It was good to hear the Short-eared Owl was seen again along the southern section of Slepe Heath this evening meaning it must now be ‘over-wintering’ in the vicinity and could be around for a few weeks more? Off Jerry’s point the Long-tailed Duck was still present along with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver. This morning 2 White-tailed Eagles were over Middlebere/Hartland, seen heading towards the Purbecks. A Cattle Egret was in fields again with the Highland Cattle at Norden and 12+ Chiffchaff and 1 Firecrest were at Norden Sewage Works.

Common Chiffchaff – Norden Sewage Works – Clive Hargrave

It was all about the raptors today. Not surprising considering the weather, as sunny, slightly mild days in January often get birds of prey up and running, and it seems the sun did the job today. In Middlebere there was a sub-adult Hen Harrier, 1 Merlin, 2 Peregrine, 1 Goshawk and 1 Marsh Harrier. During the course of the day 4 different White-tailed Eagles were moving between the harbour and the coast, with sightings over Middlebere and 2 sat out in Brands Bay this afternoon. A Short-eared Owl was over Slepe Heath this evening and seemed to track over towards Arne Moors, and for most of the day Common Buzzards started to actively display over traditional sites. This evening an incredible 232 Magpies came into the Hatch Pond roost which was quite a sight, seeing them all sat in a flock on the western edge before they then dropped down deep into cover as it got dark. Off Shipstal there were 3 Black-necked Grebe and a Cattle Egret was in fields along the Arne to Corfe back road. The Long-tailed Duck was off Jerry’s Point this morning along with 1 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Slavonian Grebe. Out off Middle Beach 3 Common Scoter remain with 2 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver. There was a minimum of 3 Cattle Egret on Wareham Common, near the mill and 14 Spoonbill were on Shipstal Point. Finally, having not been reported for several days (perhaps people have had enough of it now), the Snow Bunting was still on Hamworthy Beach/Park this afternoon.

Some of the 232 Magpies gathering in pre-roost at Hatch Pond before dropping down into deeper cover after dark

Slightly better today weather wise, and actually quite a lot going on for a blustery Tuesday. The Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe were off Jerry’s Point and seen during our Winter Safari this AM, along with 14 Spoonbill near Gold Point, 1 Black-necked Grebe in central harbour, 9 Great Northern Diver were spread across the harbour, 2 Marsh Harrier were at Swineham and a ringtail Hen Harrier was in the Wareham Channel. Mid-morning saw 2 juvenile White-tailed Eagles soaring over Corfe Castle and this afternoon 3 Ruff were in Middlebere with Lapwing and a Short-eared Owl was on Hyde’s Heath, at Arne. Out in Studland Bay there were 10 Common Scoter, 3 Great Northern Diver and 5 Black-necked Grebe. Finally, we received some great info of whats quite a rare occurrence in Poole Harbour which was of a record of a bill saddle found on a Mallard in Middlebere over the weekend. This method of marking ducks is an alternative to ringing them, and allows for birds to be identified as individuals, just like the blue rings we put on Ospreys. The bill saddles have no negative impacts on the birds and allows researchers to track a variety of duck species. The finders of the duck in Middlebere have already heard back from the group who tagged the duck, providing the origin as Sao Jacinto Dunes Nature Reserve in NW Portugal. This is a great recovery and highlights that some of our over-wintering Mallard are true visitors from elsewhere and not just from Poole Park or released up the river valleys for shooting!

Saddle-billed Mallard – Middlebere over the weekend – Richard Stephenson

Origin of saddle-billed Mallard in Portugal and distance to Middlebere 1225km (761.5 miles)

With more strong winds, lightening, heavy rain and even more strong winds today, perhaps our hopes and predications yesterday of something new being blown in could have become a reality with 2 Velvet Scoter reported in Holes Bay late this afternoon. This would be an incredible record for Holes Bay and we think probably a first for this part of the harbour. No doubt a few folk will be down looking first thing tomorrow morning. We also have a Winter Safari cruise going out tomorrow morning, so will survey the rest of the harbour to check for other blown in waif and strays…..Kittiwake? Gannet? White-billed Diver!?

