There was no sign of yesterdays Waxwing in the Upton/Lytchett Bay area, despite much searching by the locals! On the plus side there were 4 White-tailed Eagles around today with the local pair mooching around the southern shores and then brief visits by females G801 and the recent Christchurch Harbour bird G818. An adult male Hen Harrier was in Middlebere this morning where there was also a Merlin. There was also a Hen Harrier in Brands Bay with the Slavonian Grebe still there too. There was a big 3201 Black-tailed Godwit in Holes Bay north. At Bog Lane in Stoborough the Cattle Egret flock were moving around the Frome Valley.
Poole Harbour sightings blog
A record of all interesting and notable sightings from around the harbour throughout the year.
Latest Sightings
Harbour Update – posted 16/01/24
Harbour Update – posted 15/01/24
Well, it’s about time! Finally, after months of waiting Poole Harbour finally saw its first Waxwing of the winter. But….don’t get too excited just yet, as it wasn’t the viewing spectacle we’ve all been waiting so patiently for. Nope, it was chance encounter with a single Waxwing sat a top a tree in Slough Lane, Upton which was fortunately photographed by local photographer Peter Corbin before it then soon disappeared never to be seen again! Well, not today any way. This could be the start of ‘the arrival’ though as it was mid-January in 2013 when groups started being seen more regularly in Dorset during the last national irruption. Our best advice is now to check the top of every tree, bush and TV aerial around the area, in both urban and rural areas. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was still off Jerry’s Point, a White-tailed Eagle was over Swineham, there were 3 Pochard on the gravel pit and 2 Cattle Egret were at Bestwall.
Waxwing – Slough Lane, Upton – Pete Corbin
Harbour Update – posted 14/01/24
One of the highlights from a chilly Winter Safari Cruise this AM was a Peregrine hunting over the Swineham Gravel Pit, before eventually giving up it’s attempt at catching a Little Grebe. There were at least 5 Marsh Harrier active across the Swineham and Keysworth reedbeds, and a Scaup in amongst a group of 10 Red-breasted Merganser at the mouth of the Wareham Channel. The c.20 Spoonbill were roosting again near Ower Bay. Great Northern Diver numbers were high across the harbour, with at least 16 seen from our boat trip. There were 3 Black-necked Grebe in Bramble Bush Bay, and later this afternoon 2 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe and 3 Great Northern Diver were seen from Jerry’s Point. On the Brownsea Lagoon were numbers of c.400 Black-tailed Godwit, 800 Dunlin, 80 Avocet, 30 Bar-tailed Godwit, 30 Sanderling, 30 Ringed Plover, 60 Redshank and 2 Greenshank. It was a good raptor morning from Coombe Heath with 4 Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier and 1 Peregrine reported. 14 Cattle Egret were also reported in the farm fields at Worgret, viewed from the Bog Lane SANG. The Black-throated Diver was in Holes Bay again this afternoon, seen near the railway embankment before flying south, and interestingly one was reported dropping into Studland Bay this evening – perhaps the same bird?
Male Hen Harrier – Middlebere Channel from Coombe Heath – Kate Plater
Harbour Update – posted 13/01/24
It was good to see the Barnacle Geese return to Swineham this morning with 13 in fields just west of gravel pits, viewable from the footpath above the B&B road. There were also 2 Spoonbill on the Stilt Pools at Swineham, 1 Pochard on the gravel pit and 4 Marsh Harrier off the point. A Water Pipit and Spotted Redshank were on Lytchett Fields, off Jerry’s Point there was 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver and 9 Goldeneye. The White-tailed Eagle pair were along the southern shores and then headed towards the Wareham Channel. I’m Brands Bay this afternoon there was 1 Golden Plover (present for its 3rd day) and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier. At Slepe Moor, 14 Spoonbill were roosting but got spooked, 3 Goosander were at Holmebridge again, 14 Cattle Egret were near Bog Lane SANG.
Sparrowhawk – Mark Wright
Harbour Update – posted 12/01/24
Not as cold as yesterday, but still pretty parky! The Black-throated Diver was in Holes Bay again, this time joined by a Great Northern Diver. From our School Bird Boat this morning there were 8 Great Northern Diver spread across the harbour. A Hen Harrier was in Middlebere where there were also 7 Spoonbill. In Poole Bay from Branksome Chine there were 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Wigeon and 10 Gannet. Holes Bay was teaming with birds again, with 2489 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Knot and 641 Dunlin.
