Having had no real ‘cold spell’ for much of the winter so far, and no north-easterly winds since early October, there was a glimmer of hope that yesterdays swing in wind direction would finally deliver some winter goodies. Things were looking promising when yesterday there definitely seemed to be an increase in Redwing and Fieldfare moving about. Not thousands, but certainly more than there have been, including vocal  parties moving last night. Last night the NE wind really picked up, and by mid-morning it sounded like there was a bit of ‘goose movement’ going on when White-fronted Geese and Bean Geese started being report from several sites across southern Britain, including Lodmoor. Then, at 12:20 a party of 6 grey geese flew over Middlebere which were quickly identified as Bean Geese, then about 15 minutes later a lone individual settled in Middlebere for 15 minutes before disappearing off towards the Wareham Channel. Then about an hour later 4 Bean Geese were reported flying over the Wareham Channel, and 3 grey geese were seen over Lytchett Bay. Later this afternoon, a party of 5 Russian White-fronted Geese were found in the paddocks north of ‘Curlews Cottage at Swineham, and another 5 were reported out on RSPB Arne Moors. This is quite an arrival, and with the NE winds set to stay for a few days, could more arrive, and whats the true total? Hopefully with folk out birding during the Christmas break, more will be found….but how many?

Elsewhere this morning 2 Great Northern Diver and 1 Black-throated Diver flew into the harbour this morning, on Wareham Common there were 33 Cattle Egret and a lone Merlin. The Glossy Ibis flock of 10 were also at the Swineham floods this afternoon, there were 2 Spoonbill at Lytchett Bay and 29 on Shipstal Point, RSPB Arne.

Lone Bean Goose arriving at Middlebere – Mark Wright

Bean Goose at Middlebere – Mark Wright