For me birds have the ability to turn a whole day on it’s head. Take this morning for example, I was scanning the water off Baiter car park and discovered a Slavonian Grebe bobbing along just meters from the beach. Now, I’ve seen ‘Slav Grebes’ many, many times but recently they’ve become increasingly difficult to find in the harbour with only about two records all winter. This is a stark comparison of the 6 -12 birds that could usually be found out in the bays around Studland in past years. Watch a video of today’s bird HERE. Also present with the Slavonian Grebe was a lovely sleek Black-throated Diver, 39 Red-breasted Merganser and 14 Great Crested Grebe. At Holes Bay over the last few days a redhead Goosander has been present near the railway bridge, along with a Peregrine devouring a Wigeon on a bare patch of grass. Also in Holes Bay (north) 112 Redshank, 104 Avocet, 62 Dunlin, 27 Curlew and 1 Spotted Redshank. At Lytchett Bay a female and 1^st year Marsh Harrier were recorded, 300+ Lapwing, 6 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank and 15 Snipe. At Swineham the Smew was still present and the Marsh Harriers continue to impress with between 6 and 9 birds often present.