 6 6 Poole Harbour 1 0 0 07 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Radipole Lake RSPB 7 The Fleet MOORHEN Gallinula chloropus Common breeding resident.

Breeds commonly throughout the county, although often inconspicuous. Late breeding was Sitenoted maxima: at Lodmoor RSPB, where young birds could be seen late in the season. Apr Sep Nov 1 4 4 14 5 3 Jan Feb5 Mar5 5 May10 Jun Jul3 Aug 5 Oct9 8 Dec Christchurch Harbour 20 20 16 11 6 4 8 8 12 14 13 137 Crichel Lake 497 58 16 67 11 3 12 10 Lodmoor RSPB 14 10 10 3 2 5 6 6 12 15 9 Poole Harbour 14 26 19 32 18 24 32 Radipole Lake RSPB 11 21 1317 3 4 3 11 12 9 2 9 28 Whitemill-Spetisbury The Fleet 54 Dorset Bird Report 2015 COOT Fulica atra Common breeding resident & winter visitor.

Breeding was confirmed at the usual sites, although the breeding population has declined in recent years at both Stanpit Marsh and Sturminster Marshall GP (only 3-4 pairs, down Sitefrom maxima: 10 in 2013). Apr Sep Nov 120 130 63 10 214 249 166 340 180 150Jan Feb95 Mar101 35 May32 Jun24 Jul34 Aug42 46 Oct32 28 Dec Christchurch Harbour 51 40 34 50 59 36 81 45 Crichel Lake 305 402 58 80 131 144 246 340 309 330 Lodmoor RSPB 33 87 1175 5 14 11 18 16 20 2067 87 Longham Lakes 198 168 17635 63 92 118327 134 Moors Valley CP 95 27 65 63 50 50 100 128 100 142 100 Poole Harbour 502 92 56 92 306 565 Radipole Lake RSPB 74 72 The Fleet 1,806 795 479 1,700 1,560 1,705 CRANE Grus grus Rare passage migrant & winter visitor (some records may relate to the reintroduction scheme at Slimbridge and the Somerset levels).

SA Groves

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 flew SE onper 20th J DownApr, same et al as Portland ( ). Devil’s Brook area 1 near Cheselbourne on 1st-2nd Feb then at Bardolf WMs on 8th Feb ( ). Presumed 1 of returning birds from 2014. per DBC et al Portland 2 flew S over Ferrybridge to theper Bill DBC on 20th et al Apr before returning N ( , photo). 2 over West Cliffs on 12th Oct ( , photo). OYSTERCATCHER Haematopus ostralegus Uncommon breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

West Dorset had a monopoly of breeding reports. One pair raised two young on the Portland Harbour breakwaters; another fledged 3 chicks at Ferrybridge. A third pair was present at the Bill. Meanwhile a pair successfully reared 2 young at Lodmoor RSPB, where a second pair abandoned.

Elsewhere a pair were present at Dancing Ledge in late May and birds were reported on nests from Brownsea but their success isn’t known. 2 nests were found amongst the Wareham Channel gull colonies. Further east a pair attempted to breed in Christchurch Wintering/passage:Harbour but failed.

There were some respectable counts in Poole Harbour at the beginning and at the end of the year. 927 had gathered in Jan, with numbers later in the year rising to 905 by Dec. Nowhere 2015 Dorset Bird Report 55 else in Dorset enjoys those kind of numbers. The wintering flock on The Fleet peaked at 65 in Jan, with another 14 further west at Lyme Regis. At the other end of the county Christchurch InlandHarbour records: experienced pretty modest totals after last year‘s record breaking totals.

Chard Junction GP 1 on 26th Jul. BLACK-WINGED STILT Himantopus himantopus Rare but increasing passage migrant.

SA Groves G Tims et al

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 (2cy & male) from 3rd-10th Apr ( , , photo). AVOCET Recurvirostra avosetta Common winter visitor to Poole Harbour, which is of international importance. Elsewhere, a scarce passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 29 525 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Poole Harbour 1,310 1,119 n/c n/c n/c n/c n/c 764 1,186 847

A clue as to where at least some of Dorset’s wintering population come from was provided by checking the rings on 4 birds in Lytchett Bay. All had originally been ringed as chicks in SpringNE England. passage:

Chesil Cove Singles E on 7th & 20th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 5 records of 10 birds 13th Mar-25th May. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 14th Mar & 21st May. AutumnLongham passage: Lakes 2 on 12th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 10 records of 43 birds 31st Jul-23rd Nov. Max 11 Stanpit on 30th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 8th Jul, 20th Jul & 21st Nov. Radipole Lake RSPB 7 on 2nd Oct. STONE CURLEW Burhinus oedicnemus Rare passage migrant and formerly regular breeding species.

Portland Bill 1 at the Bill on 9th Apr. West Bexington 1 on 13th Aug. Last seen being pursued inland by a Peregrine.

56 Dorset Bird Report 2015 LITTLE RINGED PLOVER Charadrius dubius Scarce breeding visitor & uncommon passage migrant.

Breeding:

Some more good news in the form of at least 7 nesting pairs. 3 pairs bred again at both Warmwell Quarry and Hurn Court GPs. At Warmwell at least 2 juveniles survived. Elsewhere a pair nested at Chard Junction GP, although sadly all 3 young perished in a summer rainstorm. SpringFinally apassage pair was prospecting at Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath in Apr but soon moved on.

: A strong passage and featuring record numbers at the new, improved Lytchett Fields RSPB.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 6th Apr. Avon Causeway 1 on 10th May. Christchurch Harbour 7 singles between 17th Mar & 8th Apr. Ham Common 1 on 31st May. Langton Matravers 1 on 14th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 5th Apr, singles on 9th May, 19th May & 23rd May. Lytchett Fields RSPB Recorded on 27 dates 20th Mar-29th May. Middlebere 1 on 14th Apr. Portland From 2nd Apr, max 6. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 1st May. Stoborough Heath 1 on 22nd May. AutumnWinkton passage: 3 on 22nd Mar.

Bride Valley FF 1 on 12th Jul. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 11th Jun, then 11 on 10 dates 29th Jun-21st Sep. Lodmoor RSPB c10 juvs on 16 dates 11th Jul-15th Sep. Lytchett Bay 3 on 11th Jun & 2 13th Jun. Then 23 dates 28th Jun-26th Aug, max 5. Portland Max 5 in Jul. Last on 16th Aug. Stoborough Heath 1 on 12th Jul, sound-recorded overnight. RINGED PLOVER Charadrius hiaticula Scarce breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Once again breeding records were confined to Portland where at least 2 pairs nested on the SiteChesil. maxima: Apr Sep Nov 48 40 1 10 23 4 3 86 82 40 60 32 Jan60 100Feb Mar18 40 May Jun40 Jul50 200Aug 220 Oct50 60 Dec25 Christchurch Harbour 29 2 4 3 3 63 33 48 22 Ferrybridge/The Fleet 37 SpringPoole Harbour passage: n/c n/c n/c

Christchurch Harbour 7 W Mudeford Quay on 18th May. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 57 Lodmoor RSPB 57 on 12 dates 3rd Apr-21st May. Max 35. Lytchett Bay Recorded from 26th Apr-10th Jun. AutumnSwineham passage: GPs 3 on 3rd Jun.

Baiter Park 33 on 14th Sep. Brand’s Bay 63 on 24th Aug. Chard Junction GP Juv on 31st Aug. Christchurch Harbour 46 past Hengistbury Head on 8th Aug, 63 on 12th Aug, & 50 E and 32 W Mudeford Quay on 31st Aug. Lodmoor RSPB Recorded from 31st Jul. Max 20+ on Preston beach late Sep- early Nov. Lytchett Bay Recorded from 2nd Aug-3rd Oct. Max 23. Ringstead Bay/White Nothe Up to 11 from 17th-23rd Aug, 15 on 18th Sep. KENTISH PLOVER Charadrius alexandrinus Scarce and decreasing passage migrant.

per DBC et al per DBC et al Brownsea Lagoon Juv on 1st Sep ( , photo). Preston Beach Juv on 3rd Aug ( , photo).

Despite its proximity to Ferrybridge, the epicentre of Kentish Plover records in Dorset, the bird on Preston beach was a genuine rarity: the first there for 35 years. GOLDEN PLOVER Pluvialis apricaria Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Winter

A quiet year. A small cold snap in Feb helped trigger a gathering of 1,500 at Maiden Castle. Later in the year 1,000 birds had returned to Dorset’s premier site for this species by Nov, Springbefore rising passage: to 1,500 on 27th Nov.

Christchurch Harbour 6 records of 14 birds 21st Mar-26th Apr. Eggardon Hill A gathering of 600 on 3rd & 4th Apr were clearly ready for Autumn passage: departure.

The Portland flock was exceptional for Aug and was followed by a strong showing county-wide in Oct.

Arne RSPB 3 on 31st Oct. Brownsea Lagoon 50 on 28th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 1 at Stanpit on 28 Jun, then 14 records of just 17 birds 9th Jul- 17th Nov. Durdle Door 25 on 18th Oct. 58 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Ferrybridge 3 on 28th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 2nd Nov, 2 on 21st Nov. Poole 1 over Constitution Hill on 1st Nov. Portland An excellent autumn, incl a single flock of 300 S over the Bill on 13th Aug. Ringstead Bay 22 on 1st Sep. West Bexington 4 singles in Oct, followed by 50 on 31st Oct & 3 Cogden Beach on 22 Nov. GREY PLOVER Pluvialis squatarola Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 18 6 3 4 4 2 1 4 1 2 5 2 140Jan 155Feb Mar40 13 May4 Jun1 Jul1 Aug Oct50 69 154Dec Christchurch Harbour 15 16 14 2 0 0 1 14 Poole Harbour n/c n/c The Fleet/Ferrybridge n/c n/c n/c n/c

Christchurch Harbour experienced its worst totals for 25 years. Poole Harbour, by contrast, Springenjoyed passage: some respectable winter counts.

Arne RSPB Singles on 8th May & 10th May. Brand’s Bay Up to 3 3rd-23rd May. Christchurch Harbour 6 records of 11 birds 13th Mar-3rd May. Lytchett Bay Singles on 8th & 9th May. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 E on 14th May. Swineham GPs 1 on 4th Jun. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Singles on 8th Mar & 16th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 6 singles 10th Aug-28th Nov. 10 W Mudeford Quay on 24th Dec. Lodmoor RSPB 2 over on 14th Sep. LAPWING Vanellus vanellus Declining breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Only patchily reported again. At least 3 pairs were recorded from their stronghold at Sixpenny Handley. 2 pairs nested at both Keysworth in Poole Harbour and on Winfrith Heath. A pair successfully raised 4 chicks near the Hants border at Burton. Elsewhere 1-2 pairs were reported in suitable breeding habitat at Ashmore, Fiddleford, Moreton and near Wareham. 25 pulli were ringed in the county but no further details were available.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 59 Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 600 3 3 65 64 915 254 Jan Feb Mar May Jun24 Jul30 Aug40 38 126Oct 289 Dec Christchurch Harbour 800 76 n/c n/c 110367 129791 Poole Harbour 786 1,048 n/c n/c 758 Winter:The Fleet/Ferrybridge 700 n/c n/c n/c

There were distinct signs of a hard weather movement early in the year, particularly in west Dorset. Between 700 & 800 sought refuge on the Fleet in Jan and early Feb. At the same time up to 1000 could be found at Maiden Castle. Lodmoor also enjoyed big numbers - an already Passage:impressive peak count of 682 in Jan rose to 950 by early Feb.

The vast majority of Dorset’s wintering birds had, as usual, headed north by mid Mar. The first non-breeding/returning birds started turning up by the end of May. Autumn passage tended to involve the usual numbers in the usual places. But 10 at Chard Junction GP on 26th Oct was an unusually high count for there. KNOT Calidris canutus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 14 11 3 0 0 Jan65 Feb Mar8 8 May4 Jun0 Jul1 Aug19 22 Oct2 15 Dec16 Christchurch Harbour 3 6 3 8 1 0 1 2 0 Poole Harbour 47 SpringThe Fleet/Ferrybridge passage: 17

A dire showing. Christchurch Harbour failed to register a single record all Apr.

Brand’s Bay 4 on 23rd May, 1 on 31st May. Ferrybridge Singles on several dates between 26th Apr & 13th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Max 13 in May.

Brand’s Bay 1-4 14th-28th Aug. Brownsea Lagoon 19 on 29th Aug. Christchurch Harbour 3 records of 8 birds between 12th & 23rd Aug, 2W Hengistbury Head on 23rd Nov. Ferrybridge Recorded from 6th Jul-17th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 29th-30th Aug. Lytchett Bay Max 22 on 16th Sep. Generally an excellent year. Portland Bill 19 W on 26th Aug.

60 Dorset Bird Report 2015 SANDERLING Calidris alba Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 1 0 12 20 5 13 23 18 3 0 0 Jan53 Feb25 Mar May12 Jun Jul2 Aug11 12 Oct 16 Dec23 Christchurch Harbour 0 0 2 24 12 9 2 1 0 0 Poole Harbour 17 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 37

SpringThe southern passage: end of Poole Harbour plays host to Dorset’s only regular wintering flock.

Brownsea Lagoon 12 on 10th May, 4 on 13th May. Christchurch Harbour Recorded from 8th Apr-2nd Jun with some impressive counts past Mudeford Quay: 38 W on 3rd May, 63 W on 18th May & 44 past on 2nd Jun. Lodmoor RSPB 18 on 4 dates 5th Apr-30th May. Lytchett Bay 7 on 12th May, 1 on 18th May. First and second site records. Peveril Point 2 on 26th May. Portland 227 bird-days in May, incl a max of 37 Ferrybridge on 3rd Jun. AutumnSt Aldhelm’s passage: Head 3 E on 6th Apr, 2 on 7th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour Settled max of 23 in Aug and 40 past Hengistbury Head on 24th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 17 on 12 dates 20th Jul-22nd Nov. Lyme Regis Juv on 12th Sep. Middlebere 8 on 26th Aug. Portland 108 bird-days in Aug. Shell Bay Up to 11 from 5th-27th Aug, followed by a max of 12 in Sep. LITTLE STINT Calidris minuta Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn & rare winter visitor.

AutumnNo spring passage: records and a distinctly average autumn.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 12th-14th Sep. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 1st Sep, 2 on 9th & 12th Sep, 1 on 14th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 7 singles Stanpit between 8th Aug & 7th Oct. 1 Hengistbury on 16th Sep. Ferrybridge 1 on 23rd Jul, 1 on 13th & 14th Aug, 2 from 23rd-28th Aug, 2 on 8th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 15th & 24th Aug. Lytchett Bay 2 on 23rd Aug, then a turnover of 1-2 birds to 31st Aug. Winter: 1 from 24th-26th Sep.

Mudeford Quay 1 flew out of Christchurch Harbour on 24th2015 Dec.Dorset Bird Report 61 CURLEW SANDPIPER Calidris ferruginea Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

SpringNo fewer passage: than 5 spring birds but a disappointing autumn.

Brand’s Bay 1 on 3rd May. Ferrybridge 1 on 27th-28th Apr, 2 on 10th May. AutumnStanpit Marsh passage: 1 on 30th May.

Brownsea Lagoon Single juvs on 29th Aug, 5th, 9th, 14th-16th Sep. Christchurch Harbour Worst autumn for 26 years: 1 W Hengistbury Head on 7th Aug, 2 Stanpit on 11th Aug, 2 on 30th Sep. Ferrybridge 1 on 8th Aug, 2 from 13th-14th Aug. Lytchett Bay 2 ads on 31st Aug, juv from 16th-22nd Sep. Middlebere 2 on 26th Aug. 1 on 6th then 4 on 7th Sep. PURPLE SANDPIPER Calidris maritima Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 15 23 20 22 2 0 0 0 0 8 20 28 Jan4 Feb16 Mar10 13 May3 Jun0 Jul0 Aug9 3 Oct0 10 Dec8 Hengistbury/Mudeford 4 3 3 2 1 0 0 0 0 2 Lyme Regis (The Cobb) 12 8 4 3 0 0 0 0 2 6 6 Poole Harbour Winter:Portland Bill

There was a modest increase in wintering numbers at both Mudeford Quay and Lyme Regis. Local wanderers incl 2 in Portland Harbour on 2nd Jan and 1 on Weymouth Beach on 12th Passage:Feb.

There’s a barely discernible passage each year. In spring up to 3 at Portland Bill 3rd-6th May, and 1 off Branksome Chine on 14th May were migrants rather than wintering birds. And Extremeboth the latest dates: and earliest dates below undoubtedly refer to passage birds.

201419th May correction: and 29th Aug at Lyme Regis.

Count in table for Hengistbury/Mudeford in Nov should read 18.

62 Dorset Bird Report 2015 DUNLIN Calidris alpina Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 260 246 350 6 48 59 65 123 Jan Feb Mar May55 Jun 25Jul Aug 352 100Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 235 16517 200 120117 200 20077 90 10057 130 120 Poole Harbour 1,139 2,851 79 726 2,524 The Fleet/Ferrybridge 170 27

Numbers of short-billed waders using Christchurch Harbour dropped alarmingly in 2015. One theory is the spread of green algae. It started in the spring and had covered much of the exposed mud by the autumn.

Spring passage county-wide was particularly poor. The exception to the general rule was a count of 200 past Hengistbury Head on 8th May. BUFF BREASTED SANDPIPER Tryngites subruficollis Very rare autumn passage migrant.

GS Upton et al

White Nothe Juv from 17th-21st Sep ( , photo).

The White Nothe-West Chaldon area has an almost magnetic attraction for this species. Four of the county’s 14 records have turned up in this under-watched location in Sep. RUFF Philomachus pugnax Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Wintering:

Another mild winter meant records were confined to Stanpit, where 4 on 6th Jan were Springfollowed passage: by 3 records of singles up to 12th Feb.

Some years this species is remarkably scarce in spring so this run of records was much appreciated and none more so than the breeding plumage males at Lytchett Bay.

Hengistbury Head 3 past on 21st Mar. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 20th Mar, 7 on 7th Apr. Lytchett Bay 1 7th-10th Apr, 5 in breeding plumage on 12th Apr, with numbers gradually dwindling to last 2 on 29th May. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 20th Mar. Same as Lodmoor. Morden Bog 1 on 7th Mar. AutumnStanpit Marsh passage: 1 21st-31st Mar. In Apr 12 bird-days 3rd-20th, max 5.

Arne RSPB 3 on 8th Sep. Brownsea Lagoon 3 on 12th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 2 Stanpit on 29th Jul, then 28 birds on 112015 dates Dorset 9th Bird Aug-14th Report 63 Oct, max 7. Brand’s Bay 1 on 18th Aug. Ferrybridge Singles on 14th, 17th Aug, 1-3 23rd-26th Aug, 1 on 10th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Single(s) on 12th, 14th Aug, then up to 5 to 15th Sep, juv 20th Sep, then 1-2 from 28th Sep-15th Oct. Lytchett Bay 3 on 5th Aug, then up to 5 daily until 18th Sep. Last 24th Oct. Middlebere 1 on 22nd Aug. JACK SNIPE Lymnocryptes minimus Uncommon winter visitor & passage migrant.

First winter/spring:

Birds were noted from 14 locations from Christchurch Harbour in the east to West Bexington in the west. Up to 4 lurked in the pools at Winterbourne Steepleton. Most were gone by Mar Autumn/but at least second 1 lingered winter: at West Bexington into Apr.

A total of 8 sites played host to wintering birds from 2nd Oct. SNIPE Gallinago gallinago Scarce breeding resident, fairly common but declining winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

The sole record was a bird displaying on Hartland Moor in May. Hopefully this species is just Wintering/Passagebeing hugely under-reported in late spring summer or it is big trouble in Dorset.

: Most of the main sites reported relatively modest numbers at the start and end of the year. 141 were at Hatch Pond in Jan, 118 were censused along the Lower Frome just after the freeze in Feb and an influx at Lytchett Bay produced a count of 130 in Nov. But it was generally a quiet year. WOODCOCK Scolopax rusticola Uncommon breeding resident, locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

In contrast to Snipe this species is fairly well, albeit patchily, reported as a breeder. 2-3 roding birds were noted Avon Heath CP, Burton, Holt Heath, Parley Court, Troublefield DWT and West Moors. Displaying birds were also recorded at Pistle Down and Town FirstCommon. winter period:

A really good series of records from no fewer than 27 sites, spanning most of the length and breadth of the county. They included a wintering population of 8 at Lytchett Bay. Other noteworthy counts included 7 at Newton Heath and 5 at Charborough Park. 64 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Spring passage:

Autumn/secondThe only obvious migrantwinter: was 1 at Barleycrates Lane on Portland on 14th Mar.

A pretty tame autumn. A total of 14 birds: 6 of them in Christchurch Harbour and 4 at sitesDurlston . CP, turned up between 15th Oct & 22nd Nov. A bird in Puddletown Forest on 26th Sep was just as likely a resident as a migrant. Elsewhere 1-4 were reported wintering at 12

BLACK-TAILED GODWIT Limosa limosa islandica Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant. Some birds over-summer.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 111 100 150 140 55 8 40 80 Jan Feb Mar 400 May323 139Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Christchurch Harbour 17 27 87 270 Winter:Poole Harbour 1,352 1,997 1,983 117 1,500 1,200 728 1,946 1,575

The movements of huge feeding flocks around south-east Dorset and across the Hampshire side of the Avon Valley has been well documented. Further evidence was provided this winter by single flock counts in Jan of 1,352 in Holes Bay on 9th and 1,500 on Avon Causeway on 20th. But as well as being very sensitive to feeding conditions birds can also be remarkably site faithful. A bird first ringed in Iceland in 2002 visited Lytchett Bay for its 6th winter. Elsewhere a flock of up to 20 birds commuted between Lodmoor and Radipole at both ends Passage:of the year.

In common with many waders spring passage was generally quite poor. The summer and early autumn produced the usual impressive build up of numbers in Poole Harbour. They included single flocks of 1,500 at Arne on 27th Aug and 1,165 at Studland on 25th Sep. Compare that to further along the coast at West Bexington where 1 on 11th Sep was the only record of the year. Finally 1 well inland at Chard Junction GP on 7th May was only the 4th site record. BAR-TAILED GODWIT Limosa lapponica Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Spring passage:

A spring when the vast majority of birds carried straight up Channel. Consequently, seawatchers on Portland registered good numbers whilst everyone else struggled.

Christchurch Harbour The worst spring for 20 years. 16 W off Mudeford on 3rd May was as good as it got. Brand’s Bay 18 on 4th May. A group of 10 non-breeders went on to spend Jun in the bay. Lodmoor RSPB Just 13 birds on 6 dates between 23rd Apr & 17th May. Portland 333 past all sites 22nd Mar-2nd Jun. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 65 St Aldhelm’s Head 13 between 15th Apr & 8th May. The Fleet 14 on 20th Apr. AutumnWest Bay passage: 1 on 3rd May.

Ferrybridge Just 1-2 on 11 dates 6th Jul-29th Oct. Hatch Pond 1 on 27th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Singles 3rd-15th Jul, 12th Aug, 10th Sep. Winter:Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 10th Oct.

Up to 239 birds spend the early part of the year wandering around Poole Harbour. As ever there was a sharp exit, with a maximum of just 95 by Mar. In the second winter period numbers rose to 126 in Dec. The only records from elsewhere concerned a single bird on The Fleet Jan- Feb and Dec. WHIMBREL Numenius phaeopus Locally common passage migrant & rare winter visitor.

Spring passage:

A terrific movement, in contrast to many other waders. Single figures were noted at more than 20 sites with the biggest counts listed below.

Christchurch Harbour 740 bird-days 8th Apr-end May. Peak daily counts of 150 past Mudeford Quay on 3rd May & 90 through on 5th May. Lodmoor RSPB c130 15th Apr-28th May, incl 36 on 3rd May. Lytchett Bay Just 70 bird-days 17th Apr-31st May. Portland 752 bird-days 5th Apr-May. Peak 109 past on 23rd Apr. St Aldhelm’s Head 160 past 8th Apr-9th May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Max 21 in Apr, 25 in May.

Brand’s Bay 5th Jul-20th Sep. Max 5. Christchurch Harbour 448 bird-days Jun-Aug, with the last migrant on 12th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 14 on 12 dates 19th Jun-3rd Sep. Lytchett Bay 296 bird-days 5th Jul-21st Aug. Portland 55 bird-days Jul-10th Sep. CURLEW Numenius arquata Scarce breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

A pair was displaying at Holt Heath in spring and was still present in Jun. No reports from Wintering:Arne RSPB this year.

Numbers66 Dorset inBird Poole Report Harbour2015 returned to more typical levels following the bumper counts in Site2014. maxima: But the Poole area is still a hugely significant winter refuge for this species. Apr Sep Nov 16 13 28 3 2 15 31 34 22 23 19 23 Jan 980Feb Mar428 40 May Jun Jul43 200Aug 593 Oct 938Dec Christchurch Harbour 14 20 10 4 14 15 16 8 12 10 Poole Harbour 657 7 627 771 SpringThe Fleet passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 on 17th Mar. Christchurch Harbour 75 E 16th-24th Apr, incl 31 past Hengistbury Head on 24th. Lodmoor RSPB c21 17th Feb-7th May. Portland Bill Just 5 7th Mar-27th Apr. AutumnWest Bexington/Cogden passage: Singles on 6th Mar, 5th & 9th Apr.

Alner’s Gorse An overland migrant appeared out of the mist on 5th Aug. Arne RSPB 43 on 17th Jul rising to 200 by 28th Aug. Brand’s Bay 32 on 5th Jul. Chesil Beach 11 past on 28th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 21 W past Stanpit on 25th Aug. East Bexington 2 W on 22nd Nov. Lodmoor RSPB 5 singles 11th Jul-20th Oct & 1 on 27th Dec. Portland Bill 11 16th Jun-22nd Nov. West Bexington 3 singles 26th Jun-18th Aug. COMMON SANDPIPER Actitis hypoleucos Fairly common passage migrant & scarce winter visitor.

Winter:

1-2 as usual frequented Holes Bay from Jan to 14th Mar and again from 27th Oct. A Dec record on Brownsea probably referred to one of these. Less predictable was 1 in Portland SpringHarbour passage: at the beginning and the end of the year.

Chard Junction GP Max 5 Apr, 6 May. Christchurch Harbour 13th Apr-7th May, max 4. Hatch Pond 2 on 14th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 8 on 11 dates 11th Apr-18th May. Lytchett Bay 1 on 13th Apr & 2 on 15th May. Pamphill 1 on R. Stour on 15th Apr. Radipole Lake RSPB 1-2 19th-21st Apr, 1 on 3rd May. Sherborne Lake 2 on 19th Apr. Apr . 1-2 were also noted at 8 other sites incl 2 at Bennett’s Water Gardens in Weymouth on 27th

2015 Dorset Bird Report 67 Autumn passage:

As usual more widespread in autumn, with reports coming from 25 locations. The first returning bird appeared on 12th Jun and the last went through on 23rd Nov. 19 had gathered in Christchurch Harbour on 23rd Jul, with another 14 at Lytchett Bay on 27th Aug. Counts of 7 at both Morden Bog Decoy Pond and Ringstead Bay demonstrate how often this species turns up away from the well-watched wader sites. SPOTTED SANDPIPER Actitis macularius Rare vagrant- six previous records.

R Harris, DW Helliar et al Chard Junction GP Juv moulting into 1st-winter 24th Oct into 2016 ( , photo).

The long-staying Lyme Regis bird in 2011/12 meant this individual perhaps didn’t get the attention it deserved. This is Dorset’s 7th record but the first away from the coastal strip and a just reward for one of the county’s few inland patch watchers. GREEN SANDPIPER Tringa ochropus Locally common passage migrant & winter visitor.

First winter period/spring passage:

Present in small numbers at 20 widespread sites. Bere Regis CBs again played host to the biggest numbers, with a max of 10 in Feb. Elsewhere up to 4 but usually just single birds were noted.

There was another rash of Mar-early Apr records with the last bird of the spring noted on 21st Apr. It’s hard to say whether these records involve Dorset’s wintering birds on the move or Autumnpassage migrants passage: from elsewhere.

An autumn of winners and losers. Christchurch Harbour’s green algae may help explain why this species racked up just 31 bird-days all autumn. Lytchett Bay’s management work, by contrast, may help explain a new record count there of 18 on 11th Aug. Migrants turned up at Second14 other winter sites incl period: several inland sightings.

Birds were reported from 9 sites Nov/Dec. The most striking record was of 3 on a small flood pond at Owermoigne in Nov. SPOTTED REDSHANK Tringa erythropus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Winter:

Brownsea Lagoon was the only site to reach double figures early on, with 10 in Jan. Wintering birds are often slow to leave and the last bird in Poole Harbour was noted on 5th May. Non- 68 Dorset Bird Report 2015 breeding/returning birds began appearing on 7th Jul. Numbers built up quite well to a peak 23rdof 19 Sepon Brownsea . in Sep, with 16 still in Nov. The regular Christchurch Harbour bird stayed from 2014 and was occasionally joined by a 2nd bird and stayed to 22nd Apr, returning on Passage (away from Poole Harbour):

Christchurch Harbour Singles W Stanpit on 23rd Jul, Hengistbury 2nd & 16th Sep. Ferrybridge 1 W on 24th Aug. GREENSHANK Tringa nebularia Locally common passage migrant & uncommon winter visitor.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 1 0 0 5 2 2 2 6 2 1 0 Jan20 Feb8 Mar6 May9 Jun0 Jul11 Aug16 Oct23 20 Dec16 Christchurch Harbour 7 Wintering:Poole Harbour 7 17

The Christchurch Harbour record for Jan in the above table refers to an unexpected bird at SpringWick Hams. passage: Another spent Jan and Feb on The Fleet at Rodden Hive.

Brownsea Lagoon Last wintering bird was seen in late Apr. Then 1 on 13th May. Chard Junction GP 2 on 4th May. Christchurch Harbour Recorded from 5th Apr-2nd May. Lodmoor RSPB Exceptional numbers: 16 birds on 9 dates 30th Mar-23rd Apr. Lytchett Bay Max 9 on 2nd May. AutumnRadipole passage:Lake RSPB 1 on 21st Apr.

Brownsea Lagoon Recorded from 9th Jul with 16 by 1st Aug. Chard Junction GP Singles on 9th & 13th Aug, 4th-13th Sep. Charmouth 1 at Westhay Farm on 2nd Sep was unusual. Christchurch Harbour Recorded from 30th Jun-26th Nov, incl 5 past Hengistbury Head on 23rd Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 7th-9th Jul, 1-3 daily to 29th Jul, then 4 singles Aug, 2 on 22nd Sep. Lytchett Bay Max 10 in Sep. Townsend DWT 2 over on 11th Sep. WOOD SANDPIPER Tringa glareola Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records:

An incredible year, particularly for Lytchett Bay.

Arne RSPB 1 on 8th Sep. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 69 Chard Junction GP 1 on 1st Sep. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 1st Sep. Durlston CP 1 on 27th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB Juv 25th Jul-9th Aug, 2 on 14th Aug. Lytchett Bay 1 on 11th, 2 12th-19th May. Then singles 28th-30th Jun, & 11th Aug. Up to 5 to 19th, 4 to 28th Aug, last on 22nd Sep. Middlebere 1 on 22nd Aug. Stanpit Marsh Singles on 30th Jun & 8th Jul, 7 singles 8th-31st Aug and 2 N 21st Aug. West Bexington 2 on 26th Aug. Wick Fields 1 on 13th Jul. REDSHANK Tringa totanus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

At least 2 pairs bred in the saltmarshes in Lytchett Bay and one of them successfully fledged Site2 young. maxima: Apr Sep Nov 80 199 146 110 2 31 80 92 190 206 122 Jan Feb Mar383 30 May4 Jun Jul99 150Aug Oct 582 Dec Christchurch Harbour 55 120 20 147 30 60 29 Poole Harbour 578 677 27 702 1,227 673 The Fleet 67 7

Wintering numbers in Christchurch Harbour were above average, in contrast to most other waders there. The figures in Poole Harbour didn’t quite measure up to 2014 but were Othernevertheless records impressive. and passage:

A count of 70 at Ferrybridge on 23rd Aug was a site record. This species is also a commoner migrant than it used to be at Lodmoor RSPB. Poole Harbour remains the preferred stop- over for this species, as the Oct peak demonstrates. Impressive single flock counts included 313 in the high-tide roost at Lytchett Bay in Sep. In its own way a single bird was just as noteworthy at Trent Farm near Sherborne on 11th Nov; the first site record. TURNSTONE Arenaria interpres Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant - a few non-breeders over-summer.

Site maxima: Apr Sep Nov 12 12 13 12 15 0 3 21 14 11 10 Jan Feb31 Mar24 28 May15 Jun4 Jul24 Aug65 35 Oct30 25 Dec32 Christchurch Harbour 17 Portland Hrbr/Ferrybridge 27

Winter records of between 5 and 25 birds from Portland Bill, The Fleet, Nothe Fort and Preston beach probably refer to roving flocks centred on Portland Harbour. At the end of the year numbers in Poole Harbour reached 44 in Nov and 64 Dec, outstripping both Portland 70and ChristchurchDorset Bird Report Harbours. 2015 Passage/records from elsewhere include:

Brownsea Lagoon Singles on 13th May & 21st Jul. Hengistbury Head 4 W 20th Jul, 4 on 12th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 7 on 14th May, 10 on 18th May, 1 on 21st May & 7 26th Jul. Mudeford Quay 4 W on 4th May, 12 W on 4th May. Osmington Mills 8 on 12th Oct. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 14th May. West Bexington 2 E on 25th Jul. West Lulworth 5 on 29th Nov. RED NECKED PHALAROPE Phalaropus lobatus Rare passage migrant.

L Chappell, R Howell, P Morrison

Mudeford Quay 2 N on 2nd Jun ( ).

These birds were relocated in Hampshire at Blashford Lakes later the same day. Their brief Dorset appearance was fairly typical for this species. It is now more than 10 years since one hung around in the county for more than a day at the most. GREY PHALAROPE Phalaropus fulicarius Scarce autumn passage migrant and rare winter visitor.

All records:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 15th Sep. Hengistbury Head Singles W on 17th Nov & 12th Dec. Lyme Regis 1 on 31st Dec. Mudeford Quay 1 on 26th Dec. Portland Singles Chesil Cove on 15th Sep, 13th Nov, 23rd Dec, Portland Harbour/Chesil Cove on 12th Dec, Ferrybridge 30th Dec, off Chesil on 31st Dec. Stanpit Marsh 1 from 12th-14th Nov. West Bexington 1 on the Mere from 23rd-31st Dec. Worbarrow Bay 2 on 24th Dec.

A cluster of records over the last 9 days of the year. POMARINE SKUA Stercorarius pomarinus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly spring.

Favourable conditions in early May produced reasonable up-channel movements off SpringPortland, passage: but there were no records during this period from Hengistbury:

Camp Rd, Wyke Regis 10 on 7th May.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 71 Chesil Cove 10 on 7th May, max of 18 on 9th May Durlston CP 1 on 26th May. Mudeford Quay 2 sub-ads on 13th Jun. Portland 1 on 21st Apr. 104 bird-days from all sites in May, max 28 at Portland Bill on 7th May. 7 bird-days in Jun. St Aldhelm’s Head 2 on 9th May, 1 on 10th May AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 on 2nd Jun.

Hengistbury Head Juv on 28th Nov and juv E on 3rd Dec. Peveril Point 1 on 19th Nov. WinterPortland records: Singles on 12th Jul, 10th Aug & 25th Aug.

Portland Bill Singles on 1st Jan & 18th Jan. ARCTIC SKUA Stercorarius parasiticus Locally common passage migrant.

Spring passage: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 2 2 4 2 2 4 3 1 Jan1 Feb0 Mar1 40 May50 Jun20 Jul12 Aug34 Oct8 6 Dec0 Hengistbury/Mudeford 11 8 2 Portland (all sites) 17 St Aldhelm’s Head

Abbotsbury Beach 2 on 1st Jun. Camp Rd, Wyke Regis 1 on 7th May. Durlston CP 1 on 5th Apr & 14th May. Peveril Point 3 on 2nd Jun. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Singles on 3rd May & 4th Jun.

Abbotsbury Beach 1 on 19th Jul. Branksome Chine 1 on 6th Oct. Durlston CP 1 on 24th Oct, 29th Oct, 3rd Nov & 7th Nov. Shell Bay 1 on 21st Aug. West Lulworth 1 on 9th Aug. LONG-TAILED SKUA Stercorarius longicaudus Rare passage migrant.

Just one record was received this year: CE Richards

Chesil Cove Adult SW on 5th May ( ).

72 Dorset Bird Report 2015 GREAT SKUA Stercorarius skua Uncommon passage migrant & scarce winter visitor.

Main coastal sites: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 1 1 1 5 4 1 1 3 5 4 Jan20 Feb6 Mar4 28 May Jun Jul5 Aug15 6 Oct3 33 Dec15 Hengistbury/Mudeford 5 Portland (all sites) 72 7 SpringSt Aldhelm’s passage: Head 7

Abbotsbury Beach 3 on 9th May. Chesil Cove Max 21 on 5th May. Shell Bay 1 on 9th May. West Bexington 3 on 9th May. AutumnWinspit passage: 2 on 10th Apr.

