What a crazy end to February with a whole suit of early Spring migrants having already arrived in to various parts of the UK. Today there were 4 Northern Wheatear, multiple Sand Martin, handfuls of House Martin and a small sample of Swallow logged across the country today, all with a day left of February to go! Despite the early grot, this afternoon produced a decent return from our Winter Safari Cruise including 3 Goshawk, with a 1st winter having a fight with a Raven over Brownsea before chasing each other off to Rempstone, plus 2 active of RSPB Arne. The adult White-tailed Eagle pair were settled on Goathorn as the tide dropped, waiting for their opportunity to go and hunt. A Great Northern Diver was off Hamworthy Beach, 3 Marsh Harrier were at Swineham, including a displaying male. RSPB Arne Moors held c50 Shoveler and c20 Curlew and the mouth of the Frome (Wareham Channel) saw c20 Grey Plover, c30 Avocet, c400 Dunlin and c50 Common Redshank. The Glossy Ibis flock were feeding on Wareham Common again, just south of the bypass, and a drake Mandarin was at Holmebridge briefly.

Adult White-tailed Eagle pair G466 (left) and G463 (right) on Goathorn from this afternoons Winter Safari Cruise – Alastair Swinnerton