Again, today the conditions proved excellent watching conditions out in the harbour as wind fell silent and grey sky offered “squintless” viewing opportunities. There was a good variety of species out in central harbour, viewed from Hamworthy Beach which included 1 Scaup off Arne, 1 Eider off Green Island, 1 Great White Egret feeding on the beach at Shipstal, 9 Common Scoter out in central harbour with the first 11 Goldeneye of the winter, 48 Red-breasted Merganser, 54 Great Crested Grebe and 2 Spoonbill were feeding on the southern shores of Rempstone. There was no question as to the birds of the day as 4 Common Crane flew over Ower on the Rempstone Estate along the southern shores which unfortunately didn’t stay long and ended up over at the Fleet, Portland by early afternoon. In Holes Bay NE a handful of birders were eagerly awaiting the arrival of some Spoonbill with the rising tide, and they were rewarded with 4 coming in to feed around 10am with 85 Avocet, 500+ Wigeon, 2 Pintail and good numbers of common wader species. There was another Spoonbill on the Upton CP side of Holes Bay too. Out off Middle Beach, Studland, there were 23 Black-necked Grebe feeding.

We also have an update regarding Lytchett Fields which is that we’re pleased to state that it now re-opened again. Many thanks for your patients. Today the Lesser Yellowlegs was still on site and 8 Spoonbill were on the fields too. 

As we’ve mentioned a couple of times this week, Holes Bay NE can offer a great viewing experience and opportunity to get close to some of the harbour’s most familiar over-wintering species. We hope you enjoy this sequence of photos taken by local birder Ian Ballam, all of which were taken from the main cycle path along Holes Bay and just meters away from the birds in shot!

Curlew – Holes Bay NE

Little Egret – Holes Bay NE

Spoonbill – Holes Bay NE

Wigeon – Holes Bay NE

Teal – Holes Bay NE