Holes Bay continued to feature the adult drake Scaup and 3 females still just south of railway line. Lytchett Fields saw 1 Water Pipit, 4 Green Sandpiper, 5 Greenshank, 1 Spotted Redshank and 9 Dunlin. A female Marsh Harrier was observed on the shoreline of Otter Island, Lytchett Bay before quartering over the reedbeds.

Our Whitley Lake guided walk this afternoon offered instant views of Mediterranean Gulls, and as spring approaches these birds will become increasingly common along Whitley Lake and Baiter Beach on low tide. Bar-tailed Godwit were also feeding out on the big low tide before moving on to Brownsea Lagoon after disturbance from bait diggers. The striking summer-plumage Barwit was amongst the c50 strong feeding flock. Whitley lake was also scatted with Brent Goose, Curlew, Oystercatcher and the odd Rock Pipit feeding along the shores. Large loose flocks of Red-breasted Merganser could be seen surfacing further out and a pair of Greenshank made an appearance towards the end of the walk.

Mediterranean Gull – Parkstone Bay – 23/01/20