Sightings05/02/2025

Harbour Update – 05/02/25

What a day to be out and around the harbour, where ever you decided to go. A very early spring warmth set in by 11am, and with the harbour absolutely flat calm, viewing conditions were absolutely perfect. Our Winter Safari this AM showcased the harbour at it’s best with a feast of birds logged right across the area. Highlights included 1st year juvenile White-tailed Eagle G644 (not to be confused with resident adult female G466!) which was in the top end of the Wareham Channel hunting, before then getting into a scrap with a Marsh Harrier near the mouth of the Piddle Valley. There were 8 Great Northern Diver spread across the harbour and a stunning sight of 5 Black-throated Diver feeding together off Baiter/Salterns Marina. Off Jerry’s Point the Long-tailed Duck was with c10 Red-breasted Merganser and there were 7 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Slavonian Grebe with another 7 Black-necked Grebe in central harbour. A male Hen Harrier was seen in Middlebere with 2 Spotted Redshank there. The Peregrine pair on the Asda building did a half-hearted/reluctant food share/pass which possible bodes well for this coming breeding season. Spoonbills were thinly spread out with 2 on the gull islands, 1 in Ower Bay and 2 in Middlebere. Avocet numbers still seem healthy with 340 in the top end of the Wareham Channel and c300 on the Brownsea Lagoon. Out in Studland Bay 9 Black-necked Grebe were feeding together and a Spotted Redshank was in Lytchett Bay late this afternoon.

Black-throated Diver flock – Off Baiter, seen from Winter Safari Cruise this AM – Alison Copland

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle G644, Wareham Channel seen from Winter Safari Cruise this AM – Alison Copland

Juvenile White-tailed Eagle G644, Wareham Channel seen from Winter Safari Cruise this AM – Alison Copland

Common Seal, Wareham Channel seen from Winter Safari Cruise this AM – Alison Copland

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