When the weather outside is frightful…..go birding! At least locally, so you can see if the cold weather has produced any local cold weather movements. There was an element of some ‘arrivals’ when the snow hit this morning with 4 Golden Plover out on Wareham Common next to the bypass, as well as 2 ‘new in’ Cattle Egret which have been quite scarce this winter period. It seemed Common Snipe and small numbers of Lapwing had moved with numbers evident out in the open feeding. Also out on Wareham Common was the Great White Egret, 130 Black-tailed Godwit and 1 Jack Snipe. In Middlebere 2 ringtail Hen Harrier were seen (adult female and 1st winter male) along with 1 Merlin, 1 Spotted Redshank, 37 Grey Plover, and c200 Avocet. In the Wareham Channel 2 White-tailed Eagle were seen briefly and in Holes Bay 6 Spoonbill and 1 Common Sandpiper. In Lytchett Bay 4 Marsh Harrier and 1 Great White Egret flew past Rock Lea View and on the fields were 1 Spotted Redshank and 37 Common Snipe. There was a Great Northern Diver off Hamworthy Beach and 3 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay.

Egret snow fall! Cattle, Great White and Little Egret drifting in the snow on Wareham Common – Peter Moore