August is peak month to spot eagles and ospreys over Poole Harbour
8 August 2026 · By Boroughly editorial — AI-assisted, human-reviewed.
If you have never looked up at just the right moment over Poole Harbour and caught a large, pale-bellied bird diving for fish, August is your best chance to put that right. BCP Council is encouraging residents and visitors across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole to keep an eye on the sky throughout the month for some genuinely rare wildlife.
White-tailed eagles — the UK's largest birds of prey, with wingspans approaching 2.5 metres — can be seen soaring over the harbour and surrounding heathland with some regularity. Breeding ospreys are another August highlight around Poole Harbour, while peregrine falcons, the world's fastest bird, patrol rooftops in Poole and Bournemouth town centres. Marsh harriers, red kites, hobbies, sparrowhawks and kestrels round out what can be a remarkable mix of species in a single outing.
The BCP area is considered one of the best urban locations in the country for raptors, thanks to its combination of harbour, heathland, wetland and clifftop habitats. No special equipment is needed — a clear day and a bit of patience are usually enough, particularly near the water.