Residents and visitors are being urged to keep their eyes to the skies this month for the chance to spot some of the UK’s rarest and most spectacular birds of prey over Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
BCP is arguably one of the best urban locations in the country to see raptors, with important habitats including Poole and Christchurch harbours, rare heathland, wetlands, clifftops, parks and open spaces.
White-tailed eagles, the UK’s largest birds of prey, can regularly be seen soaring overhead, while breeding ospreys add excitement around Poole Harbour. In Bournemouth and Poole town centres, peregrine falcons, the world’s fastest bird, can be seen patrolling rooftops.
August is one of the best months for spotting raptors, as summer visitors such as osprey and hobby mingle with peregrines, white-tailed eagles, marsh harriers, red kite, sparrowhawk and kestrel.
Such a varied mix of raptors is unusual in the UK and especially remarkable in a busy urban area such as Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole.
Ospreys returned to Poole Harbour through a multi-year reintroduction and translocation programme launched in 2017 by Birds of Poole Harbour and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation.
In June 2022, the birds successfully hatched and raised a chick in Poole Harbour, marking the first successful breeding in southern Britain in nearly 200 years. More have followed, with four from the same parents this year.
White-tailed eagles began being seen locally in 2021 and bred again in Dorset in 2025, the first successful hatching and fledging in the county in more than 240 years. Poole Harbour remains their local stronghold.
Birds of Poole Harbour (BOPH) runs regular cruises to spot ospreys and other birdlife. Sam Ryde, BOPH Deputy Manager, said: “Poole Harbour has become a fantastic place to see so many different birds of prey, with ospreys and white-tailed eagles being reintroduced locally and many others returning after reduced persecution.
“White-tailed eagle, with an eight-foot wingspan is the UK's largest bird of prey, and they have settled incredibly well and feed primarily on fish and waterbirds, as they would have done for thousands of years here previously, before they were wiped out by people.
“Now you can be anywhere in Poole Harbour and be in with the chance of seeing some of our most charismatic birds of prey, thanks to the nature recovery work of local organisations and landowners. It means people in an urban environment can witness raptors that haven’t been here for more than 200 years.”
Christchurch Harbour is also one of the area’s top spots for birds of prey. David Taylor, General Secretary of CHOG (Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group), said: “Although they don’t breed in the area, the compactness of Christchurch Harbour makes it one of the best places in southern England for close views of white-tailed eagle, osprey and marsh harrier.
“A pair of white-tailed eagles were daily visitors last winter. They have moved to another location because of the food source it offers but are expected to return as autumn approaches. Various younger birds also visit.
“During August and September, ospreys can be expected almost daily as they hunt fish in the harbour’s shallow waters before migrating back to Africa.”
Since 2016, at least one pair of marsh harriers has bred just north of Christchurch, successfully raising young in all but two seasons. The harbour also hosts an impressive winter roost, which peaked at 12 birds last January.
Other locations such as Ham Common and Lytchett Bay provide excellent vantage points, while BCP’s heaths support breeding hobby.
Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said: “This is an amazing place for birds of prey, with rare and remarkable species soaring above our harbours, heathlands, parks and town centres.
It shows how special our natural environment is, and why we work with partners, landowners and communities to protect the habitats these birds depend on, whether supporting nature recovery, managing open spaces sensitively or championing BCP as the UK’s wild urban coast.
“We want residents and visitors to value, enjoy and help safeguard the wildlife that makes this place so extraordinary.”
BCP Council also work with the Dorset Raptor Study Group to monitor and better understand the movements and success of some of these species.
As part of the council’s nature campaign, ‘BCP - the UK’s wild urban coast’, the council and partners are urging people to look up this August, visit the area’s raptor hotspots responsibly, share what they see, and play their part in protecting the habitats these birds need to thrive.
Top five BCP raptors to look out for
White-tailed eagle: the UK’s largest bird of prey, with an eight-foot wingspan.
Osprey: a spectacular brown-and-white raptor that specialises in catching fish.
Hobby: a red-trousered summer visitor that swoops for dragonflies.
Peregrine: the world’s fastest bird, often seen around local town centres.
Marsh harrier: Year-round wetland raptor an elegant flyer, with winter roosts in Christchurch Harbour.
Top raptor spots in BCP
Poole and Christchurch harbours: among the best places to look for white-tailed eagle, osprey and marsh harrier. Ham Common Nature reserve (particularly August and September
Dunyeats Heath, Hengistbury Head, Corfe Hills and St Catherine’s Hill: great vantage points for raptor watching, including red kite, buzzard, harriers and occasional goshawk.
Canford Heath: one of the best places to look for hobby.
Bournemouth and Poole town centres: look up for peregrines on rooftops and tall buildings.
Upton Country Park: peregrine and osprey in August/ September
Image credit: Birds of Poole Harbour.
