Winter is really taking grip now with wind chills forcing hands into gloves and faces into scarfs but don’t let that put you off heading out around the harbour as the birds will be there to find. Starting off at Shipstal (now Autumn Watch have gone) 30 Spoonbill are back on the spit and a Siberian (tristis) Chiffchaff was in the Arne car park. A ringtail Hen Harrier was on Hartland mid-morning and in Middlebere the Great White Egret showed briefly and 300+ Avocet were in the Middlebere Channel. If you’re around the Sandbanks area then keep in eye out in Whitley Lake/Shore Road on a high tide as Red-breasted Merganser and Goldeneye numbers begin to rise and on low-tides Bar-tailed Godwit, Sanderling and Turnstone can all be seen at closeat close quarters.Doing a sea-watch from Branksome Chine or the harbour mouth should produce Red-throated Diver with 2 passing early morning and Gannet and Kittiwake are present too. 

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.