2020 has been a quiet year for Spoonbill records at Lytchett Bay, so 3 feeding birds were a welcome addition to the Bay this morning. Of the three Spoonbill, one was a Dutch colour ringed bird marked AE, which was first recorded at the site back in 2013. The recent cold snap also heralded an increase in Avocet to 156, as well as a general increase in waders and wildfowl. Other notable highlights for the site included a Spotted Redshank, 63 Dark-bellied Brent Goose and 2 Shoveler.

Studland peninsular is the place to visit at the moment. The ever-reliable Jerry’s Point continues to produce, today logging 4 Great Northern Diver, 4 Black-necked Grebe, 33 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Scaup, 3 Common Scoter and 20+ Red-breasted Merganser. Nearby, Brand’s Bay featured 109 Dark-bellied Brent Goose, 4 Scaup, 163 Wigeon, 74 Teal, 56 Pintail, 9 Lapwing, 13 Grey Plover, 66 Black-tailed Godwit and a Kingfisher. Knoll Beach offered a further Great Northern Diver, 4 Black-necked Grebe and a Common Scoter. While Littlesea added to the species list with a Great White Egret, accompanied by 19 Teal.

Holes Bay continues to offer top quality urban birding spectacles, today featuring 143 Avocet, 244 Black-tailed Godwit, 18 Curlew, 403 Dunlin, 4 Knot, 8 Oystercatcher, 42 Redshank, 4 Little Grebe, 58 Mute Swan, 34 Pintail, 28 Shelduck, 67 Shoveler, 167 Teal, 937 Wigeon and Great Crested Grebe this morning. The Great Northern Diver remained close into the the shoreline opposite the Premier Inn, Holes Bay South.