The murky start to today was brightened by views of the first Black-throated Diver of the season, which flew out through the harbour entrance past South Haven at Studland and continued South past Pilots Point this morning. All three of our usual visiting Diver species have now been recorded in the harbour this winter, of which Great Northern Diver is typically the most locally abundant, with four recorded in Studland Bay today. That said numbers, still appear low for this time of year compared with recent years. Also present were Razorbill, Guillemot, 14 Common Scoter, 5 Great Crested Grebe, and 8 Black-necked Grebe. Along the beach were also 13 Sanderling and at least 136 Dark-bellied Brent Geese. Elsewhere, both adult Peregines were present in Holes Bay and the adult male Hen Harrier was seen again in the West of the harbour.

Peregrine falcons – Holes Bay – Tanya Hart