A colossal high tide coincided with today’s Winter Safari Cruise. We love to visit Brownsea Lagoon at high water to work through the roosting waders, and today an immature Peregrine had the same idea! After watching the raptor relentlessly chase down roosting birds, we tracked aross to the Middlebere Channel and enjoyed prolonged flight views of two adult White-tailed Eagle. Best of the rest during the trip included, one Black-necked Grebe at Arne Lake, nine Great Northern Diver across the North Channel, South Deep, Middle Mud and Hutchins, plus the two wintering Sandwich Tern off Baiter Park. Red Kite, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzard also made it on to the boat list for this morning, making for an excellent raptor-fest. Elsewhere across the harbour, the Holes Bay Little Gull was recorded at PC World Drain, along with the supporting cast of female Goosander and Spotted Redshank, while a Green Sandpiper was observed at Arne Moors.

Dunlin high tide roost with Ringed Plover (centre), Poole Quay Breakwater © Joe Parker

Adult winter Little Gull, Holes Bay © Joe Parker

Spotted Redshank, Holes Bay © Joe Parker