As expected, the wind increased the number of Great Northern Diver using the harbour with 5 flying in at dawn along with 19 Red-breasted Merganser, 1 Common Scoter and 95 Shag with another Great Northern Diver on the water off Shell Beach plus a Gannet left the harbour suggesting it had sheltered in the harbour somewhere over night. At Middlebere the standard raptor haul showed on and off during the afternoon with 2 female type Marsh Harrier, 1 Peregrine, 1 ringtail Hen Harrier and 1 Merlin with Fieldfare along the entrance track. The Hawfinch total at French’s Farm, Lytchett Bay rose to two and there were 9 Spoonbill in Lytchett Bay and a Ruff out on the Lytchett Fields. With the weather calming down tomorrow we hope for some better coverage and a good range of sightings.

Marsh Harrier – Middlebere – Chris Snook