Bournemouth, Christchurch, Nature & Wildlife, Poole | Posted on August 20th, 2026 | return to news
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole raptors have got their talons out in autumn
White-tailed eagles, Ospreys, Hobbys, Peregrines and Marsh Harriers can be spotted in locations across the conurbation.
People planning to visit Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole this month might like to dig out their binoculars as there is a real chance to spot a bird of prey.
White-tailed eagles, the UK’s largest, can regularly be seen soaring over our harbours, 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.
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.
“The 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
Top five BCP raptors to look out for are:
- 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.
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