It was a true bird-fest from this afternoons Winter Safari with a whole range of species encountered around the harbour. Most amazingly was a dark phase Arctic Skua which was sat off the harbour sea wall, close to Poole Quay before we set off. Annoyingly it flew off towards Baiter just as we were departing and couldn’t be relocated, but still a lovely record. In the Wareham Channel there were 5 Spoonbill feeding, 3 of which really close to the boat, a drake Goosander flew over Giggers, 4-5 Marsh Harrier gave great views around Swineham, 2 Great White Egret were on the gravel pit and Arne Moors/Swineham held masses of Gadwall, Teal, Wigeon, Shoveler and a few Pintail. Off Brownsea SW shore a Black-throated Diver casually drifted right past the boat and a Red-throated Diver sat a bit further off the boat. A second Red-throated Diver was off the Brownsea north shore along with a Common Scoter and on the Brownsea Lagoon c500 Avocet were settled before it got dark. A Barnacle Goose with Canada Geese at Swineham and at Holmebridge there were 22 Egyptian Geese whilst a female Pochard was on Holme Lane GP. Out in Studland Bay there were still 13 Common Scoter, 3 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver, and 1 Slavonian Grebe was off Jerry’s Point. This afternoon 4 Spoonbill were in Holes Bay.

Black-throated Diver – Brownsea SW shore – John Thorp

Black-throated Diver – Brownsea SW shore – John Thorp