Although most of Storm Darragh passed through last night, the wind was still peaking at between 40mph – 50mph during the course of the day, and the wind chill made it feel pretty nippy. It wasn’t about divers today, rather a day of ducks! Best duck was a drake Green-winged Teal which was found in Brands Bay this afternoon by Phil Saunders. Whether it’s the same individual thats been at Cowards Marsh over the last few days is unknown, but in the past, Green-winged Teals often stay for long periods of time once they arrive. The Long-tailed Duck thats been entering the harbour over the last 4 days flew in again this morning at dawn. It’s yet to be found in the harbour yet, but no doubt it will get pinned down at some point. There were 4 Goldeneye on Poole Park boating lake again today and there were just 7 Common Scoter off Middle Beach, Studland along with 2 Slavonian Grebe, 8 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver and 1 Black-throated Diver. A small flock of 6 Kittiwake flew up Middlebere this morning and Holes Bay saw big totals of birds with 1510 Black-tailed Godwit and 600+ Dunlin. There’s been up to 16 Marsh Harrier in the west harbour roost this last week and a male Hen Harrier was seen in Middlebere again. Finally there were 15 Spoonbill in Lytchett Bay viewed from Rock Lea View.

Masses of birds at Holes Bay – Martin Adams

Green-winged Teal – Brands Bay – James Leaver