So, so cold, but also so, so beautiful. The bright winter sun, and HUGE full moon rising this evening was just perfect in all regards. The full moon and cold weather is certainly seeing some cold weather movements occurring with Holes Bay hosting nearly c4000 wildfowl alone including 1912 Wigeon, a Holes Bay record of 288 Pintail, 1070 Teal and 191 Shoveler. There were no new scarcer arrivals (as of yet) but all the hangers on were still present including the c40 Russian White-fronted Geese moving between RSPB Arne Moors and the field at Ridge, the 10 Glossy Ibis were briefly in the Frome Valley but then flew into Swineham GP to roost this evening, 7 Black-necked Grebe were off Jerry’s Point along with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Great Northern Diver, 8 Goldeneye and 1 Black-throated Diver. There was 1 Purple Sandpiper on the Groyne around from the Haven Hotel, 8 Mandarin Duck were on the River Piddle this afternoon. A Barnacle Goose was on the Piddle Flods early doors then relocated to the Swineham paddocks, and 46 Cattle Egret flew up the Frome Valley this morning, the 15 Tundra Bean Geese were still frustratingly a few hundred meters just outside our harbour recording area at Binnegar, just up from Holmebridge and what seems to be the final Studland Ring-necked Parakeet was in trees at Fort Henry, Studland. Finally there was 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver off Middle Beach, Studland.

Russian White-fronted Geese – Ridge, Wareham