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Poole Harbour sightings blog

A record of all interesting and notable sightings from around the harbour throughout the year.

Latest Sightings

Harbour Update – 07/01/25

Posted on: January 7th, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

With such a clear evening, it was a welcome sight for it to still be light(ish) at 17:00, when 2 Woodcock were seen bombing across the Arne road this evening. It was much of the same today with 2 Black-throated Diver in Parkstone Bay, 31 Cattle Egret on the north side of Wareham Common, the Snow Bunting was at Hamworthy Beach, 2 Spotted Redshank in the Wareham Channel and 2 in Middlebere as well as 5 Spoonbill in Middlebere with another 4 in Holes Bay NW. A Slavonian Grebe was off Middle Beach, and 1 more was off Jerry’s Point with the Eider still in Shell Bay.

Brent Geese – Baiter Park

Harbour Update – 06/01/25

Posted on: January 6th, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

Still pretty cold, but at least we don’t have a covering of the white stuff….yet? It was all much of the same today with the Snow Bunting still showing well at Hamworthy Beach, the Black-throated Diver was still in Parkstone Bay off Whitecliff, in Shell Bay, Studland the Eider and 2 Great Northern Diver were still about and off Middle Beach, Studland was 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2-3 Great Northern Diver and 2 Black-necked Grebe. This evening a Short-eared Owl was hunting out on Arne Moors and this morning the remains of a Golden Plover was found under the Asda flats, assumed to have been Peregrine grub at some point….unless Asda have got a deal on?

Many visitors to the harbour, and locals will know what a great site Middlebere is over the course of the year and for several decades there has been a bird diary/log placed in the hide for visitors to report and note their sightings. Garry Hayman has kindly retrieved the 2024 diary and placed a new 2025 one in the hide, and over the New Year, extracted the highlights which have been presented in the report below……

In 2024, there was a total of 122 species recorded, compared to 127 in 2023, 121 in 2022 and 105 in 2021.

Osprey

The first entry of an Osprey sighting was on 29th March, 3 days earlier than last year and in 2021, when the 1st sighting / entry was the 1st April.

The last Osprey sighting was on 11th November, when Scottish ringed 511 hung around and enjoyed catching flat fish. The 11th November was 26 days later than the last sighting in 2023 (16th October) and a massive 31 days later than the last one seen / recorded in 2022.

The highest record of different Ospreys seen at once was 5 individuals on the 17th August. This compares to 4 in the previous 2 years on the 4th September in 2023 and respectively on 26th August in 2022.

The total number of days that an Osprey was seen in 2024 was 90 (61 days in 2023, 45 days in 2022 & 41 days in 2021). This demonstrates the success of the Birds of Poole Harbour / Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation Osprey reintroduction project leading to the success of breeding pair female CJ7 and male 022.

March – 3 days (0 in 2023 & 2022)

April – 10 days (5 in 2023 & 19 in 2022)

May – 1 day (5 days in 2023 & 2 in 2022)

June – 2 days (1 day in 2023 & 0 in 2022)

July – 9 days (2 days in 2023 & 1 in 2022)

August – 29 days (24 days in 2023 & 20 in 2022)

Sept – 18 days (16 days in 2023 & 10 in 2022)

Oct – 8 days (8 in 2023 & 1 in 2022)

Nov – 10 days (0 in 2023 and 2022) The last sighting of the year was 11th Nov.

In addition to the above, there were sightings of multiple Osprey at the same time:

April – 2 days (0 in 2023)

May – 1 day (0 in 2023)

July – 3 days (0 in 2023)

August – 11 days (7 in 2023)

Sept – 4 days (13 in 2023)

Oct – 1 day (0 in 2023)

2 Osprey

3 Osprey

4 Osprey

5 Osprey

April

2 days

–

–

–

May

1 day

–

–

–

July

2 days

1 day (022, 1H1 & 374)

–

–

August

7 days

2 days

1 day

1 day

Sept

4 days

–

–

–

Oct

1 day

–

–

–

 

White-tailed Eagle

There were 14 days on which 1 or more White-tailed Eagles were seen, compared to 27 days in 2023 and 10 days in 2022. There were only 2 days on which 2 WTEs were seen, which is a decrease from 2023 when there were 8 days with 2 different WTEs and 2 days with 3 different WTEs seen.

