Despite the drizzly conditions today, the harbour waters were flat calm making for excellent conditions to be spotting open water species during our Winter Safari Cruise this morning. We had 12 Great Northern Diver, with 8 seen in the North Channel just 10 minutes into the cruise, and a further 4 in South Deep! We managed to catch up again with the Red-necked Grebe, with 1 seen in usual place, southeast off Brownsea Island. The calmer conditions today allowed for some stunning views. Other sightings included a flock of 8 Black-necked Grebe and 5 Goldeneye. At the mouth of the River Frome we were treated to views of Marsh Harrier interacting with 1 Juvenile Peregrine Falcon, which attempted to catch a Teal (unsuccessfully). Elsewhere in the harbour, 2 drake Pintail were in Lytchett Bay, 1 Goosander was in Holes Bay northeast, and 1 Mandarin Duck was in the small lake next to the cricket pitch in Poole Park. The flock of 10 Glossy Ibis were on Wareham Common, viewable from the Wareham Bypass, as well as 26 Russian White-fronted Geese on the Frome Flood Field also off the bypass. 1 Spotted Redshank, 383 Avocet, and 1 Great White Egret were seen from the Middlebere Hide.

Juvenile Peregrine Falcon (left) and Marsh Harrier (right) – Arne Moors – Annabel Sharpe

7 Black-necked Grebe – from this mornings Winter Safari Cruise – Annabel Sharpe

Red-necked Grebe – from this mornings Winter Safari Cruise – Annabel Sharpe