A perfect day across the harbour with glass still waters and (for a period of time) a warm, pulsing sun after the first frost of the winter had thawed. The calm waters allowed for some easier scanning out across open areas of teh harbour and revealed a second Long-tailed Duck, joining the first from earlier in the week, with both between Brownsea and Studland. Jerry’s Point once again produced the goods with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Eider, 5 Goldeneye and decent totals of Great Crested Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser. The Swineham Pectoral Sandpiper was seen again yesterday morning and the White-fronted Goose was still there today, with a Spotted Redshank also on the pools. A Short-eared Owl was seen again out towards Scotland Farm briefly and there seemingly 3 over-wintering Common Sandpiper on the Brownsea north shore which is a good total, 20+ Cattle Egret were up near Holmebridge.

Long-tailed Ducks – between Studland and Brownsea – Mark Wright

White-fronted Goose – Swineham – Garry Hayman