The open bodies of water are well worth checking this time of year, as you never know what might be bobbing along in amongst the Mergansers and Cormorants. December is a classic time for species like Long-tailed Duck and Red-necked Grebe to arrive in the harbour, and depending on severity of the weather species like Smew sometimes get found in the odd bay. Scanning back and forth out towards the centre of the harbour off Baiter Park or Shipstal can produce good numbers of birds, likewise if scanning from South Haven and Redhorn Quay. Today from a School bird boat trip it was the open water species that stole the show. 4 Eider Duck were off Jerry’s point with a Black-throated and Great Northern Diver just meters away from them. Another Black-throated Diver was off Gold Point, Arne and a Scaup was out in central harbour. Goldeneye numbers seemed low with only about 10 birds seen, but Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe still pulled strong. The Surf Scoter is still off Redhorn, Brands Bay and 3 Black-necked Grebe there too. On Brownsea Lagoon the 26 Spoonbill were present and Shoveler, Avocet, Knot, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Dunlin were all present in good numbers. 4 Spoonbill were also present in Holes Bay. Finally an incredible 52 Black-necked Grebe were out in Studland Bay