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

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

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.

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

What stunning light it was today, perfect for photographers that have been waiting for the monochrome, dull, grey overcast sky of 2023 to finally disappear. It was therefore fortuitous that some of the harbours most charismatic species were on show, delighting those who were lucky enough to encounter them. Raptors were well represented today with Goshawk, Peregrine, Marsh and Hen Harrier, White-tailed Eagle and Merlin all registered around the Arne Peninsular. The White-tailed Eagle pair were in the Wareham Channel with both on Shag Looe around midday before then departing. The Black-throated Diver was showing well again in Holes Bay south, giving point blank views at times. Off Jerry’s Point and around Redhown the Long-tailed Duck was still feeding and there was at least 1 Slavonian Grebe there too (possibly up to 3). Once again it was Great Northern Diver galore with no less than 10 around Studland. A Black Redstart (the first for the 2023/24 autumn/winter period) was in Manor Road at Studland, near the Banks Arms. There was also 10+ Red-throated Diver out in Poole Bay, 5 Spoonbill in Lytchett Bay.

Peregrine Falcon – Arne Peninsular – Mark Wright

Goshawk – Arne Peninsular – Mark Wright

Hen Harrier – Arne Peninsular – Mark Wright

Over the last few years, Purple Sandpiper have been few and far between, however, finally, 2 were found today at North Haven, roosting on the third groyne north from the harbour entrance. Another great find today was the first Velvet Scoter of this winter period which was seen from Middle Beach distantly out in Studland Bay. 1 White-tailed Eagle flew over Wareham Common towards the harbour this morning, flushing 9 Cattle Egret. The Black-throated Diver was showing well again in Holes Bay South today. 3 Great Northern Diver were also seen off the Brownsea lagoon sea wall. Wader counts on Lagoon were lower this morning, but decent numbers of Bar-tailed Godwit, with 79 seen, with 9 Grey Plover, 9 Sanderling and 6 Greenshank amongst the other species counted. A higher count of 89 Bar-tailed Godwit were at Whitley Lake this morning and interestingly, 1 adult Peregrine was seen back on the “Barclays” building today. 1 Spoonbill was feeding in Lytchett Bay this morning and there was 1 Slavonian Grebe and 2 Black-necked Grebe off Jerry’s Point. This evening, c.143 Gannet were counted during a sea watch from North Haven. Plus….the Waxwings are getting closer! There were 15+ in Southampton today. Our prediction is we’ll see some next week…..maybe.

Black-throated Diver – Holes Bay South – Tony Furnell