It was good to receive news today of the first record of ‘multiple’ Purple Sandpiper at Sandbanks in several years. In recent years they’ve been almost totally absent from this traditional area, with just a few records of lone, short-staying individuals over the last couple of years. There was an excellent count of c35 at Hengistbury on Sunday, so there’s a good chance we could even see a few more over the rest of the winter? Also off Sandbanks today were 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver, 1 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot and a light passage of Mediterranean Gulls. The juv male Eider was off the Houseboats again in Bramble Bush Bay and off Jerry’s Point there were 2 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Great Northern Diver, 3 Black-necked Grebe and 3 Goldeneye. Off Middle Beach, Studland 11 Common Scoter remained and 3 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver were spread across the bay. A lone Cattle Egret flew over Carey Secret Garden and a Black-throated Diver was off Whitecliff/Baiter again.

Purple Sandpiper – Sandbanks 

Purple Sandpiper – Sandbanks 

1st winter male Eider – Bramble Bush Bay – Mick Brooks