Well, the predicted heavy snow kicked in around 6pm and began settling throughout the evening. Prior to this and leading up to the snow fall, a short and very cold sea watch was carried out at Branksome where 2 Red-throated Diver, 1 possible Black-throated Diver and c5 Kittiwake passed out in Poole Bay. The 5 Waxwing from yesterday were present first thing in Carey Road but couldn’t be relocated after 10am. At Sandbanks, the roosting flock of Sanderling contained the blue and yellow flagged individual which was first seen in the harbour last year and was confirmed to have been ringed in 2013 in Hampshire. By the Wareham bypass 4 Cattle Egret were just west of the bridge and along Holme Lane 2 Woodlark were in the cattle field along with good numbers Redwing, Fieldfare and several Mistle Thrush. In the Wareham Channel 3 Marsh Harrier were present and 12 Spoonbill were feeding there too.

Sanderling – Sandbanks – Ian Ballam