Everything aligned for today’s Low Tide Cruise, magical light and staggering abundance of birds. Most of our boats take place in the morning, so it was a real treat to watch the sun setting from the Wareham Channel as Spoonbill, Avocet and Black-tailed Godwit fed frantically on the expansive mudflats and thousand’s of Common and Black-headed gull began their commute into the harbour to roost. Unusually, the best views of Marsh Harrier were picked up on Brownsea working the reedbeds that fringe the lagoon. The 3 Scaup put in an appearance in South Deep, and 2 Black-necked Grebe featured in the Central Harbour. Two of the recent Tundra Bean Goose dropped into Lytchett Bay early doors before becoming unsettled by wildfowlers and reappeared in 13 Acre Field, Upton CP. Looking out into Studland Bay from Middle Beach offered 23 Black-necked Grebe and 12 Common Scoter. Continuing down to South Beach added Great Northern Diver, Slavonian Grebe, 123 Dark-bellied Brent, 10 Mediterranean Gull and 1 Ring-necked Parakeet. Goshawk put in another fleeting appearance through Middlebere and the Holes Bay Common Sandpiper continues to show along with 3 Turnstone in Holes Bay SE. Small numbers of Knot, Grey Plover and Lapwing broke up the impressive carpet of Teal, Wigeon, Pintail, Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit. A Peregrine caused a commotion while 4 Goldeneye and 22 Red-breasted Merganser observed offshore.
Sunset over Arne from today’s Low Tide Cruise – Brittany Maxted
Although you couldn’t see further than 100m for much of the day, there were birds to be found…
Find out moreSo cold! Mid-week was delightful with even a hint of spring warmth, but today was proper chilly. Cold…
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