As much as we love the New Year, it’s always ‘nice’ to get January out of the way, especially when February welcomes us in with nice calm conditions. It’s all still much of the same currently, but it won’t be long before we start seeing some change as birds start moving and thinking about heading back towards breeding grounds and various territories. The Long-tailed Duck, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 3 Slavonian Grebe were off Jerry’s Point and out in Studland Bay there were 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Great Northern Diver and 5 Common Scoter. An adult male Hen Harrier passed over the Puddle Town Road, near Trigon, the male Snow Bunting was still on Hamworthy Beach and c20 Spoonbill were on Shipstal. In Middlebere there were 2 Spotted Redshank, the single Cattle Egret was still in the Norden Fields with the Highland Cattle, there were 3 Spoonbill in Brands Bay this afternoon, a Merlin bombed across the harbour entrance this morning and 2 White-tailed Eagles were seen over Middlebere mid-morning.

Cattle Egret and Highland cow – Norden – Mark Wright

Cattle Egret and Highland cow – Norden – Mark Wright