Residents and visitors are being encouraged to look up this August and September, with Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offering the chance to spot some of the UK’s rarest and most spectacular birds of prey.

From white-tailed eagles with huge eight-foot wingspans to ospreys hunting over the harbours, peregrine falcons patrolling town centre rooftops and hobbies swooping across local heathland, BCP is home to an impressive variety of raptors.

Late summer and early autumn are particularly exciting times for birdwatching, with summer visitors still around and migrating birds passing through the area.

Why BCP is so special for birds of prey

BCP’s combination of harbours, rare heathland, wetlands, clifftops, parks and open spaces creates important habitats for a wide variety of wildlife.

Poole and Christchurch harbours are two of the standout locations, offering opportunities to spot white-tailed eagles, ospreys and marsh harriers.

White-tailed eagles, the UK’s largest bird of prey, began being seen locally in 2021. The species went on to breed in Dorset in 2025, marking the first successful hatching and fledging in the county for more than 240 years.

Poole Harbour remains an important local stronghold for the birds.

Ospreys return after almost 200 years

Ospreys have also made a remarkable return following a reintroduction programme launched by Birds of Poole Harbour and the Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation in 2017.

In 2022, the birds successfully raised a chick in Poole Harbour, marking the first successful breeding in southern Britain in nearly 200 years.

More chicks have followed, with four produced by the same parents this year.

Sam Ryde, Deputy Manager at Birds of Poole Harbour, said nature recovery work by local organisations and landowners means people can now see charismatic birds of prey that had been absent from the area for more than two centuries.

A great time to spot ospreys

Christchurch Harbour is another of the area’s top locations for raptor watching.

David Taylor, General Secretary of Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group, said its compact size makes it one of the best places in southern England for close views of white-tailed eagles, ospreys and marsh harriers.

August and September are particularly good months for spotting ospreys as they hunt for fish in the harbour’s shallow waters before migrating back to Africa.

White-tailed eagles are also expected to become more frequent visitors to Christchurch Harbour as autumn approaches.

Five birds of prey to look out for

Keep an eye out for:

• White-tailed eagle: The UK’s largest bird of prey, with a wingspan of around eight feet.
• Osprey: A striking brown and white raptor that specialises in catching fish.
• Hobby: A summer visitor often seen swooping after dragonflies.
• Peregrine: The world’s fastest bird, regularly spotted around local town centres.
• Marsh harrier: A wetland bird of prey found locally throughout the year.

Where to spot them

Poole and Christchurch harbours are among the best places to look for white-tailed eagles, ospreys and marsh harriers.

Dunyeats Heath, Hengistbury Head, Corfe Hills and St Catherine’s Hill provide vantage points for species including red kites, buzzards and harriers, with occasional goshawk sightings.

Canford Heath is one of the best local places to look for hobbies.

Bournemouth and Poole town centres offer the slightly more unexpected opportunity to spot peregrine falcons on rooftops and tall buildings.

Upton Country Park is another location to watch for peregrines and ospreys during August and September.

Protecting BCP’s wild urban coast

BCP Council works alongside organisations including the Dorset Raptor Study Group to monitor birds of prey and better understand their movements and breeding success.

Cllr Andy Hadley, BCP Council Cabinet Member for Climate Response, Environment and Energy, said the variety of rare species found locally demonstrates just how special BCP’s natural environment is.

As part of its ‘BCP – the UK’s wild urban coast’ campaign, the Council and its partners are encouraging people to visit local wildlife hotspots responsibly and help protect the habitats these birds rely on.

So, whether you’re walking around the harbour, exploring the heathland or simply heading through town this August and September, remember to look up. You never quite know what might be soaring overhead.