Once again, Holes Bay looked like an Urban Birders dream with great numbers of Wigeon, Teal, Avocet, Dunlin, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit in both north and south sectors with Pintail, Shoveler, 3 Goldeneye and 1 Great Northern Diver.

A male Merlin was again seen this evening at the Middlebere lay by and a Peregrine was located on its usual ASDA perch this afternoon. Also at Middlebere a Merlin, Peregrine and Hen Harrier were active at the same time from the hide. There was another Merlin at Lytchett Fields too. Two Long-tailed Duck off Jerry’s point amongst several Goldeneye, Black-necked Grebe, Great Crested Grebe and Red-breasted Merganser. Nearby, a single Great White Egret was on Little Sea. The Black Brant was still present today, located on the north side Arne Bay and the Siberian Chiffchaff remained at Wareham Common at base of Northwest Walls in ditch by River Piddle, 100 metres west of North Mill along with 1 Firecrest. On Poole Park boating Lake there were 6 Goldeneye.

Our ‘Focus On’ Knoll Beach, Studland event in partnership with the Purbeck National Trust team offered superb views of 6 Common Scoter, 10 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Mediterranean Gull, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Gannet, c15 Great Crested Grebe and various Brent Goose and Curlew passing south. Later 2 Slavonian Grebe were logged off South Beach. Tomorrow we will be setup at Shell Bay offering a chance to learn about and see a range of special winter visitors. Drop in anytime between 9am and 12pm to join us as we work through Divers, Grebes, Gulls, Seaducks and more…

More details about our free ‘Focus On’ can be found by following the link below.

https://www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk/events

Bullfinch – Middlebere – Paul Swann