Thats it, January is now done and dusted, as we now move into the era of very early Spring. Depending on how February pans out, there’s potential the first spring migrants could arrive with House Martin, Sand Martin, Garganey, Little Ringed Plover and Wheatear all on the ‘February list’ from past years. All it takes is several strong weather systems to hit from southern Europe and we could see the first signs of summer arrive. Equally, February can also deliver ice and snow, so we’ll just have to be patient and see how this turbulent month evolves.

Todays sightings allowed for confirmation of a decent sized Cirl Bunting flock at Old Harry with a minimum of 9 confirmed. This is just incredible and highlights the nature recovery theme here in the Poole Harbour and Purbeck region. We really hope that by April and May the slopes and cliff tops of Ballard and Old Harry are serenaded by the song of multiple Cirl Bunting setting up new territories. There was also good sea watching to be had off Old Harry with an incredible Red-throated Diver passage underway during the morning with 31 counted between sunrise and 09:30, including a flock of 14 heading south past Old Harry, and 6 settling in Studland Bay, plus other smaller groups. There was also a flock of 4 Great Northern Diver and 1 Black-throated Diver that left Studland Bay and also headed south just after sunrise, along with 5 Common Scoter, 300+ Guillemot and Razorbill, 4 Fulmar, 15+ Kittiwake and 20+ Gannet. The/a Siberian Chiffchaff was still in the PCW drain showing well this morning, there were 3 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay and an incredible 6 White-tailed Eagle were soaring and interacting just over the ridge at Kimmeridge this morning. The river valleys are still so flooded that not much are using them but 41 Cattle Egret were making the most of Wareham Common by the afternoon.

Cattle Egret – Wareham Common