A wintery day today, but a touch of warmth and ‘shine’ in the form of 12 Glossy Ibis which were feeding out on the low-tide this afternoon, viewed from our first Winter Safari cruise of the season. This flock seems to be growing each time we see it, with only 8 present a few weeks ago, 10 last week and now 12! Interestingly they’re not being seen anywhere else when they not in the Wareham Channel. We assume they’re in the Frome or Piddle Valley somewhere during the high tides as both are pretty flooded currently. How many more can we attract during the course of the winter? Around Swineham there were 4-5 Marsh Harrier this afternoon floating about before going into the pre-roost. The Snow Bunting was along Studland Beach again, just south of Pilots Point. Holes Bay north had 7 Spoonbill and 1 Spotted Redshank and c30 Spoonbill were off Shipstal. Another Water Pipit was colour-ringed at RSPB Lytchett Fields, bringing the autumn total to 7 colour-ringed already, which is a great total. A winter plumaged Red-throated Diver was just off Poole Quay and 2-3 Red Kite were also around the Lower Piddle Valley.

Glossy Ibis flock from this afternoons Winter Safari Cruise – Wareham Channel – John Thorp