It was great to see the harbour so calm this morning, allowing for a full area count to be conducted across Brands Bay, South Deep and off Jerry’s Point. The returns were excellent with 2 Long-tailed Duck off Furzey Island, also 4 Scaup, 4 Great Northern Diver, 2 Common Scoter, 2 Goldeneye, 36 Red-breasted Merganser and 44 Great Crested Grebe. Brands Bay was full of birds on the low tide too with c400 Dunlin, 6 Sanderling, c150 Avocet, c30 Pintail, 14 Grey Plover and the Great White Egret. The Purple Sandpiper still seems to be around as it was noted near the houseboats at the harbour mouth. Off Middle Beach, Studland there were 3 Common Scoter and 6 Black-necked Grebe

Purple Sandpiper with Dunlin and Ringed Plover – Studland Houseboats – Nick Gadenne