Sightings were fairly thin on the ground again today, perhaps because we’re all still recovering from the big day, or maybe due to the thick mist which shrouded the harbour from early afternoon.

Despite consistent high tides, Holes Bay harboured some 38 Curlew, 50+ Avocet, 9 Lapwing, 3 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Little Egret, good numbers of the usual suspects of Wigeon, Teal and Shelduck, plus 1 leucistic Canada Goose in amongst conspecifics. At the Upton Country Park end, Redwing were gathered in a flock of 60+ birds.

Baiter Park was also fairly productive with 1 Great Norther Diver and 11 Red-breasted Merganser showing down to a very good distance, alongside both male and female Goldeneye. Also present were Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Turnstone, Redshank, and Oystercatcher.

Brands Bay held good variety today, with three grebe species showing: 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-Necked Grebe, and plenty of Great Crested Grebe. Also present were 2 Long-tailed Duck, 2 Great Northern Diver, and an abundance of Goldeneye and Red-breasted Merganser. 

At the opposite end of the harbour a ringtail Hen Harrier passed over the mouth of the Wareham Channel around midday and 3 Marsh Harrier were over Swineham Point. The river valley’s are still extremely flooded and are holding good numbers of Lapwing, Shoveler and Gadwall.  Meanwhile, the 25 over-wintering Spoonbill still appear to be spending most of their time in a communal roost on Shipstal Point at Arne.

Spoonbill – Shipstal Point – Lyn Lambert