Durlston CP 7 on 7th Nov. WinterLulworth records: Cove 1 on 15th & 21st Nov.

Durlston CP 3 on 30th Dec. Shell Bay 1 on 30th Dec. Studland Bay 1 on 28th Dec. West Bexington 1 on 1st Jan and 5th Dec. KITTIWAKE Rissa tridactyla Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Blackers Hole 23 attended nests counted (26 in 2014), with 16 pairs noted incubating but no chicks recorded. CoastalPortland passage Bill maxima: No count of colony but 25-30 pairs estimated here.

Durlston CP Max 35 on 7th Nov. Hengistbury Head Total of 1527 bird-days. Max counts incl 65 W on 7th Jan, 18 W on 18th May, 420 W on 25th Nov, 315 W on 26th Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 92 E on 13th Feb, 66 E on 5th Apr. West Bexington Max 10 on 30th Dec. UnusualWeymouth records: Bay Max 6 on 18th Apr, 4 on 24th Dec.

Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 14th Mar and 25th Dec. Lytchett Bay 1 on 17th Nov was just the 6th record here since 1992.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 73 BONAPARTE’S GULL Chroicocephalus philadelphia Very rare vagrant.

This, the 6th record for Dorset, was a welcome long-stayer in the Weymouth area: CE Richards et al Chesil Cove First-winter on 7th Mar was relocated at Radipole later in the month ( , photo).per DBC et al Radipole Lake RSPB First-winter from 17th Mar-7th Apr, also seen at Lodmoor RSPB on 27th Mar & 2nd Apr ( , photo). BLACK-HEADED GULL Chroicocephalus ridibundus Locally abundant breeding resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Brownsea Island c150 young fledged despite constant predation losses. Lodmoor RSPB 2 pairs bred as in 2014, of which 1 pair hatched 1 chick which was lost to predation. Wareham Channel A Birds of Poole Harbour census of gulls breeding on the islands in mid-May (a repeat of the RSPB census of 2008) found 6,400 nests, a 28% reduction compared with 2008 (8951 nests). However, the 2015 count was of second clutches, first clutches having been largely lost,D probably Chown etdue al to flooding at the start of May. It is likely that an effective count of first clutches would Coastal passage: have found more nests ( ).

Hengistbury Head 550 W on 26th Sep, 800 W on 18th Nov. LargeSt Aldhelm’s counts: Head 105 E on 7th Apr.

Holes Bay 1,000 on 2nd Jan. Lytchett Bay 2,000 on 15th Jan, 4,000 in mid-Mar, 1,500 on 12th Dec. Mudeford Quay 7,500 on 24th Oct. Parkstone Bay 1,000 on 2nd Jan. Weymouth Bay 3,500 on 2nd Jan. LITTLE GULL Hydrocoloeus minutus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov The total bird-days from the1 Christchurch2 Harbour4 area1 was the lowest4 for 15 years.9 1 Jan Feb Mar 10 May3 Jun Jul Aug2 Oct 2 Dec11 Christchurch Harbour SpringPortland passage: (all sites)

Brownsea Island 1 on 9th May. 74 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Coward’s Marsh Second-summer on 3rd-5th May, first-summer on 21st Jun. Durlston CP 2 on 9th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 13th Mar, 1 on 3rd Apr, 3 on 22nd Apr. Longham Lakes First-winter on 12th Mar, adult on 21st Apr. Lytchett Bay First-summer on 26th-27th May. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 29th Mar. Shell Bay 1 on 3rd Mar. St Aldhelm’s Head 3 E on 6th Apr, 15 E on 9th Apr, 1 E on 17th Apr. AutumnSwineham passage: GPs Imm on several dates 11th May-4th Jun.

Durlston CP 1 on 18th Nov. Hengistbury Head Max of 6 W on 25th Nov. WinterWest Lulworth records: 2 on 21st Nov.

Brand’s Bay 1 on 2nd Jan. Furzey Island 1 on 1st Jan. Lodmoor RSPB Adult on 30th-31st Dec. Lytchett Bay 1 on 1st Jan. West Bexington 1 on 31st Dec. MEDITERRANEAN GULL Larus melanocephalus Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Brownsea Island 3 pairs of which 2 successfully raised 2 young each, predating many Common Tern and Black-headed Gull chicks. Wareham Channel 64 nests compared to 87 in 2008 (see Black-headed Gull); a Site maxima: decline of 26.4%.Apr Sep Nov 1 4 12 100 11 4 6 3 1 1 600Jan 600Feb Mar100 5 May5 Jun60 200Jul 300Aug 450Oct 500Dec Christchurch Harbour 76 CoastalPortland sitesHarbour maxima: 470 700

Brownsea Island 106 on 24th Mar. Herbury Gore 500 on 18th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB First juv noted here on 3rd Jul, increasing to max of 232 on 16th Jul. Radipole Lake RSPB 150 on 15th Jul, 250 on 17th Nov. Shell Bay 100 on 27th Aug. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 600 in roost on 9th Jan, 950 on 12th Nov, c1,000 on 5th Dec.

Hengistbury Head Max counts of 206 E on 20th Apr, 150 E on 4th May. St Aldhelm’s Head 46 E on 10th Apr.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 75 Inland maxima:

Bride Valley FF 10 on 15th Feb. Coward’s Marsh 42 on 3rd Jul. Longham Lakes 200 on 17th Mar, 209 on 2nd Apr. Maiden Castle 200 on 2nd Nov. Sturminster Marshall GP 20 on 7th Apr. Warmwell Quarry 33 on 4th Nov. COMMON GULL Larus canus Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

First winter period maxima:

Abbotsbury Swannery 300 on 2nd Jan. Brand’s Bay 300 on 8th Mar. Lytchett Bay 400 on 15th Mar. Ringstead Bay 300 on 20th Feb. Shell Bay 300 on 15th Feb SecondWeymouth winter Bay period maxima:3,000 on 8th Jan.

Lytchett Bay 405 on 5th Dec. Rodden Hive 830 on 13th Dec. Warmwell Quarry 620 on 22nd Oct, 820 on 4th Nov. CoastalWeymouth passage: Bay 2,000 on Nov & Dec.

Chesil Cove Total of 780 1st Mar-19th May. Hengistbury Head 68 W on 26th Mar, 125 W on 12th Oct, 220 W on 26th Nov. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus fuscus graellsii Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Dorchester At least 2 pairs fledged young on rooftops. CoastalPortland passage: c10 pairs.

Durlston CP 52 E on 10th Apr, 34 W on 28th Nov. OtherEast Bexington maxima: 50 on 21st Nov.

Fiddleford 35 on 31st Dec. Stanpit Marsh 50 on 9th Aug. Tarrant Rushton 30 on 13th Dec. Warmwell Quarry 18 on 8th Apr. Weymouth Bay 48 on 13th Feb, 40 on 13th Nov. 76 Dorset Bird Report 2015 West Bexington 14 on 25th Feb. Wyke Down 100 on 1st Nov, 38 on 23rd Nov. Larus fuscus intermedius Uncommon passage migrant. LESSER BLACK-BACKED GULL intermedius

All records received of -types or intergrades: Radipole Lake RSPB 2 on 13th Feb. St Aldhelm’s Head 102 reported E from 9th Mar-11th May, incl 24 on 12th Mar and 17 on 10th Apr. HERRING GULL Larus argentatus argenteus Locally abundant breeding resident, very common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Portland c400 pairs. WinterPurbeck Roosts: coast 189 nests counted from Handfast Point to White Nothe.

Brownsea Island 1,700 on 16th Dec, 2,300 on 31st Dec. Chesil Cove 1,000 on 15th Jan. Portland Harbour 1,000 on 4th Jan. OtherWeymouth Counts: Bay 3,500 on 2nd Jan.

Radipole Lake RSPB 1,000 on 15th Jul. Ringstead Bay 800 on 7th Mar. Swineham Point 600 on 14th Aug. Warmwell Quarry 780 on 26th Aug, 800 on 1st Dec. Larus argentatus argentatus

SCANDINAVIAN HERRING GULL B Spencer et al

Radipole Lake RSPB 1 juv from 29th Nov into 2016 ( , photo). YELLOW-LEGGED GULL Larus michahellis Scarce breeding resident, locally common passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

PooleBrownsea Harbour: Lagoon The usual pair again nested successfully, and fledged two young.

Arne RSPB 6 on 8th Aug. Holes Bay 6 on 13th Aug, 4 on 19th Sep. Lytchett Bay Max of 6 on 20th Aug. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 77 Middlebere 3 on 8th Jan, 4 on 1st Jul, 8 on 9th Aug, 12 on 22nd Aug. OtherSwineham coastal GPs sites: 6 on 14th Aug.

Christchurch Harbour Total of 11 from 25th Jul-21st Oct, max 2 on 18th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB Total of 11 singles on 14 dates. Mudeford Quay 2 on 13th Sep, adult on 25th Dec. Radipole Lake RSPB Singles recorded on 6 dates. Portland 10 bird-days in Jul, 14 bird-days in Aug, 6 bird-days in Sep. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 7th Jan. Inland:West Bexington Ad on 7th Jul, juv on 21st-28th Jul.

Harbridge 1 on 25th Jan. CASPIAN GULL Larus cachinnans Rare but increasing passage migrant & winter visitor.

Two records, including the first for the CHOG recordingL area: Chappell DJ Chown et al Mudeford Quay First-winter on 15th Oct. ( ). Radipole Lake RSPB First-summer on 19th-21st Apr ( , photo). cachinnans In addition a first-winter at Culverwell, Portland, on 17th Nov was considered to have genes but was most likely a hybrid. ICELAND GULL Larus glaucoides Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.

A return to normality with just one record after last year’s exceptional showing;

Portland Bill 1 W on 21st Mar. GLAUCOUS GULL Larus hyperboreus Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.

As with Iceland Gull, just one record this year:

Radipole Lake RSPB First-winter on 19th Apr.

78 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Bonaparte’s Gull at Radipole Lake RSPB - 31st March - Peter Moore

White-winged Black Tern at Swineham GPs - 2nd June - Peter Moore

2015 Dorset Bird Report 79 Collared Dove at Hengistbury Head - 24th January - Joe Murphy

Sand Martin at Hengistbury Head - 14th April - Joe Murphy 80 Dorset Bird Report 2015 GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL Larus marinus Uncommon breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Portland 6 pairs bred on buildings. Purbeck coast 9 pairs counted from Handfast Point - White Nothe. Wareham Channel 1 pair.

75Monthly pulli maxima:were ringed in the county this yearApr though no further details wereSep available.Nov 250 400 200 100 130 160 100 140 85 500 500 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec OtherPortland counts: Harbour 170

Brownsea Island 77 on 21st Apr, 50 on 9th Jul, 160 on 16th Dec, 138 on 31st Dec. Chesil Cove 160 on 5th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 65 in Jul. Radipole Lake RSPB Max 55 on 24th Nov. West Bexington Max 70 on 3rd Aug. LITTLE TERN Sternula albifrons Uncommon breeding visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding:

CoastalFerrybridge passage: 33 pairs bred fledging 34 young.

Christchurch Harbour 157 bird-days from 2nd Apr-24th Sep. Max of 18 W on 29th Apr, 17 W on 6th May, 7 W on 12th Aug, 7 W on 23rd Aug. Ferrybridge Total of 16 here 14th Aug-29th Aug (after departure of breeding population). OtherPortland records: Bill Singles E on 6th May and 4th Jun.

Abbotsbury Swannery 3 on 14th Aug. Brand’s Bay 1 on 3rd May. Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 30th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 3rd Jul. Lytchett Bay 1 on 22nd Sep (just the 5th here since 1992). Poole Harbour Mouth 2 on 26th Apr, 7 on 29th Aug, 1 on 8th Sep. CASPIAN TERN Hydroprogne caspia Very rare passage migrant.

Additional records from previous years: S Holmes et al C Thain Brownsea Lagoon 1 on 3rd Aug 2011 ( , photo). Brownsea Lagoon 1 at dusk on 6th Jul 2012 ( , photo). 2015 Dorset Bird Report 81 BLACK TERN Chlidonias niger Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

Brownsea Island 1 on 11th May. Chesil Cove 2 E on 20th Apr. Mudeford Quay 1 on 3rd May. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 2 E on 21st Apr.

Brand’s Bay 2 on 15th Aug, 1 on 18th Sep. Chard Junction GP 2 on 15th Sep. Chesil Cove 1 on 14th Sep. Ferrybridge 1 on 24th Aug. Hengistbury Head Ad on 26th Jul, 1 on 26th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 13th Sep. Mudeford Quay 1 on 11th Aug, 2 on 14th Aug, 1 on 20th Aug & 21st Aug, 3 on 23rd Aug, 2 on 25th Aug, 1 on 22nd Sep. Swineham GPs 1 on 28th Aug. WHITE-WINGED BLACK TERN Chlidonias leucopterus Rare passage migrant.

I Alexander et al

Swineham GPs 2cy from 2nd-4th Jun ( , photo). The third successive year this species has been recorded at this site. SANDWICH TERN Sterna sandvicensis Very local breeding visitor, passage migrant and scarce winter resident.

Breeding:

CoastalBrownsea passage: Lagoon Min of 174 nests, with an estimate of 145 young fledged.

Hengistbury Head Max of 130 E on 17th Apr, 230 W on 26th Aug, 105 W on 15th Sep. Portland Harbour Monthly totals of 276 in Apr & 86 in May. Rodden Hive 45 on 10th Apr. St Aldhelm’s Head Monthly total of 244 in Apr, max of 42 W on 7th Apr. 105 in May, Winter records: max 29 on 9th May.

Christchurch Harbour 2 from 3rd Dec-22nd Dec. Poole Harbour Recorded at various sites, max of 7 on 11th Jan and 8 on 28th Dec. Portland Harbour Up to 3 from 26th Nov-24th Dec.

82 Dorset Bird Report 2015 COMMON TERN Sterna hirundo Locally common breeding visitor & common passage migrant.

Breeding:

Abbotsbury Swannery 50-60 pairs nested, over 100 young fledged. Avon Causeway 1 pair frequenting the area 15th May-28th Jun could suggest local breeding. Brownsea Island 33 fledged young were counted in late Jul, with some pairs then re-laying and still feeding chicks in early Sep. Suffered heavily at this site due to predation from Yellow-legged and Mediterranean Gulls. Lodmoor RSPB 45 pairs attempted to nest, and chicks began hatching from 13th Jun but just 3 fledged due to predation from Herring Coastal passage: Gulls.

Hengistbury Head 125 W on 8th May, 156 W on 26th Aug. ExtremeMudeford dates: Quay Max of 124 W on 3rd May.

St Aldhelm’s Head on 2nd Apr & Christchurch Harbour on 29th Sep. ROSEATE TERN Sterna dougallii Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.

Spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 11th Jun. Brownsea Island 1 on 2nd May, 3 on 10th May, 1 on 13th May. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 6th Jun, 1 E on 11th Jun, 1 W on 19th Jun. Hengistbury Head 1 W on 29th Apr, 1 E on 2nd May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 13th Jun & 21st-22nd Jun. AutumnMudeford passage: Quay 1 on 5th Jun & 14th Jun.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 21st Jul. Christchurch Harbour 1 W on 8th Aug. Hengistbury Head 1 W on 26th Aug. Stanpit Marsh 1 on 15th Aug. ARCTIC TERN Sterna paradisaea Fairly common passage migrant.

Spring passage:

Branksome Chine 5 E on 14th May. Brownsea Island 1 on 11th May. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 26th May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 3rd May, with the male that has been2015 present Dorset Bird in theReport 83 Common Tern colony for the last few years making a single visit on 10th May but was not noted again. Mudeford Quay 1 on 18th Apr, 4 W on 3rd May, 1 on 4th May. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 9th May taken by a Peregrine. AutumnWest Bay passage: 3 on 3rd May.

Brand’s Bay 1 on 14th Aug. Brownsea Island 1 on 15th Jul, 2 on 25th Jul. Hengistbury Head Juv W on 19th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Juv on 17th Sep. Mudeford Quay 1 on 26th Jul, 22 bird-days in Aug incl max of 8 on 31st Aug, 3 on 12th Sep, 2 on 18th Sep, 1 on 24th Sep. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: Juv on 15th Sep.

Portland Harbour on 16th Apr & Mudeford Quay on 24th Sep. Sterna hirundo/paradisaea

‘COMMIC TERN’

Records of Common or Arctic Terns not positively identified to species level are given below:

Portland 346 bird-days in Apr, 264 in May, 212 in Jul, 176 in Aug. GUILLEMOT Uria aalge Locally common breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding: 2015 2014

Anvil Point - Ragged Rocks 63 birds 45 birds Blackers Hole - Reform 136 birds 148 birds Crab Hole - Buttery Corner 288 birds 282 birds Durlston - Lighthouse 337 birds 339 birds Totals 916 birds 914 birds White Ware - Little Hedbury 92 birds 100 birds

To ensure there is no confusion these counts refer to individuals and not pairs. The Purbeck population fluctuates markedly and the current total of 916 birds is the highest since systematic recording began in the 1960s. This is largely due to a recovery at Durlston and increases at Blacker’s Hole and Bird Cove.

Portland Bill The breeding colony is estimated to consist of about 500 birds Away from the breeding sites:but no full census was carried out.

Christchurch Harbour Recorded up to Jun from Hengistbury & Mudeford Quay. 84 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Best 27 W on 18th & 30 W on 31st May. In the second half of the year the highest count was of 25 W on 27th Dec. Rodden Hive 1 on 25th Nov was unusual this far up the Fleet. St Aldhelm’s Head 700 E on Mar 12th. BRüNNICH’S GUILLEMOT Uria lomvia Very rare vagrant.

Revised 2013 dates and observers: CE Richards, D & P Saunders et al Portland Harbour Present from 19th-31st Dec ( , photo). RAZORBILL Alca torda Local breeding resident, common winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

2015 2014 A full census of breeding birds was carried out in Purbeck:

Blackers Hole - Reform 38 birds 42 birds Crab Hole - Buttery Corner 14 birds 8 birds Durlston - Lighthouse 31 birds 26 birds Totals 83 birds 79 birds White Ware - Little Hedbury 0 birds 3 birds

The Purbeck population of 83 birds is also the highest since systematic recording began in the 1960s. Numbers were much higher in the 1880s when they outnumbered Guillemots.

Portland Bill No complete count made but up to 100 birds present in the Away from the breeding sites:breeding colony.

Hengistbury Head Recorded up to May from Hengistbury & Mudeford Quay. Highest counts 4 on 6th & 18th May. Recorded from Sep to Dec. Best 19 on 18th & 15 W on 29th Nov. Portland Harbour 30 on 15th Mar. St Aldhelm’s Head 120 on 1st Jan. Weymouth Bay 5 on 26th Nov. Uria/Alca sp.

AUK sp.

Christchurch Harbour 300 W on 7th Jan, 500 E on 4th Feb. Durlston CP 1,200 on 11th Feb. Portland Bill Passing at 1,500 per hour on 12th Jan. 10,000 E on 10th Feb. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 85 BLACK GUILLEMOT Cepphus grylle Rare winter visitor & passage migrant.

CE Richards DH Taylor et al Chesil Cove 1 on 27th Jul ( ). Hengistbury Head 1 on 10th Jan ( ). per DBC et al Poole Harbour The bird from 2014 was seen on severalper DBCdates et until al 8th Feb, generally around the harbourper DBC mouth et al ( , photo). 1 from 14th Dec until the year end ( , photo). Portland Harbour 1 from 1st Jan-2nd Apr ( , photo). LITTLE AUK Alle alle Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn, and winter visitor.

Chesil Cove 1 on 23rd Dec. Hengistbury Head 1 W on 28th Nov. Studland Bay 1 on 3rd Dec. West Lulworth 2 on 21st Nov. PUFFIN Fratercula arctica Uncommon breeding visitor & scarce passage migrant.

The Purbeck total is now but a shadow of its former self. Puffin was abundant up until 1939 but by 1958 only 85 birds were present falling to 23 by 1975. Since the mid-90s it has Breeding:stabilised at around 3 breeding pairs. No juveniles have been seen recently.

Dancing Ledge 2-3 pairs present with a max of 12 individuals. OtherPortland records: Bill Present between 3rd Mar & 19th Jul. Highest count 3 on 5th Jul.

Branksome Chine 1 on 12th Feb. Chesil Beach 9 found dead between 9th & 22nd Feb. 11 on 10th Mar. Chesil Cove 1 on 1st, 2nd & 8th Feb, 6 on 15th Feb. Hengistbury Head An exhausted bird on 7th Feb. 1 on 27th Feb & 1 E off Hengistbury on 23rd Apr. Portland Bill Singles on 11th Jan, 5th Feb & 5th Mar. 2 on 13th Nov. Southbourne 2 on 13th Feb. ROCK DOVE/FERAL Pigeon Columba livia Common urban breeding resident, also breeds locally along the coast.

Large Counts (40+):

Bournemouth Town Centre 40 on 22nd Jan. 86 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Dorchester 50 on 23rd Sep. Durlston CP 40 on 24th May. Poole Old Quay 93 on 21st Apr. Portland North 500-1,000 throughout the year. Puddletown 85 on 16th May. Radipole Lake RSPB 50 on 23rd May. STOCK DOVE Columba oenas Common, but declining, breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Hengistbury Head 3 pairs present. Merley Park Present. 20 birds on 30th Jun. West Bexington 2 pairs on territory.

These were the only suspected breeding records received, however the species is present in Autumnlow densities passage: throughout the county.

Christchurch Harbour 31 on 25th Nov. Durlston CP 420 on 3rd, 45 on 8th, 120 on 9th, 90 on 11th, 160 on 12th, 62 on 17th & 175 on 22nd Nov. East Bexington 58 W on 22nd Nov. Poole, Constitution Hill 20 on 22nd Nov. FlocksRylands above Barn Farm20: 50 on 25th Nov.

Canford Magna 40 on 12th Jan. Martinstown 82 on 27th Feb. Merley Park 20 on 30th Jun. Wareham 30 on 20th May. Warmwell Quarry 60 on 9th Jan. Waterditch 25 on 8th Feb. West Compton 45 on 15th Jan. Worgret 38 on 18th Feb. WOODPIGEON Columba palumbus Very common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

West Bexington Breeding confirmed.

SpringNo further passage: breeding records received for this under-recorded species.

Portland Bill 845 N between 21st & 27th Mar. Stanpit 230 N on 6th Apr. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 87 Autumn passage:

Arne RSPB 5,000 on 21st Nov. Christchurch Harbour 31,500 on 12th, 12,000 on 13th, 17100 on 21st, 105,300 W on 22nd, (a record count for CHOG), & 91,000 on 23rd Nov. Durlston CP 1,200 on 9th, 3,400 on 11th, 31,000 on 12th, 10,000 on 13th 2.250 on 17th, 1,200 on 18th and 5,420 on 21st Nov. East Bexington 20,850 on 22nd Nov. Lytchett Bay 5,025 W on 21st, 2825 W on 22nd, & 17,785 NW on 23rd Nov. Poole, Constitution Hill 146,600 on 22nd Nov. A county day record for one site. Portland Bill 54,000 mainly S between 20th Oct & 22nd Nov. Shell Bay 7,060 on 22nd Nov.

FlocksThe peak above counts 100 recorded (outside are of shown peak migrationabove, with periods): 22nd Nov being the big day.

Langton Herring 400 on 11th Feb, 500 on 9th Aug. Manor Farm, Hampreston 101 on 25th Aug and 120 on 18th Dec. Tincleton 400 on 12th Dec. Warmwell Quarry 110 on 30th Jan. Woodsford 500 on 10th Dec. COLLARED DOVE Streptopelia decaocto Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds throughout the county but detailed information is lacking for this under-recorded Flocksspecies. above 10:

Horton, Allen Valley 100 birds on 23rd Oct. Portland, Broadcroft 16 on 23rd Oct. Puddletown, Ilsington Wood 15 on 27th Sep. St Leonards Farm 15 on 30th Jun, 15 on 28th Aug. Wick 25 on 11th May, 59 on 11th Aug. TURTLE DOVE Streptopelia turtur Declining breeding summer visitor and passage migrant.

Breeding season records:

Briantspuddle 1 on 25th May. Higher Hyde Heath 1 on 9th Jun.

CoastalThe last migration:confirmed breeding in Dorset was in 2009.

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 12th May at Wick, 1 on 21st May at Hengistbury. Singles on 19th Jun, 17th Aug & 5th Sep at Stanpit. 88Durlston Dorset CP Bird Report 2015 1 on 4th May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 19th Sep. Portland Bill 17 birds in spring. 4 birds from 14th to 27th Sep. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 4th Sep. West Bexington 1 on 5th May. 1 on 12th Aug.

ExtremeAutumn passage dates: was again very poor.

15th Apr Badbury Rings & 18th Oct Bournemouth. RING-NECKED PARAKEET Psittacula krameri Uncommon introduced breeding resident.

All records:

Brownsea 3 on 14th Nov. Studland Village Present throughout the year, usually a pair but 3 on 16th Jan. CUCKOO Cuculus canorus Fairly common, but declining, breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

No confirmed breeding records.

Recorded in the breeding season from the following sites: Acton Quarry, Alners Gorse NR, Arne RSPB, Ashley Wood, Badbury Rings, Brackett’s Coppice, Briantspuddle, Broadstone GC, Cerne Abbas, Chase Woods, Christchurch Harbour, Cogden, Compton Abbas, Corfe Castle, Corfe Ridgeway, Corscombe, Dudsbury GC, East Morden, Fiddleford, Fontmell Down, Garston Wood, Golden Cap, Grange Heath, Great Ovens Heath, Greenland’s Farm, Grove Hill Bottom, Halstock, Hartland Moor, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Middlebere, Moor Crichel, Moors Valley CP, Morden Bog, Oakers Wood, Rushmore Park, Slepe Heath, St Leonards, Stoborough Heath, Sturminster Marshall, Sturminster Newton, Sugar Hill, Swineham GPs, Tadnoll & Winfrith Heaths, Tarrant Rushton Airfield, Tolpuddle, Tonerspuddle Heath, Town Common, Upton Heath, Verwood, Wareham, West Bexington, West Moors, Weymouth, Whitesheet, Woolsbarrow and Wyke Down.

Migration:A total of 60 sites this year.

Chesil Cove 1 on 12th May. Christchurch Harbour Singles on 16th, 22nd, 27th and 30th Apr. 10 dates in May from Wick Fields and Hengistbury. 12 records in Jun, 1 on 15th Jul and 1 on 7th Aug. Durlston CP Singles on 20th Apr, 19th May and 28th Jul. Lulworth Cove 1 on 4th May. Portland Bill 10 birds in spring. Just 1 autumn record on 16th Sep. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 89 Portland Heights 1 on 8th May. Shell Bay 1 on 16th May. ExtremeStudland dates: 1 at Middle Beach on 9th Apr.

9th Apr at Studland & 16th Sep at Portland Bill. BARN OWL Tyto alba Scarce breeding resident.

Breeding:

Verne Common 1 juvenile in nest 7th Jun. West Bexington Pair bred, 3 young reared. Wyke Down 1 juvenile in nest 30th Jun. Wyke Regis Pair bred, 1 juvenile on 31st Jul.

28 pulli were ringed in the county this year.

Also recorded from Arne RSPB, Forston, Grove Hill Bottom, Littlemoor, Kingcombe Meadows Otherand Wimborne records: St Giles in the breeding season.

Recorded from Abbotsbury Swannery, Arne Moors, Burton, Canford, Canford Bottom, Cashmoor, Cerne Abbas, Charlton Marshall, Chickerell, Coombe Valley, Coward’s Marsh, Cutty Stubbs, Durdle Door, Durlston CP, East Lulworth, Forston, Greenlands Farm, Holt Heath, Horton Inn, Kingcombe Meadows, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Middlebere, Portland Bill, South Mead, Spetisbury, Trent Farm, West Bexington and Winterborne Herringston. LITTLE OWL Athene noctua Local & declining breeding resident.

Breeding:

3 pulli were ringed in the county. Recorded in the breeding season from: Cowgrove, Leytes Carey Manor, Portland Bill, Portland Reap Lane, Sturminster Marshall GP, Tarrant Rushton Otherairfield records: and Thorncombe in the breeding season.

Recorded from Avon Causeway and Verwood. On Portland birds were seen at the following sites: The Bill, The Grove, The Castle and Suckthumb Quarry. TAWNY OWL Strix aluco Common breeding resident.

Confirmed breeding:

Lytchett Bay Bred successfully. Merley90 Dorset Park Bird Report 2015 Pair with 3 young. OtherAcross breedingthe county season 40 pulli records: were ringed.

Breeding season records from Acton Quarry, Alners Gorse, Arne RSPB, Brownsea Island, Corfe Mullen, Durlston CP, Forston, Hengistbury, Higher Hyde Heath, Horselynch Copse, Kingcombe, Lodmoor RSPB, Lytchett Fields RSPB, Parkstone, Peascombe, Piddlehinton, Pistle Down, Puddletown Forest, Sixpenny Handley, Stapehill, South Meads, Stoborough, Upton Heath, Wareham Forest, West Moors, West Morden, West Parley, Wimborne and Winspit. LONG-EARED OWL Asio otus Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.

All records:

Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 22nd Oct. Longham Lakes 1 on 17th Oct. Portland Bill Singles on 13th & 17th Oct. Stanpit 1 on 30th Sep. SHORT-EARED OWL Asio flammeus Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor.

Beginning of year/spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 22nd Jan. Durlston CP 1 on 19th Mar. Portland Bill 1 on 6th & 9th Apr. Portland Harbour 1 on 2nd Jan. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 19th Mar & 16th Apr. Stoborough Heath 1 on 9th Feb. West Bexington 1 on 22nd Jan. Wyke Down Jan: max 5 on the 8th. Feb: max 3 on 25th & 27th. Mar: max 6 on the 27th. Autumn passage and end ofApr: year on records 1st (2) & . 8th (2).

Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 15th Oct, 16th & 20th Nov. Arne Moors Recorded on 8 dates between 9th Oct & 14th Dec. Brand’s Bay 1 on 27th Oct. Burton 1 on 20th Dec. Chickerell 1 on 13th Oct & 27th Nov. Christchurch Harbour First on 28th Sep, then records in Oct on 1st, 14th, 20th (2), 21st at Mudeford Quay, 22nd & 28th (in off the sea). Singles on 8th & 22nd Nov and 1 at Wick Fields on 1st & 3rd Dec. All records from Hengistbury except where stated. Cogden Beach 1 on 15th Oct. Durlston CP Records on 13 dates in Oct on 11th, 15th (2), 17th, 18th-19th (2), 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 26th to 29th with 2 on 28th & 1 on 31st. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 91 In Nov seen on: 3rd, 8th (2), 9th (3), 11th, 12th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 28th Nov. East Bexington 1 on 31st Oct. Eyebridge, Wimborne 1 on several dates in Dec. Ferrybridge Singles on 13th & 18th Oct, 25th & 26th Nov. Hartland Moor 1 on 4th , 15th, 21st & 28th Nov. Hazelbury Bryan 1 on 29th Dec. Kingston Lacy 2 on 27th & 1 on 28th Dec. Langton Herring 2 on 11th & 1 on 18th Oct. Langton Matravers 1 on 23rd Oct & 4 on 14th Nov. Little Sea, Studland 1 on 22nd Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 4th Nov. Longham Lakes 1 on 4th Nov. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 22nd & 1 on 26th Oct. Maiden Castle 1 on 27th Nov. Milborne St Andrew 1 on 30th Oct. Osmington Mills 1 on 18th & 1 on 25th Oct. Poole Harbour 1 on 25th Oct, 3 on 16th Nov, 2 on 7th & 1 on 14th Dec. Portland Bill First on 30th & 31st Aug. In Sep, 1 on 10th, 1 on 28th & 30th with 2 on 29th. Recorded throughout Oct with a max of 15 on 19th. At least 5 birds went on to winter in the area. Preston 1 on 19th Oct. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 13th & 24th Oct, 1 on 1st & 14th Nov & 1 on 13th Dec. Shell Bay 1 on 25th Oct & 1 on 18th Nov. Slepe Heath 1 on 19th Nov. South Mead 1 on 11th Dec & 2 on 29th Dec. Spetisbury 1 on 25th Dec. Studland Bay 1 on 18th Nov. Townsend DWT 1 on 19th Oct. Trent Farm 1 on 13th Dec. Verne Common, Portland 1 on 31st Oct. Wareham 1 on 21st Nov, & 7th, 17th Dec. West Bexington 1 on 31st Oct, 1 on 23rd Nov & 1 on 4th, 6th Dec. Weymouth 1 on 21st Nov. Wyke Down In contrast to last year just one record on 16th Nov. Wyke Regis 1 on 20th & 23rd Oct & 1 on 8th Nov.

42 locations, although this will undoubtedly involve considerable duplication. The autumn influx is the largest recorded in the county. NIGHTJAR Caprimulgus europaeus Fairly common breeding visitor & scarce passage migrant.

Details of a survey carried out by the RSPB were gratefully received and helped to provide a Breeding:more complete account of the status of this species in the county.

Recorded in the breeding season from Alderholt, Arne RSPB (35), Avon CP (13), Barnsfield Heath92 Dorset (16), Bird BindonReport 2015 Abbey, Blacknoll NR (2). Bourne Bottom NR (1), Bournemouth (2), Broadstone GC (3), Broadstone SW (3), Brownsea Island (2), Budden’s Farm, Burton (3), Canford Heath (29), Clouds Hill (4), Corfe Castle, Corfe Mullen (3), Dunyeats Heath (7), Ferndown Common (9), Goathorn, Grange Heath (10), Great Ovens Heath (17), Ham Common (3), Hardy’s Monument (4), Hartland Moor (3), Hengistbury Head (2 pairs), Holt Heath (33), Hurn (6), Hurn Forest (11), Hurn QinetiQ (6), Lions Hill NR (4), Middlebere, Morden Bog (14), Oaker’s Wood (6), Parley Common (13), Pistle Common, Puddletown Forest (3), Rempstone (5), Rushcombe Bottom LNR (2), Sandford Heath (4), Slepe Heath/ Hartland Moor (25), Spetisbury, Steven’s Castle NR (3), Stoborough RSPB (18), Studland/ Godlingston Heath (16), Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath (12), Talbot Heath NR (1), Town Common (18), Turbary Common (2), Upton Heath (18), Verwood Forest (17), West Moors CP (3), West Morden & Wootton Fitzpaine.

Except where stated the above counts refer to individual birds or churring males.

Recorded from 57 locations with at least 313 birds and 78 birds on other breeding season Migration:dates. A total of 391.

Durlston CP 1 on 7th May. ExtremeLodmoor dates:RSPB 1 on 1st May.

1st May Lodmoor & 12th Oct Portland Bill. SWIFT Apus apus Declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Migration:No records received.

Christchurch Harbour First date 1 Apr 30th. May 131 bird-days. Jun 22 bird-days. Jul, 202 bird-days. Aug, 68 bird-days. Sep, 2 birds, last on 12th. Numbers were well down on last year. The above represents 426 birds against a 10 year average of 2,800 birds. Durdle Door 1 on 19th Sep. Durlston CP 1 on 16th Apr, 75 on 13th Jul. 1 on 7th Oct. Golden Cap 1 on 8th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 100 on 15th May, 500 on 10th Jun. Longham Lakes 3 on 16th Apr, 2 on 4th Sep. Lytchett Matravers 1 on 23rd Apr. Portland Bill 1 on 31st Aug, 1 on 16th Sep. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 13th Apr. Shell Bay 50 on 5th Jul. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 93 Slepe Heath 200 on 15th May. Sturminster Marshall 48 on 25th Jul. Swineham GPs 10 on 2nd, 30 on 4th & 50 on 11th May, 80 on 2nd & 250 on Extreme dates: 3rd Jun. 16 on 14th Aug.

13th Apr at Radipole Lake RSPB & 7th Oct at Durlston CP. ALPINE SWIFT Apus melba A rare passage migrant.

MS Andrews

Verwood 1 flew through the observer’s garden on 12th Apr ( ). KINGFISHER Alcedo atthis Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Bracketts Coppice Occupied nest recorded. River Frome Nest with young (Wareham Bypass).

Also recorded in the breeding season from: Bride Valley Fish Farm, Bridport (River Asker), Canford Magna, Chard Junction GP, Collyer’s Brook, Ensbury Sewage Works, Fiddleford, Forston, Higher Hyde Heath, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Bridge, Longham Lakes & Lytchett OutsideFields RSPB. the breeding season:

Recorded from 52 sites. BEE-EATER Merops apiaster Scarce passage migrant, mainly in late spring & summer. Attempted to breed in 2006.

