This morning was our monthly BoPH field trip, this month being held at Arne RSPB Reserve. Despite a bit of fog hampering our views early doors, it very quickly disappeared and we were treated to near perfect conditions with no breeze, mill pond like water, warm sunshine and great light. Arne is great right the way through the year, but winter can often prove to be the most productive time, and this morning’s list certainly compliments this theory. Just standing in the car park prior to the walk Fieldfare, Redwing, Firecrest, Nuthatch and Treecreeper were all logged. We then headed up onto Coombe Heath and towards Middlebere where Dartford Warbler, Black and Bar-tailed Godwit, Avocet, Curlew, Redshank, Teal, Wigeon, Brent Geese and Shelduck all gave good views. We finished on Shipstal Point, where in idyllic conditions 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Black-necked Grebe, 15+ Goldeneye, 80+ Great Crested Grebe, 30+ Red-breasted Merganser, 2 Lesser Redpoll and 2 Dartford Warbler were counted. In Brands Bay the Great White Egret was present again and a Great Northern Diver was off Jerry’s Point. At North Haven a Purple Sandpiper was again present with several Ringed Plover and a Black Redstart. A Black Redstart was on a house near the Tatnam, Poole. In Whitley Lake, Shore Road 23 Bar-tailed Godwit and 5 Sandwich Tern were on East Dorset Sailing Club pier.