Although the rain set in and stayed set in for most of the day, there was still a nice selection of birds to be seen starting out in the harbour where there was a imm/female type Eider out in central harbour along with 3 Common Scoter off Goathorn Point and a marked increase in Red-breasted Merganser with around c50 in total, most in or around the Brands Bay area. At dusk a Red-throated Diver flew out of the Wareham Channel and headed towards the harbour mouth. The Great White Egret seen in Middlebere along with 250+ Avocet. At Lytchett Bay a Water Pipit was caught and ringed, a first for the site. The Brownsea Lagoon had plenty of bird on it including 200+ Cormorant, 28 Spoonbill, 300+ Avocet and 13 Spotted Redshank. The raptor numbers keep on building with now 4 different Hen Harrier in Poole Harbour south with two adult males, a juv ringtail male and a female, also at least 5 different Marsh Harrier  and 2 Merlin have been recorded. Finally, there was a report of a Red-breasted Flycatcher on Brownsea Island, near the Mac Hide which is annoying for two reasons, firstly the island is closed for the season and secondly, if accepted then it would constitute the first ever Poole Harbour record for this species. 

IMPORTANT Lytchett Fields temporary closure notice –

RSPB is suspending public access to the Lytchett Fields Reserve due to the risks present from unauthorised cattle being present. RSPB regrets any inconvenience caused and access will be re-opened as soon as the unauthorised trespass has been removed. Access to other areas of Lytchett Bay remain open.

Common Scoter – Goathorn, nr Brands Bay