A slow day for sightings today, perhaps the slightly volatile weather had something to do with it…? That said, it seems lots of people did head out to enjoy the 3 Tundra Bean Geese which were still present and giving fabulous views in the field to the east of Longmeadow Lane and north of the A35, adjacent to the Upton Gateway Roundabout. It’s wonderful to see so many people enjoying these rare visitors, especially at such an urban site! Bean Goose sightings are roughly a once-per-decade phenomenon in Poole Harbour, and on average only around 300 individuals winter in the UK each year (typically at more eastern sites) so it’s a great privilege to see these birds.

Elsewhere, 100 Oystercatcher and 20 Brent Geese were foraging in a flock together on Baiter Park. And in the south of the harbour 2 Great Norther Diver, 3 Common Scoter, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 10 Turnstone, Red-breasted Merganser, Redshank, and a large flock of Brent Geese were seen off Jerry’s Point.

Brent Geese – Jerry’s Point – Jared Watt

The 3 Tundra Bean Geese were still present in the field adjacent to Longmeadow Lane, in Upton. A 1st winter Yellow-legged Gull was spotted in Brands Bay, along with 7 Goldeneye, 4 Common Scoter, plus 1 Slavonian Grebe & 1 Great Northern Diver off Jerry’s Point. Off the other side of the Studland peninsula, 11 Black-necked Grebe and 9 Common Scoter were seen from Middle Beach. In the Middlebere Channel 2 Ruff, a Merlin and an adult Yellow-legged Gull were present.

Adult Yellow-legged Gull – Middlebere – Matthew Barfield

A mix of weather today, with heavy down pours, but also some lovely crisp winter sun. The calm water allowed open water species to be logged nice and easily with 3 Great Northern Diver off Jerry’s Point and another 3 in Shell Bay. There were also 2 Slavonian Grebe off Jerry’s Point with 4 Common Scoter and 7 Goldeneye. Off Middle Beach there were 13 Black-necked Grebe and 14 Common Scoter. The 3 Tundra Bean Geese were still at Upton CP and at Middlebere there were 2 Peregrine, 1 Merlin and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier. There was another Great Northern Diver off Baiter and at Lytchett Fields there were 43 Avocet and 2 Marsh Harrier, with another 4 Marsh Harrier in the Wareham Channel.

Tundra Bean Geese – Upton CP – Peter Moore

No need for any sightings today, rather we’d much prefer to wish all our followers and supporters a massive Merry Christmas from everyone here at BoPH, and of course, a safe, exciting and bird-filled 2022.

Everyones kindness over the last year has helped us through and we look forward to an up and coming busy events schedule and seeing you all again soon.

You’re all amazing!!

Thanks so much

Team BoPH xxx

The big day is nearly upon us! With that, sightings remained somewhat limited today, no doubt due to last minute Christmas shopping issues playing a role. Saying that, the 3 Tundra Bean Geese were still present and enjoyed by several visitors, with the birds actually being closer than they’ve been before. Off Redhorn/Brands Bay area there were 2 Great Northern Diver, 2 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Scaup and 1 Great White Egret. From Middlebere there were 3 Spotted Redshank, a ringtail Hen Harrier and a Merlin were active, a Great White Egret passed by and there were 14 Bullfinch along the track. At Holme Lane GP there were 7 Pochard and at Holes Bay there was a Bearded Tit in the reeds near Cobbs Quay.

Tundra Bean Goose – Up ton CP – Mark Wright

A bit of a drizzly day, with not many sightings to report… The 3 Tundra Bean Geese are still present north of Holes Bay, in a field viewable from Upton Country Park (viewing instructions in previous day’s sightings). Please remember to only view from the gate at the end of the UCP path and do not enter the field! Amongst the usual numbers of Avocet, Wigeon and Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spoonbill were present in the Middlebere Channel today, as well as 1 Spotted Redshank.

Reminder that we are planning our Big Poole Harbour Bird Count on Sunday 16th January. We want as many people as possible to get involved with the count, and hope you are able to join us. Find more information and download the count sheet here.

A very rare record for Lytchett Bay this morning, with a Guillemot seen just off the outflow. Unfortunately, the individual doesn’t look in a healthy condition, so hopefully it will find its way back out of the bay. It’s been an unusual year so far for Guillemot and Razorbill, with individuals appearing around the harbour much more frequently than in previous years, some in poor condition, perhaps been blown down from the north…?

Numbers of Middlebere this morning had a count of 625 Avocet, 225 Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Spotted Redshank , 130 Lapwing, 1 Great White Egret and 1 female Merlin. The 3 Tundra Bean Geese are still viewable from Upton Country Park. Please make sure to only view as far as the gate highlighted in red on yesterday’s map, and do not enter 13 Acre Field to get closer to the geese. More interesting goose activity today, with 11 grey geese flying over Poole Park this morning, presumed to be White-fronted Geese from their calls. 7 Pochard were seen at Holme Lane Gravel Pit this afternoon. Finally, a count on Brownsea lagoon this morning produced over 400 Dunlin, 75 Brent Geese, 4 Greylag Geese and 2 Pintail.

Guillemot – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam

Tundra Bean Geese at Sunrise – Upton Country Park

As expected, the 3 geese that showed up yesterday have been confirmed as Tundra Bean Geese. They have been present again today feeding in the same field – 13 Acre Field –  viewable from Upton Country Park by parking and walking along the path shown in the map below (provided by Nick Hull). A great find and a fantastic record for the area… At Studland today, Shell Bay held 23 Grey Plover, 33 Dunlin and 2 Sanderling, with a nice range from Jerry’s Point, including 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Common Scoter and 1 Razorbill. A count at Middlebere recorded c.550 Avocet, c.250 Black-tailed Godwit, and 1 Great White Egret, as well as the usual Wigeon, Teal, Shelduck, Curlew, Redshank and Dunlin.

Tundra Bean Goose – 13 Acre Field – Mark Wright (@markwright12002)

Blue point marks location of geese, with viewing from the closest red point at Upton Country Park

2 drake Pochard were reported flying into Lytchett Bay this morning, which aren’t common for the bay, with only around 1 annual appearance. 1 Merlin was present at Middlebere, along with 1 Marsh Harrier and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier, as well as high numbers of Avocet reported in the channel. Most interestingly today is a group of 3 geese which have shown up just off the A350 in a field near Upton Country Park, NNW of Pergins Island in Holes Bay. Feeding amongst the Canada Geese and Black-tailed Godwit, pictures and description suggest them as very likely Tundra Bean Geese; a great record for Holes Bay and the harbour in general, the last record of Bean Goose being in December 2014 at Swineham and Arne Moors. Further sightings should hopefully give confirmation of identification.

Likely Tundra Bean Goose – Tom Beer & Phil Collingham – Holes Bay

Merlin – Middlebere – Clive Templeton