Sorry all, but winter is here! The first Jack Snipe of the ‘winter’ was seen today at Lytchett Fields, as it was accidentally flushed in the ‘Approach Fields’ leading down to the viewpoints. Actually, it’s not that drastic, as although Jack Snipe are often associated with cold, harsh weather, they’re actually quite an early returning over-wintering species, with September records not unusual. Numbers peak in Oct and Nov, but it was great to have the first of the year, no doubt aided by todays incredibly cold northerly wind! There was still a taste of summer around with 2 Osprey in Middlebere, along with 2 Marsh Harrier, including a stunning full adult male. In the Lower Piddle Floods the Wood Sandpiper was enjoying the higher water levels and later in the day the Ruff was found, along with 17 Lapwing, 3 Green Sandpiper and 4 Greenshank, plus a few Hobby are still active in that area. There were only 32 Spoonbill on the lagoon today, and a possible Bonaparte’s Gull was seen on the Boomerang briefly before it flew off. There was also a report of 2 Honey Buzzard flying out across Studland Bay.