RSPB/BNHS joint trip to Hengistbury Head, 18 April 2026

Leader: Dave Newman

This joint RSPB/Bath Nats trip to Hengistbury Head in Dorset was attended by 33 people. Once at the coach drop off point we had a comfort break before all assembling again. At this point we were overlooking mainly a bushy and grassy area where Woodpigeon, Starlings and Carrion Crows were all noted.

Closer to the fence line a Swallow whizzed by and a Black Headed Gull was also seen. Sand Martins in small groups flew through for most of the day. Mute Swans were seen in Christchurch Harbour on a sand bar with several Cormorants. We then heard the call of Sandwich Terns when two flew over and a Blackbird flew into a bush.

edAs we stood looking two large waders flew in and landed in the long grass which we took to be Curlews, but on seeing a photograph that Andrew had taken we realised they were two Whimbrel.

As we walked on a Great Black-back Gull was seen in flight. Another call was heard which we recognised as a Whitethroat which we found singing from the top of a bush whilst a Dunnock sang from another bush.

House Sparrows were seen dashing in and out of wall-hung nest boxes at the visitor centre and our first butterfly of the day was found, a Peacock. Little Egrets scouring the grass were our next new species and a pair of Mallard were in a water-filled ditch.

A Grey Heron flew high above and a Kestrel hovered over the grassland with a pair of Magpies close by. A Red Fox was then seen sunning itself very close to us, unusual for such shy animal.

A Lesser Black-backed Gull flew over the harbour and a Common Sandpiper was on a shingle shoreline.

Our next sighting was a lovely Brimstone butterfly. We then started to walk through a tree-lined area where we found singing Willow Warbler and Robin. For some reason I looked skyward, only to see a White-tailed Eagle flying over the trees. At this point I was lagging a little behind the group but soon caught them up and was told that two eagles had been mobbed by gulls and had landed on a fallen tree on a sandbank in the harbour.

Luckily Anne had her telescope set up on them so we all had great views. We stayed a long time admiring these smart eagles whilst two more were spotted above us circling the harbour and gradually drifting off to the west.

The next new sighting was a single Redshank followed closely by a singing Blackcap.

We had now reached the beach huts with a large pool of water in front of them and here were a dozen or more Black-tailed Godwits feeding.

Walking on to the beach we saw Long-tailed Tits in a nearby tree. We all found rocks to sit on and ate our lunch and had a well-earned rest while looking out to sea, admiring the distant views of the Isle of Wight and the Needles.

Walking back after lunch we saw the Godwits had been joined by a single Shelduck. Herring Gulls were over the harbour and from the small woodland hide we added Great Tit and Chaffinch. As we neared the end of the day’s walk a Greenfinch called from the top of a bush and Canada Geese were spotted in the harbour.

I think everyone would agree that we all had a fantastic day out with warm and sunny weather putting the icing on the cake. A total of over 40 bird species were seen.

Tony Cook