Over the last two weeks there have been various reports of a Hoopoe touring the Upton/Hamworthy area, but with mixed descriptions, no-one was really sure if it was a Hoopoe, a Waxwing or even just Jay? That is until today the bird was spotted on a grass verge in the middle of an industrial estate in Hamworthy and then subsequently photographed about an hour later. This is a very peculiar record as Hoopoe in Dorset is more normally associated with being a scares spring and even scarcer autumn passage migrant at coastal sites. What one is doing in the middle of Hamworthy, in the middle of winter in the snow is anybody’s guess! However this isn’t the first winter visit from a Hoopoe in Dorset, individuals have also been found in Bournemouth and at Longham Lakes in the last 7 years during very cold snaps. Rest of today’s sightings included the very obliging Black Redstart at Upton CP. There were 6 Golden Plover at Baiter, 1 at Greenland’s Farm, 2 at Fitzworth and 1 at Upton CP. 2 Woodlark flew over Lytchett Bay. From the houseboats at South Haven there was 1 Great Northern Diver, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 3 Avocet. There are still at least 6 Ruff about with 4 at Fitzworth and 2 at Upton CP. The Bestwall/Swineham held 2 Brambling, 3 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier and a Barn Owl. Holes Bay held 14 Spoonbill.