Goshawk

There were 43 days on which 1 or more Goshawks were seen, compared to 32 days in 2023 and 14 days in 2022. There were 2 different Goshawks seen on 10 days (2 days in 2023), which reflects the success of local breeding and Goshawk numbers.

Merlin

There were 15 days on which a Merlin was seen, compared to 19 days in 2023 & 24 days in 2022. A worrying decline of 26% on last year and a massive 60% on 2022. The first returning Merlin of the autumn was recorded in the diary on the 12th October (13th October in 2023 & 15th Oct in 2022).

Hen Harrier

There were 53 days on which a Hen Harrier was seen, compared to 54 days in 2023 and 59 days in 2022. In 2024 the seasonal split was 33 days at the start of the year (23 days in 2023 & 27 days in 2022) and 20 days at the end of the year (31 in 2023 & 32 in 2022).

On 10 days there were 2 different Hen Harriers seen (13 in 2023 and no days in which 3 different Hen Harriers were seen (2 days in 2023).

The first returning Hen Harrier of the autumn / winter was recorded on the 20th November (1st September in 2023 & 6th Oct in 2022).

Marsh Harrier

There were 80 days on which 1 or more Marsh Harriers were seen, compared to 111 days in 2023 and 84 days in 2022.

On 7 of those 80 days there were 2 Marsh Harries seen, which is a decrease from 2023 when there were 13 days with 2 different Marsh Harriers and 2 days on which 3 different ones were seen.

Red Kite 

There were 6 days on which a Red Kite was seen, compared to 9 days in 2023 & 3 days in 2022. There was just 1 day (11th Jan) on which 2 different Red Kites were seen (1 day in 2023).

Peregrine

There were 30 days on which a Peregrine was seen (30 days also in 2023).

Hobby

The were 8 days on which a Hobby was seen, with the first sighting of the year on 8th May.

 

Other significant entries / records & high counts (Please note, these are not necessarily confirmed sightings):

 Brent Goose – Seen on 6 different days, but none in winter 24/25.  50 on 1st Jan (highest count).

Barnacle Goose – 1 on 16th July

Pochard – 17th October

Nightjar – 18th May (first heard from Coombe Heath) [24/6 in 2023]

Swift – 22nd June (first sighting) [24/7 in 2023]

Cuckoo – 5th May (first sighting) [14/4 in 2023]

Coot – 23rd December

Little Grebe – 22nd September

Whimbrel – 29th April (first of Spring) [9/4 in 2023], 3 on 2nd May and 19th May (highest count)

Avocet – 900 on 20th November (highest count) [350 in 2023]

Knot – 11 on 30th November (highest count) [28 in 2023]

Ruff – 1 on 11th October

Wood Sandpiper – 1 on 17th August

Spotted Redshank – 30th June (first of the Autumn) [23/6 in 2023], 9 on 3rd August (highest count) [11 in 2023]

Kittiwake – 1 on 17th September not looking well

Yellow-legged Gull – 1 on 27th April, 2nd June, 1st August and 8th December

FORSTER’S TERN – 1 on 6th April

Spoonbill – 31 on 2nd September (highest count) [59 in 2023]

Cattle Egret – 1 on 21st August

Great White Egret – 3 on 15th November (highest count) [3 in 2023]

Honey Buzzard – 1 dark morph on 17th September

Woodlark – 1 on 2nd May and 23rd June

Swallow – 1 on 5th April (first of the year)

Reed Warbler – 2nd May (first of the year)

