With a much calmer feel across the harbour today, it allowed for some tranquil birding, even though the bird list from the last few days remained pretty much the same, with both Black-throated Divers still off Baiter/Whitecliff, in-between Redhorn Quay and Jerry’s Point the 1st winter male Eider was still there, plus 3-4 Great Northern Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 6 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Goldeneye, 21 Red-breasted Merganser and 21 Great Crested Grebe. In Brands Bay the Pintail flock was large again and logged 452 in total. It would be great if it could hit the 500 mark over the New Year. Out in Studland Bay/Middle Beach tehre were 3-4 Great Northern Diver, 3 Black-necked Grebe and 12 Common Scoter. Spoonbill were dotted around again with 3 in Middlebere, 9 at RSPB Arne, 3 at Lytchett Bay and 2 in the Wareham Channel. A ringtail Hen Harrier was in Middlebere this morning and both White-tailed Eagles were around Ballard this afternoon.

Spoonbills – Middlebere – David Turner