There it is….January 2021 finished with already. No-one should ever wish time away, but in these circumstances I think we’re well within our right to wish some sun and warmth our way. That said, the cold weather further north pushed some birds this way including 5 Russian White-fronted Geese over Lytchett Fields. We hope more of these will appear over the coming weeks as birds begin making their way back north and places like Lytchett Fields, Swineham and the Frome Valley could all easily hold passage geese during February, so if out on your daily exercise in those areas keep an eye out. Other highlights at Lytchett Fields were a colour-ringed Water Pipit, a male Merlin, 1 Jack Snipe and c200 Linnet in the arable field. On the Asda building there were 2 Peregrine back, no doubt plotting and planning on perhaps trying to figure out where they can potentially lay eggs this year? We really hope so! Off Jerry’s Point there were 4 Long-tailed Duck, 4 Scaup, 3 Common Scoter, 18 Goldeneye, 5 Slavonian Grebe, 3 Black-necked Grebe, 4 Great Northern Diver and the usual spread of Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. At Holes Bay the over-wintering Common Sandpiper was back at the drain channel entrance, a Goldeneye was just off the cycle path and Wigeon numbers in Holes Bay are already dropping off.

Plus, exciting news – This evening Chris Packham and Megan McCubbin kindly launched news of our new Reintroduction and Rewilding Summit, an online event planned for April 10th which will showcase some of the most progressive and exciting nature restoration projects across the UK (and Europe). Although the actual event isn’t until April 10th, each week leading up to that day we’ll be posting a new podcast, hosted by Charlie Moores which seeks to draw out the detail of many of these projects and provide context in how they fit into a wider nature recovery framework.

Podcasts will feature the likes of Roy Dennis, Derek Gow, The White Stork Project and The Vulture Conservation Foundation. Plus, on April 10th not only will a whole range of topics and projects be discussed, guest speakers will also include people such Benedict Macdonald (of Rebirding fame) and young birder Indy Greene.

You can get full details by visiting our website and you can listen to the first podcast on the webpage, which this week focuses on the Poole Harbour Osprey project – https://www.birdsofpooleharbour.co.uk/the-reintroduction-rewilding-summit/

Comparison shots of Common ‘collybita’ Chiffchaff (above) and Siberian ‘tristis’ Chiffchaff (below)

PCW Drain- Rene Goad