Today was the second Poole Harbour WeBS count of this autumn/winter period and on first impressions it looks as if the harbour is holding a good number of wetland bird species. The Wareham Channel was particularly busy, as were the southern shores. Highlights included a drake Scaup off Arne, 1 Common Scoter in the Wytch Channel, 38 Spoonbill off Fitzworth plus good early winter totals of Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit, Dunlin, Curlew, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail and Shoveler. At Norden Train Station a Yellow-browed Warbler was seen. In the Lower Frome Valley near Sunnyside a late Whinchat was present. At Lytchett Fields the Lesser Yellowlegs was still present along with 150+ Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Greenshank, 260 Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sandpiper, 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine Falcon. Along the Arne Road a flock of 5 Woodlark were flushed. In The Arne car park still at least 3 Firecrest can be found. Up on Hartland at least 1 Merlin was seen and out in the Wareham Channel 2 Marsh Harrier were hunting. General birding in the harbour can be hugely rewarding this time of year, not to mention being very good for your physical and mental well being. With deer rutting, numerous fungi species growing in the fields, autumn migration in full swing, big numbers of over-wintering species arriving, dramatic skylines, orange and golden avenues of trees…we can’t encourage you to get out enough!

Spoonbills and Black-tailed Godwit – Brownsea Lagoon – Paul Morton

Avocet – Brownsea Lagoon – Paul Morton