2 drake Pochard were reported flying into Lytchett Bay this morning, which aren’t common for the bay, with only around 1 annual appearance. 1 Merlin was present at Middlebere, along with 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, as well as high numbers of Avocet reported in the channel. Most interestingly today is a group of 3 geese which have shown up just off the A350 in a field near Upton Country Park, NNW of Pergins Island in Holes Bay. Feeding amongst the Canada Geese and Black-tailed Godwit, pictures and description suggest them as very likely Tundra Bean Geese; a great record for Holes Bay and the harbour in general, the last record of Bean Goose being in December 2014 at Swineham and Arne Moors. Further sightings should hopefully give confirmation of identification.

Likely Tundra Bean Goose – Tom Beer & Phil Collingham – Holes Bay

Merlin – Middlebere – Clive Templeton

The murky start to today was brightened by views of the first Black-throated Diver of the season, which flew out through the harbour entrance past South Haven at Studland and continued South past Pilots Point this morning. All three of our usual visiting Diver species have now been recorded in the harbour this winter, of which Great Northern Diver is typically the most locally abundant, with four recorded in Studland Bay today. That said numbers, still appear low for this time of year compared with recent years. Also present were Razorbill, Guillemot, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebe, and 8 Black-necked Grebe. Along the beach were also 13 Sanderling and at least 136 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Elsewhere, both adult Peregines were present in Holes Bay and the adult male Hen Harrier was seen again in the West of the harbour.

Peregrine falcons – Holes Bay – Tanya Hart

Plenty around the last couple of days but best of all was news that a different White-tailed Eagle from the Isle of Wight project paid a visit to the harbour, albeit only briefly. This time, a female, known as G814 spent a bit of time in Brands Bay on Saturday afternoon before heading off west. It seemed to have passed over Christchurch Harbour earlier in the afternoon. There were Great Northern Divers in Studland Bay (2), Shell Bay (1), Jerry’s Point (2) and Shipstal Beach (1). There are 7 Scaup now off Jerry’s Point including a new 1st winter individual. The Slavonian Grebe was still off Jerry’s Point along with 6 Goldeneye and 2 Black-necked Grebe. The 19 Common Scoter were off Middle Beach again and the Velvet Scoter was seen and the Red-necked Grebe was in Bramble Bush Bay. On Shipstal only 22 Spoonbill were counted and a Water Pipit was again at Lytchett Fields. Up to two Merlin were bombing around the Middlebere area and a ringtail Hen Harrier seen over Swineham. In Holes Bay, the Common Sandpiper was near the outflow and there were 5 Common Chiffchaff in the PCW Drain.

Common Sandpiper – Holes Bay outflow – Mark Wright (@markwright12002)

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Sightings from Studland continue to be good, with the Red-necked Grebe still present between Jerry’s Point and Brownsea today, as well as 2 Great Northern Diver, 7 Scaup, 2 Common Scoter and 1 Black-necked Grebe seen from Redhorn. However, there have been no reports of the Slavonian Grebe seen for the last few days from Jerry’s Point today. 1 ringtail Hen Harrier was reported over Coombe Heath this morning. Sightings notable from Lytchett Fields today include 1 Mediterranean Gull which has been present for the last 4 days, as well as the colour-ringed Greenshank RN-GB.

Mediterranean Gull (left) & Black-headed Gulls – Lytchett Fields – Ian Ballam

The Red-necked Grebe is still in the harbour today, visible in Bramble Bush Bay at Studland.  The Slavonian Grebe was reported again of Jerry’s Point, along with 3 Great Northern Diver.  Also from Studland, 1 Great Northern Diver was seen in Shell Bay, as well as 5 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 20 Common Scoter and 1 Velvet Scoter seen from Middle Beach. In Brands Bay, a count produced 320 Wigeon, 180 Pintail, 34 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 1 Greenshank and 7 Scaup. 1 Great Northern Diver has been reported in Parkstone Bay, one of only a couple of reports in the north of the harbour so far this winter. A further 3 Great Northern Diver were seen off Brownsea today, potentially the same birds seen from Jerry’s Point, but finally it feels like numbers are building inside the harbour… Finally, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff was visible today by the boardwalk bridge at Lytchett Bay View.

We’ve also just announced our Big Poole Harbour Bird Count planned for Sunday 16th January 2022. Restrictions allowing, it would be great to have as many people out as possible birding the harbour on the 16th, aiming to give a snapshot of the numbers of species in the area during the winter. You can find more information here.

