An excellent list of species today from right across the harbour. Storm Bella certainly delivered at different sites starting out in Poole Bay where there were 400-500 auk (50/50 Guillemot and Razorbill) passing west, as well as c80 Kittiwake, c100 Gannet, 8 Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 (poss 2) Black-throated Diver, 2 Common Scoter, 1 Avocet, 4 Great Crested Grebe and 22 Black-tailed Godwit all west. At the harbour entrance a Long-tailed DUCK entered the harbour mouth at dawn along with 5 Great Northern Diver, 85 Shag and 385 Black-tailed Godwit. At Lytchett Bay the Ring-billed Gull came into roost again at 14:15 before moving towards the Wareham Channel, plus a Pochard settled in the bay (rare here) at dawn, 4 Spoonbill and 2 Cattle Egret flew over at dusk heading towards the Holes Bay egret roost. Around the Studland peninsular there were 4 Great Northern Diver, 17 Black-necked Grebe and 6 Common Scoter off Knoll Beach, and around Brands Bay there were 41 Great Crested Grebe, 10 Black-necked Grebe, 71 Red-breasted Merganser, 3 Scaup, 21 Goldeneye and 1 Common Scoter. Finally, the lone Purple Sandpiper at Sandbanks has now found a friend which is good news!

Great Northern Diver – Shell Bay