Highlights from today included the discovery of a redhead Smew on Swineham GP in amongst the 364 Teal, 161 Shoveler, 23 Pochard, 222 Canada Goose and 18 Greylag. Also found today were 2 first winter Little Gull feeding over the flood meadow at Bestwall. Off Swineham Point there were 2 Spotted Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 3 Marsh Harrier, 1 Chiffchaff and 3 Kingfisher along the Frome Valley. 16 Spoonbill were off Giggers Island which were presumably part of the flock of 22 at Shipstal before they were flushed by a group of walkers. Between the harbour mouth and Goathorn were 2 Black-throated Diver, up to 7 Great Northern Diver, the Surf Scoter and a Sandwich Tern. All around the harbour today were large numbers of the regular over-wintering waders and wildfowl. Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew, Teal, Wigeon and Shelduck all had significant counts. A Merlin was at Fitzworth. Yesterday 7 Marsh Harrier came out of the roost and there a still currently 3 Hen Harrier ranging from Swineham, Middlebere and Brands Bay. Off Shipstal Point a Common Scoter, Great crested Grebe, Goldeneye, 2 Sandwich Tern and Red-breasted Merganser were all present. A Water Pipit was at the Wytch causeway. At Lytchett Bay there was a Merlin, 4 Greenshank and 2 Green Sandpiper.
Its still so mild, almost t-shirt weather again, but the birds keep coming. Off Jerry’s Point, Studland there…
Find out moreThe predicted storm didn’t hit until this afternoon, and up until then, things were bearable. Off Branksome 6…
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