With the incredible discovery Dorset’s first Brünnich’s Guillemot in Portland Harbour today and a White-billed Diver down in Devon it begs the question just what’s out there along our coast at the moment? The recent storms and pending gales have certainly stirred up a mouth watering mixture of wandering vagrants in southern Britain. A Cory’s Shearwater seen in Weymouth Bay a few days ago also highlights that unusual species are being blown on to our shores and with more strong winds forecast for tomorrow there’s no better time to start checking your local coastal site for a storm driven goody. A Murrelet, an Auklett? Ok, I’m getting WAY ahead of myself. As well as the devastating wind, flooding has also caused chaos for many with pretty much the whole of the Frome Valley now a flood plain. This in turn could attract scarce geese and swans so keep an eye out. Species encountered over the festive period have included Spoonbill, Spotted Redshank and 4 Goldeneye at Holes Bay. At Swineham 3 Cetti’s Warbler, Shoveler, Pintail, Pochard, Gadwall, Teal and Wigeon all on the gravel pits. At Branksom 25 Diver species flew west all, possibly all Red-throated Diver, 60+ Kittiwake, a few Gannet, 2 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Brent Goose with 4 Purple Sandpiper and 8 Sanderling at North Haven.

Finally we hope you all had a safe and Merry Christmas and hope you have an even better new year.