G Walbridge G Walbridge Blacknor Singles on 24th perMay, DBC heard, only, ( ), and 15th Jun ( ), IM Lewis et al Durdle Door 1 on 30th May ( photo).C Chapleo et al Durlston CP 1 on 9th Jul, heardper DBConly, et( al ). Hengistbury Head 1 on 29th Aug, heardAJ Barrett, only, ( MJ Morse ). AJ Barrett, Portland Bill MJ1 on Morse, 16th Jul C Rogers( , photo). West Bexington Singles on 3rd D( & G Walbridge ) and 16th Jun ( ). Weston 2 on 19th Jul ( ). HOOPOE Upupa epops Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in spring.

An above average showing with several late records although duplication is likely. 94 Dorset Bird Report 2015 All records:

Bournemouth 1 in the Throop area from 11th-13th May. Dancing Ledge 1 on 31st Aug. Hengistbury Head 1, possibly 2, on 16th Apr. Longham Lakes 1 on 9th Jul. Lulworth Cove 1 on 21st Apr. Piddlehinton 1 on 8th Jan and again on 5th Feb. Portland Singles on 16th-19th Apr (Suckthumb Quarry), 17th Apr (Tout Quarry), 7th Sep (Portland Bill), 9th Sep (Blacknor) & 2nd Oct (Portland Bill). West Bexington 1 on 16th Apr. Weymouth 1 on 8th May. Worth Matravers 1 on 16th Apr. WRYNECK Jynx torquilla Uncommon passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records:

Acton Quarry 1 on 1st Sep. Charmouth 1 on 4th Sep. Durdle Door 1 on 16th Aug. Durlston CP Singles on 1st & 7th Sep. Hengistbury Head Singles on 30th Aug. In Sep 1 from 4th-20th, with further singles on 17th, 26th & 27th Sep. Long Bredy 1 on 14th Apr. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 16 Apr. Middlebere 1 on 17th-18th Sep. Osmington Mills Singles on 7th & 11th Sep. Portland 6 records involving at least 8 birds: 1 on 15th Apr (Suckthumb Quarry), 1 on 22nd Aug (Southwell), 1 on 26th-27th Aug (Higher Light), 1 on 30th Aug-7th Sep (Pulpit Bushes), 1 on 5th Sep (Portland Castle), 1 on 13th Sep, 1 on 14th-18th Sep (Top Fields), at least 3 on 16th-17th Sep (Portland Bill). Ringstead Bay 1 on 29th Aug. Studland 1 on 30th Aug (Greenlands Farm). West Bexington 1 on 19th Aug, & 1 on 18th Sep. Wyke Regis 1 on 16th Aug. GREEN WOODPECKER Picus viridis Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Confirmed at: Avon CP (fledged young), Hengistbury Head (2 pairs raised 5 young), Higher Hyde Heath (2 families fledged), Longham Lakes (fledged young), Lytchett Bay (bred successfully), Merley Park (2 pairs bred with 3 young), Portesham (fledged young), Powerstock Common (fledged young), Swineham GPs (fledged young), Trent (fledged young), Turlin Moor (fledged young) & Warmwell Quarry (2 birds fledged). 2015 Dorset Bird Report 95 GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos major Common breeding resident & rare passage migrant.

Breeding:

Confirmed at: Avon CP (fledged young), Brianstpuddle (fledged young), Chard Junction GP (pair produced 2 young), Christchurch Harbour (fledged young), Corfe Castle (nest with young), Forston (fledged young), Hengistbury Head (2 pairs raised 3 young), Higher Hyde Heath (fledged young), Lodmoor RSPB (at least 4 pairs bred in the general area), Merley Park (3 pairs bred with 7 young flying), Moors Valley (nest with young), Morden Bog (nest with young), Puddletown (fledged young), Ringstead Bay (occupied nest), St Leonards Farm Post-breeding(fledged young), dispersal Swineham or GPs migration: (fledged young), Upton Heath (nest with young).

Poole (Constitution Hill) 6 W on 22nd Nov. Durlston CP Between 7th Oct & 25th Nov: totals of 28 E & 4 W. Hengistbury Head Birds possibly moving: 1 N on 10th, 2 N on 20th & 1 N on 25th Oct. Shell Bay 1 N on 4th Apr. 1 N on 8th Oct, 3 N on 10th Oct & 1 N on 12th Oct. LESSER SPOTTED WOODPECKER Dendrocopos minor Scarce & declining breeding resident.

Breeding:

No breeding records received although it is estimated that at least 5 pairs were present Otheracross records:the county.

Brownsea Island Singles on 25th Feb & 14th May. East Holme 1 on 25th Feb. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 female on 18th Sep, 1 N on 22nd Nov & 1 male on 12th Dec. Morden Bog Singles on 10th Mar, 8th Apr (drumming) and 2nd & 8th Sep. Moreton 1 on 26th Apr. Sandford Heath Singles on 2nd & 10th Sep. Stoborough Singles on 23rd Mar, 14th Apr (drumming) & 6th Jun. Town Common 1 on 15th Jun. WOODLARK Lullula arborea Scarce breeding resident & uncommon passage migrant, forming flocks during winter.

Breeding:

Higher Hyde Heath 3 fledged families recorded on 30th Jun. Holt Heath & Whitesheet 5 pairs, fledged young seen on 14th Jun. Holton Lee Fledged young on 30th May. Morden Bog Adult feeding young on 23rd May. Turnerspuddle Heath Juvs seen on 30th Jun.

Also reported during the breeding season at: Arne RSPB (7), Avon Common, Avon Heath (8), Barnsfield Heath (8), Clouds Hill, Cranborne Common (3), Grange Heath (2), Great Ovens 96 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Hill, Hurn (4), Moreton Pit, Parley Common (2), Sandford Heath (3), Slepe Heath (2), Sopley Common, Stoborough Heath (3), Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath, Town Common, Upton Heath, & SpringWest Knighton passage: Heath.

AutumnStanpit passage: 1 N on 5th Mar.

Ballard Down 2 on 26th Sep & 1 on 23rd Nov. Bulbarrow Hill 1 on 17th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 7 bird-days between 10th Oct & 8th Nov. Durlston CP 45 bird-days between 29th Sep & 28th Nov incl 41 E & 3 W. East Bexington 5 W on 20th Oct and 2 E on 31st Oct. Hengistbury Head Singles on 10th, 12th & 14th Oct, flying E on 4th & 8th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB 1 NE on 29th Sep. Lytchett Bay 2 on 3rd Oct & 2 on 20th Oct. Portland 3 bird-days in Sep, 15 bird-days in Oct & 3 bird-days in Nov. Shell Bay 1 on 4th Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 1st Nov. WinterWest Lulworth periods: 1 on 17th Oct.

East Holme In Feb 4 feeding in stubble field on 1st, 19 on 7th & 11 on 10th. SKYLARK Alauda arvensis Declining breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Christchurch Harbour 8-10 pairs at Hengistbury Head & 1 pair at Stanpit raised 4 young. Cogden Estimated 10 pairs. Lodmoor 1 pair at Redcliff. Lytchett Bay 2 territories. Portland 30-40 pairs. AutumnWest Bexington passage: Estimated minimum of 10 pairs.

Christchurch Harbour 653 bird-days early Oct to 23rd Nov incl 65 on 4th, 53 on 8th & 103 on 28th Oct. Durlston CP 737 E & 27 W between 7th Oct-11th Dec, max 142 E on 31st Oct. East Bexington 85 W on 20th Oct, 94 E on 31st Oct, 67 W on 22nd Nov. Greenlands Farm 46 overhead on 31st Oct. Lodmoor RSPB Total of 350 birds over between 23rd Sep to 7th Dec. Lytchett Bay 61 bird-days between 9th Oct & 28th Nov, max 24 on 19th Oct. Trent 40+ on 13th Oct. West Bexington/Cogden c100 E on 31st Oct.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 97 Winter flocks (counts of 30 and over):

Ballard Down 35+ on 22nd Jan. Boys Hill c50 on 31st Oct. Cogden 100 on 2nd Jan. Martinstown 200+ on 4th Feb (Grove Hill Bottom) & 50 on 12th Nov (Rainbarrow Farm). Minterne Magna c40 on 1st Feb. St Aldhelm’s Head 400+ on 19th Jan. SAND MARTIN Riparia riparia Locally common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Christchurch Harbour 15-20 pairs with only average success – a poor year. Warmwell Quarry 47 occupied nest holes - a reduction on 2014 due to fewer Spring passage (counts of 50suitable and over): nest sites as quarry winds down.

Christchurch Harbour 151 bird-days 7th Mar to 24th Apr (a poor spring passage). Lodmoor RSPB 60+ daily in early May. Longham Lakes 55+ on 14th Mar. Radipole Lake RSPB 112 on 23rd Apr. AutumnSwineham passage GPs (counts of400 100 on and 23rd over): Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 173 on 30th Jul, 200 W on 1st & 220 on 12th Aug, 117 E on 11th, 200 E on 17th & 1460 on 23rd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB c1000 on 15th Jul, up to 200 roosting birds 6th-9th & up to 150 to 16th Sep. Portland Heights 100+ on 17th Aug. ExtremeRadipole Lake dates: RSPB 195 on 24th Jul.

7th Mar at both Hengistbury Head & Lodmoor and 25th Oct at Durlston CP. SWALLOW Hirundo rustica Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Arne RSPB Visiting probable nest site. Ashmore Nest with young. Brianstpuddle Nest with young. Canford Park 3 nesting attempts with 2 young fledged (a poor year). Cerne Abbas Nest with young. Chard Junction GP 1 pair bred producing 4 juveniles. Edmonsham 8 pairs with 47 fledged young (a very good year). Fleet Bridging Camp 5 pairs bred in the area. 98 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Olive-backed Pipit at Portland BO - 13th October - Martin Cade

Dipper at Lyme Regis - 4th May - Peter Moore

2015 Dorset Bird Report 99 Ring Ouzel at Middlebere - 4th October - Peter Moore

Western Bonelli’s Warbler at Portland BO - 22nd August - Peter Moore

100 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Forde Abbey Visiting probable nest site. Hampreston Nest building seen at Manor Farm. Hengistbury Head 3 pairs bred with good success. Langton Herring 5 pairs bred in the area. Lodmoor RSPB Nested around Overcombe. Lytchett Bay Breeds at French’s Farm. Moors Valley CP Nest with young. Portland North 10 pairs bred. Tolpuddle 3 pairs bred raising 20 young. SpringWest Bexington passage (peak counts):Minimum of 2 pairs bred.

Chesil Cove 7,000+ on 8th May included 5,000 N between 07:00 & 10:30. Christchurch Harbour 2,163 bird-days from 3rd Apr to 22nd May; max 820 on 8th May. Lodmoor RSPB 250+ on 18th May. Lytchett Bay 150 on 20th Apr. AutumnWest Bexington passage (all records2,000+ of 1,000 on 8th or May. more birds):

Christchurch Harbour 42,754 bird-days mid-Aug to Oct; 12 counts of 1,000 or more; max 9,400 W on 11th Sep. Durdle Door 1000+ on 26th & 1,000 on 27th Sep, 5,000+ on 2nd, 1,000 on 3rd Oct & 1,000 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 3,600 on 29th Sep, 1,230 W on 7th, 6,900 E on 10th & 1,350 E on 17th Oct. East Bexington 4,975 E on 27th Sep & 2,100 E on 28th Sep. Ferrybridge 1,500+ on 11th Sep. Langton Herring c1,750 E on 2nd Oct. Puddletown 3,000+ on 19th Oct. Shell Bay 1,232 N on 16th Sep. St Aldhelm’s Head c1,900 on 25th Sep. West Bexington 5,000 E on 27th Sep. ExtremeWinspit dates: 1,200 on 29th Sep.

14th Mar at Shillingstone and 4 on 11th Nov at Durlston CP with 1 or 2 birds reported at scattered sites on a further 10 dates until 27th Dec. HOUSE MARTIN Delichon urbicum Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Portland around 50 pairs bred. Confirmed at: Bridport (occupied nest), Broadmayne (2 nests), Canford Park (12 pairs), Cerne Abbas (occupied nest), Dorchester (occupied nest), Edmonsham (one pair fledged 3 young), Lytchett Bay (7 nests at Watery Lane), Poundbury Road (occupied nest), Trent (nest with young), Upton (occupied nest), Whitcombe (occupied nest), Wimborne (occupied nests or fledged young at 3 locations), Winterborne Monkton (occupied nest) & Woolland (occupied nest). 2015 Dorset Bird Report 101 Spring passage (all counts of 200 or more birds):

AutumnChesil Cove passage (all counts1,000 of 1,000 N on or8th more May. birds):

Christchurch Harbour 25,750 bird-days mid-Aug to Oct incl 6,000 E on 16th, 4,500 E on 17th, 2,300 E on 18th & 6,000 W on 26th Sep & 1,200 E on 1st Oct. Durlston CP 1,560 W on 7th & 4,100 E on 10th Oct. ExtremeEast Bexington dates: c10,000 W on 26th Sep (with 8,300 between 9am & 10am).

8th Mar at Arne RSPB & 22nd Nov at Cogden Beach with a very late bird at West Bexington/ Cogden on 17th Dec. RED-RUMPED SWALLOW Cecropis daurica Scarce migrant, mainly in spring & summer.

All records: per DBC et al

Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 19th & 22nd Apr ( , photo). Considered to be the same bird on both dates. RICHARD’S PIPIT Anthus richardi Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records: DN Smith S Morrison Hengistbury Head 1 on 8th Nov ( ). per DBC et al Langton Matravers 1 on 25th Oct ((L Chappell)). . Redcliff Point 1 from Dec 2014 until 4th Feb ( , photo). Stanpit Marsh 1 on 17th Oct TAWNY PIPIT Anthus campestris Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

All records: per DBC et al

Portland Bill 1 in Crown Estate Field on 9th-10th May ( , photo). OLIVE-BACKED PIPIT Anthus hodgsoni Rare vagrant.

All records:

Portland 1per first-winter DBC et al at Culverwell trapped and ringed on 13th Oct then released at PBO where it remained until the 14th Oct ( , photo). 102 Dorset Bird Report 2015 TREE PIPIT Anthus trivialis Locally common breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.

Breeding:

Turnerspuddle Heath 2 pairs bred.

Also reported during the breeding season at: Arne RSPB, Avon Heath, Briantspuddle, Canford Heath, Clouds Hill, Hartland Moor, Higher Hyde Heath, Holt Heath, Holton Lee, Lambert’s Castle Hill, Morden Bog (including count of 11 on 17th May), Oakers Wood, Powerstock Common, Puddletown Forest, Rempstone, Slepe Heath, Tadnoll and Winfrith Heath, Town SpringCommon, passage: Verwood and Wareham Forest.

Chard Junction GP 1 on 14th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 18 bird-days between 9th Apr & & 7th May. Durlston CP Singles on 6th & 10th Apr. Portland 27 bird-days in Apr-May. AutumnWest Bexington passage: 1 over on 15th Apr.

Brownsea Island 18 moving NE between 09:50 & 10:50 on 16th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 199 bird-days between second week of Aug & 12th Oct. Cogden 4 on 5th Sep. Durlston CP At least 162 bird-days between 11th Aug & 16th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 3rd, singles on 7th, 10th & 17th Sep. Lytchett Bay 25 bird-days between 15th & 29th Aug (incl 17 over on 28th Aug). Lytchett Matravers 11 over sound-recorded at night on 25th Aug. Portland 295 bird-days in Aug-Oct. Puddletown Forest 15+ on 27th Aug. Shell Bay 9 N on 16th Sep & 1 N on 1st Oct. ExtremeWest Bexington dates: Singles on 3rd, 4th, 9th & 12th Sep.

4th Apr at Portland & 8th Nov at Stoborough Heath. MEADOW PIPIT Anthus pratensis Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding

: Arne RSPB Singing bird on 8th May. Christchurch Harbour 6-8 pairs at Hengistbury & 2 pairs at Stanpit. Durdle Door Ad on nest 16th Aug. Melbury Hill Singing birds on 8th Apr. Portland Breeding population c100 pairs. Purbeck Displaying birds between Anvil Point & Blackers Hole on 23rd Mar. Ringstead Bay Singing birds on 30th Jun. Stoborough Heath Ad seen with faecal sac or food 22nd May. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 103 Spring passage (all counts of 100 or more birds):

Christchurch Harbour 2,337 bird-days mid-Mar to 24th Apr. Durlston CP 2,340 bird-days 17th Mar to 20th Apr, max 1620 on 5th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB At least 100 on 3rd Apr. Lytchett Matravers c100 over in 90 minutes on 3rd Apr. Portland 5,000 N on 17th Mar & 2,500 N on 3rd Apr. AutumnSt Aldhelm’s passage Head (all counts200+ of over in off 400 the birds): sea on 9th Apr.

Ballard Down 500+ on 28th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 13,087 bird-days from 13th Sep to 12th Nov, incl 520 E on 16th, 850 E on 17th, 820 E on 18th, 2300 W on 23rd, 430 W on 25th, 1700 W on 26th & 800 E on 30th Sep; 1200 E on 1st, 675 E on 4th, 415 W on 8th & 420 E on 11th Oct. Durdle Door 3,026 bird-days 19th Sep to 11th Oct, max 1,000+ on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 2,476 bird-days 7th Oct to 12th Nov. East Bexington 400 W 07:15-10:45 on 23rd Sep. Shell Bay 918 bird-days 16th Sep to 21st Nov. WinterWest Bexington flocks: 400 W on 23rd Sep & 180 E on 31st Oct.

Abbotsbury Swannery 50 on 14th Jan. Bowleaze Cove Up to 30 around Bowleaze Cove and Redcliff Point in Jan. Briantspuddle 50+ on 7th Feb. Forston 30+ on 12th Feb. Holes Bay 50+ on 20th Jan. Lodmoor RSPB Up to 40 at Redcliff Jan-Mar. Lytchett Bay Between 30 & 50 on site during Jan. Maiden Castle 30+ on 6th Jan. Morden Bog 30+ on 28th Jan. St Leonards Farm 25+ on 27th Feb. Tarrant Rushton c50 on 17th Dec. RED-THROATED PIPIT Anthus cervinus Rare passage migrant.

All records: DN Smith

Hengistbury Head 1 in off the sea on 24th Apr ( ). ROCK PIPIT Anthus petrosus petrosus Locally common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

A. p. littoralis A. p. petrosus. Birds recorded by visible migration observers almost certainly relate to the migrant Breeding: rather than the sedentary

Blackers104 Dorset Hole Bird Report 2015 Fledged young seen on 30th May. Christchurch Harbour 4 pairs at Hengistbury Head bred with good success. Durlston CP Ad visiting probable nest site on 16th Jul. Golden Cap Displaying birds on 11th Jul. Portland Breeding population c30 pairs. Ringstead Bay Singing bird on 3rd Jun. Weymouth Singing bird at The Nothe on 17th Mar & 15th May. WinterWinspit counts: Family party on 8th Sep.

Portland Bill 6 on 30th Jan, 5 on 15th Feb, 6+ on 24th Feb. Passage:Stanpit Marsh 5 on 5th Jan.

Brownsea Island 1 NE on 16th Sep & 2 on 22nd Nov. Durlston CP 2 W on 7th Oct & 1-3 E on 13 dates 10th Oct-28th Nov. East Bexington 1 W on 22nd Sep, 1 E on 20th Oct, 1 W on 22nd Oct & 1 E on 31st Oct. Ringstead Bay 3 W on 29th Nov. West Bexington 1 W on 10th Mar. West Lulworth 2 W on 1st Nov. Anthus petrosus littoralis Locally common winter visitor. ‘SCANDINAVIAN’ ROCK PIPIT

Christchurch Harbour 94 bird-days 4th Jan-24th Apr & 67 bird-days 12th Oct-31st Dec. Max 12 on 14th & 16th Dec. Cogden 2 on 1st Apr believed to be of this race. Portland Bill 1 on 20th Apr. WATER PIPIT Anthus spinoletta Scarce winter visitor & passage migrant.

FirstAs in 2014winter there period: were no reports from inland cress beds.

Christchurch Harbour 1 to 3 birds present on 23 dates 2nd Jan-24th Mar with 5 on 21st Mar. Holes Bay 1 on 18th Jan. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 5 dates 9th Jan-10th Mar. Lytchett Bay 1 or 2 present until 7th Mar. Middlebere 1 on 4th Jan. Tadnoll & Winfrith Heath 1 in breeding plumage on 22nd & 24th Apr. SecondWytch Causeway winter period: 1 on 12th Jan & 3 on 15th Feb.

Baiter Park 1 on 1st Dec. Christchurch Harbour 1-3 birds on 19 dates 7th Oct-31st Dec 2015with Dorset 5 on Bird 16th Report Dec. 105 Coward’s Marsh 3 on 20th Nov & 7 on 21st Nov. Holmebridge 1 on 25th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB 28th Oct-28th Dec (usually fly overs; up to 8 birds involved). Longham Lakes 1 on 1st Dec. Lytchett Bay Records almost daily 30th Oct to 31st Dec, max 13 on 27th Nov. Radipole Lake RSPB Singles on 9th & 15th Nov. Wytch Channel 1 on 25th Oct. YELLOW WAGTAIL Motacilla flava flavissima Fairly common passage migrant.

Spring passage (all counts of 10 or more birds):

Christchurch Harbour 71 bird-days between 6th Apr and mid-May, max 23 on 22nd Apr. AutumnPortland passageBill (all counts77 of bird-days 30 or more Apr birds):to Jun.

Abbotsbury Swannery 30+ on 13th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 719 bird-days 6th Aug and 7th Oct, max 90 on 10th Sep. East Bexington 55 on 2nd Sep and 18 on 9th Sep. Greenlands Farm 53 bird-days between 28th Aug and 30th Sep. Hartland Moor 40 on 8th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Max 80 on 3rd Sep. Lytchett Bay 116 bird-days between 2nd Aug and 13th Oct – an 80% reduction on the record-breaking numbers in 2014. Marshwood Vale 55 at Westhay Farm on 2nd Sep. Portland Bill 1,022 bird-days Jul-Nov. Ringstead Bay 33 bird-days between 28th Aug and 30th Sep. ExtremeWinspit dates 42 bird-days, 4th-16th Sep.

: 6th Apr at Christchurch Harbour and 2nd Nov at Portland. Motacilla flava flava Scarce passage migrant. BLUE-HEADED WAGTAIL All records:

M. f. flava M. f. flavissima . Lodmoor RSPB A bird on 17th Apr showed characteristics of the intermediate form “Channel Wagtail” x GREY WAGTAIL Motacilla cinerea Locally common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Forde Abbey 2 adults feeding young on 29th Jun. Longham Lakes 3 on 23rd May, incl fledged young. 106 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Lulworth Cove 1 on 25th May, perhaps from a breeding site nearby. Lyme Regis 2 pairs in area on 11th May. Osmington Mills 2 visiting probable nest site on 17th Jun. Pentridge 3 at Blagdon Farm on 19th May, incl fledged young. Tolpuddle A pair with fledged young on 31st Jul. Wareham Forest site2 adults and 1. juv at Higher Hyde Heath on 30th Jun. Wimborne 2 adults at Canford School on 22nd Mar, a traditional breeding Spring passage:

Bere Regis CBs 6 on 17th Mar. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Hengistbury on 6th and 25th Mar. AutumnDurlston passageCP (all countsSingles of 10 onor 17thmore & birds): 27th Mar and 5th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 146 bird-days from 7th Aug to 12th Nov, max 18 on 18th Sep. Durlston CP 57 bird-days from 13th Jul to 11th Dec, max 6 on 7th Oct. East Bexington 42 bird-days from 2nd Sep to 22nd Nov, max 19 on 2nd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB Seen almost daily from 10th Sep to end Oct, max 9 on 16th Sep. Lytchett Fields RSPB 15 over on 15th Sep; a record day count for the site. Portland Bill 235 bird-days, Aug-Oct. Winter:Shell Bay 15 bird-days from 9th Sep to 8th Nov, max 15 on 16th Sep.

Christchurch Harbour Single birds in Jan & Feb; 6 at Hengistbury on 12th Nov. Lodmoor area Up to 4 incl singles at Bowleaze and Overcombe at end of year. Waddock Cross CBs 5 on 25th Jan. Winterbourne Stickland 2 on 14th Feb. PIED WAGTAIL Motacilla alba yarrellii Common breeding resident, passage migrant and winter visitor.

Breeding:

Avon Heath Pair feeding young on 13th May. Bridport Nest with young beside the River Asker on 18th Jun. Canford Park Nest with eggs found on 30th Jun, but failed to hatch. Chideock Pair holding territory in Apr. Ferry Bridge 3 incl fledged young on 17th Aug. Forde Abbey 4 near probable nest site on 15th May. Lodmoor RSPB 2 with fledged young on 19th Jul. Lytchett Bay 3 incl fledged young at Turlin Moor on 14th Jun. Marshwood 1 at Fishpond Bottom feeding young, 2nd Jul. Merley Park Pair raised 2 broods. SpringPortland passage: North 10 pairs bred.

Christchurch Harbour 131 bird-days between 17th and 27th Mar, max 48 on 23rd. Sturminster Marshall GP 11+ on 19th Mar. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 107 Autumn passage (all counts of 100 or more):

Ballard Down 302 on 11th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 4,552 bird-days between mid-Sep and end Oct, max 640 E on 1st Oct. Durlston CP 2,203 bird-days between 7th Oct and 11th Dec, max 624 on 11th Oct. East Bexington 112 W on 23rd Sep & 131 E on 28th Sep.. Lytchett Bay A rather low site maximum of 100 on 12th Oct; 42 ringed. Portland Bill 100 on 8th Oct. Shell Bay 738 bird-days between 9th Sep and 3rd Nov, max 76 on 13th Winter roosts/flocks: Oct.

Chard Junction GP 150+ on 7th Dec. Lodmoor area 150+ on 4th Feb and 75 on 15th Oct; Bowleaze Cove 25 in late Dec. Radipole Lake RSPB 115 pre-roost in the car park. Wytch Causeway 410 at the gathering station on 16th Jan. Motacilla alba alba Fairly common passage migrant. WHITE WAGTAIL Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Stanpit on 6th Mar; 3 at Hengistbury on 17th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 30th Apr. Lytchett Fields RSPB 1 on 13th Mar. Portland North 1 on 9th Apr. AutumnSherborne passage: area 1 at Boys Hill on 6th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 5 bird-days at Hengistbury in mid-Sep. Portland North 6 bird-days between 8th Sep and 2nd Nov. Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov Portland Bill was the principal0 site0 for4 this 18race, with2 bird-day0 1 totals0 as33 follows: 0 0 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Portland Bill 7 DIPPER Cinclus cinclus Uncommon breeding resident in the west of the county.

Chard Junction GP 1 on 21st Aug, probably a wanderer from breeding population on River Axe. River Brit Singles at Beaminster, Parnham and Netherbury in Mar, May and Oct. River Hooke/Frome 1 at Maiden Newton on 7th Jan. River Lim 1-2 present from Jan to May at Lyme Regis, where 2 recently fledged juvs were seen on 11th May; adults still collecting food on 25th May. After the breeding season, singles in Nov and 108 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Dec at the Cobb and sites upstream in Devon, mainly Uplyme. WAXWING Bombycilla garrulus Irruptive winter visitor.

Most Dorset records of this species occur in the later part of the winter, and this year’s sole record was no exception:

Corfe Mullen 1 visiting a recreation ground on 2nd Feb. WREN Troglodytes troglodytes Very common breeding resident.

Presumed present throughout the county; maximum counts of 10 or more were received from the sites listed here. Many of these records come from the breeding season, when singing males were undoubtedly in evidence.

Alners Gorse 26 singing on 26th May. Arne RSPB 18 on 17th Jul. Beaminster area 15 on 16th Apr. Brownsea Island DWT 15 on 15th Jul. Cerne Abbas 12 on 15th Jan. Fiddleford 17 on 23rd Apr. Hampreston 10 at Manor Farm on 21st May. Kingcombe DWT 18 on 1st May. Lytchett Bay 28 ringed. Merley Park 5 pairs. Portland North 18 pairs. Powerstock Common 12 on 20th Sep. Puddletown Forest 15 on 16th Sep. Ringstead Bay 14 on 16th Apr. Upton CP 17 on 24th Apr. Worth Matravers 10 on 24th Apr. DUNNOCK Prunella modularis Very common breeding resident.

Maximum counts of 10 or more were received from the sites listed below. Many of these records come from the breeding season, when singing males were undoubtedly in evidence.

Beaminster area 12 on 14th Mar. Durdle Door 20 on 11th Oct. Fiddleford 13 on 1st Apr. Moors Valley CP 10 on 30th Apr. Portland North 10 pairs. Swanage 10 on 27th Mar at Townsend NNR. Trent 14 on 14th Nov. Upton CP 11 on 20th Mar. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 109 ROBIN Erithacus rubecula Very common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

The BTO’s Birdtrends site shows that this species is steadily increasing nationally. It is presumed present throughout Dorset, and any site of more than a few hectares and with a modicum of tree or bush cover can easily produce regular counts of 10 birds or more. The highest day-counts were 30 at Kingcombe Meadows and Moors Valley CP, and 35 were Breeding:ringed at Lytchett Bay throughout the year.

Fledged young were noted at Avon CP, Avon Heath, Bridport, Christchurch, Forston, Lodmoor RSPB, Merley Park, Portland North, St Leonards Farm, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham, The Nothe, Trent and Upton Heath. NIGHTINGALE Luscinia megarhynchos Uncommon, declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Alners Gorse Up to 4 singing between 10th Apr and 26th May. Bere Regis 2 singing at the Dorset Golf and Country Club on 24th May. Corfe Ridgeway 2 singing on southern slopes of Challow Hill between 25th Apr and 24th May. Lydlinch Common 2 singing on 19th May. Ringstead/White Nothe Up to 4 singing between 23rd May and 3rd Jun, with possibly a fifth on 23rd May. Sherborne area Singles at Trent Farm on 27th Jul and 10th Aug may have been Spring passage: lingering after breeding in the area.

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Wick Fields on 24th Apr. Corfe Mullen 1 singing briefly at Rushcombe Bottom LNR, 7th May. Lodmoor RSPB 1 singing between 16th Apr and 13th May. Portland Bill 1 singing at the Obs Quarry on 17th May. AutumnWest Moors passage: Present on 19th May.

Christchurch Harbour Singles at Stanpit on 9th & 27th Aug and 1st Sep then 1 at Hengistbury on 5th Sep. Portland At least 1 at the Obs Quarry, 27th Aug-7th Sep, and 2 at Extreme dates Suckthumb Quarry on 31st Aug.

: 24th Apr at Wick Fields and 5th Sep at Hengistbury Head.

110 Dorset Bird Report 2015 BLUETHROAT Luscinia svecica Rare passage migrant.

R Gifford et al

Lytchett Bay 1 ringed on 29th Aug ( ) was the second site record, the first having been present from 26th-29th Sep 1971.

The most recent record of this species in the Poole Harbour area was at Keysworth on 27th Aug 1993. The reedbeds of Poole Harbour have contributed a modest 5% to the Dorset totals since 1954, as compared with 44% at Portland, 25% at Radipole and 8% at Christchurch Harbour (Green, The Birds of Dorset, 2004). BLACK REDSTART Phoenicurus ochuros Locally common passage migrant & winter visitor, occasionally breeds.

As usual, the species favoured coastal sites, especially the limestone cliffs, with a local Breeding:concentration at Hengistbury, and a scatter of records from urban and inland sites.

The most promising indications were single birds at Dancing Ledge on 24th and 29th Jun, and another single at East Lulworth on 18th May. Singles at Kingcombe on 11th and 12th Jul Othermay have records: been migrants.

A good series of records from the two winter periods and autumn, with an influx in the last week of Oct. Portland Bill was the principal site, where at least 11 were present during Jan and Feb, and at least 13 during Dec. Bird-day totals for the other months were as follows: Bird-days: Apr Sep Nov 0 0 65 11 5 1 0 2 1 82 0 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec Portland Bill 78

Christchurch Harbour 10 bird-days in Mar and 1 in Apr, max 4 at Hengistbury on 24th Mar. 17 bird-days between 26th Oct and 4th Dec, max 4 at Hengistbury on 25th Nov. Singles nearby at Coward’s Marsh on 29th Oct, and Mudeford on 29th Nov. Durlston CP Up to 2 present between 2nd Jan and 12th Apr – rather too early a departure to suggest breeding at this traditional site. Probably ever-present between 7th Oct and the end of the year, with max 3 on 29th Dec. The Fleet Abbotsbury 1 on 22nd Nov. Bridging Camp 1 on 8th Oct. Ferrybridge 1 on 21st Nov and 6th Dec. Langton Herring 1 on 3 dates in Jan and 13th Mar. Rodden Hive 1 on 2nd Jan. Wyke Regis 2 on 16th Jan and 1 on 8th Feb. One at nearby Cogden Beach on 19th Mar. Lulworth Cove 13 bird-days in Oct and Nov, max 5 on 31st Oct. 11 bird-days nearby at West Lulworth in Oct and Nov, max 3 on 21st Nov. Lyme Regis Singles on 11th and 17th Jan; 2 on 24th Nov. Poole Harbour Arne singles at end of Oct and 3 on 30th Oct. Baiter 1 on 13th 2015 Dorset Bird Report 111 Mar. Brownsea 1 on 28th Oct. Lytchett Bay 1 on 28th Oct & 1st Nov. Middlebere 1 on 14th Dec. Poole town centre 1 on 8th Oct & 19th Nov. Studland village 1 on 5th Mar and 2 on 7th. Shell/ Studland Bay 2 on 28th Oct. Swineham GPs 1 on 23rd Apr. Portland A systematic series of records from Blacknor, where up to 5 were noted throughout Mar, Nov and Dec. Singles at Chesil Cove and Portland Heights in Jan, Feb, Mar, Oct and Dec. Purbeck coast Durdle Door 1 on 3 dates in Feb and 3 on 31st Oct. Winspit 2 on 22nd Nov. Seacombe Cliff and Worth Matravers singles in Jan and Mar. St Aldhelm’s Head 1 on 9th and 19th Mar. Ringstead Bay Singles on 17th and 31st Oct. Swanage 2 on 29th and 31st Oct. 2 singles nearby at Peveril Point in Jan and Nov, and 1 at Townsend NNR on 11th Oct. West Bay Singles in Jan, Feb, Mar and Nov, with max 2 on 10th Feb. West Bexington Singles in Mar, Apr, Oct and Nov. Weymouth Up to 3 regularly recorded in gardens, especially near the railway station, in Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov and Dec. An adult male nearby on Preston Beach, 1st Dec. 1-2 at the Nothe in Jan & Dec.

Inland, singles were noted at Cerne Abbas, Fiddleford, Marshwood, Milborne St Andrew, Puddletown Forest, Pymore near Bridport and Sherborne; 2 at Compton Valence on 31st Oct. REDSTART Phoenicurus phoenicurus Scarce breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.

A good series of records from the breeding season and the early autumn; this is consistent Breeding:with the steady increase in the national breeding population since 1975 (see bto.birdtrends).

Morden Bog 1-3 present from 21st Apr to 7th Jul; 1 singing male on 23rd May and 2 on 8th Jun. Moreton 1 pair on territory, 6th Jun. Oakers Wood 1 singing on 5th Jun. Verwood On 24th Apr, 1 singing male. On 11th Jun, a pair alarm-calling as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was feeding near the nest hole. On 14th Jun, a pair feeding young on Green Hairstreaks and Bordered White moths, of which there were dozens around every pine tree in the area. The observer judged that 2 or 3 Spring passage (all counts pairsof 5+ were birds/bird-days): present in the area.

Christchurch Harbour 42 bird-days in Apr, max 12 at Hengistbury on 20th. Durlston CP 6 bird-days between 6th and 27th Apr. AutumnPortland passage (all counts176 of bird-days5+ birds/bird-days): Apr-Jun.

Arne RSPB 21 bird-days 8th Aug-7th Sep, max 8 on 8th Aug. 112 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Christchurch Harbour 39 bird-days 7th Aug-19th Sep, max 6 on 17th Sep. Durlston CP 33 bird-days 18th Aug-26th Sep, max 17 on 18th Aug. Greenlands Farm 19 bird-days 16th Aug-19th Sep, max 4 on 30th Aug & 1st Sep. Hartland Moor 20 bird-days 1st Sep-12th Sep, max 6 on 5th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 5 singles between 3rd Sep and 12th Oct. Lytchett Bay 11 bird-days between 31st Jul & 17th Sep. These included 2 birds in juv plumage, although there had been no evidence of breeding on the site. Martinstown 19 bird-days at Grove Hill Bottom, 15th Aug-17th Sep; max 7 on 17th Sep. Middlebere 8 bird-days, 7th Aug – 18th Sep; max 2 on 17th Sep. Portland 53 bird-days Aug-Oct. Sherborne area 14 bird-days at Trent Farm between 8th Aug and 7th Oct, max 4 on 1st Sep. Slepe Heath 5 on 5th Sep. Winspit 17 bird-days between 30th Aug & 16th Sep, max 4 on 15th Sep.

