Wildlife UK Forum - Discuss the UK countryside and wildlife

Had a great trip to Dorset in the middle of the week. Not a huge overall number count (just under 90), but some good species:

Arne RSPB
Dartford Warbler
12 Spoonbills!!!
Wheatear

Studland Bay
4 Mediterranean Gulls

Portland Bill
Another 3 Wheatears

Radipole Lake RSPB
3 Cattle Egrets

As well as that the weather was great, which was a real bonus as it started chucking down with rain as soon as I left yesterday afternoon!

Sounds like you had a good trip. Its surely only a matter of time before Spoonbill breeds in the UK.

Was it unusual for me to see 12 at once? I couldn't believe it when they all flew in. There weren't many people at Arne the day I was there, so didn't get a chance to speak to anyone in the know.

I was told on Thursday that they were there. I think 12 is quite unusual. There are normally a few on Brownsea Island.

They have been there a while as far as i know, but 12 Spoonbills is unusual (but not unheard of)anywhere in the UK.

So, are Spoonbills native to the UK?

I think to qualify as a native they need to breed here. If they go the same way as the Little Egret, then as Paul says above, it won't be long and somewhere in Poole Harbour is a likely spot.