Peregrine Falcon – Middlebere Osprey Nest Platform
Harbour Update – posted 11/01/24
A crisp morning and stunning sunrise for our Winter Safari Cruise this morning which started off well with a flock of 14 Barnacle Geese flying over Poole Quay and heading towards the Wareham Channel. This is a good record as a rare winter visitor to Poole Harbour. A flock of 10 was later picked up in a field to the west of Swineham gravel pit. Still very good numbers of Great Northern Diver around the harbour with 15 logged on the trip and probably more lurking in other parts of the harbour. We also had 11 Spoonbill off Fitzworth, 2 Marsh Harrier, 12+ Goldeneye, 1 Great White Egret and 1 Pochard at Swineham.
Elsewhere in the harbour the first Scaup of the winter turned up with a female in Brands Bay. Also in Brands Bay were 1 Golden Plover and 1 Slavonian Grebe. In Holes Bay, there were 5 Knot in the NW along with 1 Greenshank and 500+ of both Dunlin and Black-tailed Godwit and the 1 Black-throated Diver was still in the South.
Female Scaup – Brands Bay – @birderOtbt on twitter
Harbour Update – posted 10/01/24
Another freezing day which made for a chilly ringing demonstration this evening, but it was still a success with 6 Woodcock, 2 Common Snipe and 1 Jack Snipe caught and ringed at Sunnyside Farm. The Black Redstart was still at Studland at The Pig this morning. Also reported at Studland from Jerry’s Point was 1 Great Northern Diver and several distant Goldeneye. The Black-throated Diver is also still in Holes Bay not far from the shore opposite Premier Inn, with a count of 21 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 500 Black-tailed Godwit, 750 Wigeon and 95 Oystercatcher in the SE. Reports from Lytchett Bay included 2 Green Sandpiper, 90 Redshank, 2 Greenshank, 10 Snipe, 1 Spoonbill and 1 Peregrine. At RSPB Arne highlights from Coombe Heath were 2 White-tailed Eagle, 12 Spoonbill and 1 male Hen Harrier during the morning.
Spoonbill – Coombe Heath – Kate Plater
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Harbour Update – posted 09/01/24
It looked as is if someone had sieved a light dusting of flour at top various sites across the harbour this morning, but it soon disappeared. The cold bite certainly didn’t though and a beautiful crisp winter scene was set all day. Despite the cold there were a few interesting sightings which included a whopping 135 Teal at Sunnyside Farm which is a great count for the site. Plus there were many Fieldfare and Redwing in the surrounding fields. The Black-throated Diver was again in Holes Bay south and there were Hen Harrier sightings at Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. Off Middle Beach, Studland 6 Black-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe were settled. In fields opposite Rollington Farm (Studland Road) a flock of 24 Woodlark were feeding. A redhead Goosander was on the floods at Holmebridge and this evening a Little Gull was off Jerry’s Point.
Harbour Update – posted 08/01/24
Wow it’s cold! We even saw a sprinkling of snow this afternoon, although it went as fast as it arrived. There hasn’t been any signs of a cold weather movement yet here in the harbour, although a Scaup out on the sea near Christchurch Harbour this AM is an interesting observation and could be the start of some new arrivals? Plus, with the (brief) Velvet Scoter out in Studland Bay late last week, we’re watching things closely. Today the Black-throated Diver was still in Holes Bay south for most of the day. The White-tailed Eagle pair were active around Brands Bay mid-morning and there were 10 Spoonbill in Lytchett Bay. Off Redhorn Quay, Studland a Slavonian Grebe was close inshore.
Harbour Update – posted 07/01/24
Another stunning but very cold day in the harbour today with easterly winds making for a chilly but none the less successful Year-list Kickstarter Cruise. Great Northern Diver were again showing in good numbers with views all across the harbour including just off Poole Quay for a total of at least 14 throughout the harbour. The Wareham channel was very busy with an element of low-tide providing views of c200 Dunlin, c150 Avocet, c100 Lapwing, c30 Grey Plover and 1 lone Spoonbill on the Gull Islands. At least 4 Marsh Harrier were over Keysworth and Swineham with 2 Pochard being on the gravel pit at Swineham. A real highlight of the trip were the great views of Goldeneye all round the harbour including 3 in the Wareham Channel and at least 8 others around South Deep.
Elsewhere in the harbour the Black-throated Diver was still showing well in Holes Bay this morning. 2 Great White Egret flew over Wareham Common along with 2 Goosander on the River Piddle here. The Black Redstart was still showing well today at Studland to the East of the Pig Inn viewable from the coastal footpath. 1 Slavonian Grebe was still in Brands Bay along with 50 Grey Plover, 420 Pintail, 300+ Black-tailed Godwit, 7 Knot and 17 Common Snipe.
Black Redstart – Studland – Rob Johnson
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