One of the highlights from our Winter Safari Cruise this morning was a male Hen Harrier being tailed by a Marsh Harrier over the Keysworth shoreline of the Wareham Channel, with at least 3 other Marsh Harrier active around Swineham. Across the harbour, at least 12 Great Northern Diver were present, with the Black-throated Diver showing well near the south shore of Brownsea. The Brownsea Lagoon provided views of 300+ Avocet, 350 Black-tailed Godwit, 350 Dunlin, 30 Grey Plover, 60 Redshank and 2 Greenshank. The flock of c.25 Spoonbill were roosting near Ower Bay. Studland was well watched throughout the day, with counts from Jerry’s Point including 6 Great Northern Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Eider, 4 Goldeneye, 36 Red-breasted Merganser and 41 Great Crested Grebe. On the early low tide in Brands Bay there were 208 Teal, 413 Wigeon, 176 Pintail, 74 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 21 Grey Plover, 95 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Bar-tailed Godwit and 126 Common Gull, and the Long-tailed Duck was present in the afternoon. There were 6 Common Scoter and 10 Black-necked Grebe also counted in Studland Bay. 15 Cattle Egret were reported on Wareham Common this afternoon.

Black-throated Diver – South Brownsea Shoreline – Seb Elwood