Counts below 5 bird-days were received from a wide range of sites, suggesting that the species is more widespread in Dorset than might be assumed, especially on early autumn passage:

Abbotsbury, Acton Quarry, Arne Moors, Ballard Down, Blandford, Bridging Camp, Cattistock, Chapman’s Pool, Corfe Castle, Corfe Mullen, Cranborne Common, Durdle Door, East Bexington, East Lulworth, Ferrybridge, Fiddleford, Forde Abbey, Haydon Hill DWT, Holes Bay, Lambert’s Castle, Langton Matravers, Lulworth Camp, Luscombe Valley LNR, Parkstone, Portesham, Puddletown, Puddletown Forest, Radipole RSPB, Ringstead, Rodden Hive, Sandford Heath, Seacombe Cliff, Shell Bay, Soldiers Road, St Aldhelm’s Head, Studland, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swanage, Tadnoll, Town Common, Townsend NNR, Turnerspuddle, Tyneham, Upton, Upton Heath, Verne Common, West Bexington, West Lulworth, Weymouth Extremeand Wool. dates

: 6th Apr and 30th Oct, both at Portland. WHINCHAT Saxicola rubetra Fairly common passage migrant.

SpringA very good passage autumn (all passagecounts of with 2+ highbirds): numbers at a wide range of sites.

Boveridge Heath 2 on 16th and 28th Apr. Christchurch Harbour A low total of 13 bird-days between 15th Apr and 5th May, max 3 on 22nd Apr. Durlston CP Singles on 2nd and 5th May. Holt Heath Singles on 6th May and 1st Jun. Lytchett Bay Singles on 20th & 29th Apr and 4th May. Portland Bill 67 bird-days Apr-Jun, max 20 on 21st Apr. Portland North 8 bird-days, 19th-27th Apr. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 113 Verwood 2 on 6th Jun; 5 on 17th Jun. AutumnWest Bay passage (all counts2 onof 3+21st birds): Apr.

Abbotsbury Swannery 11 bird-days 12th–18th Sep, max 7 on 17th. Arne RSPB 7 bird-days 17th Jul–7th Sep, max 4 on 17th Jul. Christchurch Harbour 92 bird-days 9th Aug–11th Oct, max 7 on 13th & 17th Sep. Durdle Door 20 bird-days between 30th Aug & 11th Oct, max 6 on 20th Sep. Durlston CP 10 bird-days between 19th Aug & 31st Oct, max 4 on 12th Sep. East Bexington 3 on 2nd Sep; 1 on 23rd Sep. Greenlands Farm 13 bird-days between 19th Aug & 30th Sep, max 3 on 1st Sep. Hartland Moor 9 bird-days between 1st & 12th Sep, max 5 on 5th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 9 bird-days between 28th Aug and 11th Oct. Lulworth Cove 5 on 29th Sep. Lytchett Bay A record-breaking total of 83 bird-days between 15th Aug and 2nd Oct, max 5 on 16th & 18th Sep. Martinstown 20 bird-days at Grove Hill Bottom 4th Sep–12th Oct, max 7 on 4th Sep. Middlebere 8 bird-days 13th-18th Sep, max 4 on 17th Sep. Portland Bill 319 bird-days Aug-Oct, max 35 on 16th Sep. Portland North 11 bird-days, 1st–20th Sep. Slepe Heath 5 on 5th Sep. West Bexington 6 on 15th Sep; 9 on 18th Sep. Winspit 14 bird-days between 30th Aug and 16th Sep, max 4 on 3rd Sep; singles nearby at Worth Matravers on 26th Sep and Seacombe Cliff on 27th Sep.

Counts below the thresholds above were received from Acton Quarry, Ballard Down, Blacknor, Brownsea, Challow Hill, Chapman’s Pool, Dancing Ledge, Eggardon Hill, Godlingston, Knowle Hill, Langton Herring, Littlebredy, Maiden Castle, Morden Bog, Osmington Mills, Poundbury, Puddletown Forest, Ringstead, Soldiers Road, Sutton Poyntz, St Aldhelm’s Head, Sturminster Marshall GP, Tarrant Rushton, Upton Heath, White Nothe, Wimborne St Giles Extremeand Worbarrow. dates

: 15th Apr at Christchurch Harbour and 31st Oct at Durlston CP. STONECHAT Saxicola rubicola Fairly common breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

An impressive set of records from a wide variety of heath and downland sites. The national breeding population has been on an upward trend for the past three years (see bto. birdtrends).

Arne RSPB 22 pairs. Avon Heath Up to 3 birds, Apr–Jun. Canford Heath c6 territories. 114 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Christchurch Harbour 5 pairs successful at Hengistbury. Cranborne Common Family group of 5 on 7th Sep. Dancing Ledge Up to 4 birds present in May. Durlston CP Present in breeding season. The Fleet Family group of 3 at the Bridging Camp on 8th Jun. Godlingston Heath 15 birds on 10th Mar. Grange Heath RSPB 9 pairs. Greenlands Farm 6 birds on 24th Mar. Hartland Moor Up to 4 birds regularly Apr–Jul; max 6 on 9th May. Higher Hyde 3 families with fledged young in Jun. Holt Heath Up to 8 birds regularly seen Apr–Jul, 2 young on 10th May. Holton Lee 6 incl fledged young on 30th May. Hurn QinetiQ 7 pairs. Lodmoor RSPB 1 pair fledged 3 or 4 young; the first breeding here for 10 years. Morden Bog 3 pairs with fledged young on 27th Aug. Portland Bill Regular breeding population 5–10 pairs. Portland North Verne Common 3 pairs; West Weares 1 pair. Ringstead Up to 12 birds Jun–Aug, incl fledged young. Seacombe Bottom 5 birds on 8th May. Stoborough Heath 16 pairs. Tadnoll 6 birds on 4th Jun, incl fledged young. Town Common 14 birds: 5 pairs incl fledged young on 15th Jun. Turnerspuddle Heath 2 pairs with young until Oct. Upton Heath Up to 12 birds incl fledged young throughout May.

Birds also present in the breeding season at: Avon CP, Badbury Rings, Ballard Down, Boveridge Heath, Broadstone GC, Challow Hill, Charmouth, Clouds Hill, Cogden Beach, Corfe Hills Heath, Dunyeats Heath, Golden Cap, Lulworth Cove, Lytchett Bay, Oakers Wood, Osmington Bay, Rushcombe Bottom, Sixpenny Handley, Spring Bottom, St Aldhelm’s Head, WinterWareham and Forest early and spring Wyke passage: Down.

Christchurch Harbour Up to 15 at Hengistbury in Jan. 21 newly-arrived birds at Hengistbury on 13th Mar. Durlston CP Present Mar-Apr, max 8 on 15th Apr. Portland A strong passage between 27th Feb and 18th Mar; max 25 at the Bill on 12th & 18th Mar. Radipole RSPB 11 on 12th Mar. AutumnTarrant Rushton passage: Airfield 14 on 4th Jan.

Chapman’s Pool 6 on 19th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 10 at Whitepits on 17th Sep; 7 at Hengistbury on 29th Sep. Durdle Door 25 on 20th Sep; 15 on 10th Oct. Durlston CP Ever-present in double figures throughout Oct and early Nov, max 24 on 20th Oct; 3-4 from mid-Nov to mid-Dec. Lodmoor RSPB Up to 7 in Oct, Nov and Dec. Lytchett Bay 12 on 12th Oct. West Lulworth 25 on 1st Nov. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 115 Winspit Max 10 on 26th Sep. Wyke Down 8 on 4th Oct. Saxicola torquatus rubicola

“CONTINENTAL” STONECHAT

Christchurch Harbour: The male showing characteristics of this subspecies first noted in Nov 2014 remained at Whitepits into 2015. It attracted a female and the pair bred, raising two broods. The pair was not monitored after the breeding season finished. WHEATEAR Oenanthe oenanthe A rare breeding species and common passage migrant.

Breeding:

Hartland Moor A female on 16th May appeared to be on territory. Lodmoor RSPB A juv on 27th Jun could have fledged locally.

TheBird-days: principal migration site was PortlandApr Bill, where the bird-day totalsSep were as follows:Nov 0 0 455 963 153 6 3 549 238 12 0 Jan Feb Mar May Jun Jul Aug Oct Dec SpringPortland passage Bill (all counts of over 25 birds): 1,533

Christchurch Harbour 546 bird-days between 9th Mar and 29th May, max 85 at Hengistbury on 13th Apr. Durlston CP 46 bird-days 5th-9th Apr. Greenlands Farm 25 bird-days 6th Apr-4th May, max 11 on 6th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB c50 bird-days 11th Mar-27th May, max 10 on 12th Apr. Portland North 200 bird-days 12th Mar-12th May. AutumnSt Aldhelm’s passage Head (all counts80 of on over 9th 25Apr. birds):

Acton Quarry A remarkable count of 250 on 17th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 451 bird-days between 23rd Jul & 23rd Oct, max 89 on 2nd Sep. Durdle Door 108 bird-days 19th Sep – 11th Oct, max 40 on 20th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB About 40 between 21st Aug and 9th Oct. Portland North 176 bird-days 9th Aug-23rd Oct. Ringstead 32 bird-days in Sep.

Winter: One at Tarrant Rushton Airfield from 13th Dec and well into Jan 2016 can be classified as Dorset’s first wintering record with the previous latest occurrence being 8th ExtremeDec 2012. dates

: Apart from the wintering bird at Tarrant Rushton, 1st Mar and 8th Nov, both at Portland Bill.

116 Dorset Bird Report 2015 RING OUZEL Turdus torquatus Scarce passage migrant, especially autumn.

This set of sightings is remarkably consistent with those of recent years. All records are Springlisted. passage:

Abbotsbury 1 on 10th Apr. Challow Hill, Corfe Castle 1 on 8th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 12 bird-days between 24th Mar and 20th Apr, max 4 on 9th. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 13th Apr. Durlston CP 11 bird-days between 8th Apr-4th May, max 4 on first date. Lytchett Matravers 1 on 8th Apr was sound-recorded during nocturnal migration at 11:30pm. Martin’s Down 1 on 10th Apr. Portland 64 bird-days between 19th Mar-May, max 8 on 8th Apr. Townsend NNR 1 on 7th Apr. Weymouth 1 on 8th & 12th Apr. AutumnWyke Regis passage: 1 on 12th Apr.

Arne RSPB 1 on 18th Sep and 1 on 14th Oct. Ballard Down 13 N on 12th Oct. Bulbarrow Hill 1 on 17th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 13 bird-days between 28th Sep and 27th Oct, max 5 on 12th. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 29th Oct. Durdle Door 1 on 12th Oct. Durlston CP 27 bird-days between 7th Oct-12th Nov, max 5 on 19th. Greenlands Farm 1 on 18th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 8th-11th Nov. Lulworth Cove 2 on 18th Oct. Middlebere 5 bird-days between 2nd-4th Oct, max 2. Portland 32 bird-days between 1st-28th Oct, max 5 on 16th. Puddletown Forest 1 on 21st Oct. Puncknowle 1 on 11th Oct. Ringstead 1 on 13th Oct. Townsend NNR 1 on 19th & 25th Oct. Weymouth 1 between 8th-11th Oct in private garden. Winspit 2 on 13th Oct. ExtremeWyke Regis dates: 1 between 15th-16th Oct.

13th Mar at Portland Bill and 12th Nov at Durlston CP. BLACKBIRD Turdus merula Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

More than 2,500 records of this species were recorded on Bird Track. As expected they were 2015 Dorset Bird Report 117 spread across the whole county. However no counts exceeded 30 other than those listed Breeding:below. There were no cold weather movements or strong migratory influxes this year.

As expected breeding occurred across the county. However no data from whole site surveys Beginningwas received. of the year and spring passage

AutumnChristchurch passage Harbour and winter:75 were on Hengistbury Head during a common bird count in Jan.

Christchurch Harbour 60 N on 28th Oct was the only notable movement. FIELDFARE Turdus pilaris Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

All counts of 100 or more are listed. Numbers seen on migration at coastal headlands were Beginningsmall. of the year and spring passage (counts above 100):

Badbury Rings 115 on 17th Jan. Bracketts Coppice 100 on 19th Jan. Briantspuddle 115 on 7th Feb. Fiddleford 250 on 11th Feb. Hartland Moor 100 on 7th Feb. Lane End, Wareham Forest 100 on 6th Mar. Maiden Castle 100 on 19th Jan. Rainbarrow Farm 250 on 11th Jan. Winterbourne Steepleton 200 on 1st Feb. Winterbourne Stickland 300 on 6th Feb. Wolfedale GC 150 on 4th Jan. AutumnWyke Down passage and end of100 year: on 17th-24th Jan.

Boys Hill 500 on 15th Nov. Brooklands Farm 100 on 26th Oct. Fiddleford 110 on 3rd Dec. Greenlands Farm 138 N on 31st Oct. Portland Bill 169 bird-days between 14th Oct-end Nov. Sturminster Marshall GP 100+ on 22nd Oct Trent Farm 120 on 13th Nov and up to 100 until the end of the month. ExtremeWest Lulworth dates: 200 on 1st Nov.

9th Apr at Portland Bill and 12th Oct at Durlston CP & Lytchett Bay

118 Dorset Bird Report 2015 SONG THRUSH Turdus philomelos Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

More than 1,100 records of this species were submitted to Bird Track from sites spread Breeding:across the whole county and across the whole calendar.

Very few area-based census data was submitted. Christchurch Harbour (12), Lytchett Bay Autumn(8+) and passagePortland andBill (c18). end of year:

Arne RSPB 108 N on 14th Oct. Briantspuddle 200 on 7th Feb. Broadstone 100 on 21st Mar. Christchurch Harbour 85 N on 14th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 70 present on 1st Nov. REDWING Turdus iliacus Common winter visitor & passage migrant.

All sites recording more than 100 or more are published, together with their max count in Beginningeach season. of year and spring passage:

Child Okeford 100 on 29th Jan. Fiddleford 128 on 11th Feb. Hibbitt Woods DWT 100 on 19th Jan. Holes Bay 100 on 20th Jan. King Down 170 on 17th Feb. Merley Park 200 on 25th Feb. Morden Bog 100 on 5th Feb. Sunnyside Farm 130 on 20th Feb. AutumnWest Compton passage and end of200 year: on 15th Jan.

Arne RSPB 114 N on 14th Oct. Boys Hill 300 on 15th Nov. Christchurch Harbour 932 bird-days between 11th Oct and end of Nov, max 530 NW at Hengistbury Head on 14th Oct. Durlston CP 750 N on 8th Nov. 230 N on 11th Nov. Langdons 100 on 6th Nov. Lytchett Bay 288 N on 14th Oct. Poole, Constitution Hill 210 on 1st Nov. 128 on 22nd Nov. Portland Bill 1,324 bird-days between 11th Oct-end Nov. Puddletown 210 on 19th Nov. Stoborough 680 on 11th Nov and 144 on 7th Dec sound-recorded during nocturnal migration. Trent Farm 100 in Nov. West Lulworth 200 on 1st Nov. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 119 Extreme Dates:

13th Apr at Portland Bill and 3rd Oct at Lytchett Bay. MISTLE THRUSH Turdus viscivorus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:550 records of this species were submitted to Bird Track.

Breeding records this year were received from: Avon CP, Forston (1), Holt Heath, Lytchett Post-breedingBay (1), and Merley flocks Park of 10+:(3).

Good to see more records of post-breeding flocks, please keep an eye out for these and report them.

Fiddleford 15 on 3rd Aug. Forston 10 on 24th Jul. Hartland Moor 17 on 25th Aug. Lankham Bottom 15 on 3rd Aug. Middlebere 22 on 13th Sep. Puddletown Forest 14 on 20th Jul. AutumnTurnerspuddle passage: Heath 39 on 7th Aug.

Chard Junction GP 10 on 4th Oct. East Bexington 2 W on 20th Oct, 2 W on 21st Nov & 5 W on 22nd Nov. Lytchett Bay 81 bird-days 3rd Oct-27th Nov. Max 20 on 16th Nov. Moreton Gardens 12 on 28th Oct. WinterTrent Farm counts (20+): 35 on 12th Nov.

Morden Bog 20 on 28th Jan. CETTI’S WARBLER Cettia cetti Locally common breeding resident.

At least 102 singing birds were reported. Abbotsbury (1), Arne RSPB (7), Burton Bradstock (2), Christchurch Harbour (12), Cogden Beach (3), Hatch Pond (1), Lodmoor RSPB (24), Longham Lakes (2), Lytchett Bay (11), Morden Park Lake (1), Moreton (1), Pallington Lakes (1), Radipole (30), Sturminster Marshall GP (1), Swineham GPs (14), West Bexington (6), Woodsford Castle (1).

1 at Chard Junction GP on 5th Sep was only the 2nd site record.

120 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Dartford Warbler at Hengistbury Head - 15th August - Joe Murphy

‘Continental’ Coal Tit at Portland Castle - 25th October - Brett Spencer

2015 Dorset Bird Report 121 Nuthatch at Upton CP - 22nd November - Richard Collier

‘nivalis’ Snow Bunting at Maiden Castle - 21st March - Brett Spencer

122 Dorset Bird Report 2015 GRASSHOPPER WARBLER Locustella naevia Uncommon passage migrant - occasionally breeds.

Breeding:All records published.

1 held territory at Lodmoor RSPB from late Apr to early Jun. The species was seen in the Springsame area passage: in early Jul suggesting that breeding may have occurred.

Bincombe 1 on 25th Apr. Challow Hill, Corfe Castle 1 on 24th May. Christchurch Harbour 18 bird-days between 13th Apr and 5th May, max 7 on 13th. Coombe Valley 1 on 25th Apr. Cogden Beach 1 on 23rd Apr. Corfe Common 1 on 19th Apr. Durlston CP 5 bird-days between 8th-13th Apr, max 2. East Stour 1 on 4th May. Langton Matravers 1 on 13th Apr. Lodmoor, Horselynch 1-2 present between 14th-28th Apr. Longham Lakes 1 on 26th Apr. Lytchett Bay 1 on 19th Apr. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 6 bird-days in Apr.

The ringing data from Lytchett Bay and Durlston CP gives some indication of the actual number of birds which pass through Dorset as opposed to that recorded by field observers of this notoriously unobtrusive species. A total of 275 birds were trapped and ringed in the county over the year, 254 of which were juveniles.

Christchurch Harbour 12 bird-days between 27th Jul and 18th Sep, max on first date. Durlston CP 11 bird-days between 28th Jul and 27th Aug, max 6 on 11th. In addition to this 21 were trapped and ringed during the autumn. Lytchett Bay 45 bird-days between 31st Jul-5th Sep constituted the best autumn at the site. These included 40 trapped and ringed. Unusually 3 birds were re-trapped on days subsequent to their ringing, with 1 staying in the area for 6 days. To put this into context, Stour Ringing Group have now ringed 201 Grasshopper Warblers here since 2004 and only 5 have been re-trapped at the site subsequent to ringing. Max 8 on 23rd and 29th Aug. Portland Bill 19 bird-days in Aug-21st Sep. Studland, Brand’s Bay 1 on 16th Sep. Swineham GPs 1 on 15th Aug. Trent/Trent Farm 20 bird-days between 4th Aug and 1st Oct, max 5 on 11th Aug. West Bexington 1 on 31st Jul. ExtremeWinspit dates: 2 on both 15th & 16th Sep. 1 on 28th Oct.

8th Apr at Portland Bill & Durlston CP and 28th Oct at Winspit. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 123 SEDGE WARBLER Acrocephalus schoenobaenus Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Very poorly reported though birds reported as being present at all expected sites. SpringChristchurch passage: Harbour (9+), Sturminster Marshall GP (3).

Christchurch Harbour 26 bird-days between 6th Apr-end of May, max 5 on 24th Apr. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 64 bird-days between 9th Apr-end of May.

Christchurch Harbour 473 bird-days between end-Jul & 4th Oct, max 200 on 8th Aug. Lytchett Bay 936 bird-days between Jul-3rd Oct, max 219 on 15th Aug. A record day count at the site. Portland Bill 135 bird-days between Aug-14th Oct. ExtremeTrent dates: 50 on 11th Aug.

6th Apr at Christchurch Harbour and 14th Oct at Portland Bill. PADDYFIELD WARBLER Acrocephalus agricola Very rare vagrant.

Observers’ namesThe second withheld, record per for BBRC Dorset and, like the first, it was trapped at a private and on this occasion undisclosed site. This juvenile bird was present on 26th & 27th Sep ( ).

The previous record was an adult on the Fleet on 21st Jul 2011. REED WARBLER Acrocephalus scirpaceus Common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Widely reported as being present at many suitable sites. Chard Junction GP 4 pairs (9 singing males), Christchurch Harbour (14-17+), Cogden Beach (21), Fiddleford (c8), Hatch Pond (2), Longham Lakes (28), Lytchett Bay (c80), Manor Farm, Hampreston (13), Pallington Lakes (2), St Leonards Farm (3), Swineham & Bestwall (27), Upton CP (5), Warmwell Quarry Spring(2), West passage: Bexington (20),

AutumnPortland passage:Bill 42 bird-days between 16th Apr-end of Jun.

ExtremePortland Billdates: 47 bird-days between Aug-24th Oct.

1248th AprDorset and Bird 1st Report Nov, 2015both at Lodmoor. MELODIOUS WARBLER Hippolais polyglotta Scarce passage migrant, mainly in autumn.

I Ballam, IM Lewis per DBC et al Lytchett Bay 1 on 14th Aug ( per DBC). First et al site record. Portland Bill 1 trapped on 15th May ( per, photo).DBC et al A singing male on 16th Jun ( per DBC, sound-recorded). et al First-winter trappedG Armstrong, on 20th S Aug Morrison, ( SW Smith, photo). et al 1 at Top Fields on 29th-30th Aug ( , photo). South2000 Haven2001 2002 2003 200412005 on 11th2006 Aug ( 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014, photo).2015 4 11 2 2 4 10 0 4 4 1 2 3 3 6 2007 7 7 BLACKCAP Sylvia atricapilla Common breeding visitor & passage migrant & uncommon winter visitor.

Breeding:

The species has become increasingly abundant in Dorset; for example 14 territories were located at Lytchett Bay whereas 15 years ago the species was described as an ‘occasional Springbreeder’ passage: and by 2005 there were 8 territories.

Christchurch Harbour 440 bird-days between 14th Mar and 27th Apr. Portland Bill 755 bird-days Mar–Jun. AutumnPortland passage:North 219 recorded 18th Mar-31st May.

Chapman’s Pool Max counts of 100 on 13th Sep and 250 on 19th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 1,236 bird-days between 7th Aug and early Nov with 200+ on 17th Sep; the best autumn passage for at least fifteen years. Lodmoor RSPB Striking Sep/early Oct passage, with record-breaking counts of 50+ between 17th and 26th Sep and on 3rd Oct. Portland Bill 977 bird-days Sep–Nov. Portland North 318 recorded 16th Aug -4th Nov. Trent Farm 50 on 23rd Sep. Winter:Winspit Max counts of 161 on 16th Sep and 100 on 8th Oct.

Wintering birds were reported from 26 sites across Dorset, but this under-represents the true status of this species as a wintering bird, which probably now occurs in most urban gardens at some time during the season. There were many more records in Jan and Feb than in Nov and Dec, but that may partly reflect increased observer effort in that period.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 125 GARDEN WARBLER Sylvia borin Local breeding visitor & fairly common passage migrant.

Breeding:

There are some indications that the species has declined in the north and west of Dorset; abundance remains highest in the east. Records were received during the breeding season from Alners Gorse, Avon Heath Country Park, Broadstone, Chard Junction GP, Forde Abbey, Higher Hyde Heath, Holt Heath, Powerstock Common, Sturminster Marshall GP and West SpringStafford. passage:

Christchurch Harbour 9 bird-days between 15th Apr and 9th Jul, the lowest for at least fifteen years. Portland Bill 126 bird-days Apr-May. AutumnPortland passage:North 10 recorded 21st Apr-3rd May.

Christchurch Harbour 80 bird-days between 25th Jul & 25th Sep; max 10 on 17th Sep. Portland Bill 31 bird-days Aug-Oct. Trent 5 on 28th Aug.

ExtremeRecords involving dates: small numbers recorded at many sites.

10th Apr at Wedge Hill, Verwood and 31st Oct at Cogden Beach. BARRED WARBLER Sylvia nisoria Rare autumn migrant.

per DBC et al

Portland First-winter at Culverwell on 3rd-5th Sep ( , photo). LESSER WHITETHROAT Sylvia curruca curruca Fairly common breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

This species is widely distributed in the county and at the time of the Bird Atlas 2007-11 there was no significant change in breeding abundance since 1968-72. However, some observers have noted reduced numbers since then and records are still requested for all Springmigrants passage: and breeding birds.

Christchurch Harbour Small numbers between 16th Apr and 6th Jul. Lodmoor RSPB Migrants present between 17th Apr-7th Jun; max 7 on 26th Apr. Portland Bill 17 bird-days Apr-May. Portland North 19 recorded 4th-31st May: very low numbers for this site.

126 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Autumn passage:

Christchurch Harbour 44 bird-days between 30th Jul and 27th Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 7 singles between 29th Jul-22nd Aug. Portland Bill 33 bird-days Jul-Oct. ExtremePortland Northdates: 7 recorded 31st Jul-29th Aug; very low numbers.

9th Apr at Seacombe and 20th Nov at West Bexington/Cogden. WHITETHROAT Sylvia communis Common breeding visitor & 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. Lower numbers than usual bred in Portland North Spring(20-40 pairs).passage:

Christchurch Harbour 88 bird-days between 5th and 14th Apr; max 50 on 22nd Apr. Lytchett Bay Max 18 on 23rd Apr. Portland North 161 recorded from 15th Apr-31st May; low numbers Autumn passage: throughout the island.

Christchurch Harbour 960 bird-days between early Aug & 12th Oct; max 100 on 17th Aug. Lytchett Bay 48 bird-days between 23rd Jul and 22nd Sep. Portland North 51 recorded from 31st Jul-20th Sep; low numbers throughout the island. Winspit Max of 23 on 16th Sep, plus 1 dead.

The species was widely reported in small numbers across the county in both migration Extremeseasons and dates: throughout the summer.

31st Mar at Arne RSPB and 26th Oct at Durlston CP. DARTFORD WARBLER Sylvia undata Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Dorset is one of the UK strongholds for this species. The range has extended westwards since 1968-71, and abundance has increased. Although there was a setback in the west of the county following a series of cold winters the population is recovering thanks to high quality and highly protected habitat. A survey conducted by the RSPB helped establish that there were at least 424 pairs in 2015.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 127 Autumn passage and end of year:

Durdle Door 8 on 10th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB A male on 12th & 15th Oct and 4th Nov. Portland 38 bird-days at all sites between 2nd Oct & 11th Nov; max 4 on several dates between 13th & 28th Oct; 1 at the Bill on 13th Dec.

Small numbers also reported in autumn on one or two dates from Cogden Beach, Durlston CP, West Bexington, West Lulworth and Winspit. ‘WESTERN SUBALPINE WARBLER’ Sylvia cantillans iberiae/inornata Rare passage migrant.

S. c. iberiae/inornata per DBC et al Portland Bill A female ( ) trapped and ringed at the Observatory on 23rd May ( , photo, DNA analysis). inornata The DNA sequence of this bird was identical to previously published Western haplotype H26 (sampled in France) but it is not possible to rule out N African , as these have not yet been sequenced (per Dr M Collinson). PALLAS’S WARBLER Phylloscopus proregulus Scarce autumn passage migrant - has overwintered.

per DBC et al per DBC et al Durlston CP 1 on 28th Oct ( , photo). Portland 1 at Sheat Quarry onper 28th-29th DBC et Octal ( , photo). 1 at the Observatory thenAR relocatingLawson, S to Morrison the former et alWeston Craft Centre on 31st Oct ( , photo). AR Lawson, et al Winspit 1 from 28th-29th Oct ( ). Worth Matravers 1 from 28th-30th Oct, different bird to above, ( ). YELLOW-BROWED WARBLER Phylloscopus inornatus Uncommon autumn passage migrant, occasionally overwinters.

All Records:

Abbotsbury Swannery Singles on 1st, 15th, 22nd and 31st Oct. Arne RSPB Singles on 4th, 11th, 19th and 31st Oct. Blacknor 1 on 9th Oct. Boys Hill 1 on 10th Oct. Broadstone 1 on 6th Oct. Butterstreet Cove 1 on 9th Oct. Christchurch 1 on 11th Oct. Christchurch Harbour Seven bird-days, with singles at Stanpit Marsh on 24th Sep and at Hengistbury Head on 30th Sep, 4th, 14th, 25th & 26th Oct and on 2nd Nov. Durdle Door 2 on 2nd & 3rd Oct. Durlston128 Dorset CP Bird Report 2015 12 bird-days from 4th Oct-22nd Nov, with 2 present on 20th Oct. Gillingham 1 on 18th Feb. Langton Herring 1 on 25th Oct. Langton Matravers 1 on 24th Oct. Littlesea Holiday Park 1 on 9th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 2nd and 25th Oct and 3rd-11th Nov. Longham Lakes Singles on 9th, 20th and 26th Oct. Lulworth Camp 1 on 29th Oct. Lulworth Cove 1 on 13th Sep. Moreton 1 on 14th Oct. Portland (all sites) A total of 50 bird-days between 25th Sep and 18th Nov, with a max of 3 on 9th Oct. A minimum of 35 individuals were involved. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 9th Nov. Ringstead Bay 1 from 16th-28th Dec. Shell Bay 1 on 2nd Oct. Stoborough Heath 1 on 7th Nov. Studland Bay 1 on 2nd Oct. Trent 1 on 1st Oct. West Lulworth 1 on 13th Sep. Weymouth Singles on 28th Sep and 9th, 23rd & 30th Oct.

An excellent year for this species, with 120 bird-days in the autumn, compared to 90 in 2014. Birds were seen at most of the regularly-watched sites, with autumn records spread fairly evenly between late Sep and early Nov. Winter records of this species have become more frequent on the south coast in recent years, including in Dorset, leading to some speculation that it may be extending its regular wintering range to this region. HUME’S WARBLER Phylloscopus humei Very rare vagrant.

J Stockwell

Weymouth 1 on 30th Oct ( ).

WESTERN BONELLI’S WARBLER Phylloscopus bonelli Rare passage migrant.

M Lawn et al Portland Bill First-year at the Observatory from 22nd-26th Aug, trapped and ringed ( , photo, sound-recorded). WOOD WARBLER Phylloscopus sibilatrix Uncommon passage migrant & former breeder.

Spring passage:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 20th Apr. Christchurch Harbour Singles at Hengistbury Head on 20th Apr and 5th May. Cogden Beach 1 on 3rd May. Hartland Moor 1 on 20th May. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 129 Mill Ham Island DWT 1 on 15th Apr. Portland Singles at Culverwell on 24th Apr and the former Weston Craft Autumn passage: Centre on 26th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 1 at Hengistbury Head on 7th Aug. Portland Singles at the Observatory on 11th Aug and in Top Fields on Extreme dates: 16th Sep.

Mill Ham Island on 15th Apr and Portland on 16th Sep. CHIFFCHAFF Phylloscopus collybita collybita Very common breeding visitor, passage migrant & increasing winter visitor.

Breeding:

Records were received indicating breeding from more than 60 sites, and breeding was confirmed at: Abbotsbury Gardens, Corfe Mullen, Higher Hyde Heath, Merley Park, Portland North and Ulwell Down. The sites recording 8 or more territories were: Chard Junction GP (8 singing males), Kingcombe (10 singing males), Lytchett Bay (8 pairs), Moors Valley CP (15 singing males), Portland (10-15 pairs), Powerstock Common (12 singing males), Puddletown Forest (8 singing males), Sturminster Marshall GP (8 territories) and Upton CP Passage(8 singing at males). the main sites:

Christchurch Harbour 557 bird-days between 7th Mar and 20th Apr, with peaks of 100 on 13th Mar and 120 on 20th Mar. 2,677 bird-days between mid-Aug & early Dec, with peaks of c370 on 17th Sep and 200+ on 18th and 25th Sep. Durlston CP Max counts of 56 on 9th Oct and 80 on 20th Oct Portland Bill 2,067 bird-days Mar-Jun; 1,544 bird-days Sep-Nov. OtherPortland passage North records: 584 recorded 5th Mar-31st May; 593 recorded 28th Aug-30th Nov.

Durdle Door Max counts of 100+ on 27th Sep and 11th Oct; 80 on 3rd Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 50+ daily between 16th Sep and early Oct. Lytchett Bay 496 bird-days Aug-Nov, with record-breaking peak of c90 on 18th Sep. Trent Farm Max of 50+ on 19th Aug. WinteringWinspit records: Max of 60 on 29th Sep.

Birds were recorded during winter from Abbotsbury Swannery (3), Arne RSPB (3), Athelhampton (2), Bere Regis CBs (6), Bride Valley Fish Farm (2), Castle Cove (20), and Christchurch Harbour (3). Christchurch Waterworks (7), Durlston CP (3), East Stoke (4), Fiddleford (5), Forston (2), Hampreston (5), Holes Bay (40 in PC World Drain on 27th Jan), Lodmoor RSPB (4+), Longham Lakes (2), Lyme Regis (2+), Louds Mill SF (20), Lytchett Bay (2), Norden SF (11+), Portland (10 during Jan-Feb and 15 during late Nov-Dec), Radipole 130 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Lake RSPB (5+), Studland (3), Swineham GPs (2), Tincleton CBs (3), Trent Farm (6), Waddock Cross CBs (4), Wareham (2) and Winspit (4). Single birds were also reported from Bridport, Cerne Abbas, Delph Woods, Eye Meads, Ferrybridge, Greenlands Farm, Hatch Pond, Lower Bockhampton, Maiden Castle, Martinstown, Sturminster Marshall GP, The Nothe, West Moors and Winterborne Stickland. Phylloscopus collybita tristis Scarce autumn migrant & increasing winter visitor. SIBERIAN CHIFFCHAFF All records:

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 7th Dec. Bere Regis CBs Singles on 14th and 15th Feb. Castle Cove 6 different birds seen 24th Feb-26th Mar, with 3 on 5th Mar; 2 on 13th Dec. Christchurch Harbour 1 on 18th Oct. Corfe Castle 1-2 on several dates between 15th Jan-19th Mar. Ferrybridge 1 on 1st Dec. Holes Bay 1 at PC World Drain between 27th Jan-17th Mar, with 2 on 15th Feb. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 9th & 11th Feb, 30th Nov and 13th-14th Dec. Louds Mill SF Singles on 24th Jan, 20th Feb, 8th Mar and 9th Dec; 2 on 1st Feb. Norden SF 1-2 on several dates between 16th Jan-17th Feb. Portland Single birds at Blacknor on 13th Oct, Wakeham on 22nd Oct, the Observatory on 25th-27th Oct and Pennsylvania Castle on 27th Oct; 2 at Portland Castle on 23rd Nov with 1 remaining until 2016. Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on several dates between 27th Jan-25th Apr. WILLOW WARBLER Phylloscopus trochilus

Breeding:

The species has declined as a breeding bird in recent years in Dorset, especially along the coastal strip. Records were received indicating breeding from: Avon Heath Country Park (1 singing male), Briantspuddle Heath, Broadstone Golf Course, Chard Junction GP (13 singing males), Cogden Beach (1 singing male), Higher Hyde Heath (fledged young seen), Lytchett Bay (2 territories), Middlebere, Morden Bog, Powerstock Common (4 singing males), Slepe Heath (3 territories), Soldier’s Road (6 territories), Stoborough Heath (1 singing male), Tadnoll Heath (3 singing males), Upton Heath (2 singing males), Verwood (2+ territories), Passage:West Moors and Whitesheet Plantation (4 singing males).

Christchurch Harbour 1,025 between 24th Mar and 18th May, with peaks of 180 on 9th Apr, 300+ on 13th Apr and 160 on 20th Apr; 1,091 between 9th Jul and 26th Sep, with peaks of 134 on 7th Aug, 220 on 8th Aug and 120 on 11th Aug. Durdle Door 25+ on 16th Aug. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 131 Durlston CP Max of c60 on 18th Aug. Greenlands Farm Max of 30+ on 19th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 40-50 daily from 11th Aug, falling to end of month. Lytchett Bay 439 bird-days between 31st Jul and 18th Sep, with a peak of 60 on the last date, a new record day count for the site. Portland Bill 3,001 bird-days between Apr-Jun (200 on 20th Apr); and 2,282 bird-days between Jul-Sep. Portland North 980 between 1st Apr and 30th May; 116 between 30th Jul and 25th Sep. St Aldhelm’s Head 30+ moving through N on 21st Apr. Studland 22 at Old Harry on 12th Apr. ExtremeTrent dates Maxima at Trent Farm of 45 on 6th Aug and 50+ on 19th Aug.

