Two events over the past two days saw quite a bit of coverage from around the harbour. The first was our ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ field trip to Brownsea Island and the second was an RSPB bird boat tour around the harbour…both were a huge success. Despite the choppy seas and strong wind the field trip to Brownsea yesterday saw the lagoon filled with birds. This is great news as Brownsea opens again to the public next weekend. Avocet, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover, Knot, Dunlin, Greenshank, Common Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Shoveler, 2 Spoonbill, Gadwall, 1 Peregrine Falcon and numerous Turnstone all looked immaculate in the stormy winter sun. The RSPB bird boat trip today saw an almost identical list to yesterday on the lagoon as well as 1 Black-throated and 7 Great Northern Diver, a further 18 Spoonbill, 2 Sandwich Tern, 2 Razorbill, 1 Guillemot, 7 Black-necked Grebe, 150+ Red-breasted Merganser, 50+ Great Crested Grebe, Surf Scoter, 1 Marsh Harrier and 2 Common Seal elsewhere in the harbour. An incredible 11-15 Marsh Harrier have been seen to leave their roost site over the last couple of days and 3 Hen Harrier are still present. At Swineham 3 Cetti’s Warbler were singing, 1 Chiffchaff, 6 Water Rail and good numbers of winter duck were present on the GP.