Today was a day of two halfs with glowing sunshine first thing and then…the rain. Our last ‘Birds of Poole Harbour’ field trip of 2013 took place this morning at Swineham where we were treated to a warm glow as we made our way around the reedbeds, flood meadows and gravel pits of Swineham. Mistle Thrush, Fieldfare, and Redwing were in evidence around the rugby club, up to 3 Marsh Harrier were off Swineham Point and on the GP Pochard, Tufted duck, Pintail, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Shoveler and Greylag Geese were all present. No less than 4 Cetti’s Warbler were singing their hearts out and a hansom Kingfisher sat fishing from a post on the Bestwall flood meadow. Various grebe roost counts were made this evening with Middle Beach seeing 24 Black-necked Grebe, 11 Common Scoter, 2 Great Northern Diver, 1 Razorbill and 8 Great Crested Grebe. Off Jerry’s Point 4 Great Northern Diver, 9 Black-necked Grebe, 14 Goldeneye, 50+ Red-breasted Merganser and 1 Eider. The Surf Scoter was also present.