: Upton Heath on 17th Mar and Durlston CP on 12th Nov. GOLDCREST Regulus regulus Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Breeding records were received from: Alners Gorse (fledged young seen), Bere Wood (4 pairs), Christchurch Harbour (3 pairs), Fishpond Bottom (2 pairs), Forde Abbey (1 singing male), Forston (1 singing male), Hilborne Copse (1 singing male), Lodmoor RSPB (at least 5 pairs, fledged young seen), Lytchett Bay (4 singing males, fledged young seen) Merley Park (fledged young seen), Swineham GPs (fledged young seen), Thorncombe Wood (1 singing Passage:male), Warmwell Heath (1 singing male), West Knighton Heath (fledged young seen).

Arne RSPB 12 on 8th Aug. Ballard Down 10 on 19th Sep. Brownsea Island 8 on 10th Oct. Christchurch Harbour A light spring passage with a peak of 38 on 13th Mar. An excellent autumn passage of 2,670 bird-days between mid-Sep and early Dec. Peak was of 1,000 birds on 10th Oct. Durdle Door 78 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP Max in spring of 11 on 10th Apr. Autumn migration was between 12th Sep and 7th Dec with peak counts 45 on 24th Oct, 500 on 26th Oct, 200 on 28th Oct, and 30 on 11th Nov. Grove Hill Bottom 45 on 9th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB Migration noted from mid-Sep to Dec with 50+ birds in late Oct. Lytchett Bay A record year: 287 bird-days between Sep and Dec, with a peak of 27 on 7th Oct. Osmington Mills 27 on 27th Oct. Portland Bill 66 bird-days in the period Mar-May. 1,835 bird-days in the period Sep-Nov Ringstead Bay 18 on 8th Nov. Shell Bay 20 on 2nd Oct. Townsend NNR 90 on 26th Oct. 132 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Winspit 40 on 29th Oct. Worth Matravers 15 on 30th Oct. FIRECREST Regulus ignicapilla Uncommon passage migrant & winter visitor - occasionally breeds.

Breeding & summer records:

Abbotsbury 2 pairs fledged 8 young. Peak count of 12 on 10th Oct and 10 on 13th Jun. Burton Common 1 singing male in Jun. Filcombe Farm 1 pair noted in May. Christchurch Harbour Up to 2 singing males on 4 dates during May at Hengistbury Head. Moreton 1 singing male in May. Rempstone 1 singing male in Jun.

Additionally singing birds noted in late Mar & early Apr at Brownsea (2 males) & Steamer PassagePoint (1 male)records: but no late season records from these sites.

Arne RSPB 8 on 14th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 32 bird-days in Mar & Apr with a peak of 5 on 13th Mar. 40 bird-days from Sep to Nov. Durlston CP 48 bird-days in Oct. Peak of 8 on 28th Oct. Greenlands Farm 4 on 31st Oct. Kingston Lacy 5 on 16th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 12th Aug. 3 singles during Oct. Lulworth Cove 3 on 21st & 31st Oct. Lytchett Bay Nov1 on . 15th Aug. 1 on 3rd Oct. Portland 117 bird-days during Mar & Apr. 165 bird-days during Sep to

West Lulworth 3 on 31st Oct.

1 or 2 birds were also recorded from Cogden, East Bexington, East Lulworth, Ferrybridge, Longham Lakes, Manor Farm, Middlebere, Moors Valley CP, Moreton Gardens, Osmington Mills, Puddletown Forest, Ringstead Bay, Shell Bay, Southwell, Studland Warren, Trent WinterFarm, Upton records: CP, Wareham, West Bexington and Winspit.

Noted at: Abbotsbury, Bournemouth, Broadstone, Christchurch Harbour, Durlston CP, East Holme, Fleets Corner, Harman’s Cross, Highbridge, Hillbourne Copse, Holes Bay, Little Sea, Lodmoor RSPB, Longham Lakes, Lulworth Cove, Lytchett, Merley, Middlebere, Morden Park Lake, Newton Copse, Newton Heath, Norden SF, Oakdale, Oakers Wood, Overcombe, Poole, Portland, Preston & Bowleaze, Puddletown, Radipole Lake RSPB, Rempstone, Ringstead Bay, Seacombe Cliff, Shell Bay, Studland, Tadnoll, Throop, Townsend, Trent Farm, Upton CP, Wareham, West Bexington, Wimborne and Winspit.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 133 SPOTTED FLYCATCHER Muscicapa striata Fairly common, but declining breeding visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Chase Woods Bred with fledged young seen Girdler’s Coppice Bred with fledged young seen Higher Hyde Bred with fledged young seen Trent Nest with young and fledged young seen

These were the only records of confirmed breeding. Records indicating likely breeding were also received from: Bracketts Coppice, Corscombe, Coward’s Marsh, Cranborne, Morden, Passage:Nether Cerne, Wareham Forest and Woodsford Castle.

Arne RSPB Two singles in early-May were the only spring records. In autumn, 40 bird-days between 2nd Aug & 27th Sep, with peak count of 20 on 6th Sep. Christchurch Harbour In spring 27 bird-days between 27th Apr and 29th May, with a peak of 5 on 15th May. Autumn passage took place between 29th Jul & 16th Oct. 57 bird-days were noted during this period with a max of 6 on 17th Sep. Corfe Mullen 8 on 27th Aug. Coward’s Marsh 6 on 30th Aug. Durlston CP 1-3 on several dates between 4th May & 3rd Jun; autumn passage between 12th Aug & 2nd Sep with max of 11 on 18th Aug. Great Ovens Hill 20 on 27th Aug. Greenlands Farm 15 on 30th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 1 spring record and only 6 bird-days in autumn. Lytchett Bay 1 spring record on 8th May. In autumn 41 bird-days between 12th Aug and 28th Sep with a max of 6 on 18th Sep. Middlebere 6 on 7th Sep. Morecombelake 6 on 1st Sep. Portland (all sites) 144 between 21st Apr and 30th Jun. 3 bird-days in Jul. Then 188 bird-days between 1st Aug & 8th Oct. Sandford Heath 20 on 8th Sep. ExtremeUpton CP dates: 6 on both 14th Aug & 8th Sep.

Lyme Regis on 20th Apr; Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens on 11th Oct. RED-BREASTED FLYCATCHER Ficedula parva Scarce passage migrant, mainly in the autumn.

All records: per DBC et al

Portland Bird Observatory One female/first-summer on 21st Jun (per DBC et al , sound- recorded). One first-winter trapped on 19th Oct ( , photo). 134 Dorset Bird Report 2015 PIED FLYCATCHER Ficedula hypoleuca Uncommon passage migrant.

Spring passage:

Christchurch Harbour 7 singles between 9th Apr and 15th May. Langton Matravers 1 on 12th Apr. Portland Bill 22 bird-days between 9th Apr and 31st May. Portland North 8 singles between 9th Apr and 4th May. Swanage Singles on 12th & 25th Apr. West Bexington 1 on 9th Apr. AutumnWyke Regis passage: 1 on 21st Apr.

Abbotsbury Swannery 1 on 16th Aug. Arne RSPB 5 singles between 10th Aug and 3rd Sep. Brownsea Island 1 on 30th Aug. Canford School 1 on 12th Sep. Chapman’s Pool 1 on 19th Sep. Chard Junction GP 1 on 29th Aug. Christchurch Harbour Just 2 records this autumn, singles on 5th & 30th Aug. Durdle Door 3 singles between 16th Aug and 27th Sep. Durlston CP 6 singles between 11th Aug and 1st Sep. Ferndown 1 on 3rd Aug. Greenlands Farm 1 on 2nd Sep. Hartland Moor 1 on 11th Jul Holes Bay 1 on 14th & 15th Aug. Langton Herring 1 on 16th Aug. Lulworth Camp 1 on 8th Aug. Lytchett Bay 1 on 23rd Aug. Merley Park 1 on 12th Sep. Middlebere 1 on 30th Sep. Portesham 1 on 12th Aug. Portland Bill 65 bird-days between 1st Aug and 20th Sep. Portland North 1 on 18th Aug. Shell Bay 1 on 7th Aug. Southbourne 1 on 16th Aug. Studland Village 1 on 7th & 8th Aug. Swineham GPs 1 on 14th Aug. Thorncombe 1 on 22nd Jul. Trent Farm area Singles on 16th & 23rd Sep and 5 on 1st Sep. Turnerspuddle Heath 1 on 7th Aug. Tyneham 1 on 15th Aug. Upton CP 1 on 14th Aug. Upton Heath 1 on 18th Aug. West Lulworth 2 on 13th Sep. Wimborne Minster 1 on 12th Sep. ExtremeWinspit dates: 1 on 15th Sep.

Hengistbury, Portland, & West Bexington on 9th Apr and Middlebere2015 on Dorset 30th BirdSep. Report 135 BEARDED TIT Panurus biarmicus Uncommon breeding resident, passage migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Christchurch Harbour 2 pairs bred at Stanpit, with a further 1 or 2 pairs at Hengistbury/Wick. Up to 4 young were seen at both Stanpit and Wick Lodmoor RSPB At least 3 pairs bred. Lytchett Bay At least 1 pair bred. OtherRadipole records: Lake RSPB No breeding season records given.

Christchurch Harbour Outside the breeding season low numbers were recorded throughout the year. Peak was of 6 on 1st Aug. Hatch Pond A single present from 5th Jan until 25th Feb. Lodmoor RSPB 15 on 3rd Oct. Lytchett Bay 6 on 23rd Oct. Portland Bill 1 on 9th Feb and 5 on 9th Oct. Radipole Lake RSPB Max of 20 on 9th Feb. Swineham Point 1 or 2 reported on several dates between 1st Jan and 2nd May but not subsequently. Upton CP 2 on 11th Nov. West Bexington 2 on 1st & 2nd Nov were the only records. LONG-TAILED TIT Aegithalos caudatus Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeding records were received from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Garden (6 pairs), Avon Heath CP, Bere Heath, Bridport, Briantspuddle, Brownsea Island, Canford Park, Chard Junction GP, Cogden Beach, Corfe Mullen, Forston, Hengistbury (4 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB (at least 4 pairs), Longham Lakes, Lytchett Fields RSPB (4 pairs), Merley Park (4 nests found), Moreton, Portland Heights (1 or 2 pairs), Ringstead Bay, Stanpit (3 pairs), Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs, Town Common, Trent, Upton Heath, West Knighton Heath, West Bexington, Post-breeding/winterand West Parley. flocks of 12+ birds:

Abbotsbury 12 on 4th Apr. Arne RSPB 16 on 18th Dec. Avon Heath 12 on 16th Jul. Briantspuddle 44 on 23rd Jun. Bridport 15 on 28th Jul. Butterstreet Cove 20 on 23rd Nov. Canford Heath 12 on 10th Jun. Coombe Heath 45 on 12th Oct. Corfe Mullen 36 on 17th Oct. Durdle Door 25 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 32 on 28th Oct. 136 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Fiddleford 16 on 7th Aug. Herbury Gore 25 on 19th Jan. Lodmoor RSPB At least 50 around the recording area in Dec. Longham Lakes 24 on 24th Nov. Louds Mill SF 12 on 20th Dec. Lytchett Fields RSPB 20 on 13th Dec. Merley Park 16 on 31st Dec. Moors Valley CP 14 on 10th Jul & 16th Oct. Oakdale 18 on 9th Nov. Osmington Mills 20 on 2nd Oct. Poole Harbour 35 on 4th Jan. Powerstock Common 14 on 20th Sep. Puddletown 30 on 20th Sep. Radipole Lake RSPB 15 on 9th Oct. Ringstead Bay 14 on 30th Sep and 16th & 23rd Dec. Stonebarrow Hill 12 on 2nd Sep. Trent 50 on 13th Oct. Upton CP 20 on 11th Sep. Upton Heath 13 on 9th Sep. West Knighton Heath 20 on 1st & 30th Jan. Worth Matravers 12 on 26th Sep. BLUE TIT Cyanistes caeruleus Very common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds commonly across the county, although 2015 seems to have been a poor year. Canford Park recording its lowest total since 2008 and Portland North recorded only 11 pairs Significantcompared to counts: 30+ in 2013.

The highest counts of the year came from Canford Park (30 birds on 30th Jun) and Portland North (22 birds also on 30th Jun). GREAT TIT Parus major Very common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds commonly across the county. Few records were received, but no change in status was noted at most locations. The highest site counts received were from Canford Park (11 Significantpairs), Merley counts: Park (9 pairs) and Portland North (7 pairs).

The highest counts of the year came from Portland North (50 birds on 8th Apr) and Upton CP (22 birds on 24th Nov).

2015 Dorset Bird Report 137 COAL TIT Periparus ater Common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Breeds commonly across much of the county. Few records were received, but successful breeding was reported from: Bridport, Canford Park, Chardown Hill, Corfe Mullen, Cranborne Common, Higher Hyde Heath, Merley Park, Morden Bog, Moreton, Town Common, Upton OtherHeath andrecords: Woolsbarrow Hillfort.

Several double figure counts were received this year. The only count of more than 20 birds was at Arne RSPB: 22 on 8th Aug. Periparus ater ater

‘CONTINENTAL COAL TIT’

Boys Hill 1 on 15th Nov. Hengistbury Head 15 on 3rd Oct & 6 on 4th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 2 on 2nd Oct. Portland Bill At least 12 between 1st Oct and 4th Nov. Portland Castle 2 on 25th Oct. Weymouth 1 on 4th Oct. MARSH TIT Poecile palustris Uncommon declining breeding resident.

Breeding:

The status of this species continues to cause concern. This year successful breeding was Breedingonly confirmed season at onerecords: site: Chase Wood (newly fledged young seen).

Records of birds during the breeding season were also received from: Alners Gorse, Cerne Abbas, Chard Junction GP, Ebblake, Garston Wood, Grange Woods, Hell Corner, Higher Hyde Heath, Kilwood Coppice, Kingcombe, Lyons Gate Farm, Middlemarsh Common, Morden Park WinterLake, Oakers records: Wood, Powerstock, Rooksmoor and Thornicombe.

Records of birds during the winter months were received from: Alners Gorse, Arne RSPB, Badbury Rings, Ballard Down, Bloxworth, Brownsea Island, Cerne Abbas, Chamberlayne’s Heath, Chase Wood, Corfe Castle, Durlston CP, Fiddleford, Garston Wood, Grange Woods, Holes Bay, Holton Lee, Kingcombe Meadows, Langton Herring, Langton Matravers, Moonfleet Manor, Morden Bog, Morden Park Lake, Moreton Pit, Powerstock Common, Puddletown Forest, Radipole Lake RSPB, Stanpit, Stockbridge Oak, Studland, Thorncombe Wood, Trent Farm, Turners Puddle, Uploders, Warmwell Heath, West Bexington and West Knighton Heath.

138 Dorset Bird Report 2015 NUTHATCH Sitta europaea Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Confirmation of breeding was reported from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Arne RSPB, Briantspuddle, Canford Magna (3 nests), Canford Park (4 nests), Durlston CP, Merley Park (3 pairs), Moreton, Sturminster Marshall GP, Swineham GPs, Upton Heath and West Knighton Heath. Many other records were received of birds in suitable habitat during the breeding Otherseason. records:

The highest count received was of 12 at Powerstock Common on 20th Sep. TREECREEPER Certhia familiaris Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:

Records were received from: Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens, Canford Park, Merley Park (2 pairs with young), Tadnoll and Winfrith Heaths, Warmwell Heath and West Knighton Heath. PENDULINE TIT Remiz pendulinus Very rare autumn migrant and winter visitors – 12 previous individuals.

All records: S Robson

2 wereper seen DBC (and et alheard calling) flying over Lytchett Bay View on the 22nd Nov ( ). Four hours later they were relocated at Longham Lakes where they stayed until the 24th Nov ( , photo).

These birds were the first in Dorset since 2013 and the 11th record overall (involving 14 individuals); previous records have been from Stanpit (1988), Swineham (1989), Radipole Lake RSPB (1990), Hengistbury (2 birds in 1996), Lytchett Bay (1998), Hengistbury (2000), Abbotsbury (2003), Lodmoor RSPB (2 birds in 2003/2004), Hengistbury 2008 and Longham Lakes in 2013. GOLDEN ORIOLE Oriolus oriolus Scarce passage migrant, mainly in spring & summer.

per DBC et al

Portland At least 3 were at Easton on 10th May ( , photo). RED-BACKED SHRIKE Lanius collurio Scarce passage migrant.

All records:

Greenlands Farm 1 juv on 11th Sep. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 139 Lodmoor RSPB 1 juv from 21st-24th Oct. Portland Bill Quarry 1 juv on 11th Oct. Suckthumb Quarry 1 juv from 14th-19th Oct. GREAT GREY SHRIKE Lanius excubitor Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.

First winter period:

Chamberlayne’s Heath 1 on 23rd, 24th & 31st Jan. Godlingston Heath 1 on several dates between 24th Jan & 4th Apr. SecondMorden winterBog period: 1 on several dates between 27th Jan & 1st Apr.

Hengistbury Head 1 on 18th Oct. Morden Bog 1 on 26th Nov. 2014 correction:

The record for 1st Aug in Wareham Forest was erroneous. JAY Garrulus glandarius Common resident & scarce passage migrant, subject to autumn influxes.

Breeding:

Breeding records were received from: Corfe Mullen (a pair with 1 fledgling), Hengistbury Head (2 to 3 pairs), Lodmoor RSPB (1 pair at Two Mile Copse), Merley Park (5 pairs all with Significantyoung) and Stanpitcounts (a& passagepair raised movements: 2 young).

Batcombe 5 on 21st May. Chard Junction GP 11 on 5th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 3 at Wick Fields on 4th Apr, 5 at Stanpit on 20th Nov, 6 at Hengistbury Head on 28th Nov. Durlston CP 6 on 11th Feb, 6 on 19th Mar; in autumn 359 bird-days from 7th Oct to 11th Dec, max 30 on 12th Nov. Iwerne Minster 10 on 12th Oct. Poole 5 on 14th Oct at Oakdale. Puddletown 5 on 9th Jul and 8+ on 24th Nov at Beacon Corner. South Haven 3 N on 4th May. Studland Heath 5 on 20th Oct. Turlin Moor 5 S on 25th Mar. Upton CP 6 on 23rd Oct. Wareham Forest 5 on 26th Nov.

140 Dorset Bird Report 2015 MAGPIE Pica pica Very common resident.

Breeding:

Notable breeding records were received from: Merley Park (5 pairs all with young) and CountsPortland of North 30+ birds:(10 pairs).

Hatch Pond Peak roost counts of 91 on 4th Nov and 108 on 17th Nov. West Bexington 35 on 28th May. JACKDAW Corvus monedula Common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Notable breeding records were received from: Merley Park (14 pairs all with young) and PassagePortland records:North (25-30 pairs around the Verne).

Christchurch Harbour 14 N and 28 at Hengistbury on 22nd Oct. Durlston CP 130 E on 27th Oct, 70 E on 28th Oct, 90 E on 31st Oct and 120 E on 8th Nov. Lytchett Bay 346 over on 13th Dec (a record for the site). Poole 16 W over Oakdale on 20th Oct. CountsSouth Haven of flocks of 100+ birds:54 bird-days from 1st-20th Oct all heading E, max 28 on 12th Oct.

Badbury Rings 300 on 28th Jan. Bridging Camp, the Fleet 130+ (ads & juvs) on 28th Jun. Canford Heath 600 on 15th Jun. Coombe Heath 350 on 12th Oct. Durlston CP 100 on 24th May. Kimmeridge Bay 100+ on 17th Jan. Langton Herring 300+ on 23rd Jan, 100 on 9th Feb and 100+ on 23rd Aug. Maiden Castle 300+ on 23rd Jan. Martinstown 200+ on 8th Feb in Grove Hill Bottom area. Middlebere 150 on 29th Nov. Portland North 200+ on 4th Jan, 200+ on 25th Feb, 150+ on 16th Aug, 150+ on 7th Oct, all in the Verne/Grove area. Puddletown 110+ on 26th Dec. Ringstead Bay 120+ on 20th Feb, 150+ on 18th Oct and c120 on 16th Dec. Tincleton/Woodsford 100+ on 12th Dec. Wimborne SF 100 on 8th Nov.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 141 ROOK Corvus frugilegus Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Breeding records were received from: Almer (80+ nests), Hampreston (no nest count), Kingcombe (37 nests), Lodmoor (active rookery at Preston Road), Lytchett Bay (23 nests at Watery Lane colony), Martinstown (c50 nests), Moreton (no nest count), Pentridge (no nest count), Stinsford (2 active colonies in area with 47 & 59 nests) and Sturminster Marshall GP Counts(no nest of count). 200+ birds:

Badbury Rings 300 on 28th Jan. Canford Heath 500 on 15th Jun. Dorchester 350+ on 14th Apr. Kimmeridge 200+ on 17th Jan. Langton Herring 200+ on 9th Feb, 200+ on 9th Aug and 200+ on 23rd Aug. Martinstown 300+ on 8th Feb in Grove Hill Bottom area. Ringstead Bay 200 on 10th Oct. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 350 on 4th Apr. PassageWyke Down records: 200+ on 23rd Nov.

Durlston CP Passage noted Oct-Dec with peak count of 35 E on 8th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB 5 NE on 25th Sep. Hengistbury Head Light spring passage of 10 birds from 13th Mar to 23rd Apr. In autumn 12 E on 1st Oct and 15 E on 2nd Oct. Portland 17 N at the Bill and Chesil Cove from 27th Feb to 5th Mar. OtherSouth Havenrecords: 5 N on 14th Oct and 3 N on 20th Oct.

Christchurch Harbour After being largely absent from the area now roosts with other corvids in the Nursery on Hengistbury Head. Counts of birds crossing from Stanpit were c15 on 3rd Dec & 12+ on 4th Dec then 130 leaving the roost at dawn on 7th Dec. CARRION CROW Corvus corone Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Confirmed breeding records were received from; Cogden, Higher Hyde Heath (fledged young), Lodmoor RSPB (8 pairs), Merley Park (1 pair raised 2 young), Portland North (10-15 pairs) and West Bexington (several pairs). In addition records of nest visiting, but unconfirmed breeding, were received from: Lambert’s Castle, Radipole Lake RSPB, St CountsLeonards of Farm 40+ birds:and The Nothe, Weymouth.

Baiter Park 50 or more present Jan-Feb with peak count of c80 on 2nd Jan. Christchurch142 Dorset Bird Harbour Report 2015 58 on 27th May, 40+ on 9th Aug at Stanpit Marsh and 92 at Hengistbury Head on 19th Oct. Fiddleford Good numbers present all year, peak count of 140 on 3rd Aug. Greenlands Farm c50 on 30th Oct. Hampreston Good numbers present at Manor Farm all year, peak count of c60 on 22nd Jan. Langton Herring 100 on 16th Mar, mostly on Chesil Beach. Longham Lakes 70+ on 16th Aug and 40+ on 15th Nov. Maiden Castle 75+ on 17th Mar. Osmington Mills 40 on 2nd Nov. Portland 42 on 9th Oct at Reap Lane; c110 on 20th & c130 on 30th Apr, c90 on 12th May and c150 on 8th Oct in the Tophill area. Portland Bill 60 on 31st Jan. Portland North 300 on 25th Feb, 200+ on 20th Jun and 220 on 7th Oct in the Verne/Grove area; 85 on 7th Jan & 93 on 12th Mar at the Grove. Ringstead Bay 40+ on 31st Oct. Studland 100 on 30th Aug in the Warren Wood area. West Knighton Heath 60+ on 27th Dec roosting S of Knighton Wood. Weymouth 100+ on 27th Jan and 100+ on 1st Dec on the beach. HOODED CROW Corvus cornix Rare passage migrant.

Christchurch Harbour 1-2 Hooded x Carrion Crow hybrids were recorded occasionally during the year. They could possibly be descendents of a pure individual that was present in the late 1990s. per DBC et al Portland The individual that had been present since Jun 2014, mainly at the Grove pig farm, remained until 12th Mar ( , photo). RAVEN Corvus corax Fairly common breeding resident - has been increasing.

Breeding:

Arne RSPB (a pair but success not known), Portland (at least 3 pairs bred successfully, a pair at Blacknor raised at least 3 young and a pair on cliffs at the Grove also raised at least 3 Significantyoung) and Westcounts Knighton (10+ birds): Heath (a pair with at least 1 fledgling).

Batcombe An exceptional count of 80+ on 17th May. Christchurch Harbour 19 W (incl a flock of 10 from Hengistbury Head) on 28th Aug. Durdle Door 23 on 4th Oct. Iwerne Minster c16 on 1st Sep. STARLINGMinterne MagnaSturnus vulgaris20+ on 1st Feb at Telegraph Hill.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 143 Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:

Confirmed breeding from: Canford Park (a pair had 2 broods), Cerne Abbas (3 juvs), Corfe Mullen, Hartland Moor, Lodmoor area (1st juvs seen 24th May), Merley Park (2 pairs with 5 young), Portland North (5-10 pairs), St Leonards Farm, Sixpenny Handley, Swineham GPs, PassageUpton (Border records: Drive) and Upton Heath.

Durlston CP 1,326 over from 7th Oct to 11th Dec, max 215 E on 27th Oct, 170 E on 3rd Nov and 160 W on 12th Nov. East Bexington 168 W on 20th Oct, 153 W on 26th Oct, 83 W on 31st Oct & 690 W on 22nd Nov. Hengistbury Head 73 E on 4th Oct, 130 E on 11th Oct and 230 E on 12th Nov. Portland Bill 1,000 N and 200 S from 19th Oct to 23rd Nov. Also 500 N at Blacknor between same dates. Portland North 937 from 9th Sep to 8th Dec. WinterSouth Haven roosts and other counts106 over of 300+ between birds: 2nd Oct and 21st Nov mainly heading N.

Boys Hill 500 roosted on 15th Nov. Bridging Camp, The Fleet 300 on both 31st Aug and 28th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 1,000-2,000 roosted in reedbed at Wick 24th-26th Jun and 3,000 left same roost on 9th Jul, 400+ at Stanpit on 9th Aug and 400+ at Hengistbury Head on 23rd Aug. Coward’s Marsh Gathering of c800 on 24th Jan before roosting in reeds at Ogber. Ferrybridge 300 on 13th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB Pre-roost flocks of up to 7,000 seen in second-winter period. Maiden Castle 1,000+ on 4th Nov and 500 on 23rd Nov. Puddletown 1,000+ on 25th Oct. Radipole Lake RSPB 2,000-3,000 pre-roost on 16th Nov. Ringstead Bay 600 on 21st Nov and 300+ on 10th Dec. West Bexington 500 on 17th Nov. West Knighton Heath 3,000-5,000 roosted on 27th Dec. Wyke Down 500+ on 17th Mar and 1,000+ on 23rd Nov. Rose-coloured starling Pastor roseus Rare passage migrant.

per DBC et al Portland 1 juvenile at the Bill and Reap Lane from 30th-31st Aug ( , photo). Additional 2014 record: A Barrett, MJ Morse et al

West Bexington 1 2cy on 31st May ( , photo). HOUSE SPARROW Passer domesticus

144 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Common, but declining breeding resident.

A mixed year with numbers recovering well in the Christchurch Harbour area and a healthy population still around Lodmoor, but numbers continue to reduce at West Bexington and Breeding:more alarmingly there was a large decline in Portland North of 50% from the previous year.

Briantspuddle, Christchurch Harbour, Forston, Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay, Poole (Holes Bay and AutumnOakdale), passage: Portland, St Leonards Farm, West Bexington and Winterborne Monkton.

Durlston CP Just 1 or 2 on 9 days between 10th Oct and 25th Nov, SignificantSouth Haven counts: 3 N in Oct.

Briantspuddle 165 in pre-roost on 10th Jun. Christchurch Harbour 52 at Hengistbury Head in Jan, 50 at Stanpit Marsh on 24th Apr and 115 at Whitepits in mid-Jul. Fiddleford Peak count of c50 on 7th Aug. Lodmoor RSPB 130 at Southdown Ave in Jul. Lytchett Bay 30 at Turlin Moor in Dec. Osmington Mills 96 on 7th Sep. Portland North 500+ (ads & juvs) on 30th Jun. Ringstead Bay 30+ in Sep-Dec. Sixpenny Handley 40 on 10th Jun. Sutton Poyntz 35 on 26th Feb. West Bexington 35 on 18th Sep. TREE SPARROW Passer montanus Scarce local breeding resident & uncommon passage migrant.

SpringNo breeding Passage: records received this year.

AutumnDurlston passage:CP 2 E on 10th Apr.

Christchurch Harbour 1 over Hengistbury Head on 23rd Nov. Durlston CP 10 E between 11th & 19th Oct. Lodmoor RSPB 1 E over Overcombe on 13th Oct. Portland Bill 1 N on 13th Oct. OtherSouth HavenRecords: 2 N on 12th Oct.

Bridport Max 5 along River Asker from 2nd to 10th Aug. Trent 2 on 29th Jul, 1 on 1st Nov and 2 on 27th Nov.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 145 CHAFFINCH Fringilla coelebs Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:Good autumn passage recorded at Durlston CP this year.

Alners Gorse, Canford Park, Christchurch Harbour, Cogden, Lodmoor, Merley Park (5 pairs), FirstPallington winter Lakes, period: Portland North (5-10 pairs) and West Bexington.

Avon Heath CP 40 on 10th Feb. Badbury Rings 200 on 4th & 17th Jan. Bere Wood, nr Bloxworth 30 on 7th Mar. Hengistbury Head 50+ on 26th Jan. Martinstown 30 on 4th Feb at Grove Hill Bottom area. St Leonards Farm c57 on 27th Jan. Thorncombe Wood 30 on 10th Jan. Tincleton 30 on 10th Jan. West Bexington 34 on 30th Jan. SpringWhitcombe passage: 100 on both 30th Jan and 1st Feb.

Durlston CP 6 W on 27th Mar, 20 E on 5th Apr and 10 E on 10th Apr. Hengistbury Head 19 on 13th Mar. AutumnSouth Haven passage: c50 N on 21st Mar.

Arne RSPB 15 N on 14th Oct. Ballard Down 50+ on 20th Oct. Brownsea Island 14 NE on 16th Sep. Durdle Door 100+ on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 16,021 bird-days from 7th Oct to 11th Dec, max of 2,790 E on 8th Nov, 2,380 W on 12th Nov and 2,030 W on 12th Nov. East Bexington 81 W on 20th Oct, 89 E on 31st Oct and 506 W on 22nd Nov. Hengistbury Head 5,340 bird-days from mid-Sep to 26th Nov, max per month of 140 E on 30th Sep, 460 E on 31st Oct and 720 E on 12th Nov. Lulworth Cove 20 on 31st Oct. Lytchett Heath 20 on 19th Oct. Portland North 440 from 6th Oct to 22nd Nov. Ringstead Bay c60 E on 31st Oct. South Haven 889 bird-days from 27th Sep to 8th Nov, max 161 on 13th and 144 on 14th Oct, SecondWest Bexington winter period (counts100 ofE on30+): 31st Oct.

Arne RSPB 33 on 18th Dec. Athelhampton c30 on 13th Dec. Briantspuddle 40+ on 14th Dec. Fiddleford c40 on 8th Nov. 146 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Hampreston 30+ on 25th Oct at Manor Farm. Horton 30 on 23rd Oct. Puddletown Forest 40+ on 1st Nov. Tarrant Rushton Airfield 60+ on 13th Dec. Tincleton c50 on 12th Dec. Trent 100 on 28th Oct, 50 on 25th Dec and 45 on 26th Dec. Turnerspuddle 100 on 17th Nov. BRAMBLING Fringilla montifringilla Locally common winter visitor & passage migrant.

First winter period:

Avon Heath CP 1 on 1st Apr. Bere Wood, nr Bloxworth Max 6 between 7th-18th Mar. SpringWinterborne passage: Whitechurch 1 on 14th Mar.

Hengistbury Head 1 on 9th Mar, 2 on 13th Mar and 1 on 25th Mar. AutumnPortland passage: 1 at Perryfields on 16th Apr.

Ballard Down 3 on 20th Oct. Dorchester 1 over on 29th Oct. Durlston CP 84 bird-days in Oct (from 7th), 927 bird-days in Nov (max 468 E on 8th) and 8 bird-days in Dec. East Bexington 12 E on 31st Oct and 9 W on 22nd Nov. Hengistbury Head 292 bird-days from 13th Oct to 28th Nov, max 25 E on 31st Oct, 41 E on 4th Nov, 125 E on 12th Nov and 31 W on 16th Nov. Lodmoor RSPB Singles on 16th &, 25th Oct, 2nd & 18th Nov. Lytchett Bay 1 on 4th Nov. Portland Bill 77 bird-days in Oct (from 12th) and 101 bird-days in Nov. Ringstead Bay 4+ N on 18th Oct, 2 on 31st Oct and 9 E on 8th Nov. Radipole Lake RSPB 2 E on 3rd Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 2+ E on 1st Nov. South Haven 1 N on 3rd Nov, 1 S on 8th Nov and 9 E on 21st Nov. Stoborough Heath 3+ on 8th Nov. West Lulworth 6 on 1st Nov. SecondWorth Matravers winter Period: 1 on 30th Oct.

Arne RSPB Up to 5 from 14th Oct to 10th Nov. Christchurch Harbour 1 at Wick on 3rd & 12th Dec and 1 at Hengistbury Head on 23rd Dec. Coward’s Marsh 1 on 29th Oct. Crossways 3 on 14th Dec and 2 on 24th Dec. Ferndown GC 2 on 23rd Nov and 1 on 24th Nov. Fiddleford 1 on 28th Oct and 2 on 8th Nov. Greenlands Farm 1 on 31st Oct. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 147 Lower Bryanston 1 on 15th Oct. Melcombe Bingham 2+ on 26th Nov and 1 on 20th Dec. Milborne St Andrew 1 on 15th Oct. Parley Common Singles on 7th & 10th Dec. Piddlehinton 20 on 20th Dec. Portland 1 at Portland Castle on 26th Oct and 1 at Verne Common on 31st Oct. Puddletown Singles on 24th & 25th Dec. Southbourne 1 on 22nd Nov. Stoborough Heath 1 on 19th Dec. Thorncombe 1 on 13th Dec at Sadborow. Tincleton 4+ on 12th Dec. Trent 3 on 13th Nov and 2 on 18th Nov. Turnerspuddle 2 on 17th Nov. Winterborne Stickland c20 on 12th Nov. SERIN Serinus serinus Scarce to uncommon passage migrant - has bred.

SpringFewer records and summer than in records: 2014.

Corfe Castle 1 male on 4th Apr. Durlston CP 1 on 27th Jun. Portland 1 at Blacknor and the Grove on 10th Jun. AutumnPortland records:Bill 1 on 7th Apr and 1 on 21st May.

Portland Bill Single on 19th-20th Oct. GREENFINCH Carduelis chloris Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

CHOG and PBO both reported that numbers continue to decline due to the effect of Breeding:Trichomonosis. No successful breeding was recorded at PBO this year.

Bridging Camp The Fleet (3 pairs), Bridport, Christchurch Harbour, Cogden, Corfe Mullen, Langton Herring (1 pair), Lodmoor RSPB (4+ nests), Lytchett Bay, Merley Park (8 nests with young), Portland North (1 pair), Puddletown, Radipole Lake RSPB, Trent and West AutumnBexington. passage:

Ballard Down 8 on 19th Sep and 2 on 11th Oct. Brownsea Island 26 NE on 16th Sep. Durlston CP 166 bird-days from 22nd Oct-11th Dec, max 25 E on 23rd Oct. East148 BexingtonDorset Bird Report 2015 7 W on 23rd Sep, 9 W on 20th Oct & 29 W on 22nd Nov. Hengistbury Head 555 bird-days, incl 115 E on 9th Oct, 170 E on 10th Oct, 120 E on 12th Oct and 150 on 2nd Nov. WinteringSouth Haven and post breeding137 flocks: bird-days from 27th Sep to 2nd Dec, max 35 N on 10th Oct.

Arne RSPB 21 on 18th Dec. Avon Heath CP 25 on 17th Sep. Hengistbury Head 50+ roosted on 26th Jan. Horton 28 on 23rd Oct. Longham Lakes 20 on 18th Jan, 20 on 8th Feb and 21 on 13th Sep. Lytchett Bay 25 on 2nd Sep at Turlin Moor. Poole Park 28 on 1st Jan. Trent 25 on 24th Sep. Winterborne Stickland 50+ on 5th Jan. Worth Matravers 20+ on 19th Sep and c35 on 26th Sep in Hill Bottom area. GOLDFINCH Carduelis carduelis Very common breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:Higher numbers recorded on autumn passage than last two years.

Avon Heath CP, Briantspuddle, Hampreston Manor Farm, Hengistbury Head (2 pairs), Langton Herring (5 pairs), Lodmoor, Lytchett Bay, Stanpit (2 pairs), Merley Park (2 pairs), SpringPortland passage: North (12 pairs) and West Bexington.

AutumnHengistbury passage: Head 63 N on 9th Apr.

