Yet another grey day! We’ve been trying to think back as to when the last two or more consecutive days of sunshine occurred, and we think it was October 1976!? Or at least it feels like it. However, we’re not one to moan (much), so it was good to hear of a Black Redstart being found today on a fencepost at Greenalnd’s Farm, Studland where there was also a Wheatear. Also at Studland, the weekends newly arrived Long-tailed Duck was off Jerry’s Point again with 2 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver. There was a single Spoonbill in Brands Bay, with 4 on the Brownsea Lagoon again. There were 2 Sand Martin over the Lower Piddle Valley near Swineham, 2 Mandarin Duck were at Holmebridge with another 2 at Carey Secret Garden. Both the Peregrines were on the Asda flats again, but still no sign of any real courtship or mating attempts yet. Red Kite are still mingling/moving about in small numbers with 1 over Wareahm Train Station and another over Hartland. The lone Barnacle Goose was still at Holme Lane GP trying to befriend Egyptian Geese.

Barnacle Goose (right) and Egyptian Goose (left) – Holme lane GP – Clive Hargrave