With most people back at work now and schools now open (hoorah), Christmas will now soon feel a distant memory. And with the quiet of an early January Monday morning, as you’d expect, reported sightings were rather thin on the ground. However, 3 Slavonian Grebe off Jerry’s point was still a good total, and in Middlebere the ringtail Hen Harrier was seen again along with 4 different Marsh Harrier also 5 Spotted Redshank, 200 Avocet, 1 Firecrest and 50 Dunlin. The west Poole Harbour Marsh Harrier roost is looking healthy again with 8 leaving in the morning and a Merlin was on Stoborough Heath. Off Middle Beach there were 4 Black-necked Grebe and 3 Common Scoter and 5 Goldeneye in Brands Bay.