Sadly there was no sign of the Surf Scoter today, despite much looking from various birders. The Arctic Skua put in another appearance again, this time around the old Lifeboat station on the quay, where again, it was getting harassed by gulls, before moving off towards Baiter. Off Middle Beach, Studland there were 6 Black-necked Grebe, 1 Slavonian Grebe, 1 Great Northern Diver, 11 Common Scoter and 1 Red-throated Diver. There were also 2 Great Northern Diver off Jerry’s Point. This morning a Short-eared Owl was flying around the east end of Hartland Moor and an adult male Hen Harrier was seen bombing around Middlebere several times today. A Ruff was on the Lower Piddle Floods and a male Goldeneye was in Holes Bay, which is actually a good record these days with Goldeneye having become almost non-existent in the northern bays (Lytchett and Holes) in recent years. There were also 15 Spoonbill reported in Holes Bay this afternoon. Last night we hosted our first Sunnyside ringing demo of the winter in partnership with Stour Ringing Group and the season got off to a great start with 2 Woodcock, 1 Common Snipe and 2 Jack Snipe caught, with one of the ‘Jacks’ being a re-trap of our from the same site but originally ringed in February 2022, proving winter site fidelity again for Jack Snipe at this site.

Jack Snipe – Sunnyside Ringing Demo – Alick Simmons

Common Snipe – Sunnyside Ringing Demo – Alick Simmons

Woodcock – Sunnyside Ringing Demo – Alick Simmons