Ring Ouzel – 1 in Rowen along the Middlebere track from 12th – 17th October

Whinchat – 1 on 24th August and 26th September

Black Redstart – 1 on barn roof on 1st November

Wheatear – 1 on 19th March

Brambling – 1 in Rowen along the Middlebere track on 13th October

Full list of species recorded in 2024

1.                 Pheasant                      Phasianus colchicus

2.                 Brent Goose               Branta bernicla

3.                 Canada Goose             Branta canadensis

4.                 Barnacle Goose           Branta leucopsis

5.                 Greylag Goose            Anser anser

6.                 Mute Swan                  Cygnus olor

7.                 Shelduck                     Tadorna tadorna

8.                 Shoveler                      Spatula clypeata

9.                 Gadwall                       Mareca strepera

10.              Wigeon                       Mareca penelope

11.              Mallard                       Anas platyrhynchos

12.              Pintail                          Anas acuta

13.              Teal                             Anas crecca

14.              Pochard                       Aythya ferina

15.              Tufted Duck                Aythya fuligula

16.              Red-breasted Merganser         Mergus serrator

17.              Nightjar                       Caprimulgus europaeus

18.              Swift                           Apus apus

19.              Cuckoo                        Cuculus canorus

20.              Stock Dove                 Columba oenas

21.              Woodpigeon               Columba palumbus

22.              Water Rail                   Rallus aquaticus

23.              Coot                            Fulica atra

24.              Little Grebe                 Tachybaptus ruficollis

25.              Great Crested Grebe   Podiceps cristatus

26.              Oystercatcher              Haematopus ostralegus

27.              Avocet                         Recurvirostra avosetta

28.              Lapwing                      Vanellus vanellus

29.              Grey Plover                 Pluvialis squatarola

30.              Ringed Plover                         Charadrius hiaticula

31.              Whimbrel                    Numenius phaeopus

32.              Curlew                        Numenius arquata

33.              Black-tailed Godwit   Limosa limosa

34.              Knot                            Calidris canutus

35.              Ruff                             Calidris pugnax

36.              Dunlin                         Calidris alpina

37.              Snipe                           Gallinago gallinago

38.              Common Sandpiper    Actitis hypoleucos

39.              Green Sandpiper         Tringa ochropus

40.              Redshank                    Tringa totanus

41.              Wood Sandpiper         Tringa glareola

42.              Spotted Redshank       Tringa erythropus

43.              Greenshank                 Tringa nebularia

44.              Kittiwake                    Rissa tridactyla

45.              Black-headed Gull      Chroicocephalus ridibundus

46.              Mediterranean Gull     Ichthyaetus melanocephalus

47.              Common Gull             Larus canus

48.              Great Black-backed Gull        Larus marinus

49.              Herring Gull                Larus argentatus

50.              Yellow-legged Gull    Larus michahellis

51.              Sandwich Tern            Thalasseus sandvicensis

52.              Common Tern             Sterna hirundo

53.              Forster’s Tern              Sterna forsteri

54.              Cormorant                   Phalacrocorax carbo

55.              Spoonbill                     Platalea leucorodia

56.              Cattle Egret                 Bubulcus ibis

57.              Grey Heron                 Ardea cinerea

58.              Great White Egret       Ardea alba

59.              Little Egret                  Egretta garzetta

60.              Osprey                         Pandion haliaetus

61.              Honey-buzzard           Pernis apivorus

62.              Sparrowhawk              Accipiter nisus

63.              Goshawk                     Accipiter gentilis

64.              Marsh Harrier             Circus aeruginosus

65.              Hen Harrier                 Circus cyaneus

66.              Red Kite                      Milvus milvus

67.              White-tailed Eagle      Haliaeetus albicilla

68.              Buzzard                       Buteo buteo

69.              Barn Owl                    Tyto alba

70.              Tawny Owl                 Strix aluco

71.              Kingfisher                   Alcedo atthis

72.              Great Spotted Woodpecker    Dendrocopos major

73.              Kestrel                         Falco tinnunculus

74.              Merlin                         Falco columbarius

75.              Hobby                         Falco subbuteo

76.              Peregrine                     Falco peregrinus

77.              Jay                               Garrulus glandarius

78.              Magpie                        Pica pica

79.              Jackdaw                      Coloeus monedula

80.              Rook                           Corvus frugilegus

81.              Carrion Crow              Corvus corone

82.              Raven                          Corvus corax

