Despite near perfect conditions, unfortunately there was no sign of any giant white falcons bombing around Ballard or the Purbeck coast today. Shame, as it would have been a rather good start to the year! There’s always tomorrow.

The harbour was flat calm all day, making the finding of birds easy and pleasurable. There were 2 Black-throated Diver out on the sea together at Sandbanks this morning and out off Middle Beach this morning another Black-throated Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver. This evening off Middle beach there were 9 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Northern Diver and 12 Common Scoter. Off Jerry’s Point today the Long-tailed Duck was showing well, along with 5 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Goldeneye and 2 Great Northern Diver. A Water Pipit was at Lytchett Bay along with 1 Spotted Redshank. The Snow Bunting was still showing well at Hamworthy Beach, a male and female Hen Harrier were seen in Middlebere this morning.