Finally, the day we’ve all been waiting for. A break in this torrid, ongoing deluge. And not only did it stop raining, with the wind dropping and sun coming out it really felt for the first time that spring was just around the corner. There were signs of this too with a few Blackbirds starting to tune up at sunrise, plus a party of 35 migrant Mediterranean Gulls arrived in high from the west, which signals the start of the mass Mediterranean Gull gatherings here in the harbour during Feb and March, with some staying into April to breed, but most departing off to other breeding sites across Europe. The harbour was mirror flat all morning, allowing for plenty of open water viewing. There were 3 Slavonian Grebe and 11 Black-necked Grebe off Jerry’s Point, along with 4 more Black-necked Grebe in central harbour. A total of 13 Great Northern Diver were logged between the north shores of Baiter, Lilliput and Sandbanks all the way round to Jerry’s Point and central harbour. Just 3 Goldeneye were counted but the Red-necked Grebe was re-found this afternoon off Bramble Bush Bay. A Black Redstart was found on a house roof along Lake Drive, Hamworthy, just behind the SBS (Special Boat Service) compound…although be careful wandering around there with binoculars or telescopes! At Swineham there were 2 Bearded Tit in the mouth of the Frome along with 2 Marsh Harrier, plus a White-tailed Eagle was in the Wareham Channel. In Ower Bay there were 5 Spoonbill with another 9 on Shipstal Point, Arne. An adult Little Gull was settled on the water in the Wareham Channel pretending to be a Grey Phalarope, and another 2 were just off Poole Quay around lunchtime (an adult and 1st winter). Holes Bay NE still held the redhead Goosander and a Spotted Redshank was there too. In Wareham, despite the town almost virtually being cut off from all civilisation, the roaming Glossy Ibis flock of 10 managed to find a feeding area on Wareham Common, plus a flock of 33 Cattle Egret flew by. A Great White Egret was seen heading into roost at Swineham this evening, another 1st winter Little Gull was seen on the main Poole Park boating lake this afternoon and 2 adults were in Holes Bay this morning. A Siberian Chiffchaff was still in the PCW Drain and another Spotted Redshank was in Lytchett Bay this morning.

White-tailed Eagle assessing the Wareham Channel this morning

Brilliant comparison, in beautiful light of Spotted Redshank (left) and Common Redshank (right) – Holes Bay – Mark Wright

Wareham to Stoborough causeway totally under water

Sunrise over RSPB Arne and the Wareham Channel this morning