Ballard Down 1,385 bird-days from 19th Sep-11th Nov, max c700 on 30th Sep. Brownsea Island 20 NE on 16th Sep. Durdle Door 100+ on 3rd and 400+ on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 29,058 bird-days from 29th Sep to 11th Dec, max per month of 1,115 on 29th Sep, 2,615 E on 31st Oct, 4,425 E on 8th Nov and 210 W on 11th Dec. East Bexington 117 E on 28th Sep, 1,086 E on 31st Oct and 48 W on 22nd Nov. Hengistbury Head 20,916 bird-days from 18th Sep to early Dec, max per month of 950 E on 30th Sep, 2,100 E on 31st Oct, 1,500 E on 12th Nov and 280 E on 2nd Dec. Lodmoor RSPB 150+ on 10th Oct. Portland Bill 9,668 S from 8th Nov to 20th Dec. Portland North 1,040 from 13th Sep to 9th Nov. Ringstead Bay 380 bird-days from 10th Sep-8th Nov, max 130+ E on 31st Oct. South Haven 3,354 bird-days from 9th Sep to 2nd Dec, max 441 N on 1st Oct and 587 N on 10th Oct. West Bexington 1,000+ E on 31st Oct. West Lulworth 100+ on 31st Oct and 1,000 on 1st Nov. Winspit 92 E on 29th Sep. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 149 Winter and post breeding flocks (counts of 100 or more):

Durlston CP 150 on 12th Sep. Lytchett Bay 120+ at Turlin Moor on 2nd Nov. Middlebere c110 on 18th Oct. Preston 120 at Wimslow on 2nd Oct. Wyke Down 100+ on 1st Oct. SISKIN Carduelis spinus Locally common resident, fairly common passage migrant & winter visitor.

A new Dorset record day count of 2,423 for this species was recorded at South Haven this year. Autumn passage was the highest ever recorded from Lodmoor RSPB, and the second highest from the Christchurch Harbour area (record was 9,340 in 2011), with the majority Breeding:moving during Sep at both sites.

Only confirmed at Lytchett Bay (1 pair). Probable breeding at Higher Hyde Heath and St FirstCatherine’s winter Hill/Town period: Common.

Bere Wood, nr Bloxworth 50 on 7th Mar. Hengistbury Head 1 on 16th Jan. Lytchett Bay 2 at Sandy Close Pond in Mar. SpringRempstone passage: Forest 40+ on 16th Jan.

Christchurch Harbour Light passage of 12 bird-days from 15th Mar to 27th Apr. Durlston CP 25 bird-days from 11th Feb to 10th Apr, max 7 on 5th Apr. Lodmoor RSPB 1 E on 19th Mar. Portland Bill 2 bird-days in Mar. AutumnSouth Haven passage: 1 N on 21st Mar.

Ballard Down 644 from 19th Sep to 11th Oct, max c500 on 30th Sep. Brownsea Island 585 NE on 16th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 9,288 bird-days from 28th Aug to early Dec incl 6,253 bird-days in Sep. Max 920 E/SE at Hengistbury/Wick/Whitepits area on 11th Sep, 550 W over Hengistbury on 23rd Sep, 870 E on 30th Sep, 710 E on 1st Oct and 680 E on 10th Oct. Durdle Door 100+ on 19th Sep and 100 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 3,162 bird-days from 27th Aug-11th Dec, max 340 E on 10th Oct. East Bexington 691 bird-days from 2nd Sep to 22nd Nov, max 185 W on 23rd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 2,250 from 3rd Sep to 14th Dec, max 350+ on 16th, 300+ on 17th and 28th Sep. Poole Park 45+ on 29th Sep. Portland Bill 2,482 bird-days from Sep to Dec. Portland North 64 from 6th Sep to 31st Oct. Ringstead Bay 198 from 7th Sep to 8th Nov, max 60+ on 7th Sep. 150 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Slepe Heath 50+ on 5th Sep. South Haven 6,301 bird-days from 3rd Sep to 22nd Nov, max 888 N on 9th and 2,423 N (Dorset record day count) on 16th Sep. West Bexington 1,350 (mostly W), from 4th to 25th Sep, max 355 on 7th Sep. West Lulworth 300+ on 1st Nov. SecondWinspit winter period: 262 between 4th & 29th Sep.

Arne RSPB 100 on 14th Oct. Hartland Moor 40+ on 22nd Nov. Moors Valley CP 40 on 16th Oct. Trent 50+ on 7th Oct. Winfrith NR 50+ on 4th Nov. LINNET Carduelis cannabina Fairly common, but declining breeding resident, common migrant & winter visitor.

Breeding:

Avon Heath CP, Bridging Camp, The Fleet (2 pairs), Cogden, Hengistbury Head (9 pairs), Langton Herring (2 pairs), Lodmoor (c8 pairs), Lytchett Bay (young ringed), Portland North (7-10 pairs), St Catherine’s Hill/Town Common (3-5 pairs), Stanpit (4 pairs), Turnerspuddle, SpringUpton Heath passage: and West Bexington.

Chesil Cove 100 N on 9th Apr. Christchurch Harbour 738 bird-days from 6th Mar to 24th Apr, max 125 N at Stanpit on 6th Apr and 320 N at Hengistbury on 9th Apr. AutumnDurlston passage:CP 140 bird-days from 17th Mar to 10th Apr, max 110 E on 10th Apr.

Ballard Down 919 bird-days from 19th Sep-11th Oct, max 500+ on 28th Sep. Christchurch Harbour 15,427 bird-days from 7th Sep to early Dec, max per month 750 E on 30th Sep, 1,500 E on 10th Oct and 850 on 8th Nov (all from Hengistbury). Durdle Door 830 bird-days from 19th Sep-11th Oct, max 500 W on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 18,113 bird-days from 29th Sep to 11th Dec, max 3,010 E on 11th Oct, 1,540 E on 16th Oct and 2,140 E on 3rd Nov. East Bexington 3,525 bird-days from 2nd Sep to 22nd Nov, max 1,529 E on 31st Oct. Lodmoor RSPB Good numbers from mid-Sep to late-Nov, incl 100+ on 23rd Sep. Portland North 1,500 from 7th Sep to 16th Nov. St Aldhelm’s Head 300 on 26th Sep. South Haven 1,611 bird-days from 16th Sep to 2nd Dec, max 253 N on 13th Oct and 461 S on 8th Nov. West Bexington 400 E on 27th Sep and c1,500 E on 31st Oct. West Lulworth 500 E on 1st Nov. Winspit 974 bird-days from 3rd Sep to 9th Oct, max 700 on 9th Oct.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 151 Notable flocks (counts of 100+, excluding obvious visible migration):

Bridging Camp, The Fleet 100 on 25th Oct. Bridport 200 on 24th Feb. Ham Common 200 on 20th Feb. Lytchett Bay 113 on 15th Feb. Lytchett Matravers 1,600 on 10th Feb. Martinstown 500 on 9th Oct and 200 on 25th Nov in Grove Hill Bottom area and 200 on 23rd Nov at Rainbarrow Farm. Trent 100+ on 7th Oct. Worth Matravers 100 on 26th Sep at Hill Bottom. TWITE Carduelis flavirostris Very rare passage migrant.

J & M Down

Radipole Lake RSPB 1 on 3rd Nov ( ). LESSER REDPOLL Carduelis cabaret Scarce breeding resident, fairly common winter visitor & passage migrant.

There were many more records during the autumn compared to the previous two years, especially from Hengistbury Head, Durlston CP and Lodmoor RSPB.

FirstNo breeding winter reportsperiod: received this year.

Bere Wood, nr Bloxworth Max 5 between 7th-18th Mar. Brownsea Island 7 on 15th Feb. Ferndown 1 on 10th & 11th Feb. Tadnoll NR 2 on 20th Feb. SpringThorncombe passage: Wood 4 on 10th Jan.

Cogden Beach 2 on 23rd May. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 1 in Jun.

Arne RSPB 15 bird-days from 20th Sep to 14 Oct, max 7 N on 14 Oct. Ballard Down 79 bird-days from 19th Sep to 12th Oct, max 40+ on 28th Sep. Durdle Door 50 on 11th Oct. Durlston CP 598 bird-days from 29th Sep to 11th Dec, max 70 W on 7th Oct. East Bexington 28 bird-days from 2nd Sep to 22nd Nov, max 7 W on 23 Sep and 7 W on 22nd Nov. Greenlands Farm 4 on 31st Oct. Hengistbury Head 1,170 bird-days from 8th Sep-14th Dec, max 96 E on 12th Oct. Langton Herring 3 E on 2nd Oct. Lodmoor RSPB c80 from 25th Sep-26th Nov, max 12 N on both 2nd & 3rd Oct. 152 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Lulworth Cove 1 on 18th Oct and 4 on 31st Oct. Lytchett Bay 24 bird-days from 3rd Oct to 4th Dec, max 7 on 3rd Oct at Lytchett Heath. Portland Bill 188 bird-days Sep to Oct. Portland North 2 on 9th and 1 on 31st Oct. Radipole Lake RSPB 9 bird-days from 9th-31st Oct. Ringstead Bay 6 bird-days from 19th Sep to 31st Oct. St Aldhelm’s Head 4 on 25th Sep. South Haven 363 bird-days from 16th Sep to 3rd Nov, max 61 on 8th Oct. SecondWinspit winter period: 11 bird-days from 4th-9th Oct.

Boys Hill Max 25 between 17th Oct and 15th Nov. Bridging Camp, The Fleet 1 over on 26th Nov. Chard Junction GP 23 on 18th Nov. Crossways 1 on 14th Dec. Ferndown GC 3 on 23rd Nov. Fiddleford 2 on 16th Dec. Holt Heath 2 on 10th Oct. Kingston Maurward 1 on 9th Dec. Longham Lakes 1 on 17th Oct and 2 on 23rd Nov. Parley Common Max 3 between 2nd-10th Dec. Poole Park 4 on 16th Nov. Puddletown Max 6 between 7th Oct and 23rd Dec. Slepe Copse 4 on 1st Nov. Tadnoll NR 8 on 4th Nov. Thorncombe 5+ on 14th Oct at Sadborow Estate. Trent 45 bird-days from 7th Oct to 1st Dec. West Bexington 3 on 23rd Nov. West Knighton Heath 1 on 11th Nov. CROSSBILL Loxia curvirostra Uncommon breeding resident, irruptive passage migrant & winter visitor.

Normally very scarce at Lodmoor, a count of 6 on 11th Oct was a record for there. Overall Breedingboth counts season and passage records: numbers showed a good increase from 2014.

SignificantBere Regis/Bere counts Wood, (8+): Christchurch Harbour (just N of recording area), Morden Bog.

Boveridge Heath 12 on 23rd Sep. Brand’s Bay 24 on 1st Aug. Briantspuddle 12 on 18th Jul. Corfe Mullen 8 on 5th Jul. Studland Heath 8 on 30th Nov. Townsend NNR 9 on 27th Dec. Wareham Forest 16 on 27th & 8 on 31st Dec.

Many records of fewer than 8 birds. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 153 Summer and Autumn passage:

Ballard Down 117 bird-days 30th Aug-20th Oct, max 42 on 10th Oct. Christchurch Harbour 54 bird-days 29th Jun-25th Nov, max 16 on 3rd Jul. Durlston CP 258 bird-days 13th Jul-22nd Nov, max 25 on 22nd & 27 on 24th Oct. 70 on 8th & 29 on 12th Nov. East Bexington 12 W on 22nd Sep. Lytchett Bay 14 bird-days 25th Aug-19th Oct. Portland Bill 24 bird-days from 8 dates 16th Jul-8th Nov. Ringstead Bay 10 on 13th Oct. Shell Bay 17 on 1st & 3rd, & 13 on 11th Nov. COMMON ROSEFINCH Carpodacus erythrinus Rare passage migrant.

The Jul record at PBO was their first ever for that month. per DBC et al

Portland Bill First-summer male in song at PBO on 7th Jul ( N, & Dsound-recorded). Stantiford Southwell First-summer male in song in gardens from 6th-10th Jun ( , photo). BULLFINCH Pyrrhula pyrrhula Fairly common breeding resident.

Breeding:Unusually high spring passage was noted at Portland Bill but autumn passage was poor.

Alners Gorse, Ballard Down, Briantspuddle, Brooklands Farm, Corfe Mullen, Ferndown, Forston, Halstock, Lodmoor, Merley Park, Ringstead Bay to White Nothe, Sturminster SignificantMarshall GP, counts Upton Heath,(8+): West Bexington and Cogden.

Brownsea Island 8 on 2nd Jan. Chard Junction GP 8+ in Nov. Middlebere 23 on 4th Jan. Toller Pocorum 16 on 23rd Jan. SpringTrent passage: 10 on 1st Nov.

AutumnPortland passage:Bill 60 bird-days 11th Mar-28th May.

Ballard Down 21 on 20th Oct. Durlston CP 155 bird-days 10th Oct-11th Dec, max 15 on 12th & 12 on 31st Oct. Portland Bill 3 bird-days 10th-26th Oct. Ringstead Bay/White Nothe Small numbers max 8 on 20th Oct. Shell Bay 3 on 12th & 2 on 19th Oct. 154 Dorset Bird Report 2015 HAWFINCH Coccothraustes coccothraustes Scarce passage migrant & winter visitor.

WinterAs in 2014, and disappointingly inland sites: few birds seen again this year.

Arne RSPB 1 on 6th Oct. OtherShapwick records: 1 on 19th Oct.

AutumnGarston Wood passage 1 on 25th May.

: Christchurch Harbour Singles on 24th Sep and 4th & 12th Nov. Durlston CP 1 or 2 birds from 8 dates 7th Oct-25th Nov. Shell Bay 1 on 2nd Oct. LAPLAND BUNTING Calcarius lapponicus Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, & rare winter visitor.

Christchurch Harbour Singles on 26th Sep, 11th Oct & 4th Nov. Durlston CP Singles on 22nd & 27th Oct. Lodmoor CP 1 flew NE calling on 28th Sep over Horselynch slope. Lytchett Bay 1 flew NW calling on 19th Oct. Portland 1 on 30th Sep along Barleycrates Lane. The Fleet 1 on 26th Oct. SNOW BUNTING Plectrophenax nivalis Uncommon passage migrant, mainly autumn, & rare winter visitor.

Arne RSPB 1 on 21st Nov. nivalis Durlston CP 1 on 8th Nov. Maiden Castle 1 2cy male present 17th-22nd Mar was of the ssp from Fennoscandia and Arctic North America. South Haven 1 on 1st Oct.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 155 YELLOWHAMMER Emberiza citrinella Declining breeding resident & passage migrant.

The increase in the number of records submitted this year probably indicates better Breeding:coverage rather than any overall increase in range.

Confirmed breeding at: Durdle Door, Kingcombe Meadows, West Bexington and Cogden, Winspit and Winterborne Stickland.

Singing males also present at: Ashley Wood, Badbury Rings, Ballard Down, Corfe Castle, East Blagdon, Hammoon, Holt Heath, Maiden Castle, Oakers Wood, Osmington, Powerstock Common, Tadnoll/Winfrith Heath, The Warren, Thornicombe, Trent, Turnerspuddle, West FirstBexington, winter White period: Nothe and Whitesheet.

Ballard Down 24 on 22nd Jan. Dorchester 40 on 12th Mar. Fiddleford 26 on 25th Feb & 50 on 19th Mar. Grove Hill Bottom 200 on 4th Feb. Martinstown 300 on 8th Feb. West Bexington 20 on 24th Jan. Whitcombe 100 on 1st Feb. SpringWinterborne passage: Whitechurch 20 on 14th Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 4 bird-days 5th-17th Mar. Lodmoor RSPB 1 female on 5th Apr. AutumnPortland passage:Bill 4 records in May.

East Bexington Singles W on 20th Oct & 21st Nov. Portland Bill 1 on 14th Oct. SecondRadipole winter Lake RSPB period: 1 N on 25th Nov.

Badbury Rings 20 on 7th Dec. Briantspuddle 60 on 14th Dec. Puddletown Forest 20 on several dates Oct-Dec. Rainbarrow Farm 40 on 23rd Nov. West Bexington & Cogden 20 on 24th Nov.

156 Dorset Bird Report 2015 CIRL BUNTING Emberiza cirlus Rare vagrant, formerly bred (until 1971).

A Barrett, MJ Morse et al West Bexington Up to 3 birds remained from 2014 until 29th Apr ( , photo). ORTOLAN BUNTING Emberiza hortulana Rare passage migrant, mainly in the autumn.

Cogden Beach 1 on 30th Aug represents the first site record. Lytchett Matravers 1 on 16th Aug (Sound-recorded at night). Portland Bill Singles on 24th May and 4th, 10th & 28th Sep. Winspit 1 on 29th Sep. REED BUNTING Emberiza schoeniclus Declining breeding resident, winter visitor & passage migrant.

Breeding:Generally numbers remain stable over the county.

Canford School (R. Stour), Christchurch Harbour (10+), Fiddleford, Lodmoor RSPB (6+), Lytchett Bay (c23), Poole Park, Radipole Lake RSPB, Sturminster Marshall GP, Warmwell FirstQuarry, winter West period:Bexington and Cogden (5+).

Grove Hill Bottom 150 on 4th Feb. Lytchett Bay 30 on 1st Feb. Martinstown 150 on 8th Feb. SpringWyke Down passage: 30 on 25th Jan & 55 on 16th Mar.

AutumnShell Bay passage: 1 on 21st Mar.

Christchurch Harbour 561 bird-days 19th Sep-26th Nov. Durlston CP 47 bird-days 7th Oct-11th Dec, max 4 on 22nd Oct. Portland Bill 142 bird-days Sep-Nov. SecondShell Bay winter period: 28 bird-days 3rd-20th Oct.

Lytchett Bay 60 on 9th Oct. Longham Lakes 20 on 16th Aug. West Lulworth 45 on 1st Nov.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 157 LITTLE BUNTING Emberiza pusilla Rare passage migrant.

CI Husband J Phillips Hengistbury Head 1 on 4th Oct ( ). per DBC et al Horton 1 from 18th-19thL ChappellApr ( ). Portland Bill Singles on 9th Sep & 30th Oct ( , photo). Stanpit 1 on 20th Mar ( ). CORN BUNTING Emberiza calandra Locally common breeding resident.

Breeding:Records indicate no obvious change in status from recent years. ‘Rattling’

males present at Badbury Rings (5), Chalbury, Chaldon Down, Charlton Down, Crichel Down, Eggardon Hill, Fontmell Down, Launceston Down, Maiden Castle, Osmington, Pentridge, Piddlehinton, Ringstead Bay E to White Nothe (5+), St Aldhelm’s Head, Sixpenny Handley, Tarrant Launceston, Tarrant Rushton Airfield (13), The Warren, Wyke Down (6) Firstand Winspit. winter period:

Dorchester 20 on 20th Feb. Maiden Castle Max 250 on 2nd & 50 on both 5th & 9th Feb. Martinstown 50 on 11th Feb. SecondTarrant Rushtonwinter period: Airfield 30 on 4th Jan.

Tarrant Rushton Airfield 60 on 13th & 40 on 17th Dec. Wyke Down 24 on 22nd Nov.

158 Dorset Bird Report 2015 SELECTED ESCAPES IN 2015

BLACK SWAN Cygnus atratus Native range: Australia.

Abbotsbury Swannery 2 recorded on several dates throughout the year. Avon Causeway 1 on 27th Sep. Canford Bridge Peak of 4 in Jan. BAR-HEADEDManor Farm, Hampreston GOOSE Anser 1 throughout indicus the year. Native range: Central and South Asia.

Christchurch Harbour 1 on 17th Jan, also seen at Coward’s Marsh. East Bexington 1 W with Canada Geese on 2nd Sep. Lodmoor RSPB 1 on 31st Aug. Poole Park 1 on 29th Jan. RoddenWOOD HiveDUCK Aix sponsa 1 from Jun-Aug. Native range: North America.

ChristchurchHOODED MERGANSER Lophodytes1 on 14th Mar. cucullatus Native range: North America.

RadipoleGOLDEN Lake PHEASANT RSPB ChrysolophusThe long-staying pictus drake remained throughout the year. Native range: South-west China & Burma.

AbbotsburyGREAT BUSTARD Otis tarda1 male on 2nd Sep. Former breeder, all records refer to birds from the attempted reintroduction scheme currently taking place in Wiltshire.

Chaldon Herring 1 on 18th Jan. Kimmeridge 3 from 11th Jan-22nd Feb. Portland 1 N over Easton on 18th Jan. EAGLEWyke Down OWL Bubo bubo 1 on 5th Jan, 1st Apr & 9th-10th Apr. Native range: Eurasia.

Swanage 1 from 8th-13th Apr. 2015 Dorset Bird Report 159 PENDING AND REQUESTED RECORDS

Records pending with BBRC/BOURC at the time of publication:

South Polar Skua West Bexington 27th Jan to 4th Feb 1996 Elegant Tern Christchurch Harbour 10th May 2005 Requested records:

The following records from 2015 have not been substantiated or submitted at the time of publication. If you were the finder or simply an observer of any of the birds listed below, please submit supporting evidence as soon as possible to ensure these records are not lost recorder@dorsetbirdsto history. Accepted records .org will.uk appear as additional recordshttp://www in the systematic .dorsetbirds list of next.org . year’suk/dorset-bird-list/4545548008 report. Please submit any records to the County Recorder via the following email using the forms found here

Cory’s Shearwater West Bay, Bridport 29th Jun Great Shearwater Portland 21st Sep Cattle Egret (x5) Longham Lakes 2nd Sep Honey Buzzard Gillingham 1st Jul Honey Buzzard Wyke Regis 2nd Sep Honey Buzzard Portland 13th Oct Black Kite Wyke Regis 16th Apr Corncrake Suckthumb Quarry, Portland 2nd Oct Corncrake Wallsend, Portland Bill 13th Oct Crane (x2) Long Bredy 12th Oct Kentish Plover Ferrybridge 24th Sep Long-tailed Skua Portland Bill 6th Sep Long-tailed Skua Portland Bill 6th Oct Sabine’s Gull Chesil Cove 13th Dec Caspian Gull Longham Lakes 24th Jan Caspian Gull Radipole Lake 2nd Feb Caspian Gull Overcombe 20th Apr Caspian Gull Radipole Lake 9th May Caspian Gull Radipole Lake 12th Sep Caspian Gull Radipole Lake 25th Dec Black Guillemot Portland Bill 26th Jun Black Guillemot Christchurch Harbour 28th Nov Black Guillemot Portland Harbour 28th Dec Alpine Swift Lyme Regis 14th May Bee-eater Wyke Regis 14th May Bee-eater Lodmoor RSPB 26th May Bee-eater Portland Bill 26th May Bee-eater Swanage 29th May Bee-eater Portland Bill 16th Jun Bee-eater Redcliffe Farm, Stoborough 9th Jul Bee-eater (2) Portland Bill 10th Jul Bee-eater (2) Harman’s Cross 29th Aug Red-rumped Swallow Portland Bill 19th Apr 160 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Red-rumped Swallow Lodmoor RSPB 16th May Richard’s Pipit Durlston CP 17th Oct Olive-backed Pipit Easton, Portland 18th Oct Hume’sMelodious Warbler* Warbler DurlstonSwanage CP 31st20th AugOct Pallas’s Warbler Southwell 30th Oct

Golden Oriole Abbotsbury Swannery 8th May Golden Oriole Weymouth 11th May Golden Oriole West Moors 25th May Golden Oriole Southwell 19th Jun Willow Tit Morden Bog 30th Apr Willow Tit (2) Sherborne South 4th Dec Twite Winspit 22nd Jan Twite Durlston CP 31st Oct Common Rosefinch Radipole Lake RSPB 6th-13th Jun *Little Bunting Culverwell 13th Oct

denotes BBRC species. The following records were considered Not Proven by either the Dorset Records 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.

Iberian Chiffchaff Portland BO 11th May 2000 Macaronesian Shearwater Portland Bill 25th Aug 2000 DRPBlack-winged Stilt Cogden Beach 10th Apr 2015

Honey Buzzard Arne RSPB 28th Apr 2015 Honey Buzzard (x2) Holton Lee 2nd Sep 2015 Goshawk Wyke Down 13th Apr 2015 Goshawk Briantspuddle 15th Oct 2015 Caspian Gull Culverwell 17th Nov 2015 Bee-eater Radipole Lake 24th May 2015 Bee-eater Stanpit 6th Jul 2015 Olive-backed Pipit Glebelands 12th Oct 2015

2015 Dorset Bird Report 161 DORSET BIRD RINGING 2015 Kevin Sayer

Below are details of groups and individuals who have submitted ringing details for Dorset for 2015. Interesting recoveries and controls are shown at the end of this report. 28,472 birds of 119 species are known to have been ringed in the county during 2015. This represents an PORTLAND11% decrease BIRD on the OBSER numberVATORY: caught in 2014.

(www.portlandbirdobs.org.uk) 5,289 birds of 61 species were ringed at the Obs and other nearby sites. Totals included 1,343 Willow Warblers, 900 Chiffchaffs, 473 Goldcrests and 470 Blackcaps. Also trapped were their second Olive-Backed STOURPipit and RINGING their fifth GROUP:Western Bonelli’s Warbler.

The group has 2 main sites at Lytchett Bay and Durlston Country Park. At Durlston CP they managed to catch a total of 2,541 birds of 44 species. The totals included 500 Blackcaps, 445 Goldcrests, 389 Willow Warblers, 363 Chiffchaffs, 147 Goldfinches, 62 Tree Pipits and 21 Grasshopper Warblers. Highlights included the first Wryneck at this site along with the site’s first Black Redstart and Fieldfare. At Lytchett they managed a total of 1,904 birds of 51 species. Totals included 767 Sedge Warblers, 210 Reed EASTWarblers, FLEET 98 RINGINGBlue Tits, 94STATION: Chiffchaffs, 78 Willow Warblers and also a single Bluethroat.

Ian Dodd set a new record of 2,370 birds trapped in 2015 at his sites at Tidmoor, Cuttcleaves Cove and Littlesea. Two new species were added to his ringing list which were Ring Ouzel and Siskin. The totals included 293 Goldfinches, 254 ROGERChiffchaffs, PEART: 183 Blackcaps, 141 Greenfinches and 117 Robins.

A total of 899 birds of 29 species were trapped by Roger in 2015. Unfortunately, Roger has had to discontinue his CES project at Longham but does continue to ring there as well as at Canford Park and Edmondsham. His totals included 198 Blue Tits, 172 Chiffchaffs, 77 Great Tits and 58 Blackcaps. Roger also managed to catch 3 Yellow- NEILbrowed CROTON: Warblers and 4 Firecrests at Longham in October.

Neil managed to trap a total of 1,209 birds during 2015 which included 186 Goldfinches, 141 House Martins, 131 Swallows, 120 Blackcaps and 101 Chiffchaffs. Most CHRISTCHURCHbirds were caught HARBOUR at his sites RINGINGat Sadborow STATION: and West Bexington.

(http://www.chog.org.uk) In 2015 we managed to trap 625 birds of 27 species. Our totals included 263 Sedge Warblers, 110 Reed Warblers, 68 Chiffchaffs and 26 Willow Warblers. During a ringing demonstration KEwe ValsoIN SAYER: caught a juvenile Skylark, our first since 1987.

In 2015 I managed to catch a total of 151 birds of 17 species in my Ferndown garden. My feeders attract a variety of species which resulted in the following totals: 50 Siskins, 18 Goldfinches, 16 Coal Tits and 15 Blue Tits. The highlight however has to be my CHRISfirst-ever REYNOLDS: Pied Flycatcher for the UK.

Chris managed to catch a total of 155 birds at his Sandbanks, Poole Park, Ensbury and Ferndown sites. This included 30 Black-headed Gulls, 16 Dunlin, 13 Canada Geese and 13 Chiffchaffs. 162 Dorset Bird Report 2015 TONY TAYLOR:

Tony continues to ring in his Spetisbury garden where he managed to catch 96 birds in 2015. This included 20 Swallows (all pulli), 14 House Sparrows, 14 Great Tits and 13 Goldfinches.

If anybody is interested in training to become a BTO Licensed Ringer then you can get more NBinformation . Many of at the http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/ringing/taking-part/learn-ring. 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 Ireland), The National Parks and Wildlife Service (Ireland) and the ringers themselves.

Reference: Robinson, R.A., Leech, D.I. & Clark, J.A.(2015) The Online Demography Report: Bird ringing and nest recording in Britain & Ireland in 2014 BTO, Thetford (http://www. bto.org/ringing-report, created on 7th September 2015)

Bearded Tits at Hengistbury - Oct - Kevin Sayer

2015 Dorset Bird Report 163 RECOVERIES AND CONTROLS

Mute Swan Cygnus olor

X1071 Adult 23.09.1996 Christchurch Canada Goose BrantaFreshly canadensis dead 06.03.2015 Inchmery Ho, Hants 28 Km, 18y 5m 11d SPAIN 5212447 First-year 13.12.2011 Poole Park Field record 31.10.2015 Parque de Isabel la Catolica, Gijon, Brent Goose Branta bernicla 845 Km, 3y 10m 18d RUSSIA

DS009450 Adult female 30.07.2008 Middle Beacon Is,Pyasina Delta, Field record 10.03.2015 Stanpit Marsh Teal Anas crecca 4,991 Km, 6y 7m 8d

DENMARK ES77607 Adult male 04.12.2014 Abbotsbury Shot dead 17.10.2015 Grahedevej, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula 941 Km, 0y 10m 13d

FINLAND FH04775 First-year 20.10.2011 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Long dead 10.07.2015 Gasoren, Uusimaa, Storm Petrel Hydrobates pelagicus 2,085 Km, 3y 8m 20d

2489110 Adult 09.07.2003 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 16.06.2006 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire Caught by ringer 30.07.2015 Skomer Island, Pembrokeshire Gannet Morus bassanus 241 Km, 12y 0m 21d

1236365 Nestling 04.07.1989 Bass Rock, East Lothian Freshly dead 26.12.2015 Kimmeridge Bay 609 Km, 26y 5m 22d FRANCE

CF29785 Nestling 28.06.1989 Les Sept Iles, Cotes d’Amor, Ring found 24.08.2014 Chesil Cove, Portland Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia 197 Km, 25y 1m 27d DENMARK

2L0227 Nestling 28.06.2013 Var Holm, Nordjyllands, Field record 09.10.2014 Brownsea Island Lagoon 1,029 Km, 2y 3m 11d

Most of our Spoonbills come from Netherlands, except this one!

164 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Hen Harrier Circus cyaneus

EG79508 Nestling male 29.06.2014 Glendaruel Forest, Argyle & Bute Wing tag seen 03.01.2015 Poole Harbour Buzzard Buteo buteo 624 Km, 0y 6m 5d

GF17943 Nestling male 01.07.1993 Organford, Wareham Freshly dead 25.07.2015 Slepe Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus 3 Km, 22y 0m 24d

FA78813 First-year 30.10.1998 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 17.09.2012 Heacham, Norfolk Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula 295 Km, 13y 10m 18d

NV69328 Adult female 15.08.2015 Llanfairfechan, Conwy Field record 28.08.2015 Ferrybridge Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta 316 Km, 0y 0m 13d

EW43313 Nestling 28.07.2013 Orfordness, Suffolk Field record 23.08.2013 Orfordness,NETHERLANDS Suffolk Field record 10.01.2014 Brands Bay, Poole Harbour Field record 24.03.2015 Balgzand, Dunlin Calidris alpina 237 Km, 1y 7m 24d

NT70882 First-year 06.02.2002 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 14.02.2015 Poole Harbour Sanderling Calidris alba 0 km, 13y 0m 8d

BT27584 First-year 28.12.2012 Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 01.08.2015 Snettisham, Norfolk Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos 295 Km, 2y 7m 4d

NW62006 First-year 27.06.2011 Ladybower, Derbyshire Field record 22.06.2014 Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour Woodcock Scolopax rusticola 296 Km, 2y 11m 26d

RUSSIA EW21092 First-year male 28.02.2014 Middlebere Farm Shot dead 22.04.2015 Kunestino, Privolzhskiy, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa islandica 2,911 Km, 1y 1m 25d ICELAND

586093 Nestling 09.07.2012 Langhus Fljot, Skagafjardar, Field record 10.12.2014 Stanpit Marsh 1,973 Km, 2y 5m2015 1d Dorset Bird Report 165 Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus

ER38409 Nestling 02.06.1991 Round Is, Poole Harbour Caught by ringer 28.02.2015 Poole Park 6 Km, 23y 8m 26d SWEDEN

6196173 Adult 04.06.2000 Pildammsparken, Malmo, Field record 27.12.2015 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Mediterranean Gull Larus melanocephalus 1,169 Km, 15y 6m 23d BELGIUM

E907402 Nestling 31.05.2004 Verrebroek, Field record 10.01.2015 Radipole Lake, Weymouth 471 Km, 10y 7m 10d GERMANY

IA108357 Nestling 06.06.2007 Bohmke Und Werder, Field record 09.07.2015 Chesil Beach 1,184 Km, 8y 1m 3d POLAND

FN74166 Adult male 20.05.2007 Polder Bukow, Roszkow, Field record 01.01.2015 Radipole Lake, Weymouth 1,474 Km, 7y 7m 12d POLAND

FN16060 Adult 29.05.2008 Skoki Duze, Wloclawek, Field record 05.04.2009 Badminston GP, Hampshire Field record 17.02.2010 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Field record 20.03.2015 Pett Level, East Sussex Field record 27.12.2015 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Common Gull Larus canus 1,524 Km, 7y 6m 28d ESTONIA

U271455 Nestling 07.06.2006 Kakrarahu, Laanemaa, Field record 01.12.2015 Radipole Lake, Weymouth Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus 1,887 Km, 9y 5m 24d

PORTUGAL GF77412 Nestling 12.07.1997 Orfordness, Suffolk Field record 14.03.2008 Quarteira, Faro, Field record 14.09.2015 Portland Bill Great Black-backed Gull Larus marinus 326 Km, 18y 2m 2d

MA33467 Nestling 09.06.2014 Ferrybridge, Weymouth Field record 20.10.2014 Dawlish Warren, Devon Field record 26.10.2014 Par Harbour, Cornwall Freshly dead 17.01.2015 Dover Docks 274 Km, 0y 7m 8d

J1143 2cy female 17.06.2010 GSPCA, Castel, Guernsey Sick (diseased) 13.12.2015 Tuckton, Bournemouth 153 Km, 5y 5m 26d 166 Dorset Bird Report 2015 FRANCE

DB107416 Nestling 25.06.2009 Le Havre, Field record 15.11.2015 Isle of Portland Razorbill Alca torda 219 Km, 6y 4m 21d

T32330 Nestling 29.07.1986 Sanda Is, Argyll and Bute Ring only 10.06.2015 Charmouth 536 Km, 28y 10m 12d

M97677 Nestling 22.06.1999 Sanda Is, Argyll and Bute Freshly dead 30.12.2015 West Bexington Little Tern Sternula albifrons 547 Km, 16y 6m 8d

NV70139 Nestling 07.07.2000 Ferrybridge Caught by ringer 01.07.2015 Ferrybridge Common Tern Sterna hirundo 0 km, 14y 11m 24d

FRANCE ST68808 Nestling 09.07.2015 Abbotsbury Swannery Freshly dead 30.07.2015 Flamanville, Manche, Barn Owl Tyto alba(Bird of prey) 137 Km, 0y 0m 21d

GR64230 Nestling male 30.05.2014 All Hallows Farm, Wimborne St Giles Long dead 23.03.2015 Glebe Farm, Wimborne St Giles (natural causes) 3 Km, 0y 9m 21d

FH88834 Nestling female 05.07.2015 Winterborne Zelston Freshly dead 27.09.2015 Bromham House Farm, Bromham, Wilts Peregrine Falco peregrinus(in building) 69 Km, 0y 2m 22d

GC46096 Nestling 31.05.2015 Site confidential, Somerset Freshly dead 23.10.2015 Maiden Newton Goldcrest Regulus(injury) regulus 80 Km, 0y 4m 22d

ELJ172 First-year male 15.10.2015 Bawdsey Hall, Suffolk Caught by ringer 28.10.2015 Durlston CP 281 Km, 0y 0m 13dSWEDEN

TS7937 Full grown male 17.10.2015 Ljunghusen, Skane, Caught by ringer 04.11.2015 Portland Bill Firecrest Regulus ignicapilla 1,163 Km, 0y 0m 18d

FRANCE HKA728 First-year female 04.04.2015 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 15.10.2015 Trunvel, Treogat, 324 Km, 0y 6m 11d 2015 Dorset Bird Report 167 Coal Tit Peripatus ater

D212760 Nestling 26.05.2014 Little Headon Plantation, Minehead Caught by ringer 12.12.2015 Sadborow Blackbird Turdus merula 63 Km, 1y 6m 16d

CL78611 Juvenile male 22.06.2003 Finningley Airfield, Doncaster, S.Yorks Unknown 17.05.2015 Stock Gaylard (ring only) 299 Km, 11y 10m 25d SWEDEN LH63722 First-year female 12.03.2014 Tidmoor, The Fleet Freshly dead 02.05.2015 Kalmar, Song Thrush Turdus philomelos 1,382 Km, 1y 1m 20d BELGIUM

24Z56942 Full grown 02.10.2015 Nijlen, Antwerpen, Caught by ringer 02.11.2015 Durlston CP Robin Erithacus rubecula 469 Km, 0y 1m 0d

FRANCE D462606 First-year 13.08.2014 Durlston CP Long dead 17.03.2015 Bas-lion, Lion-sur-Mer, 185 Km, 0y 7m 4d NETHERLANDS Z227176 First-year 02.09.2014 New Barn Farm Freshly dead 04.05.2015 Eastermar, Friesland, Pied Flycatcher Ficedula(hit by car)hypoleuca 657 Km, 0y 8m 2d

WALES D769288 First-year female 29.04.2014 Portland Bill Caught in nestbox 16.06.2015 Cwm Irfon, Powys, 197 Km, 1y 1m 18d

D769541 Adult female 14.05.2014 Portland Bill Caught in nestbox 08.06.2015 Horner Wood, Luccombe, Somerset Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus 109 Km, 1y 0m 25d

D179717 First-year female 26.04.2013 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 01.05.2015 Middleton NR, Lancs Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba 391 Km, 2y 0m 5d

Z228494 First-year female 31.10.2014 Radipole Lake Field record 22.04.2015 Fair Isle Tree Pipit Anthus trivialis 993 Km, 0y 5m 22d

L517885 Full grown 21.08.2011 Durlston CP Freshly dead 01.05.2015 Coleg Elidyr, Carmarthenshire 168 Dorset Bird Report(hit 2015 glass) 209 Km, 3y 8m 10d Meadow Pipit Anthus pratensis

D740944 First-year 12.09.2014 Springwell Cottage Farm, Durham Caught by ringer 17.03.2015 Tidmoor, The Fleet Rock Pipit Anthus petrosus 465 Km, 0y 6m 5d BELGIUM

13678780 First-year male 11.10.2014 Nieuwpoort, W.-Vlaanderen, Caught by ringer 01.11.2014 Lytchett Bay, Poole Harbour Sand Martin Riparia riparia 338 Km, 0y 0m 21d

L174905 First-year 21.08.2012 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 21.06.2015 Backney, Herefordshire 148 Km, 2y 10m 0d FRANCE T334169 Juvenile 01.09.2004 Abbotsbury Swannery Caught by ringer 04.08.2006 Lagunage, Rochefort, 539 Km, 1y 11m 3d

Unfortunately, the French ringing scheme is not known for its swift responsiveness. SPAIN Z397568 First-year 28.09.2014 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Caught by ringer 17.10.2014 Tancat de Milia, Sollana, 1,298 Km, 0y 0m 19d FRANCE Z228948 Juvenile 08.08.2015 Abbotsbury Swannery Caught by ringer 16.08.2015 Saint-Philbert-de-Grand-Lieu, 399 Km, 0y 0m 8d

SwallowThose Sand Hirundo Martins rustica don’t hang about!

