The Wareham Channel low tide was teeming with waders and gulls on this morning’s Winter Safari Cruise, with 150+ Avocet spread across the mud, plus 400+ Dunlin, 30+ Grey Plover and 400+ Lapwing giving stunning aerial displays in tight flocks. Hidden in amongst them was a single Golden Plover, a scarce species in Poole Harbour where its favoured upland and farmland habitats are thin on the ground! Raptors were the other key highlight from the trip with a single Peregrine speeding overhead towards the panicked waders, 5 Marsh Harrier quartering the reedbeds, and both male and ringtail Hen Harrier hunting over the Arne peninsula. Also seen were at least 10 Great Norther Diver, 70+ Red-breasted Merganser and 3 Goldeneye. Elsewhere the 8 Waxwings were reported from Dacombe Drive in Upton, and both Pilsdon Drive and the trees behind Asda in Canford Heath. There were also 100+ Bar-tailed Godwit feeding in Whitley Lake viewed from Shore Road, and in Lytchett Bay 3 Water Pipit were present at Sherford Pools.

Golden Plover – Winter Safari Cruise – Scott Usher