Happy New Year everyone, it seems people were out in force today, kick starting their year lists. Most focus was around the harbour entrance, Studland peninsular area. The Velvet Scoter was in and out of the harbour mouth like a yo-yo but eventually settled off the SE Brownsea shore. From Jerry’s Point there were 2 Slavonian Grebe, 7 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Northern Diver and 4 Goldeneye. Off Middle Beach 4 Black-necked Grebe a single Common Scoter. In Middlebere a Merlin was seen briefly, but there were also 5 Spoonbill and 1 Spotted Redshank, along with the usual gathering of Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and wildfowl with 2 Marsh Harrier passing through. At Lytchett Fields a small flock of 38 Golden Plover that were logged flying over. Off Hamworthy Beach another Great Northern Diver was hunting and 5 Spoonbill were seen out across at Arne. A Brambling was seen at Rempstone and a Goshawk flew over near Corfe Castle. On Poole Park boating lake 3 drake Goldeneye were together and the Barclays Peregrines were up on the favoured balcony. From Shell Bay, Studland, 3 Red-throated Diver flew south and 16 Sanderling were on the beach with 3 Great Northern Diver out on the water.

Goldeneye – Poole Park boating lake