Another brilliant boat trip this morning, starting with cracking views of Great Northern Diver in North Channel, followed by 2 Black-necked Grebe in Bramble Bush Bay, and a stunning encounter with a first winter male Eider in the Central Harbour. In total eight raptor species were recorded, the highlights being fourth calendar year male White-tailed Eagle G463 on Shag Loe, Hen Harrier and Marsh Harrier hunting simultaneously on Arne Moors, a close flyby from a Sparrowhawk, and a Red Kite over Keysworth! Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe remain present in decent numbers throughout the harbour, particularly South Deep, the central harbour and the Wareham Channel, the latter of which also held 5 Goldeneye. Highlights from elsewhere in the harbour included 50 Redwing in the sheep fields in Upton Country Park, and the first Lytchett Bay Green Woodpecker record of the year along with 2 Marsh Harrier and 30 Mediterranean Gull.

Eider – Winter Safari Cruise – Alison Copland