The Red-necked Grebe is still in the harbour today, visible in Bramble Bush Bay at Studland.  The Slavonian Grebe was reported again of Jerry’s Point, along with 3 Great Northern Diver.  Also from Studland, 1 Great Northern Diver was seen in Shell Bay, as well as 5 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Red-throated Diver, 20 Common Scoter and 1 Velvet Scoter seen from Middle Beach. In Brands Bay, a count produced 320 Wigeon, 180 Pintail, 34 Grey Plover, 2 Knot, 1 Greenshank and 7 Scaup. 1 Great Northern Diver has been reported in Parkstone Bay, one of only a couple of reports in the north of the harbour so far this winter. A further 3 Great Northern Diver were seen off Brownsea today, potentially the same birds seen from Jerry’s Point, but finally it feels like numbers are building inside the harbour… Finally, 1 Siberian Chiffchaff was visible today by the boardwalk bridge at Lytchett Bay View.

We’ve also just announced our Big Poole Harbour Bird Count planned for Sunday 16th January 2022. Restrictions allowing, it would be great to have as many people out as possible birding the harbour on the 16th, aiming to give a snapshot of the numbers of species in the area during the winter. You can find more information here.

Great Northern Diver – Hamish Murray – from Brownsea Island