Enthusiasm is often a key driver when it comes to watching birds. So is being slightly mad, and both attributes were needed today when our public bird boat went out in clear bright sky’s but almost sub-zero temperatures. A brisker than brisk north-east wind ripped across the harbour but our valiant guests on board stuck it out and were treated to a nice variety of birds despite watery eyes turning to icicles! Up to 6 Great Northern Diver were dotted around the harbour, 1 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Slavonian Grebe were off Green Island. The Velvet Scoter was still out in South Deep with 2 Common Scoter. In the Wareham Channel a Marsh Harrier settled on Gigger’s Island and a Hen Harrier was seen but only very briefly hassling a flock of Avocet. On the Brownsea Lagoon Avocet, Bar and Black-tailed Godwit, Greenshank, Shoveler and Gadwall all added to the tally and standard harbour species such as Goldeneye, Red-breasted Merganser, Great Crested Grebe, Shag and Cormorant were all well represented. Off Hamworthy 2 Sandwich Tern passed the beach and singles of both Razorbill and Guillemot were off Evening Hill. At Middlebere 3 Spoonbill and a feeding Merlin were photographed. 

If you fancy a slightly warmer trip or think you’d like to try one of our super ‘cool’ winter boat trips later in the year then our full boat trip schedule for 2018 can now be found HERE