It was a proper winter scene across the harbour this morning, not so much with snow or frost, but just the sheer number of birds around. However a late Swallow flying around Studland Beach spoilt the wintery vibe (poor thing). There were potentially 3 Black-throated Diver around with one showing well in Holes Bay this morning, then another was off the Brownsea south shore this afternoon with a third (sickly) individual close in off Middle Beach. There were also 2 Great Northern Diver off the houseboats in Bramble Bush Bay and 2 Red-throated Diver, one in South Deep and another in central harbour. Central harbour also had 6 Black-necked Grebe with 2 in South Deep and off Middle Beach, Studland the Surf Scoter was distant as was the flock of 12 Common Scoter. At Swineham 4 Marsh Harrier were hunting, 25 Spoonbill were roosting off Fitzworth. The Brownsea Lagoon was teeming and held c2000 Dunlin, c300 Avocet, c60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c300 Black-tailed Godwit, c50 Grey Plover, 1 Spoonbill and lots of wildfowl. In Middlebere there were 2 Spotted Redshank with another in Lytchett Bay and 1 in Holes Bay south, 4 more Black-necked Grebe were out in Studland Bay.

Black-throated Diver – Middle Beach, Studland – James Leaver