There was some really great news today when it was announced that Natural England have put in an application to extend the Poole Harbour SPA (Special Protection Area) to almost the whole of the harbour, including the mud below the mean low water mark. An SPA is a piece of European legislation carried out under the Birds Directive, a set of laws created to protect birds across Europe and that all countries within the EU must adhere to. The harbour currently has several areas already designated as SPA’s, these include the heathlands around the harbour fringes and the wetlands and water meadows that boarder the river valley’s of the Frome and the Piddle. The proposal is out for public consultation now and you can read the full proposal HERE.

There was a real winter scene late afternoon around the Hartland/Slepe Heath area with a male Hen Harrier and male Marsh Harrier out hunting soon followed by a Short-eared Owl, whilst out towards Arne Moors and Swineham the Bittern was again seen flying over the reedbeds with another 3 Marsh Harrier, male and female Hen Harriers and a Peregrine sat on a post. From Middlebere the Barn Owl was out hunting in front of the hide as were a male and female Hen Harrier and a single Marsh Harrier. After the rain cleared 2 Firecrest were busy feeding behind PC World along with several Chiffchaff. In Holes Bay north 1 Spotted Redshank was at the outflow.