A gorgeous late winter (dare we say it….early spring) day, once the fog had lifted. It seems a few people were out getting their daily exercise today before the ‘Beast from east’ arrives….if it ever arrives? There were signs of an early cold weather movement wit 2 Pochard in Lytchett Bay with 4 Pintail. Up on Ballard 5 Rock Pipit were apparently displaying in full parachute mode on the cliff face highlighting how mild it was in the sun and 2 Fulmar were seen settled on the cliffs too. In Studland Bay there were 9 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Common Scoter, 1 Great Northern Diver, 11 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Shoveler. Off Jerry’s Point there were 5 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Common Scoter and on Little Sea the Great White Egret was roosting. At Wareham Common the first Reed Bunting was back on territory singing and both Mistle and Song Thrush were really going for it at different sites right across the harbour providing a wonderfully tranquil calm before the (snow) storm? The Siberian Chiffchaff was still at the PCW Drain with 2 Firecrest. In Brands Bay the pale-bellied Brent Goose was still present and Egyptian Geese were at Lytchett Fields and Swineham.

Footage of Caspian Gull from Brownsea webcam (05/02/21)

Sanderling & Turnstone – Whitley Lake, Sandbanks

Dunnock were in full song right across the harbour today – Upton CP