Great Northern Diver – Hamish Murray – from Brownsea Island

Pretty wet and dank the last couple of days but this following week is due to be quite settled so hopefully some decent birding opportunities coming up just before Christmas. Various highlights from the last few days include a redhead Goosander on Swineham GP, ringtail Hen Harriers were logged at Middlebere and Swineham, the Velvet Scoter was still in Studland Bay with 6 Common Scoter and the 6 Scaup were still out in Brands Bay. The Red-necked Grebe was still off Jerry’s Point, although distant. There were up to 5 Great Northern Diver dotted around with individuals in Studland Bay, Shell Bay and off Jerry’s Point. Great White Egrets were seen in Middlebere and at Lytchett Bay. There was a Spotted Redshank on Brownsea and another 2 in Middlebere. Off Jerry’s Point there was a single Slavonian Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver.

1st winter Dutch-ringed Spoonbill ‘NBNZ’ – Middlebere – Pennhillman

A perfect day to be out (until the drizzle set in around 3pm), but flat calm water allowed for full scanning opportunities in various bays and out across the open water. The Studland Peninsular has certainly got a lot to offer currently, with Studland Bay hosting 20 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Red-throated Diver, 2 Great Northern Diver, 6 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Razorbill. Off Jerry’s Point there were 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-necked Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 12 Goldeneye, 2 Common Scoter, 6 Scaup and 31 Great Crested Grebe. Off Shell Bay there were another 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver headed south, 2 Razorbill and along the boardwalk the Siberian Chiffchaff was seen again with 2 Common Chiffchaff. At North Haven the two Purple Sandpiper were feeding and in Middlebere there were 3 Spotted Redshank, 1 Spoonbill, 420 Avocet and 11 Grey Plover. There was also a Spotted Redshank and Lytchett Fields.

Grey Plover – Bramble Bush Bay

The crisp winter’s day was met with stunning views of a ringtail Hen Harrier hunting around Turlin Point, Lytchett Bay this morning. The North Haven Purple Sandpiper duo continued to show right in front of Haven Hotel as a Razorbill could be viewed simultaneously offshore at midday. The Upton Country Park Stone Bench high tide roost totalled 689 Black-tailed Godwit and 349 Dunlin which were on the receiving end of prolonged harassment from a Lesser Black-backed Gull. The site also logged 38 Avocet, Kingfisher, Common Gull and 12 Little Grebe. Studland Bay was busy with 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 19 Common Scoter, 1 Velvet Scoter, 2 Razorbill, 8 Black-necked Grebe 18 Red-breasted Merganser. 

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam

Firecrest – Holton Lee – Tony Furnell

The harbour entrance was well watched this morning. A dawn visit enjoyed Red-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Guillemot, 1 Razorbill and 96 Shag in through and around the harbour entrance. Some of these went on to be viewed from Jerry’s Point, accompanied by 6 Scaup, 5 Common Scoter and 4 Goldeneye. The 2 Purple Sandpiper continued to show well off North Haven. Baiter shoreline featured strong winter cast of Great Norther Diver, 3 Great Crested Grebe, 1 Sandwich Tern, 43 Brent Goose, 53 Oystercatcher, 14 Dunlin, 12 Turnstone, 2 Ringed Plover and Redshank. Nearby, Poole Park supported a further 3 Sandwich Tern, 15 Oystercatcher, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Little Grebe, Kingfisher and Redshank. Highlights from a trip to Swineham included 2 ringtail Hen Harrier, 1 Great White Egret, 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 5 Curlew and Lapwing. Middle Beach also weighted in on the Great Northern Diver, with one seen along with 4 Black-necked Grebe and 10 Common Scoter. The Spoonbill count at Arne punched in at 27. Holes Bay really set the winter scene with impressive minimum counts of 1500 Wigeon, 200 Teal, 600 Black-tailed Godwit, 200 Redshank, Dunlin and 100 Avocet. PC World Drain added Kingfisher, Grey Wagtail and 3 Tufted Duck to the site daylist.

Purple Sandpiper – North Haven – Paul Sutton

After yesterday’s weather, we anticipated a movement of Great Northern Diver into the harbour, but none were picked up during our cruise this morning. In Bramble Bush Bay at Studland, however, 3 Black-necked Grebe were present, along with 5+ Common Scoter and 12+ Red-breasted Merganser. The 6 Scaup were still present, this time off the Brownsea shoreline amongst groups of Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. Other highlights included 1 Razorbill just off the boat in the central harbour, as well as at least 1 Guillemot in the North Channel. There were also 10+ Spoonbill roosting at Shipstal Point. The Marsh Harriers at Swineham put on a display, with 3 seen at the same time, though we expect 4 to 5 individuals were seen during the course of the cruise. Elsewhere, 3 Lesser Redpoll were seen amongst a flock of Goldfinch off Soldiers Road this evening, as well as a Merlin seen on Hartland Moor. In Poole Park, 1 Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Goldeneye were also reported this morning.

Goldeneye – Poole Park – Ian Ballam