SOUTH AFRICA Z330138 First-year 14.09.2014 Ryewater Nursery, Boys Hill Caught by ringer 20.12.2014 Gauteng, N.Transvaal, 9,037 Km, 0y 3m 6d th This is the 5 Dorset-ringed Swallow that has turned up in South Africa. Unfortunately, none Househave come Martin the otherDelichon way! urbicum

Z229465 First-year 15.09.2014 Sadborow Caught by ringer 13.06.2015 Rainworth, Notts Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla 285 Km, 0y 8m 29d

X395743 First-year male 11.09.2009 Wick Reedbed Caught by ringer 10.05.2015 Paxton Pits NR, Cambs 201 Km, 5y 7m 29d

2015 Dorset Bird Report 169 Y774679 Adult male 04.09.2014 Stanford Reservoir, Northants Caught by ringer 18.04.2015 Portland Bill 231 Km, 0y 7m 14d

D663950 First-year male 17.09.2015 Squire’s Down Caught by ringer 02.10.2015 Pett Level, E. Sussex 213 Km, 0y 0m 15d FRANCE D661219 First-year male 07.09.2014 Squire’s Down Alive (Hit glass) 16.06.2015 Aire sur la Lys, 340 Km, 0y 9m 9d FRANCE

7804176 First-year female 06.10.2014 Dunes du Fort Vert, Marck, Caught by ringer 09.07.2015 Tidmoor, The Fleet 315 Km, 0y 9m 3d SPAIN

3L22170 Adult male 16.11.2013 Pantano de la Minilla, Seville, Caught by ringer 25.10.2015 Durlston CP Garden Warbler Sylvia borin 1,501 Km, 1y 11m 9d

Z604061 First-year 16.08.2014 Litlington, E. Sussex Caught by ringer 07.08.2015 Lytchett Bay 184 Km, 0y 1m 8d FRANCE Z036419 Full grown 26.04.2015 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 05.08.2015 Dunes Mont St Frieux, Dannes, Whitethroat Sylvia communis 286 Km, 0y 3m 10d

D295934 2cy female 20.05.2014 Skokholm Island Caught by ringer 21.04.2015 Portland Bill Grasshopper Warbler Locustella naevia 238 Km, 0y 11m 1d

D213787 First-year 21.08.2014 Titchfield Haven, Hants Caught by ringer 17.09.2015 Squire’s Down Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita 81 Km, 1y 0m 27d

SWEDEN DRR930 First-year 01.10.2011 Portland Bill Caught by ringer 03.10.2012 Bjorn, Hallnas, Uppsala, 1,700 Km, 1y 0m 2d GIBRALTAR ELP635 First-year 14.09.2013 Durlston CP Caught by ringer 12.03.2015 Jews Gate, 1,629 Km, 1y 5m 26d PORTUGAL ETL674 First-year 30.08.2015 Squire’s Down Caught by ringer 25.10.2015 Herdade Dos Forninhos, 170 Dorset Bird Report 2015 1,554 Km, 0y 1m 25d Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus

HKB288 Full grown 16.04.2015 Portland Bill Freshly dead 01.05.2015 Cashel, Tubbercurry, Sligo 581 Km, 0y 0m 15d

EKL849 First-year 31.08.2014 Gosforth Park, Newcastle-upon-Tyne Caught by ringer 30.08.2015 Squire’s Down 453 Km, 0y 11m NORWAY30d

HC82440 First-year 03.08.2015 Hovden, Hareid, Caught by ringer 04.09.2015 Portland Bill 1,411 Km, 0y 1m 1d SPAIN

PA6210 Full grown 03.04.2013 Isla de Tabarca, Alicante, Caught by ringer 22.04.2015 Portland Bill Sedge Warbler Acrocephalus schoenobaenus 1,383 Km, 2y 0m 19d

SCOTLAND D091659 First-year 29.08.2013 Squire’s Down Freshly dead 09.08.2015 Kilmuir, Highland, (Hit by car) 785 Km, 1y 11m 11d SCOTLAND Z187543 First-year male 05.09.2014 Lytchett Bay Caught by ringer 26.07.2015 Kirkton of Logie Buchan, Reed Warbler Acrocephalus scirpaceus 736 Km, 0y 10m 21d

FRANCE D091019 Juvenile 03.08.2013 Squire’s Down Caught by ringer 29.08.2015 Montagne-sur-Gironde, 621 Km, 2y 0m 26d BELGIUM Z228278 First-year 04.09.2014 Abbotsbury Swannery Caught by ringer 07.08.2015 Mechelen, Antwerpen, 497 Km, 0y 11m 3d

D982526 Juvenile 15.07.2015 Longham Lakes FRANCE Caught by ringer 11.08.2015 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 03.09.2015 Marais-Moisan-Ouest, 776 Km, 0y 1mNETHERLANDS 19d

BE82343 Full grown 20.09.2015 Zwanenwater, Caught by ringer 08.10.2015 Squire’s Down 526 Km, 0y 0m 18d

2015 Dorset Bird Report 171 Cetti’s Warbler Cettia cetti

V386495 Full grown female 29.04.2009 Hengistbury Head Centre Caught by ringer 15.04.2015 Wick 0 Km, 5y 11m 17d

This bird has been re-trapped 4 times and is only 3 years, 4 months short of the BTO Chaffinchlongevity record. Fringilla coelebs

GERMANY L627848 First-year female 17.10.2010 Portland Bill Freshly dead 02.03.2015 Ramelsloh, Luneburg, Goldfinch Carduelis(cat) carduelis 910 Km, 4y 4m 13d

D505183 First-year male 04.01.2014 Athgarvan, Newbridge, Kildare Caught by ringer 25.01.2015 East Stour, Gillingham 390 Km, 0y 5m 0d

Z188175 First-year male 20.11.2014 Durlston CP Caught by ringer 20.04.2015 Uisce Bhan, Ballinamorragh, Wexford 369 Km, 0y 5m 0d

Z035659 Adult 30.10.2014 Portland Bill Freshly dead 15.06.2015 Cushenstown, Ballynabola, Wexford (hit glass) 368 Km, 0y 7m 16d

AK7923 Adult male 30.10.2014 St John, St Peter Port, Guernsey Caught by ringer 28.10.2015 Portland Bill Linnet Carduelis cannabina 119 Km, 0y 11m 28d

SPAIN Y834884 First-year female 16.09.2012 Portland Bill Alive 09.03.2015 El Viso Del Alcor, Seville, Siskin Carduelis spinus 1,483 Km, 2y 5m 21d

FINLAND D407505 First-year female 08.03.2013 Braytown, near Wool Caught by ringer 15.04.2015 Vehmaskyla, Mikkeli, 2,195 Km, 2y 1m 7d

172 Dorset Bird Report 2015 2015 Dorset Bird Report 173 DORSET RINGING TOTALS

Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 1 1 9 1 10 Black-throated Diver 1 1 Little Grebe 8 8 Great Crested Grebe 12 12 Fulmar 5 1 6 Manx Shearwater 1 1 2 Gannet 2 2 Cormorant 6 1 Bittern 3 3 Grey Heron 7 96 182 250 Little Egret 852 5 13 18 9 20 Mute Swan 9,015 279 71 9,893 293 2 295 Canada Goose 917 11 11 Shelduck 5 3 8 4 Gadwall 60 60 Teal 3,669 27 3,716 19 55 50 22 Wigeon 49 49 Mallard 3,510 27 3,683 50 2 52 Shoveler Eider 1 1 Pochard 1 1

Garganey 436 24 3 Pintail 357 357 1 1 Tufted Duck 7 470 9 2 48 14 510 Red-breasted Meganser 1 1 Storm Petrel 437 12 12 Leach's Petrel 3 3 Shag 442 23 14 25 24 20 548 Quail Red Kite 1 1 Sparrowhawk 6 5 3 3 5 93 1 1 Buzzard 71 12 16 6 21 19 441 Rough-legged Buzzard 2 1 3 Kestrel 367 25 1 3 1 30 Merlin 5 5 Hobby 1 1 Peregrine 3 3 Red-legged Partridge 264 6 2 2 3 3 280 Corncrake 20 20 Water Rail Spotted Crake 174 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 495 4 3 509 26 15 5 1 6 Moorhen 7 26 12 3 13 4 Coot 1,024 1,077 15 28 43 Oystercatcher 1,546 1,604 10 10 Avocet 262 4 2 1 2 Little Ringed Plover 4 4 Ringed Plover 271 50 1 1 1 53 Dotterel 9 9 Grey Plover 491 5 9 5 5 25 540 Golden Plover 251 16 5 4 1 Lapwing 33 20 21 6 3 100 Knot 277 25 25 Sanderling 17 1 1 Little Stint 10 1 11 Pectoral Sandpiper 120 1 121 Purple Sandpiper 146 130 200 86 52 Curlew Sandpiper 1 1 Dunlin 10,972 11,586 13 13 Buff-breasted Sandpiper 58 4 3 4 86 Ruff 13 3 9 1 1 Jack Snipe 17 48 11 12 18 16 14 119 Snipe 1,160 1,187 5 2 1 1 3 88 Woodcock 264 12 6 5 294 Black-tailed Godwit 76 243 1 3 1 248 Bar-tailed Godwit 7 25 2 1 1 29 Common Sandpiper 8 8 Green Sandpiper 2 2 1 Wood Sandpiper Curlew 729 734 55 1 1 Whimbrel 157 157 10 10 Greenshank 57 16 4 2 3 2 816 Spotted Redshank 1 1 49 Redshank 789 13 13 Turnstone 47 Grey Phalarope 1 1 Mediterranean Gull 7 7 24 34 30 29 36 Little Gull 8 8 Black-headed Gull 3,262 3,415 10 10 Common Gull 930 41 25 65 Lesser Black-backed Gull 46 56 84 31 60 352 Herring Gull 37 79 1,177 5 5 Great Black-backed Gull 75 Kittiwake 2015 Dorset Bird Report 175 Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 4 4 2 2 Roseate Tern 60 18 Arctic Tern 3 6 1 184 Little Tern 78 1 49 88 Sandwich Tern 174 4 4 Common Tern 1,004 87 1,229 12 1 13 Black Tern Guillemot 1 1 Razorbill 7 7 1 1 Little Auk 330 4 18 22 33 414 Puffin 58 42 53 30 29 859 Stock Dove 7 290 13 12 10 9 14 348 Woodpigeon 647 59 1 60 Collared Dove 1 2 60 Turtle Dove 1 1 Cuckoo 57 450 45 34 4 31 611 Yellow-billed Cuckoo 1 1 Barn Owl 47 9 14 3 5 3 312 Scops Owl 126 5 9 4 38 41 223 Little Owl 278 16 1 Tawny Owl 3 1 4 Long-eared Owl 17 31 38 22 31 Short-eared Owl 1 1 Nightjar 972 76 1,170 Swift 1 Pallid Swift 19 34 30 881 475 476 2 2 Kingfisher 744 27 27 80 2 2 3 4 1 92 Hoopoe 251 5 4 4 Wryneck 410 38 52 35 45 49 629 Green Woodpecker 7 7 278 11 11 Great Spotted Woodpecker 1 1 Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 29 2 3 34 Short-toed Lark 8 2 9 4 Woodlark 138 113 145 131 Skylark 1,198 7 1,228 Sand Martin 10,878 97 11,502 115 506 130 335 Swallow 37,116 786 1,212 1,924 2,000 1,516 44,554 2 2 House Martin 30,268 1,579 32,933 3 3 Blyth's Pipit 1 1 2 Tawny Pipit 51 16 34 25 80 913 Olive-backed Pipit 301 201 495 553 340 Tree Pipit 707 Meadow Pipit 5,967 7,857 176 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 428 16 2 1 12 459 16 16 Rock Pipit 293 482 660 260 Water Pipit 2 1 2 2 5 Yellow Wagtail 13,497 73 15,265 292 352 214 231 Grey Wagtail 772 784 Dipper 15 15 Pied/White Wagtail 9,406 247 10,742 323 585 566 3 3 Wren 13,186 287 370 15,317 1 1 Waxwing 622 504 522 531 466 Brown Thrasher 1 1 Dunnock 11,893 14,538 696 903 Alpine Accentor 43 5 1 49 Robin 17,605 1,004 741 1,011 21,960 2 1 3 Bluethroat 300 2 10 1 1 4 318 Thrush Nightingale 131 2 2 3 2 2 142 Nightingale 90 58 Black Redstart 632 9 10 9 25 Common Redstart 3,542 78 87 77 3,932 28 53 31 113 82 Whinchat 17 702 646 15 12 822 Stonechat 1,959 2,266 1 1 Wheatear 75 37 37 1 1 Pied Wheatear 1 1 Desert Wheatear 138 1 5 1 2 2 149 Grey-cheeked Thrush 661 923 609 Ring Ouzel 11 10 9 3 Blackbird 21,223 726 679 24,821 210 194 Fieldfare 754 7 794 154 182 184 504 Song Thrush 7,928 207 273 227 9,039 324 4 5 1 4 6 344 Redwing 4,268 447 5,739 36 25 45 62 55 Mistle Thrush 1 1 Cetti's Warbler 1,037 1,260 108 182 213 302 Pallas's Grasshopper Warbler 4 4 Grasshopper Warbler 1,322 275 2,402 1 5 1 1 235 Savi's Warbler Aquatic Warbler 227 1 1 2 Sedge Warbler 76,167 2,388 2,059 2,527 3,323 2,420 88,884 4 1 5 Paddyfield Warbler 21 1 22 Blyth's Reed Warbler 690 829 Marsh Warbler 2 2 Reed Warbler 35,048 1,060 1,217 879 39,723 3 3 Great Reed Warbler 4 4 Olivaceous Warbler Booted Warbler 2015 Dorset Bird Report 177 Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 1 1 1 1 1 50 Syke's Warbler 123 4 1 1 1 2 132 Icterine Warbler 47 992 12 15 23 8 Melodious Warbler 9 1 1 1 1 13 Dartford Warbler 27 1,077 1 1 Subalpine Warbler 1 1 Asian Desert Warbler 61 60 90 112 Orphean Warbler 901 545 550 Lesser Whitethroat 1,689 76 2,088 163 264 201 180 188 Whitethroat 12,630 571 746 15,943 26 2 1 29 Garden Warbler 7,036 8,032 Barred Warbler 5 1 6 Blackcap 29,840 1,626 1,952 2,179 3,290 2,823 41,710 1 1 Greenish Warbler 13 1 1 15 Arctic Warbler 43 6 6 2 12 69 Pallas's Warbler 2 1 3 Yellow-browed Warbler 10 10 Hume's Leaf Warbler 4 1 1 6 Radde's Warbler 3 1 1 5 Dusky Warbler 150 3 1 1 155 Western Bonelli's Warbler Wood Warbler 2 2 Chiffchaff 40,074 2,845 2,868 3,223 3,706 3,235 55,951 Iberian Chiffchaff 289 655 251 314 Willow Warbler 71,497 2,985 2,996 1,837 2,541 2,198 84,054 28 61 43 33 111 Goldcrest 19,566 1,321 22,396 102 135 83 81 Firecrest 1,490 1,766 31 3 1 35 Spotted Flycatcher 4,280 72 4,753 8 40 28 25 21 Red-breasted Flycatcher 4 15 60 23 Pied Flycatcher 1,581 1,703 308 233 305 300 459 Bearded Tit 1,433 17 1,552 813 6 30 10 893 Long-tailed Tit 6,111 7,716 162 162 Marsh Tit 17 17 124 61 115 Willow Tit Coal Tit 2,540 71 179 3,090 849 926 Blue Tit 43,118 2,086 1,490 1,484 1,241 1,558 50,977 53 52 46 35 69 Great Tit 17,938 1,244 887 775 22,619 26 14 21 21 Nuthatch 715 970 2 2 Treecreeper 1,069 17 1,168 16 1 1 18 Isabelline Shrike 13 13 Red-backed Shrike 8 1 1 10 Woodchat Shrike Golden Oriole 178 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Pre- Species 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Totals 2011 215 6 11 5 8 4 249 236 9 16 15 19 6 301 Jay 309 8 6 12 18 12 365 Magpie 80 11 3 22 8 141 Jackdaw 81 1 4 2 88 Rook 17 3 4 Carrion Crow 121 114 209 49 Raven 7 436 358 458 396 315 Starling 13,931 67 14,491 328 6 1 335 House Sparrow 11,347 13,310 565 364 283 345 Tree Sparrow 611 8 12 5 4 640 Chaffinch 10,950 576 13,083 8 1 1 10 Brambling 804 999 520 350 Serin Greenfinch 30,354 374 33,401 215 263 400 195 110 Goldfinch 10,204 1,340 1,498 2,044 1,636 1,745 18,467 404 453 235 Siskin 2,514 3,697 2 2 Linnet 20,914 1,348 517 23,871 48 1 8 1 2 60 Twite 584 122 105 110 Redpoll sp. 3 1 1 1 5 Lesser Redpoll 127 73 1,121 6 6 Common Redpoll 2 9 Crossbill 128 88 148 Common Rosefinch 7 6 6 Bullfinch 3,578 167 97 4,206 2 2 Hawfinch 1 1 Northern Parula 20 28 29 14 5 Savannah Sparrow 6 6 Yellowhammer 2,375 2,471 11 1 12 Cirl Bunting 3 3 Little Bunting 1 1 9 Lapland Bunting 396 319 392 208 Ortolan Bunting 7 1 1 Reed Bunting 10,459 177 11,951 1 Black-headed Bunting 1 1 Corn Bunting 1,455 1,456 1 1 Dark-eyed Junco Northern Waterthrush

Totals: 744,210 27,045 28,133 27,480 32,053 28,472 887,393

Number of Species: 238 135 122 123 119 119 245

2015 Dorset Bird Report 179 A STUDY OF BREEDING PEREGRINE FALCON IN DORSET

Introduction Granville Pictor

Falco peregrinus

The status of the breeding population of the Peregrine Falcon within the United Kingdom from early historic times until the recent past has been well documented, principally by Dr Derek Ratcliffe in his monograph (1980, 1993) on the species. In addition, the six national breeding censuses of the bird carried out by large numbers of birdwatchers and coordinated by the British Trust for Ornithology (BTO) in roughly ten year cycles between 1961 and 2014 has enabled the recovery of the species from the effects of the ‘pesticide crash’ (the effects of organochlorine pesticide residues in Peregrine’s prey) of the 1950/60’s to be well documented.

In respect of Dorset, Ratcliffe’s book, which drew on personal contacts he had in the county, gives interesting data on historic breeding pairs, whilst the ‘Birds of Dorset’ (Prendergast and Boys 1983) contains a chapter written by Treleven Haysom on the breeding birds of the Purbeck to Portland coast including much fascinating detail on the exploits of egg collectors between the two world wars. ‘The Birds of Dorset’ (Dr George Green 2004) contains a more recent update, and both before and post that time, the annual report of the Dorset Bird Club has given fairly detailed data on the changing fortunes of the species.

This note seeks to draw together some of the published historical data within the county, and provides an update to 2014, the date of the last BTO national census. It provides information on the increasing numbers of pairs within the county since its return in the 1980’s, information on breeding success since that time, and the way in which the coastal cliffs have been reoccupied. It also discusses the more recent trend of the bird to nesting on man made structures, mostly electricity pylons, but occasionally on buildings.

By way of explanation, all of the records and observations from 1986 to 2014 are as a result of fieldwork which I carried every year between those two dates. For a number of years I was greatly assisted in fieldwork by two other fellow Peregrine enthusiasts who also put in very extensive fieldwork, and two other enthusiasts also added additional information (see ‘Acknowledgements’). The numbers of breeding pairs and juveniles raised each year departs slightly on occasion from the figures published in the Dorset Bird Report as there may be years when we missed a pair or miscounted juveniles, and an unknown (to us) observer(s) submitted that extra record(s) to the county recorder. That said the differences are mostly slight and are not considered to be of great significance; not least as I suspect as much of the Historicaldata for the Situation annual report came from myself and the above-mentioned sources.

A brief consideration of the historical situation pre the ‘pesticide crash’ in the 1950/60’s is important as it puts into prospective the current numbers. There are no detailed pre WW1 records as far as I am aware, and the first detailed assessment of the breeding population is given by Ratcliffe who concluded that there were 15 regularly and three irregularly occupied territories on the sea cliffs in the years 1920 to 1939. These pairs were evidently plundered with great regularly by egg collectors, and The Birds of Dorset (1983) includes a famous, or should it be infamous photograph of two of the culprits, Levi Green and Arthur Binn, said to 180 Dorset Bird Report 2015 be taken in about 1940, posing with a collection of sixty-two Peregrine eggs they collected from fourteen nests in that year. That must have been the last of the prolific years in terms of nests, as in 1940 (presumably later in the year), the Air Ministry employed marksmen to shoot Peregrines in order to protect homing pigeons carrying messages in connection with essential wartime activities. It would seem that perhaps only one Dorset pair survived this cull, but following the cessation of hostilities, numbers of breeding pairs quickly recovered until there were eight known pairs in 1951. After a short period of stabilisation, the effects of the ‘pesticide crash’ were felt, and numbers fell quickly from about 1957, and by 1961 all Thebreeding Recovery pairs in the county had vanished.

Full details of the post pesticide recovery from the first known nesting attempt in 1984 through to 2014, the date of the latest BTO Peregrine Survey, are contained at table 1, together with some analysis of breeding success over this 30 year period. In this period the monitored breeding population has increased from a single pair in 1984 through to no fewer than 31 pairs in 2014. The coastal population is now, and has been for a number of years, considerably higher than any known before 1960. In addition, the county has seen a completely new population established on electricity pylons, and to a lesser extent on buildings, both structures not utilised, to the best of my knowledge in the past.

The following three sections discuss details of the recovery on the three types of nesting habitat, ie sea cliffs, pylons and buildings, together with various observations in respect of Seanest Cliffs sites, breeding success etc on each type of nesting habitat.

The first cliff reoccupied was Gad Cliff at Tynham on the army ranges. Single birds were seen there in the 1970’s, but it was not until 1981 that a pair was seen there, and not until 1984 that the birds were definitely proved to have bred when a clutch of four eggs was seen which unfortunately did not hatch. In 1985 two juveniles were fledged, the first in the county for at least 25 years. It is perhaps not surprising that Gad Cliff was the first cliff to be reoccupied as it is perhaps the most fearsome looking cliff on the Dorset coast (see photo 1) and is hugely overhung for much of its length. It is what Ratcliffe (following Hickey) would classify as a ‘first class cliff’ (first class being the most desirable, usually the highest, through to ‘third class’ being the least desirable). Interestingly, again perhaps not surprisingly, the next two sites reoccupied by pairs at St Aldhelms Head and White Photo 1: Gad Cliff Nothe, both in 1986, were on 2015 Dorset Bird Report 181 perhaps the next two most impressive cliffs on the coast. Since then pairs have nested on most stretches of sea cliff from Charmouth in the west to Ballard Down in the east. Most are on relatively stable limestone and chalk cliffs, but some are on the more unstable clay cliffs in the west and the shale cliffs at Kimmeridge, both locations being where nest ledges frequently collapse after a few years; one nest on the clay collapsed and destroyed the clutch of eggs.

For a number of years the reoccupation took place with pairs spacing themselves well apart. As the population has increased however, pairs have increasingly nested closer together. One pair which first bred in the 1980’s occupied a cliff territory of about 4km in length and bred successfully in the centre and at sites at both ends. In 2003 a new pair occupied the western end of the territory, and in 2008 another pair took over the eastern end. All three pairs have bred successfully since. The ‘Birds of Dorset’ (1983) mentions three clutches of eggs being taken by collectors in 1929 from St Aldhelm’s Head, ‘all eyries being on the cliffs within 1.5km of each other’. For three years (2005 to 2007) this headland was again occupied by three pairs with only c 1.5km between the most westerly and easterly pairs, the closest nesting I have seen in Dorset. One site has subsequently been deserted for unknown reasons. There are other examples of close nesting in the county, and it is perhaps significant that most, but not all pairs in these situations, nest on cliff faces which do not have a clear line of sight between nests.

In 2005, numbers of pairs reached the twenties for the first time (21 in 2005). Since that time numbers have in essence stabilised with numbers from then until 2014 being between 20 and 22 pairs. Two sites occupied for a number of years appear to have been deserted whilst two new pairs have ‘squeezed’ into what were previously single pair territories. With known spacing of existing nests, deserted sites, and what appear to be suitable sites, there does seem in theory to be scope for perhaps another six or so pairs on the coast. That said, there is no evidence in practice of an increase into these ostensibly suitable sites, and it does seem that, despite no seeming shortage of adult birds, we have reached saturation levels of nesting pairs on the coast. It is tempting to think that the increasing pylon nesting population in the county has arisen due to all coastal sites being occupied. Whilst there may be some truth in this, as table 1 shows, pylon nesting first started and was well established a good ten years before numbers of pairs peaked on the coast. Whilst it is pure conjecture on my behalf, it is a fact that the vast bulk of prey I have seen taken by Peregrines during the breeding season are pigeons, either feral or racing pigeons and captured out to sea. It is known that some racing pigeon routes have been changed nationally to try and minimise predation by Peregrines, and also that numbers of racing pigeon enthusiasts have declined in recent decades. The Royal Pigeon Racing Association for example states in their literature that from a membership of 60,000 in 1989, numbers have declined steadily since that time. It may, and I stress may, thus be the case that, on the coast at least, the amount of prey now available is responsible for the levelling off of pair numbers.

With regard to nest sites themselves, almost all in Dorset are on open cliff ledges, often in hollows in the cliff face, and almost always impossible to view from above. Even when viewed from the side so to speak, across a bay, nests are mostly at least semi-hidden behind rocky outcrops and it is seldom possible to view the nest scrape itself. It is interesting to note that in Dorset, despite there being a good population of Ravens Corvus corax nesting on cliffs shared with Peregrines, that unlike in many coastal counties, Peregrines only very infrequently use old Ravens nests. This is puzzling as most Raven territories contain several 182 Dorset Bird Report 2015 old nest and these are usually very substantial and well tucked away under overhangs to avoid the worst of the weather. I can only knowingly recall three instances where old Ravens nests were used and two were successful. That said, other instances may of course have occurred with hidden Raven nests which I have been unable to record, but I believe they are probably quite small in number.

Table 1 gives data on the breeding success of Peregrines in the county over the years.

With regard to successful breeding on sea cliffs, from 1984 there have been 256 successful nests from 424 attempts which is a success rate of 60.4% over that time period. This has varied from 28.6% in 2014 (sadly the year of the last BTO census), to 91.6% in 1997. The three years from 1995 to 1997 were particularly successful with success rates not matched since. Quite why the success rates should vary so much from year to year is open to conjecture. I suspect, as has been noted elsewhere in the UK, cold and wet weather, especially shortly after hatching, has an impact, especially on some of the most exposed cliff faces. It is interesting to note that the most successful nest site in the county (occupied from 1992 to date) by some margin, both in terms of percentage of success and chicks raised (including seven broods of four) faces due east, has lots of very large vegetated ledges and is thus well sheltered from the weather. Despite a few isolated incidents, I have no reason to suspect any significant human interference at sites. I should perhaps add here that when I speak of 424 ‘attempts’ I have assumed that each territorial pair in occupation has attempted to breed in every year of occupation. It is always of course possible that some pairs were in occupation in a given year but did not attempt to breed for some reason. That said, once pairs are settled it does seem likely that the vast majority do make a breeding attempt and that is the assumption I have used for the analysis. Table 1 also gives the number of juveniles raised every year together with an analysis of the number of juveniles raised per successful pair and the number per territorial pair. The long-term average of juveniles per successful pair is 2.11 whilst the number per territorial pair (assuming again that the pairs did in fact attempt to breed) is 1.28. Ratcliffe suggests that historically, both in the UK and worldwide, the average is in the region of 2.5 juveniles per successful pair. Whilst the Dorset figure is a little below that, see ‘Methodology’ for possible reasons for this. It is interesting to note that whilst the average number of juveniles fledged per successful pair over the years has gone up and down, when looked at in the round so to speak, numbers do not seem to show any long term trend. Equally of interest is that broods per successful pair even in years when many pairs fail, do not seem to vary too much. Even in the poor BTO census year of 2014, the average was 2.5 even when only six pairs out of 21 were recorded as being successful. Broods of two juveniles are most often found at successful sites, with ones and threes being quite common and fours a bonus. Quite exceptionally in both 1999 and 2000, at the same site, a pair fledged five juveniles, which although not unknown, is nonetheless quite unusual Pylonsin the UK.

Dorset has extensive lengths of electricity pylons owned and operated by National Grid. With only one exception of which I am aware, Peregrines have only nested on the largest type of pylon. These large pylons comprise the 4YA line from the Devon border to Chickerell at Weymouth, the 4VN line from Chickerell to Mannington near Verwood, and the 4YB line from Mannington to the county boundary with Hampshire. Again with just one exception of which I am aware, (but see below during refurbishment work), Peregrines have only nested 2015 Dorset Bird Report 183 on what are termed deviation pylons. These are easily recognised as they have horizontal insulators. They comprise perhaps about 10% of all pylons, the rest being ordinary line pylons where the insulators are attached vertically. Photograph 2 shows a typical nesting deviation pylon. The reason the deviation pylons are used by falcons is that on the end of the six ‘arms’ on each pylon is steel plating provided for strengthening purposes. This steel plating forms in essence a box structure, and it is within these steel boxes that the falcons nest. These boxes are thus an integral part of the structure of the pylon itself and are not retro fitted nest boxes to attract nesting falcons as it were. On the 4YA and 4VN lines the steel boxes are oblong in shape being about 21inches long by about 13 inches wide and about 12 inches deep. Photo 3 shows such a box. They are open topped and the falcons lay eggs in the bottom of the box. To avoid the eggs rolling apart, they use boxes where the base has a covering of debris of some kind. Sometimes this is a layer of old bones of prey caught by the falcons, mostly pigeon, or sometimes it is the old nest of a corvid or similar. On the 4YB line, the box structure at the end of the six pylon arms is different as it has a sloping ‘roof’ so to speak (see photo 4), and the falcons can only access the box from the inner side of the pylon arms. These side access boxes rely on a corvid or similar bird building a nest in the box which the falcons subsequently use. As they have a roof and no lip to the inside bottom of the box, it seems they do not naturally accumulate debris to use as a substrate as do the open topped boxes. When the pylons on the 4YB line were repainted some 15 or so years ago, old stick nests were removed, and until new nests were built by corvids or similar, the Peregrines were unable to breed on the pylons. Of interest, in 2004 and 2005 when a total refurbishment was carried out by National Grid on the 4VN line, bespoke plastic caps were fitted over the open topped nesting boxes to prevent Peregrines laying eggs and then being disturbed and probably deserting when climbers started working on the pylons. The works were staggered to minimise disturbance and some temporary wooden nest boxes were erected on adjacent line pylons to hopefully retain the falcons and enable breeding whilst the work was carried out. This was at least partially successful, and following completion of the works, some of the plastic caps on all of the deviation towers were removed and nesting substrate for the falcons placed in the open topped boxes which had been cleaned out during the works. The falcons returned to their original nesting pylons shortly after the works were completed and happily used the ‘refurbished’ boxes for breeding in subsequent years. It is interesting to note that Ravens using the same pylon lines also nest, as far as I am aware, only on deviation pylons. These birds build bulky stick nests towards the centre of the pylon where presumably the steel structure is sufficient to support the nests. Both species sometimes nest very close to one another, at one site always on two adjacent deviation pylons with no intervening line pylon. That said, I have never known an instance in Dorset of a Peregrine breeding in an old Ravens pylon nest. Ravens normally use the same pylon every year for breeding, and presumably the Peregrines either prefer to use the pylon arm boxes or are unable to oust the Ravens from their stick nests even if they wished to do so. Whilst Ravens and some Peregrines use the same pylon every year for nesting, other pairs of Peregrines often use one of two or three deviation pylons, a mile or more apart, within their territory in alternate years.

As Table 1 shows, the first pylon pair of which I am aware nested in the county in 1995. A steady increase then followed, and by 2014, the year of the national BTO census, I located no fewer than ten breeding pairs. It can also be seen from the table that by 1999 and 2000 there were six territorial pairs, but in some years beyond that numbers were less. In my experience, once established, Peregrine pairs only very rarely desert a territory. I thus suspect that in fact I failed to record some pairs in those years when in fact they were present. The reason 184 Dorset Bird Report 2015 Photo 3: Top-entry box

Photo 2: Deviation nest pylon with top entry boxes Photo 4: Side-entry box for this is probably that they were failed breeders and on a single visit in late June or early July it is sometimes difficult to find failed pylon breeding birds whereas failed breeders on coastal cliffs are normally very obvious. Preliminary analysis of the results of the 2014 BTO breeding census reveals that in that year Dorset had more known pylon breeding pairs than any other English county (per correspondence with BTO). My own home county of Wiltshire has only two known pairs but we have very few big pylons. Quite why Dorset should have so many pairs compared with other counties is open to conjecture. It may be that we have many more suitable nesting pylons. On the other hand it may to some extent be down to observer effort. Locating pylon nesting birds is much more difficult, at least in my experience, than locating coastal pairs. In most cases it means fairly long range observation from the nearest road or footpath, and despite their size, falcons can often be extremely difficult to see on pylons.

