The freezing temperatures were still present at dawn, but the cold wind had subsided and actually, by around 11am, a degree of warmth could be felt on cold noses and freezing fingers. With the finer conditions present today a nice set of sightings were reported. A bird boat around the harbour saw 3 Great Northern Diver off the northern Brownsea shore, 1 Slavonian Grebe, in South Deep, 10 Spoonbill at Shipstal, good numbers of Goldeneye now seem to be present and a few Black-necked Grebe were in central harbour. At Lytchett Bay, 2 Water Pipit were again on the fields and Cattle Egret were spread between Nutcrack Lane and Holme Lane and there were 5 Woodlark in the Holme Lane field with good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare. In the field behind the Worgret Manor there were c25 Golden Plover with c40 Lapwing. A Barn Owl was hunting around Little Sea, Studland and 10 Black-necked Grebe and a Great Northern Diver were out in Studland Bay with 2 Slavonian Grebe in Shell Bay. The Poole Habour Marsh Harrier cohort has risen to 4 currently but just the single female Hen Harrier remains present around the harbour, today mostly sticking to the northern shoreline near Keysworth. Around Hartland there were 3 different Merlin and the warmer sunshine. General birding around the harbour seemed to show plenty of Redwing, Fieldfare, Lapwing and Skylark making use of the thawed out fields, but how long will they remain for? At Hatch pond a Red-breasted Merganser/Goosander was reported yesterday but a search this AM couldn’t relocate it.
Great Crested Grebe – Hatch Pond – Rene Goad
So cold! Mid-week was delightful with even a hint of spring warmth, but today was proper chilly. Cold…
Find out moreAnother beautiful February day, although the slight NE wind added an edgy chill. There was both a male…
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