We achieved great coverage today from our rather chilly harbour cruise. The winds were cold, but the birding was excellent. Wareham channel produced 5 Marsh Harrier and a ringtail Hen Harrier quartering the surrounding reedbeds. A meander up the River Frome to Redcliffe picked up 200+ Lapwing with smaller flocks of Dunlin interspersed. Shipstal Point featured 21 roosting Spoonbill and a drake Goldeneye (in total 7 were observed during the trip). Great Northern Diver were in abundance with 9 individuals recorded from the boat. A Common Scoter offered wonderful views as it flew past the boat near South Deep. Larege numbers of Black-tailed Godwit were on Brownsea, with a minimum of 1000 birds roosting on the relatively sheltered lagoon. Bar-tailed Godwit were also present in smaller numbers, with at least 70 logged.

A watch from Jerry’s Point late afternoon produced a Long-tailed Duck, which unfortunately eluded the cruise. Elsewhere, the Pale-bellied Brent Goose was still present at Baiter Park in the morning and a Peregrine was also perching at ASDA, Holes Bay.