Even though the weekends storms didn’t produce much either in or out of the harbour, it’s always worth continuing to check several days after as you never know what storm driven waifs may turn up. Thats what happened today when a late afternoon scan of Studland Bay suddenly produced a 1st winter male Surf Scoter which was sat out on it’s own off Middle Beach. This is the 4th record for Poole Harbour and is a really great find. The last one which was found in Nov 2013 actually ended up over-wintering and stayed until early April 2014, so there’s a chance this bird could stick around? Also, this afternoon, it sounded like yesterdays Arctic Skua which was first seen off Poole Quay, had moved to Holes Bay as it was getting beaten up by gulls this afternoon in the southern sector. Also in Holes Bay was a Great Northern Diver and 16 Spoonbill flew over. A vis-mig session up on Ballard produced a decent find of a Cirl Bunting which passed over heading north.

1st winter drake Surf Scoter – Middle Beach, Studland – Mark Wright

dark-bellied Brent Geese waiting for their coffee order – Baiter Park