The Velvet Scoter was seen again from the School Bird Boat today in the company of two female Common Scoter and better views in good conditions allowed us to determine that this individual is a 1st winter male and thus a different bird to the 1st winter female which was present in the harbour towards the end of last year. These three birds seem quite faithful to the area in between Brownsea and Goathorn but sadly are nearer to the island and are consequently difficult to see from land but could be viewed distantly from Jerry’s Point. Also seen from the boat were at least 3 Great Northern Diver, 1 Black-necked Grebe whilst around 15 Spoonbill were on Patchins Point with 2 more on Shipstal and a further 4 on Lytchett Fields RSPB. At first light around 600 Brent Geese were roosting on the east side of Green Island on the exposed mud over the very low tide. At least 25 Goldeneye were on the main boating lake in Poole Park which is the highest count of the winter there so far. Single Peregrine were seen over Brownsea Island as well as in the Middlebere Channel. At least 7 Greenshank were on Brownsea Lagoon and a Spotted Redshank was again on Lytchett Fields RSPB. There are currently 6 Hen Harrier in and around the harbour at the moment with the increase probably due to the hard weather further north. The best places to try and see these majestic creatures are the viewpoints at Arne RSPB, the Avocet hide at Middlebere or in Lytchett Bay.

Common Redshank – Holes Bay – John Pick Grendon

Spotted Redshank – Holes Bay – John Pick Grendon