Finally a break in the weather and some good birding was to be had around the harbour. Many of the bays were busy with waders and wildfowl especially in Holes Bay and Lytchett Bay. We hosted the practical session of our Winter Waders of Poole Harbour ID course today in Holes Bay and we’re glad we did as it was ‘stuffed’ with birds. From the Stone Bench at Upton CP there were c20 Pintail, c200 Wigeon, c20 Shoveler, 3 Gadwall, 11 Avocet, c300 Black-tailed Godwit and 6 Little Grebe under the railway line. In Holes Bay north east there was even more including 2 Knot, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, c50 Avocet, c400 Black-tailed Godwit, c600 Dunlin, c400 Wigeon, c200 Teal, 1 Peregrine and 1 Sparrowhawk. In the SW sector of Holes Bay there were 4 Goldeneye. There were also 2 Firecrest next to Upton House. At dawn the Red-necked Grebe flew into the harbour mouth again and headed north around Brownsea. Also through at dawn were 2 Great Northern Diver, 6 Eider, 3 Sandwich Tern and 35 Grey Plover.  Lytchett Bay was busy and saw 6 Spoonbill, 235 Avocet, 546 Wigeon, 8 Gadwall, 79 Shelduck and Bearded Tit at the Turlin Moor screen.

Winter Waders ID Course Group – Holes Bay – Debbie Parker

Bar-tailed Godwit – Holes Bay NE – Paul Morton