Yesterday we celebrated one Red-necked Grebe that appeared during our Shell Bay Pop Up event. Today, 4 Red-necked Grebe were picked up offshore during a Branksome Chine seawatch this morning, along with a Black-throated Diver which drifted west, 8 Kittiwake and 5 Razorbill. Jerry’s Point added an additional 1 Black-necked Grebe , 13 Goldeneye, 9 Red-breasted Merganser and 4 Great Northern Diver to the mix.

Incredibly, after the recent sightings at Sandbanks, 2 Purple Sandpiper were reported at Pilot’s Point on the high tide among good numbers of Sanderling, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover and Turnstone. The bay held a further 3 Great Northern Diver and several Red-breasted Merganser. The Hartland Moor Merlin came to its favoured post this afternoon. Two Cattle Egret were associating with Little Egret flock in the A35 dual carriageway fields just beyond Bakers Arms roundabout. An stint at Holes Bay at dusk would surely pick up these birds coming in to roost! Nearby, a Red-breasted Merganser made its way to Poole Park boating lake.

Sanderling – Sandbanks (yesterday) – Jeremy Saul