Today was one of those perfect days where the harbour produced the goods, the weather behaved and the birds performed. From our Winter Safari Cruise this AM we managed to log 3 Black-throated Diver, which were loafing all together out in the main channel between Brownsea and Baiter. In total there were c12 Great Northern Diver with the majority located between the northern urban shore and across to South Deep/Goat Horn. Male White-tailed Eagle G463 came in low over Evening Hill, Sandbanks and passed right over our boat as he flew off towards Brownsea/Arne. There were 2 Black-necked Grebe out off Jerry’s Point, 4 Spoonbill on the Gull Islands and 4 Marsh Harrier at Swineham. The Brownsea Lagoon was fairly busy and saw c300 Avocet, c50 Bar-tailed Godwit, c500 Dunlin and smaller numbers of Sanderling and Turnstone. A small Lapwing flock over Keysworth contained 3 Golden Plover this morning and later this afternoon the Short-eared Owl was reported again over Arne Moors with a ringtail Hen Harrier seen at sunset. The Snow Bunting was still pleasing the crowds at Hamworthy Beach, off Middle Beach this evening 8 Black-necked Grebe went into the roost and 3 Slavonian Grebe were off Jerry’s Point with the Long-tailed Duck this afternoon. Finally, a random check of a wet field near the Bakers Arms pub on the way home after WeBS yielded a rather confiding Jack Snipe.

Jack Snipe – Field just West of Bakers Arms pub