Yesterday things were dire due to the weather, but things were way rosier today with a multitude of highlights during daylight hours. We hosted two Winter Safari’s today due to yesterdays cancelled trip, an AM and a PM trip, both jam packed with good birds. Highlights included the Red-necked Grebe 30m off the side of the boat between Jerry’s Point and Brownsea from this afternoons trip, plus a grand total of 18 Black-necked Grebe spread between Shipstal, South Deep and Middle beach. There were 3 different White-tailed Eagle including 2024 Dorset wild-fledged juvenile G834 in the Wareham Channel this morning, and both adults G463 and G466 this afternoon in the Wareham Channel and along the southern shores. A total of c10 Great Northern Diver, most between Poole Quay and Sandbanks, but also several off Jerry’s Point. On the falling tide this afternoon 2 Spotted Redshank were in the mouth of the River Frome, 2 male Bearded Tit were feeding on the water surface on the edge of the reed beds and the there was a minimum of 5 Marsh Harrier around the Swineham area, one of which was sat on top of a cluster of reed heads that it had strategically bent over and formed a platform to roost on last night, before rising this morning to go and hunt. Other sightings included the 10 Glossy Ibis back feeding again within the recording area, just off the Wareham by pass in the Frome Valley, where they were joined by 15 White-fronted Geese….a pairing you wouldn’t normally expect to see as north meets south! There were also 29 White-fronted Geese that flew in over Swineham early this afternoon and settled on RSPB Arne Moors. There were 2 Slavonian Grebe off Redhorn Quay, near Brands Bay, 12 Spoonbill between Shipstal and Ower Bay where there were also c800 dark-bellied Brent Geese. 

Red-necked Grebe – South Deep from this afternoons Winter Safari

Bearded Tits – River Frome from this mornings Winter Safari Cruise

Marsh Harrie on it’s roosting platform from this mornings Winter Safari Cruise