A Slavonian Grebe was off Jerry’s Point, 2 White-tailed Eagle were in the Wareham Channel, 5 Cattle Egret were at Holmebridge and the Barnacle Goose was still out on Arne Moors.

Cattle Egrets – Holmebridge

As expected, the second storm in three days kept birders at bay today with little reported from around the harbour other than 7 Spoonbill in Middlebere, 1 White-tailed Eagle in the Wareham Channel, 2 Great Northern Diver off Middle Beach, Studland and another in the harbour entrance, plus 4 Cattle Egret seen going into roost at Swineham GP. Things are forecast to settle down a bit later in the week, so hopefully we’ll be able to get a good look at what (if anything) has come into the harbour to shelter……Velvet Scoter or Red-necked Grebe would be nice!!

Dark-bellied Brent Geese and Shelduck over Ower Bay

What a perfect day, sandwiched in-between whats likely to be two pretty rough ones with tomorrows storm due to roll in early doors. The harbour was once again pristine and flat calm all day. This afternoon both adult White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel, duet calling to one another which was heard by our guests on board our Winter Safari Cruise which was a magical experience for everyone. There was a minimum of 4 Marsh Harrier in and around Swineham with c300 Avocet off Swineham Point and the Water Pipit was still there too. Across the harbour there were at least 7 Great Northern Diver, but there seems to have been a big clear out of Red-breasted Merganser already and not a single Goldeneye was logged across the entire harbour despite much searching. The Snow Bunting was still at Hamworthy Beach, both adult Peregrines were on the Asda flats this afternoon and 3 Spoonbill were in Middlebere. A Common Scoter was with Red-breasted Mergansers out in Whitley Lake along with 1 Sandwich Tern. Out in Studland Bay a Slavonian Grebe was with 3 Black-necked Grebe.

Male G463White-tailed Eagle – Wareham Channel – Alison Copland

Thankfully we didn’t seem too impacted by last nights storm which had largely gone though by sunrise. It didn’t seem to put off the Snow Bunting which has now been exposed to several pretty severe storms on the shore of Hamworthy Beach since it’s arrival at the end of last year. Today it continued to happliy feed along the beach just yards from crazy dogs, speeding cyclists and inquisitive toddlers. The Long-tailed Duck was also seen briefly off Jerry’s Point this afternoon and 2 Great Northern Diver were by the harbour entrance. In Lytchett Bay 5 Spoonbill were feeding and one was feeding on the scrape of Sunnyside Farm last night where we helped find 2 Jack Snipe for the WinterWatch program. At Norden Sewage Works 2 ‘Lesser’ Redpoll were with the Siskin flock and 9 Common Chiffchaff were on the filter beds. At Holmebridge 1 Great White Egret and 11 Cattle Egret were present.

Grey Wagtail – Norden Sewage Works 

The sun finally appeared this afternoon making for an almost summer-like sunset this evening which was stunning to watch. The harbour was perfect for watching this morning from our Winter Safari, with loads going on in various corners of the harbour. In total there were 6-7 different Great Northern Diver spread across the water, the Long-tailed Duck was showing well off Jerry’s Point feeding with a raft of Red-breasted Merganser and there was a minimum of 5 Goldeneye dotted around. We had 2 different White-tailed Eagles including an adult in Brands Bay and one of the wild fledged juveniles from the SE coast chilling out in the Wareham Channel. A Water Pipit showed well briefly a few times off Swineham Point where there were also 4 Spoonbill, plus another 8 on the gull islands. A Green Sandpiper was on the Stilt Pools at Swineham and a Barnacle Goose was out on RSPB Arne Moors. The Snow Bunting was still on Hamworthy Beach, there were just 4 Black-necked Grebe out off Middle Beach, Studland and a Merlin was on Hartland Moor. Over the weekend there were 15+ Common Chiffchaff at Norden sewage works, but only 7 there today.

Great Northern Diver – Central Harbour 

Common Chiffchaff – Norden Sewage Works