83.              Coal Tit                       Periparus ater

84.              Blue Tit                       Cyanistes caeruleus

85.              Great Tit                      Parus major

86.              Woodlark                    Lullula arborea

87.              Skylark                        Alauda arvensis

88.              Sand Martin                Riparia riparia

89.              Swallow                      Hirundo rustica

90.              House Martin              Delichon urbicum

91.              Long-tailed Tit            Aegithalos caudatus

92.              Chiffchaff                   Phylloscopus collybita

93.              Reed Warbler              Acrocephalus scirpaceus

94.              Blackcap                     Sylvia atricapilla

95.              Whitethroat                 Curruca communis

96.              Dartford Warbler        Curruca undata

97.              Firecrest                      Regulus ignicapilla

98.              Goldcrest                     Regulus regulus

99.              Wren                           Troglodytes troglodytes

100.                 Starling                       Sturnus vulgaris

101.                 Ring Ouzel                  Turdus torquatus

102.                 Blackbird                    Turdus merula

103.                 Fieldfare                      Turdus pilaris

104.                 Redwing                      Turdus iliacus

105.                 Song Thrush                Turdus philomelos

106.                 Mistle Thrush              Turdus viscivorus

107.                 Robin                          Erithacus rubecula

108.                 Black Redstart            Phoenicurus ochruros

109.                 Whinchat                     Saxicola rubetra

110.                 Stonechat                    Saxicola rubicola

111.                 Wheatear                     Oenanthe oenanthe

112.                 House Sparrow           Passer domesticus

113.                 Dunnock                         Prunella modularis

114.                 Yellow Wagtail           Motacilla flava

115.                 Pied Wagtail               Motacilla alba

116.                 Meadow Pipit              Anthus pratensis

117.                 Chaffinch                    Fringilla coelebs

118.                 Brambling                   Fringilla montifringilla

119.                 Bullfinch                     Pyrrhula pyrrhula

120.                 Greenfinch                  Chloris chloris

121.                 Goldfinch                    Carduelis carduelis

122.                 Reed Bunting              Emberiza schoeniclus

Harbour Update – 05/01/25

Posted on: January 5th, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

Pretty difficult birding weather in the harbour today but that didn’t stop us for our second Kickstarter Boat Trip of the year. And it was well worth going out, showing again, never be put off by the weather! 3 White-tailed Eagle were in the Wareham Channel this morning with one showing well early on in the trip. We then had the interesting sight of 9 Spoonbill feeding together on the north side of Arne Moors in a shallow pool as we went up the river Frome. Not a usual site for them to feed at which was likely because of the tide being 40cm higher than predicted, leaving little feeding time in the harbour for Spoonbills and waders. With the ongoing Arne Moors Project, in the years to come, it will hopefully become a more regular occurrence.

There were 3 Marsh Harrier in and around Swineham and 1 Knot dropped in with c50 Dunlin on the saltmarsh off Swineham. A further 11 Spoonbill were roosting in Shipstal Bay, Arne and 1 Black-throated Diver was in central harbour. Interestingly, the Black-throated Diver was in Parkstone Bay too, so there are at least 2 individuals in the harbour still. A total of 9 Great Northern Diver were spread evenly around the rest of the harbour with 4 in South Deep/Brands Bay area. Also off Jerry’s Point were 1 Slavonian Grebe and 1 Black-necked Grebe. The high tide made for a very full Brownsea Lagoon with c50 Grey Plover, c1000 Dunlin, c200 Avocet, c200 Black-tailed Godwit, 1 Greenshank and 1 Kingfisher.

Not many other reports in the harbour with the poor weather today but the Snow Bunting was still showing on Hamworthy Beach and 17 Cattle Egret were present at Holmebridge. The Long-tailed Duck flew from Goathhorn to Brands Bay this morning.

The murk from our Year-List Kickstarter Trip – 56(!) species – David White

Harbour Update – 04/01/25

Posted on: January 4th, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

The harbour is still really producing the goods, despite the blasting cold easterly wind that had set in by the end of the day. Without doubt the best find was a chance encounter between two species that are unlikely to have met too many times before within the harbour, when a Purple Sandpiper joined the Snow Bunting on Hamworthy beach this afternoon. Purple Sandpiper records within the harbour are incredibly unusual, although do occur. The maximum count is 11 in Feb 2008, Nov 2009, Jan 2010 and Jan 2011 all in and around north Haven, Sandbanks. However, interesting past inner-harbour records include 7 at Poole Quay on 8th Jan 1983, 8 at Arne on 8th Nov 1984, 3 at Hamworthy Beach on 17th Mar 1996 and after high winds, one walking along the road towards Swan Lake in Poole Park on 18th Jan 1987!!!