Table 1 also shows data for the breeding success of pylon birds. Whilst like coastal birds this does vary from year to year, it is very obvious that in terms of pairs successful and juveniles raised per nesting attempt and per successful pair, that pylon birds fare much less well than coastal birds. As a long-term average, the percentage of successful pylon pairs is 40.71% compared with coastal birds at 60.38%. With regard to juveniles raised per successful attempt, the figures are 1.63 for pylon pairs compared with 2.11 for coastal pairs, and figures for juveniles per territorial pair are 0.66 for pylon pairs compared with 1.28 for coastal pairs. These observed differences are probably a little greater than the situation in reality as it is usually more difficult to find fledged juveniles on a pylon line than on a cliff face. Coastal juveniles often play together in the updraft from a cliff face and are usually easy to see. Pylon juveniles on the other hand have no updraft to utilise, often sit around for long periods on a pylon, sometimes well hidden within the steel2015 structure, Dorset Bird and Report often 185not on the nest pylon itself. They thus often only make themselves obvious, both vocally and visually, when a parent brings in prey. Despite the likely modest under recording of pylon juveniles as discussed, I believe the poor breeding performance of pylon pairs compared with coastal pairs is very real and conversations with other Peregrine enthusiasts in other counties seems to confirm this. Quite why this should be so is open to speculation. I suspect that once the juveniles are partially feathered and climb up onto the top of the open topped boxes, they are prone to being blown off the box by strong gusts of wind. Equally, when fully fledged, with no wind updraft, unlike a cliff face, if their initial flight is on a fairly calm day, they may have problems finding a landing place lower down on the pylon. Either way, there are evidently quite significant numbers of birds that fall from the nest to the ground below the nest pylon. I have seen a number of these ‘fallers’ over the years, some still alive and calling loudly (some have been rescued), whilst others have been just been chewed up carcasses presumably predated by foxes or perhaps badgers. Once on the ground, especially in tall vegetation such as an arable cereal crop, they evidently have difficulty getting airborne and back to the safely of the pylon. Whilst I have kept no detailed records, I would estimate that perhaps approaching 90% of Ravens nests I have seen on pylons are successful, a huge difference compared with Peregrine pairs. Again I can only speculate, but I suspect that the Raven chicks have a great deal more room in their large nests than Peregrines in relatively small boxes, and that they can wander out and wing flap on the pylon steelwork in the centre of the pylon whereas the Peregrine chicks are very exposed on the end of the pylon arms. Interestingly whilst I found ten breeding pairs of Peregrines on pylons for the 2014 BTO Peregrine census, in the same year on the same pylon lines, I found no fewer than 21 Buildingsactive Raven nests. They are clearly doing very well in the county.

The third category of nest site, and one very much in the public eye, is the mostly recent utilisation by the birds of nest sites on buildings, often in nest boxes and often with live video feeds so that the public can view the day-to-day activities at the nest. A huge variety of structures have been used nationwide, with perhaps churches and cathedrals being those most well publicised. Probably the most historic and celebrated man made building used by falcons is on the cathedral in my own home city of Salisbury, and falcons returned to breed here in 2013. In Dorset, from 2009, a pair have bred in Bournemouth on the Lansdowne tower at Bournemouth and Poole College, and the Birds of Dorset (2004) mentions breeding having successfully taken place on the now Photo 5: Portland Harbour building nest site demolished Poole Power station. There are frequent sightings of birds in urban locations, and it may well be that there are other, as yet undiscovered pairs, breeding in the county. I would not be at all surprised if a reasonable population of building nesting pairs 186 Dorset Bird Report 2015 become established in the county in years to come.

As will be clear from Table 1, I have only monitored one such pair, and this was a nest within an old building on Portland Harbour Breakwater. This building is depicted in photo 5, the shot being taken from a boat which Penny Harwood and I hired on one occasion from the nearby marina. The nest was located on some kind of shelf within the building on the back wall so must have provided a very secure and sheltered nest site. Despite being c 2.5km from shore, on a clear day with a zoomed up telescope, it was possible to see birds perched on the building, and confirmation of breeding was made in several years by seeing chicks wing flapping and being fed on the top of the building. The site was certainly occupied for at least nine years, but was then, for reasons unknown, deserted. This desertion coincided with a new pair being established on a nearby coastal cliff on Portland. I did on one occasion see a bird from this new cliff pair fly out and land on the building nest site which may support this view. Whilst I have given some data on breeding success for this pair at table 1, being of a single site it is of no real significance. Whilst not relevant to Dorset in any great way just yet, it does seem that nationally breeding success rates on buildings, particularly where nest boxes are provided, is extremely good, and the numbers of chicks raised per breeding Methodologyattempt is usually higher than on natural cliff sites.

I first started looking for Peregrines on the Dorset coast in the summer of 1985, and in that year saw my first juvenile on Gad Cliff. I was then, and still am, Wiltshire based, but in county with no cliffs or even natural crags, it was perhaps only natural that I gravitated to nearby Dorset which offered, I hoped, scope to become familiar with what has always been my favourite bird. Not only that, but it offered the challenge, I hoped, to chart the recovery of the bird as a breeding species in a county possessing some of the finest sea cliffs in England. Since that time, with very few exceptions, I have visited every nest site known to me at least once every year, sometimes more. In addition to visiting known nest sites, in the early years especially, I also visited many stretches of suitable sea cliffs hoping to find new pairs. In more recent years this ‘pioneering’ searching so to speak has been more aimed at finding new pylon nests as sea cliff occupation seems close to saturation level. In the early years I almost always had time to visit all nest sites several times in the year, always including a visit in late June/early July by which time juveniles are on the wing and can be counted. Once numbers of pairs were in excess of about twenty, sheer pressure of time has often meant only one visit a year has been made to many sites, again always in late June/early July to establish presence of a pair and to count juveniles. In addition, this pressure has meant less time is spent at each site than had been in earlier years. I did put in more visits to each site in the BTO Peregrine census years of 1991, 2002 and 2014 and in 2014 visited all 31 sites known to me, mostly on two occasions. The high number of pylon pairs located in 2014 is undoubtedly as a result of inspecting all pylon lines during March and April. Visits purely in June or July would I am sure have revealed less pairs due to the difficulty of finding failed breeders. As alluded to earlier in this note, the percentage of failed attempts and juveniles raised may well be a little under recorded in later years. This is because when there were only a relatively few pairs it was possible to spend much longer at every site to check for successful breeding and to accurately count juveniles. As numbers of pairs have increased, time spent at each site has of necessity decreased, and I may well have, in a shortened visit, failed to register some successful breeding attempts and when successful, not counted all juveniles present. Such are the problems, but also pleasures of survey work! 2015 Dorset Bird Report 187 TABLE 1: DORSET PEREGRINES 1984 TO 2014

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 COASTAL: 1 1 3 3 5 6 9 10 10 12 0 1 2 2 2 2 6 8 5 8 5 Territorial pairs 0 2 4 5 3 4 137 21 12 20 14 Sucessful pairs 0 100 66 .6 66 .6 40 33 .3 88 .9 50 80 41 .6 Fledged juvs 0 2 2 2 .5 1 .5 2 2 .62 2 .4 2 .5 2 .8 % sucessful pairs 0 2 1 .33 1 .66 0 .6 0 .66 85.71 .86 2 .33 1 .2 2 1 .16 Juvs per sucessful pair 2.17 Juvs per territorial pairs 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 COASTAL: 12 12 12 15 15 15 18 18 18 21 10 10 11 9 10 10 9 9 11 9 11 Territorial pairs 21 21 26 15 23 17 22 20 18 21 Sucessful pairs 83 .3 83 .3 91 .6 60 66 .6 66 .6 52 .9 50 61 .1 50 52 .4 Fledged juvs 2 .1 2 .1 2 .36 1 .66 2 .3 27 117 .89 2 .44 1 .82 2 1 .91 % sucessful pairs 2 .16 1 1 .53 1 .8 1 1 .22 1 .11 1 1 Juvs per sucessful pair 2.7 JuvsPYLONS: per territorial pairs 1.75 1.75 1 2 3 4 6 6 5 4 5 8 6 0 1 3 2 3 1 3 3 1 4 3 Territorial pairs 0 2 6 3 1 6 3 1 9 6 Sucessful pairs 0 50 100 50 50 16 .6 60 20 50 50 Fledged juvs 0 2 2 1 .5 2 7.33 1 2 1 1 2 .25 2 % sucessful pairs 0 1 2 1 .2 75 0 .2 1 .12 1 Juvs per sucessful pair JuvsBUILDINGS: per territorial pairs 0.75 1.17 0.17 0.75 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 1 0 Territorial pairs 1 0 0 2 2 2 0 Sucessful pairs Fledged juvs 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 Total COASTAL: 20 20 20 20 20 22 20 21 21 424 14 13 10 13 11 16 10 13 6 256 Territorial pairs 32 24 22 21 28 19 24 15 541 Sucessful pairs 65 50 65 55 50 61 .9 28 .6 Fledged juvs 2 .29 1 .85 2 .2 227 .08 1 .91 1 .9 1 .85 2 .5 % sucessful pairs 170 .6 1 .2 1 .1 1 .35 1 .05 72.7 0 .95 1 .14 Juvs per sucessful pair 1.75 JuvsPYLONS: per territorial pairs 1.27 0.71 5 4 8 8 8 6 10 113 0 3 5 4 4 2 0 2 2 46 Territorial pairs 0 3 8 6 7 2 0 73 2 75 Sucessful pairs 0 62 .5 50 25 0 28 .6 20 Fledged juvs 0 1 1 .6 1 .5 7 1 0 1 .5 1 % sucessful pairs 0 75 1 57.11 0 .25 0 0 .43 0 .2 Juvs per sucessful pair 1.75 BUILDINGS:Juvs per territorial pairs 0.75 0.75 1 0 Territorial pairs 0 Sucessful pairs Fledged juvs 188 Dorset Bird Report 2015 ANALYSIS:

COASTAL:

Average 1984 to 2014 successful breeding attempts is 256 sucesses out of 424 attempts equals 60.38%. Average 1984 to 2014 juveniles raised per sucessful pair is 541 juveniles from 256 pairs equals 2.11. Average 1984 to 2014 juveniles raised per territorial pair is 541 juveniles from 424 pairs PYLONS:equals 1.28.

Average 1995 to 2014 sucessful breeding attempts is 46 sucesses out of 113 attempts 1equals .63 . 40.71%. Average 1995 to 2014 juveniles raised per sucessful pair is 75 juveniles from 46 pairs equals

Average 1995 to 2014 juveniles raised per territorial pair is 75 juveniles from 113 pairs Acknowledgementsequals 0.66.

I am grateful to Treleven Haysom for the information he provided me with on the pre 1986 reoccupation of Gad Cliff. I am also greatly indebted to Ed and Penny Harwood, both sadly no longer with us, for the huge amount of fieldwork they carried out on most of the sites for many years, often early in the breeding season when I did not have time to visit. This enabled me to focus my time more meaningfully, particularly in my June and July visits. I am also greatly indebted to Nick Dixon who lives in Devon. Nick is widely acknowledged to be the UK expert on Peregrines nesting on man made structures, which includes pylons. In 2004 and 2005 when National Grid were refurbishing the entire 4 VN line, Nick Dixon and Colin Shawyer (Wildlife Conservation Partnership) were employed to locate nesting falcons on pylons and suggest ways to alleviate the unavoidable disturbance to these schedule 1 nesting birds due to the works (see above). My acquaintance with Nick arose some years before these works, but because of our common interest in Peregrines and of his involvement with this project, he gave me details of several pairs unknown to me which I have followed since that time. Finally, whilst not quite an acknowledgement, as will be apparent, I have named several coastal breeding sites for Peregrines within this note. In the early days of the reoccupation, these sites were subject to some sensitivity, but they are I believe now quite well known and their public disclosure as it were, is I feel unlikely to have Bibliographyany detrimental effect on the birds.

The Peregrine Falcon

Ratcliffe,D. 1980 (1st edn), 1993 (2nd edn). . Poyser, Calton (1st edn) and London (2nd edn).

Col E.D.V Prendergast and J.V Boys. 1983. The Birds of Dorset. David & Charles.

GranvilleGeorge Green. Pictor 2004. 3 Netheravon The Birds of Road, Dorset. Salisbury, Christopher Wiltshire, Helm, SP1London. 3BJ.

2015 Dorset Bird Report 189 190 Dorset Bird Report 2015 KEY TO DORSET MAP

01 Lyme Regis SY3492 46 Chapman’s Pool SY955770 02 Burton Bradstock SY4889 47 St Aldhelm’s Head SY961755 03 Peascombe SY498944 48 Winspit Valley SY976760 04 Loscombe SY506982 49 Middlebere SY968863 05 South Poorton SY512975 50 Stoborough Heath SY924850 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 19 Sherborne Castle Lake ST6416 64 Canford Heath SZ031955 20 Holway Woods ST633200 65 Brownsea Island SZ028878 21 Portland Bill SY677682 66 Ballard Down SZ042813 22 Chesil Cove SY6873 67 Knoll Beach SZ033835 23 King Barrow Quarries SY690728 68 South Haven SZ036867 24 Portland Castle SY684743 69 Branksome Chine SZ065896 25 Sandsfoot Castle SY674773 70 Alder Hills SZ063931 26 Radipole Lake RSPB SY6779 71 Longham Lakes SZ064980 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 37 Coombe Heath SY861843 82 Ringstead Bay SY760815 38 Fontmell Down ST884176 83 White Nothe SY772809 39 Kimmeridge Bay SY905792 84 Portland Bird Obs SY681689 40 Stonehill Down SY925822 85 Morden Bog SY913920 41 Kilwood Coppice SY933825 86 Soldiers Road SY944855 42 Sherford Bridge SY919926 87 Holes Bay SZ0092 43 Ashley Wood ST925051 88 Dancing Ledge SY997768 44 Sovell Down ST985107 89 Baiter Park SZ020901 45 Swineham GPs SY937879 2015 Dorset Bird Report 191 192 Dorset Bird Report 2015 2015 Dorset Bird Report 193 GAZETTEER

Abbeycroft Down ST 9505 Bride Valley SY4789/SY5888 Abbotsbury Beach SY559845 Bride Valley Fish Farm SY 521899 Bridport Abbotsbury Swannery SY 578839 Bridging Camp, The Fleet SY 652773 Ackling Dyke SU 015163 SY 4694 Acton SY 989784 Broadoak SY 4396 Affpuddle SY 805936 Broadcroft Quarry SY 698718 Alderholt SU 1112 Broadstone SZ 0095 Alners Gorse ST 737103 Broadstone GC SZ 0097 Alweston ST 664143 Brockington SU 019107 Arne Moors SY 947868 Brownsea Island SZ 0288 Arne RSPB SY 975878 Brownsea Lagoon SZ 029880 Ashley Wood ST 9205 Bryanstone ST 8706 Ashmore ST 9117 Buckland Ripers SY 6482 Athelhampton SY 771941 Bucknowle SY 949813 Avalanche Rd (& Hump) SY 686705 Bugley ST 7824 Avon Causeway SZ 1497 Bulbarrow Hill ST 7705 Avon Heath CP SU 1203 Burleston SY 776942 Avon River Valley SZ1692-SU1307 Burning Cliff SY 761815 Babylon Hill ST 576155 Burton (Avon Valley) SZ 1694/95 Badbury Rings ST 9603 Burton Bradstock SY 48/4989 Baiter Park SZ 022904 Burton Mere SY 508879 Ballard Down SZ 381 Bushey SY 979834 Bardolf Farm SY 763952 Butterstreet Cove SY 6379 Bardolf WM SY 7694 Canford SZ 0398 Barleycrates Lane SY 685710 Canford Heath SZ 032983 Batcombe Walk ST 6303 Canford Magna GC SZ 041986 Beacon Hill Landfill SY 973950 Cashmoor ST 9713 Beaminster ST 4701 Castle Cove SY 676775 Beaminster Down ST 4903 Castlepoint, Bournemouth SZ 112947 Bearwood SZ 0496 Cerne Abbas ST 685011 Bembury Walk ST 6014 Chafey’s Lake SY 6680 Bere Regis SY 8495 Chalbury Hill SU 0106 Bestwall SY 9287 Chamberlayne’s Heath SY 838913 Bincombe SY 6884 Chapman’s Pool SY 955771 Bindon Abbey SY 854867 Charborough Park SY 922298 Black Down SY 609876 Chard Junction GP ST 3404 Black Hill, Bere Regis SY 836941 Charlton Marshall ST 902039 Black Hill, Holton Heath SY 946910 Charminster SY 6892 Blackers Hole SZ 007767 Charmouth SY 3693 Blacknor SY 677714 Chaston Farm ST 718057 Blandford Forum ST 88/8906 Cheselbourne SY 7699 Bloxworth SY 881948 Chesil Beach SY 57/68 Blue Lagoon, Lilliput SZ 035899 Chesil Cove, Portland SY 984734 Bokerley Dyke SU 0418 Chettle ST 963134 Boscombe SZ 11/1291 Cheyne Weare SY 693705 Bourne Valley SZ 0693 Chickerell SY 6481 Bournemouth Hospital SZ 126942 Chickerell Hive Point SY 637791 Bovington Camp SY 8388 Chilcombe SY 527910 Bowleaze Cove SY 703819 Child Okeford ST 8312 Boys Hill ST 673102 Christchurch Harbour SU 1791 Bracketts Coppice ST 5107 Church Hill ST 715035 Bramble Bush Bay SZ 031862 Church Ope Cove SY 698711 Brand’s Bay SZ 0185 Cleaval Point SZ 005865 Branksome SZ 0592 Clifton Wood ST 5712 Branksome Chine SZ 0689 Cogden Beach SY 5087 Brenscombe Hill SY 986819 Colehill SU 0201 Briantspuddle SY 8193 Compton Abbas ST 869185

194 Dorset Bird Report 2015 GAZETTEER (continued)

Compton Valence SY 593932 Fitzworth SY 992867 Coombe Heath SY 975867 Flaghead Chine SZ 053887 Coombe Hill ST 775025 Fleetsbridge SZ 010933 Coombe Valley SY 6983/84 Fontmell Down ST 884176 Corfe Castle SY 9682 Forde Abbey ST 359050 Corfe Common SY 9580/81 Forston SY 6695 Corfe Hills SY 9996 Fortuneswell SY 6873 Corfe Mullen SY 9798 Foxholes, The Fleet SY 652778 Corfe River Meadows SY 9684 Frampton SY 6295 Corscombe Cross ST 5105 French’s Farm SY 968930 Coward’s Marsh SZ 1595 Frome Whitfield SY 6991 Cranborne SU 0514 Furzehill SU 0102 Cranborne Common SU 104112 Furzey Island SZ 00/0187 Creech Heath SY 9283 Gad Cliff SY 882795 Creekmoor Ponds SY 999939 Gallows Hill SY 844911 Critchel Down ST 961101 Garston Wood SU 002190 Critchel Lake SY 9907 Gillingham ST 8026/27 Crossways SY 76/7788 Glebelands SZ 0381 Crouch Hill, Stanpit SZ 169918 Goathill ST 675172 Culverwell SY 982690 Godlingston Heath SZ 0182 Dancing Ledge SY 997768 Golden Cap SY 407923 Deadmoor Common ST 7511 Golden Springs SY 8290 Dean ST 9715 Gore Heath SY 9291 Delph Woods SZ 0197 Gotham SU 083113 Dewlish SY 775985 Grange Heath SY 9083 Didlington SU 010075 Grange Wood ST 665065 Dodding’s Farm CBs SY 852934 Great Coll Wood SY 8899 Dorchester SY 68/69 Great Ovens Hill SY 925903 Dorey’s Farm Pond SY 911850 Greenlands Farm SZ 0184 Down Farm, Blandford ST 993148 Grimstone SY 6494 Dudmoor Farm SZ 150960 Grove Point SY 706722 Dunyeat’s Heath SZ 0196 Grove Stadium SY 698726 Durlston Bay SZ 0377 /78 Gussage All Saints SU 0010 Durlston CP / Head SZ 0277 Gussage St Andrew ST 986145 East Almer SY 924991 Gussage St Michael ST 9811 East Bexington SY 550858 Hambledon Hill ST 8412 East Fleet SY 635800 Ham Common SY 9790/9890 East Holme SY 8986 Hammoon ST 8114 East Knighton SY 8084 Handfast Point/Old Harry SZ 055825 East Lulworth SY 8692 Handley Cross SU 011166 East Parley SZ 105975 Hardy’s Monument SY 613876 East Stoke SY 8786 Harpitts Lake ST 784242 East Stoke Fen SY 864866 Hartgrove ST 8318 East Stour ST 8023 Hartland Moor SY 9585 East Weare SY 7073 Hatch Pond SZ 013938 Easton SY 6971 Haven Hotel, Poole SZ 0387 Eccliffe ST 798254 Hazelebury Bryan ST 745085 Edmonsham SU 0611 Hedbury Quarry SY 992768 Eggardon Hill SY 5494 Henbury Plantation SY 9697 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 Ferndown Common SZ 0799 High Hall nr. Wimborne SU 001027 Ferrybridge SY 667762 Highcliffe SZ 2194 Fifehead Magdalen ST 779214 Higher Bockhampton SY 7292 Fifehead Wood ST 774215 Higher Hyde SY 851902

2015 Dorset Bird Report 195 GAZETTEER (continued)

Hilfield ST 634050 Lyme Bay SY 3391/6768 Hinton Parva ST 998044 Lyme Regis SY 3492 Hinton St Mary ST 7816 Lynch Cove SY 648781 Holcombe Bottom SY 6996/7185 Lyons Gate ST 660058 Holes Bay SY 0092 Lytchett Bay SY 9792 Holmebridge SY 8986 Lytchett Matravers SY 9495 Holnest ST 6509 Maiden Castle SY 66/6788 Holt Heath SU 0504 Maiden Newton SY 5997 Holton Heath SY 9591 Magiston SY 638968 Holton Lee SY 954914 Mapperton, nr Blandford SY 9098 Horse Down ST 965095 Mapperton, nr Beaminster SY 5099 Horselynch Plantation SY 6881/6882 Mappowder ST 734061 Horton SU 027074 Marnhull ST 7718 Hungry Hill SY 529974 Martin Down SY 5791 Iford Hurn SZ 1297 Martinstown SY 6488 SZ 1393 Masters Pit (MOD) SY 9184 Keysworth SY 9488 Matchams Viewpoint SU 134020 Kilwood Coppice SY 512975 Maunbury Rings SY 690899 Kimmeridge SY 918799 Melbury Park, Evershot ST 5705 Kingcombe ST 741002 Melcombe Bingham ST 7602 King’s Park, Bournemouth SZ 116929 Merley SZ 020980 King’s Stag ST 7210 Merley Park SZ 00/0198 Kingston, North Dorset ST 755095 Middlebere SY 968863 Kingston, Purbeck SY 956796 Milborne St Andrew SY 8097 Kingston Lacy ST 977013 Milton Abbas ST 8001 Kingston Maurward SY 717910 Minchington ST 9614 King’s Wood, Purbeck SZ 000815 Monkton-up-Wimborne SU 0113 Knitson SZ 0080 Moonfleet SY 6180 Knowlton SU 022101 Moor Critchel ST 9908 Knowlton Church SU 024104 Moors Valley CP SU 1205 Lamberts Castle SY 372991 Morden Bog SY 914917 Lane End SY 850925 Morden Park Lake SY 907927 Langton Herring SY 6182 Morden Park Corner SY 9093 Langton Matravers SZ 0078 Moreton SY 8089 Lankham Bottom SY 6099 Mudeford SZ 1892 Launceston Down ST 953106 Mupe Bay SY 844799 Lawson Clump SY 921909 Muscliffe SZ 0995 Leigh ST 6208 Nath Point SY 980859 Lewesdon Hill ST 4301 Nether Cerne SY 670982 Lillington ST 629127 Newton Bay SZ 0085 Littlebredy SY 5889 Newton Heath SZ 004840 Little Sea, Studland SZ 0384/85 Newton’s Cove SY 684782 Littlesea, The Fleet SY 645781 Nine Barrow Down SZ 002811 Litton Cheney SY 5590 Norden SY 945835 Loddon Lakes ST 812258 Norden Sewage Works SY 961831 Lodmoor SY 6881 North Poorton SY 519982 Long Bredy SY 570904 Northbourne SY 0896 Long Critchel ST 9710 Northport Heath SY 911894 Longburton ST 6611 Nottington SY 6682 Longham Lakes SZ 062981 Oakers Wood SY 8091 Louds Mill SF SY 7190 Oborne ST 6518 Lower Bockhampton SY 7290 Okeford Fitzpaine ST 806109 Lower Parkstone SZ 0391 Organford SY 939924 Lulworth Cove SY 8279 Osmington SY 7283 Lulworth Ranges SY 8370/9082 Ower Bay SY 9986 Lydlinch ST 7413 Ower Quay SY 997862 Lydlinch Common ST 7313 Pallington SY 789912

196 Dorset Bird Report 2015 GAZETTEER (continued)

Pamphill ST 9900 Rodwell SY 6778 Parkstone Bay SZ 0290 Ryewater ST 667108 Parley Court Farm SZ 0997 Saltern’s Marsh SY 9686 PC World, Poole SZ 066828 Sandbanks SZ 03/0487 Pennsylvania Castle SY 6971 Sandford Heath SY 9389 Pentridge SU 0317 Sandsfoot Castle SY 674773 Peveril Point SZ 040786 Scotland Farm SY 961840 Piddle Valley SY9488-ST6902 Seaborough ST 4305 Piddlehinton SY 7197 Seacombe SY 9876 Piddletrenthide SY 7099 Shaftsbury SY 8622/23 Pilsden Pen ST 4001 Shapwick ST 9401 Pimperne ST 9009 Shell Bay SU 0386 Plush ST 7102 Sherborne ST 6678 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 Sixpenny Handley ST 9917 Portland Castle SY 684744 Slepe Copse SY 957863 Portland Harbour SY 68 / 69 Slepe Plantation SY 951859 Portland Heights SY 689730 Soldier’s Road SY 9485 Poundbury SY 6790 Solent Meads GC SZ 159913 Povington SY 8882 Sopley Common SZ 12/130974 Povington Heath SY 53 / 5496 South Down SY 7781 Powerstock SY 517961 South Haven Point SZ 0386 Powerstock Common SY 540963 South Lake, Poole Hbr SZ 0286/0386 Poxwell SY 741841 South Poorton SY 519978 Preston SY 7083 Southbourne SZ 1491 Preston Beach SY 6880-6981 Southover, Frampton SY 6294 Priory Marsh SZ 162924 Southwell SY 6870 Puddletown SY 7594 Sovell Down ST 990107 Puddletown Forest SY 737927 Spetisbury ST 9102 Puncknowle SY 5388 Squirrel’s Corner SU 025145 Purewell Meadows SZ 1692/93 St Aldhelm’s Head SY 961752 Purse Caundle ST 695175 St Catherine’s Hill SZ 145953 Radipole Lake SY 675796 St Leonards SU 112036 Ramsdown SZ 1396 Staggs Folly ST 6100 Raymonds Hill SY 323963 Stalbridge ST 7317 Reap Lane, Portland SY 682705 Stanbridge SU 004038 Redcliff Point SY 713816 Stanpit Marsh SZ 16/1792 Redhill LNR SZ 087954 Steamer Point SZ 197929 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 SU 1205 Stourton Caundle ST 715154 River Allen SU1307-SZ1692 Stourpaine ST 8609 River Axe ST3202-ST4904 Stubhampton ST 9113 River Frome SY9487-ST5704 Studland Bay SZ 040840 River Lim SY3492–SY3196 Studland Beach SZ 040826 River Stour SZ1692-ST 7731 Studland Village SZ 0382 River Wey SY 6780-6685 Sturminster Marshall ST 9400 Rodden SY 611842 Sturminster Marshall GP SY 9599 Rodden Hive SY 604821 Sturminster Newton ST 7814

2015 Dorset Bird Report 197 GAZETTEER (continued)

Suckthumb Quarry SY 686708 Walditch SY 485925 Sugar Hill SY 883924 Wareham SY 91/9288 Sutton Bingham Res ST 549110 Wareham Common SY 9087 Sutton Hill ST 882160 Wareham Forest SY 9092 Sutton Waldron ST 887160 Wareham Moors SY 9287 Swanage SZ 02/0378/79 Warmwell Heath SY 7586 Swanage Bay SZ 0379 Warmwell Quarry SY 7588 Swanworth Quarry SY 969782 West Bay SY 4690 Swineham GPs SY 932880 West Bexington SY 525868 Swineham Point SY 944878 West Chaldon SY 777828 Swyre Head SY 933784 West Compton SY 5694 Sydling St Nicholas SY 6399 Westfields SY 932889 Symondsbury SY 4493 West Knighton Dump SY 7488 Tadnoll Heath NR SY 794872 West Knighton Heath SY 7488 Tarrant Crawford ST 921033 West Lulworth SY 8280 Tarrant Gunville ST 9212 West Moors Plantation SU 0903 Tarrant Hinton ST 9310 West Parley SZ 0898 Tarrant Keyneston ST 926043 West Morden SY 9095 Tarrant Monkton ST 9408 Weston SY 6871 Tarrant Rushton Airfield ST 9405 Weymouth SY 6880 The Fleet SY 5683-6675 Whitcomb Hill SY 714885 The Grove SY 700723 White Horse Hill SY 715843 The Nothe SY 6878 White Lackington SY 715985 Thorncombe SY375034 White Mill ST 956006 Thorncombe Wood SY 726921 White Nothe SY 7780 Thornford ST 6013 Whitesheet Plantation SU 054032 Thornicombe ST 870032 Whitecliff SZ 0390 Three Legged Cross SU 0805 Wick SZ 160920 Throop Heath SY 820918 Wick Hams SZ 167912 Tidmoor Point, The Fleet SY 643785 Wimborne SU 010000 Tincleton CBs SY 766917 Wimborne St Giles SU 0312 Tolpuddle SY 7994 Winfrith Heath SY 805870 Tout Quarry SY 686726 Win Green ST 9417 Town Common SZ 140960 Winkton SZ 1696 Townsend SZ 128948 Winspit SY 9776 Townsend Reserve SZ 0278 Winterborne Came SY 704884 Trickett’s Cross SF SU100005 Winterborne Herringston SY 6887 Tripps Farm ST 687161 Winterborne Houghton ST 8104 Tuckton SZ 1492 Winterborne St Martin SY 6488 Turlin Moor SY 977917 Winterborne Steepleton SY 6289 Turnerspuddle SY 8393 Winterborne Whitchurch ST 8300 Turnerspuddle Heath SY 830934 Winterbourne Abbas SY 6190 Turnworth ST 8207 Witchamton ST 9806 Two Mile Copse SY 674821 Woodley Down ST 93179 Ulwell SZ 0181 Wool SY 8486 Up Cerne ST 6502 Woolbridge SY 844871 Uplyme SY 325936 Woolgarston SY 982814 Upton SY 9893 Woolsbarrow Fort SY 895925 Upton CP SY 993930 Worbarrow SY 872797 Upton Heath SY 9894 Worgret SY 906870 Upwey SY 6684 Worth Matravers SY 9777 Verwood Verne Common SY 692740 Wyke Down SU 0015 SU 0808 Wyke Regis SY 6677 Waddock Cross SY 799910 Wytch Causeway SY 981852 Wakeham SY 6971 Wytch Lake SY 9886

198 Dorset Bird Report 2015 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS

Abell C Boswell SA Conway T Adamcik T Bown W Coombs DC Adams T Branston T Cooper A Brodie ES Alexander I Brett EC Cooper N Allan D Cottrell C Allen CA Brooks C Coward B Allen H Brown J Cox S Allen J Brown PP Coyle J Allen T Brown SA Craft SJ Andrews MS Bruce MJ Cragg D Appleby SR Brummitt R Crockard A Armstrong G Buck T Croton N Armstrong L Budden MD Croxson DE Ashby V Burgum N Culver C Avis DV Avanti CDC Burns ANM Curson L Burns RB Curtis R Bailey C Busby M Dando G Bailey L Butcher JR Dando T Bailey N Butler D Daniels B Baker CG Butler T Davies P Baker PJ Caldwell C Davis A P Bale JV Candelin GW Davis C & G Bale R Carey S Dawson R Ball RP Carpenter BR Day J Ball S Dewhirst M Carpenter M Dodd I Ballam ID Carter PM Ditchburn G Balmer T Chapleo C Barlow GF Chapman RE Doherty TA Barnes E Chappell L Dowding EJ Barrett AJ Charman RA Down J Batchelor SD Chastell SM Down M Battson DA Chown DJ Downey E Batty CG Christopher R Downing J Belcher G Clark FC Downton T Beswick NW Clarke S Dowty M Betteridge EJ Clayson T Drake P Bingley JH Clements B Dresh C Birkett J Droop G Clemons S Dyer D Bissell LJ Duckworth NA Cobley A Dyer R Blakeley AF Coleman M Blakeley D Collop CH Blandford D Condon S East MJ Blinston AC Connolly JG Egan A Blumsom WG Constantine M Elliott-Moustache G Bollen CF Constantine Mo England P

2015 Dorset Bird Report 199 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Evans G Hall KD Julian D Evans LGR Halstead H Kaplonek J Evans M Hammick J Keene S Field A Hann S Kempshall R Field M Hannam J King M Fitzgerald M Harcombe S Kirk D Flannagan AW Hardie AJ Knight DC Fletcher D Hargrave C Knorpel D Floyd P Harlin J Krajenbrink H Foot D Harris NDC Lake S Ford JP Harris P Lambert SR Ford RA Hart R Lane KE Forrest P Hastings D Lang IM Forster MJC Hatcher JJ Latham MJ Fowler N Hawtree JN Lawson AR Frampton OJ Hayden A Lawson MJ Francis J Haydon RM Leatherdale C Fraser B Helliar DW Lee K Friend I Hetherington P Lester G Fryatt C Hewitt R Lewis P Fuller KA Highfield M Leyland K Furley C Hilary J Leyland SA Fussell M Hill D Lockwood J Fussell M Hoar N Lovegrove AO Gale J Hoare D MacKinnon M Gartshore N Hold A MacNicoll A Gifford J Holland D Mann J Gill S Hollidge K Manning S Gillingham R Honey G Markham RJ Gleason R Hopkin P Marriner N Goble PR Horrocks K Martin JP Goldsmith S Howell R Martin BS Gorringe DJ Hull J Martin H Green GP Hull N Martin JP Green R Hume RA Martin P Green T Hunt MS McCarthy JS Greves D Husband CI McCoy AH Griffiths R Hutchins JVP McMillan JD Gross RD Insole P McMullen C Grove J Jackson ED Mead G Groves M Jarrett S Merritt M Groves SA Jones C Millar A Gutteridge AC Jones D Mitchell JR Hackett SJ Jones J Moore P Hadrill P Jones LA Morgan KJ

200 Dorset Bird Report 2015 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Potter N

Julian D Morrison S Shilland EM Kaplonek J Morse MJ Powell GD Shimeld Kevern S Keene S Mortimer L Powell J Shipley AM Kempshall R Morton P Price N Sibsey I King M Moss R Priddle N Simpson S Kirk D Mould B Pritchard DM Singleton D Knight DC Murphy C Prudden BG Sketch P A Knorpel D Murphy J Pugh A Slade AM Krajenbrink H Murray DP Pulling M Smallwood J Lake S Murray FAE Pyke L Smart S Lambert SR Musgrove A Quinney A Smith A Lane KE Nash R Rankin G Smith DN Lang IM Neal SM Rankin JDK Smith M Latham MJ Neate-Clegg M Raper MGT Smith RH Lawson AR Nelson R Rawlings ND Smith SF Lawson MJ Newton SJ Raymond B Smith SW Leatherdale C Nicklin RS Raymond CJ Spencer B Reese RA Lee K Norquoy G Redhead JW Spicer M Lester G Overy L Spring NP Lewis P Owen GM Reeves M Squire T Leyland K Padmore M Rendle P Stacey G Leyland SA Papas N Richards CE Stanley IM Lockwood J Park N Riddle D Stantiford N Lovegrove AO Parker PE Roberts GCM Stevens G MacKinnon M Parr K Robins B Stewart M MacNicoll A Parry ES Robson S Stockwell J Mann J Peacock J Rogers DI Suttle KH Manning S Pearce A Rogers K Sutton P Markham RJ Peart RH Ross JH Swallow JL Marriner N Percival L Rowbotham BJ Swift RW Perry AS Martin JP Perrin C A Ryall C Taylor A Peters A Martin BS Rylands K Taylor C Martin H Sandford JH Taylor DH Martin JP Peters HM Saville D Taylor K Martin P Peters J Sayer K Taylor RJ McCarthy JS Phillips J Scantlebury RL Thain C McCoy AH Phillips L Scott E Theobald RC McMillan JD Phillips R Scott S Thomas A McMullen C Phipps M Seabrook RJ Thomas O Mead G Piccolo A Seaward J Thomson A Merritt M Pictor G Sharp PJ Tims G Millar A Pike AR Shaw A Tooth ND Mitchell JR Piotrowski S Shaw MD Treen P Moore P Piper DJ Sheils B Trektellen Morgan KJ Posen S Sheppard D Trew M

2015 Dorset Bird Report 201 LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS (continued)

Trundle R Woods NJ Turner J Worsfold J Turner L Yates CD Twinberrow G Young CA Tyrrell R Upton GS The above list is largely derived from observers who Viles DJ submitted their records via BirdTrack. Vodden CH Vranjes D Walbridge G The Dorset Bird Club would also like to thank the Walker BJ following for their records and assistance: Walters JM Wareham D Birdguides Warrick T Birds of Poole Harbour BTO WeBS Waterfall KW CHOG Watson IR Dorset Environmental Records Centre Watts AJ Dorset Wildlife Trust Watts PJ RSPBFootprint Ecology Weale T Portland Bird Observatory Webb R Werran R West S Whale C Wheatcroft AV Whitby C Whitby GJ White B White G White T Whitfield J Wicks C Wilkinson D Wilkinson I Wilkinson T Williams-Jones D Williamson J Wills P Wilson J Wilson JD Winn AC Winn R Winsper JL Wood M Woodford L Woodley T

202 Dorset Bird Report 2015