Sightings highlights today were over at Studland, with a Red-necked Grebe reported off Jerry’s Point, along with 4 Scaup. In Studland Bay from Middle and South Beaches, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Great Northern Diver, 10 Black-necked Grebe, 5 Great Crested Grebe, 13 Common Scoter, 14 Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Razorbill counted. 1 ringtail Hen Harrier was seen over Lytchett Bay this morning. Holes Bay provided excellent views of 597 Dunlin, c.1000 Black-tailed Godwit and 100+ Avocet from the Stone Bench, as well as 11 Brent Geese and 2 Red-breasted Merganser in the South. At RSPB Arne, sightings across Shipstal Point included 27 Spoonbill, 15 Red-breasted Merganser, 30 Brent Geese and a Marsh Harrier. Coombe Heath also featured a Merlin and ringtail Hen Harrier. At Baiter this afternoon, 148 Brent Geese, 57 Oystercatcher, 300+ Starling and several Turnstone were counted feeding on the fields. Finally, we’ve received some great info back from Mark Thomas at RSPB, regarding a ringtail Hen Harrier that was photographed near Middlebere yesterday by Nigel Gidey which had a colour ring A1Z. It was ringed in Northumberland in 2021. Brilliant!
Dark-bellied Brent Geese – Baiter – Martin Adams
Hen Harrier – near Middlebere – Nigel Gidney
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