Elsewhere at least 1 Black-throated Diver was still in Parkstone Bay, Baiter, the Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavoniain Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 2 Great Northern Diver were all off Jerry’s Point and a Red-throated Diver flew into the harbour late this afternoon. The Barnacle Goose was still on the Stilt Pools at Swineham, 3 Great Northern Diver and 2 Black-necked Grebe were off Middle Beach. Both White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel this morning

Purple Sandpiper and Snow Bunting – Hamworthy Beach – Clive Hargrave

Turnstones and Purple Sandpiper  – Hamworthy Beach – Clive Hargrave

Harbour Update – 03/01/25

Posted on: January 3rd, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

The harbour was picture perfect today, with a layer of frost last almost lasted the entire duration of the day. The low, bright sun made viewing a bit tricky but once again there was so much to experience right the way around the harbour. This morning was our first bird boat of the year and was a targeted Year List ‘kick-starter’ trip. We couldn’t have got off to a better start to the year with 65 species logged from the trip and consisted of 1 Black-throated Diver off Baiter, 3 Great Northern Diver between Sandbanks and Brands Bay, 1 Long-tailed Duck, 1 Eider and 3 Black-necked Grebe off Jerry’s Point, 2 Sandwich Tern off Furzey, 1 Guillemot off Poole Quay, 1 Barnacle Goose and 4 Marsh Harrier at Swineham, 23 Spoonbill on Shipstal, RSPB Arne and 2 Goldeneye in the mouth of the Wareham Channel. Also, due to the Brownsea Lagoon being frozen over, all waders and wildfowl were displaced, trying to find suitable alternative roost sites with random Avocet flocks roosting in the Wareham Channel, Ower Bay and Fitzworth. Elsewhere there were 2 drake Pochard on Holme Lane GP, the Snow Bunting continued to please crowds in the bright organge winter sun at Hamworthy Beach, a Short-eared Owl was hunting over Arne Moors this afternoon, 2 Slavonian Grebe were off Jerry’s Point after sunrise and the 2 Purple Sandpiper were still on the Sandbanks groyns. A Great White Egret came into roost at Swineham this evening, a Merlin was at Lytchett Bay and both drake Mandarin Ducks were still in Poole Park.

Kingfisher – Lytchett Bay – Alison Copland

Harbour Update – 02/01/25

Posted on: January 2nd, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

Not quite sure how it’s managed to go from one extreme to another in less than 24 hours, but yesterdays mild, gale force storm was replaced today by a frosty, still, minus set of temperatures. There were no new arrivals found lurking in the harbour anywhere which had been blown in by the storm, but the Snow Bunting on Hamworty Beach seemed to survive the waves which were battering it yesterday as it was feeding quite happily (and a lot drier) all day along the beach, moving around occasionally moving around.  It was much of the same elsewhere with the Long-tailed Duck, Slavoniain Grebe and Eider all off Jerry’s Point again with the Eider moving out into Shell Bay later, and around the Studland Penninsular there were 2 Black-necked Grebe, 11 Common Scoter and 3 Great Northern Diver off Middle Beach and 3 Great Northern Diver in Shell Bay. The 2 Purple Sandpiper were on the Sandbanks Groynes, in Middlebere 2 Spotted Redshank were roosting on the high tide with a Spoonbill and this afternoon a Black Redstart was feeding in a private Canford Cliffs garden. The Parkstone Bay/Baiter Black-throated Diver was showing at point blank range this morning off the footpath and in the PCW Drain this afternoon c15 Common Chiffchaff, 2 Blackcap (1 male and 1 female) and 1 Coot were enjoying the limited warmth of the sun. There were 25 Spoonbill at Shipstal Point, Arne and at Lytchett Fields there was 1 Water Pipit and 1 Spotted Redshank. 

Snow Bunting – Hamworthy Park – Mark Wright

Harbour Update – New Years Day – 01/01/25

Posted on: January 1st, 2025 by Birds of Poole Harbour

Happy New Year everyone! What a way to start the year, with a near force 10 gale. Thankfully it tracked through fairly quickly, and although the rain persisted until this evening, the wind had largely moved through by mid-afternoon. This meant the Snow Bunting which went into hiding for a period of time this morning, finally came out again for patient birders who were looking to get their year lists off to a good start. Studland and Shell Bay were sheltered enough to check and logged 2 Great Northern Diver, 4 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Kittiwake, 7 Gannet and a moderate stream of Auks were heading west out in Poole Bay. At dawn a good count of 42 Red-breasted Merganser flew into the harbour along with 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-throated Diver and 1 Long-tailed Duck. 

