This morning we had a school bird boat that headed out, and we missed the torrid weather by the skin of our teeth, but still plenty of good birds were logged. A minimum of 5 Great Northern Diver were still dotted around the harbour including a very territorial individual that kept seeing of any Red-breasted Mergansers that dared swim too close. On Shipstal c20 Spoonbill were roosting and 3 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Slavonian Grebe, 27 Red-breasted Merganser and 13 Goldeneye were off Jerry’s Point. The 2 Long-tailed Duck were in Brands Bay along with 1 Great Northern Diver, 71 Shelduck and a decent spread of Pintail. At Middlebere the rain heaved down so most stuff was in hiding but a brave Firecrest was around the hide and c350 Avocet were in the channel. At Lytchett Fields there were 4 Green Sandpiper and at Holton Pools a ringtail Hen Harrier. Sunnyside Farm hosted a record count for the site of 233 Lapwing. A single female Scaup was still present in Holes Bay and there were 2 Water Pipit on Lytchett Fields.

Great Northern Diver – Poole Harbour Central – Paul Morton