The hopes of an early spring seem to have been dashed with talk of snow next week. Hopefully it will be just a cold blip rather than a prolonged freeze! There were a few odds and sods from today with the 4 Eider still off Pilots Point, Studland this morning. A ringtail Hen Harrier cirled over Middlebere mid-morning and another (or the same) was seen in the Wareham Channel. There were 2 Black-necked Grebe off Middle Beach, a Cattle Egret was seen flying over the Wareham bypass bridge heading up the Frome and White-tailed Eagle sightings were seen at Middlebere, the Wareham Channel and high over Ballard. At Norden Sewage Works 10+ Chiffchaff were still active in the scrub around the filter beds as were 2 Firecrest. The Barclays Peregrines were active on the breeding ledge mid-morning, Red Kites were seen over the Piddle Valley, Slepe Heath and Studland and it was great to hear the familiar song of multiple Reed Bunting back on territory along some of the river banks. Finally, there were several Firecrest at RSPB Arne.

Firecrest – RSPB Arne – Clive Hargrave