A rather bedraggled Snow Bunting compared to it’s pristine condition yesterday – Hamworthy Park – Peter Moore

A torrid new Year scene this morning – Hamworthy Park – Lucy McRobert

Harbour Update – New Years Eve – 31/12/24

Posted on: December 31st, 2024 by Birds of Poole Harbour

With the final day of the year upon us, it’s good to look back reflect back on whats been an incredible year for the charity. Without doubt this has been the best year in our 11 year history in terms out outreach, education, income/donations and outcomes. We could never have guessed this time last year we would have had four Osprey chicks in CJ7’s and 022’s nest this spring/summer which all survived and migrated safely. We also hosted more bird boats and events than ever before, engaging with around 10,000 guests throughout the year. We also got our Young Birders Club up and running, providing free events across the year for 13-18 year olds and as always, our School Bird Boat program saw us take out c1000 7-12 year olds from local schools around the harbour. We still have a lot left to do, and we promise we’ll always make every effort to keep you updated and involved in all aspects of our work, because after all, if it wasn’t for you, we wouldn’t be the charity we’re always striving to be. So here’s looking forward to an even bigger and better 2025, and we can’t wait to see you all again soon.

Despite the blustery last day of the year, there was plenty to enjoy. Yesterdays Snow Bunting was incredibly confiding all day on Hamworthy Beach, often allowing dogs to pass with 2m of it. It moved around a bit, sometimes flying to the the paddling pool for a break before moving back to the beach. Also this morning there were 3 White-tailed Eagle sat together in Lytchett Bay, both adults G466 and G463 plus a wandering juvenile G644. The 2 Purple Sandpipers were on the groynes at Sandbanks Beach again, there was a male Hen Harrier in Lytchett Bay and a ringtail was in Middlebere. The Long-tailed Duck flew into the harbour again this morning and was off Jerry’s Point mid-morning. There were 4 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay with 10 Common Scoter and 4 Great Northern Diver. Out in Poole Bay a building number of Gannet were congregating, likely due to the building wind, plus 15 Razorbill, 2 Great Northern Diver and 1 Red-throated Diver. 

Snow Bunting – Hamworthy Beach – Peter Moore

Snow Bunting – Hamworthy Beach – Peter Moore

White-tailed Eagles (left to right) G644, G463 and G466 – Lytchett Bay – Ian Ballam

Harbour Update – posted 30/12/24

Posted on: December 30th, 2024 by Birds of Poole Harbour

Another perfectly still day across the harbour today. A Snow Bunting found feeding on Hamworthy Beach was a great find. Not a typical place you’d find a Snow Bunting, although back in 2008, one over-wintered at Poole Port and regularly fed on the quay there. The Black-throated Diver was still out in Parkstone Bay this morning with 2 Great Northern Diver. Another Black-throated Diver was out in Studland Bay and off Jerry’s Point the Long-tailed Duck, Eider, Slavonian Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe were all still there with another 2 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay. This afternoon a male Hen Harrier flew over Scotland Farm and 2 White-tailed Eagles were flying over the Rempstone Estate. Spoonbills were in Middlebere (5) and in Brands Bay (2), where there was an excellent count of 558 Northern Pintail and another 224 in Holes Bay north. There were 1-2 Purple Sandpiper still on various groynes at Sandbanks.

Harbour Update – posted 29/12/24

Posted on: December 29th, 2024 by Birds of Poole Harbour

With conditions finally improving this afternoon, there was almost maximum coverage today, and wow, what a list of birds there is from around the harbour. In the gloom this morning a Golden Plover was calling over Ballard, where a Yellowhammer also went over. Out in Studland Bay 10 Common Scoter, 8 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Black-throated Diver and 3 Great Northern Diver were loafing about and way out in Poole Bay there were 5 more Great Northern Diver, 1 Red-throated Diver and 8 Razorbill. The Jerry’s Point ‘crew’ remained with the 1st winter Eider and 1st winter Long-tailed Duck off Jerry’s Point with 1 Slavoniain Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 3 Great Northern Diver. At Sandbanks there were 2 Purple Sandpiper on the groynes off Sandbanks Beach, a Great White Egret flew in low over the Wareham bypass bridge and 15 Cattle Egret were at Holmebridge. The/a Green-winged Teal was re-found in Brands Bay this evening and today 1 Merlin was on Hartland and a ringtail Hen Harrier was in Middlebere. The Black-throated Diver was off the Whitecliff footpath again and in Middlebere 2 White-tailed Eagles flew over, a Goshawk bombed through and 6 Spoonbill were in the channel. Out in central harbour a small group of 5 Goldeneye were hiding in the fog, there were 4 Common Chiffchaff and 2 Firecrest at Norden sewage works.

Bar-tailed Godwit – Shore Road, Sandbanks – Garry Hayman

Month:

Call 01202 641 003

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