HAPPY NEW YEAR! It was great to see and hear that so many people were out today, despite the foul weather that eventually came our way. Year lists were off to a good start and it was god to see that some clingers on from last year (i.e yesterday) were still about, providing some good year ticks for species that can sometimes be hard to get each year. For example the Black-throated Diver remained, moving between Shell Bay, the harbour entrance and Jerry’s Point. Likewise, the Long-tailed Duck was still off Jerry’s Point as were 2 Slavonian Grebe and 4 Goldeneye. Off Middle Beach there were 6 Black-necked Grebe and there were Great Northern Diver all around the Studland Peninsular with a minimum of 14 logged in Studland bay, Shell Bay and off Jerry’s Point. In Lytchett Bay this morning there were 4 Spoonbill feeding plus there was a male Hen Harrier with a ringtail logged in Middlebere. In the harbour mouth this morning a Razorbill was also on the water and 74 Shag entered the harbour. A Marsh Harrier was in Holes Bay, male White-tailed Eagle was sat out on Shipstal Point this afternoon and this morning, when the sun shone briefly Song Thrush were in near full song at multiple sites. A Great White Egret was in Middlebere.

Pintail – Brands Bay