Last night saw the coldest night of the year (apparently), and the frost on the ground was a welcome change from the familiar thudding and splashing of torrential rain. There were some nice highlights including now 2 grey male Hen Harriers seen in and around the Middlebere/Hartland Moor area along with a Short-eared Owl. At Studland there were 14 Black-necked Grebe (11 Middle Beach and 3 off the Houseboats), 1 Great Northern Diver off Middle Beach, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Merlin from the houseboats and a Kingfisher, 1 Spoonbill, 31 Sanderling and 2 Great Northern Diver in Brands Bay. From the Middlebere hide were 2 adult Yellow-legged Gull, 10 Spoonbill, 1 Peregrine, 1 Green Sandpiper and a flyover Crossbill. At Swineham were 1 Chiffchaff and 2 Marsh Harrier with another 2 Marsh Harrier over Wytch Lake. At the Holes Bay outflow a single Spoonbill and 2 Spotted Redshank were feeding with plenty of Avocet, whilst behind PC World there were 2 Firecrest and a single Siberian Chiffchaff with a minimum of 10 Common Chiffchaff. 

Spotted Redshank – Holes Bay outflow – Ian Ballam

Rock Pipit – Holes Bay outflow – Ian Ballam

Avocet – Holes Bay outflow – Ian Ballam