This weather is so stunning. Yes, frostbite may set in briefly, but it’s worth it for these sunrises and sunsets….and everything in-between. More great birds today with a male Hen Harrier and ringtail Hen Harrier in Middlebere and the stunning male marsh Harrier was at Swineham again. There were a couple of sightings of White-tailed Eagle with one flying east along the Wareham Channel and another over Wareham heading west up the Frome Valley. At Lytchett Fields a Cattle Egret was seen near dusk and the Velvet Scoter was off Jerry’s Point again along with 2 Eider. Along Holme Lane 8 Woodlark were in the cattle field next to the big barn, viewable from the road and at Holmebridge a Marsh Harrier and Peregrine went over. At Baiter there was 1 male Goldeneye, 1 Great Northern Diver, 10 Red-breasted Merganser, 4 Great Crested Grebe, 21 Cormorant, 5 Turnstone, 1 Rock Pipit and c150 dark-bellied Brent Geese. A few Crossbill were vocal in the Corfe Valley, Wytch Farm side and a Woodlark was sub-singing near Hartland. There’s plenty of Raven activity as pairs are now in full display mode, especially in the middle of the day and the first Sparrowhawk display flights have also been observed.

Raven – Hydes Heath, RSPB Arne – Alison Copland