Well we’re only on January 3^rd and some great birds are being found. The highlight from the last couple of days have included the discovery of two Bewick’s Swans in the Frome Valley, best viewed from the Wareham bypass bridge heading up stream towards East Holm. Bewick’s Swan are very in scarce in Dorset nowadays, let alone Poole Harbour. A redhead Smew was found on a flooded back-water at Lytchett Bay today proving that these birds will venture this far south-west in non bitterly cold winters. The bays in the south-west of the harbour are filled with all the usual species, but Brands Bay and Jerry’s point were particularly busy yesterday morning with the Surf Scoter, 8 Great Northern Diver, 11 Black-necked Grebe, 12 Goldeneye, 50+ each of both Red-breasted Merganser and Great Crested Grebe. Off Middle Beach 11 Common Scoter, 26 Black-necked Grebe and an Eider were present. A Common Sandpiper was found at Holes Bay and at North Haven 3 Purple Sandpiper, 9 Ringed Plover and 10 Dunlin were roosting. Birds of prey continue to impress with 3 Hen Harrier over Hartland and 6 Marsh Harrier still present around the Wareham Channel. Merlin have been sighted at Hartland and Middlebere and Barn Owl also at the latter site. At least 4 Peregrine are present around the harbour and can be seen harassing waders at Brownsea, Arne and Holes Bay. A sea-watch off Ballard produced Kittiwake, Gannet, Fulmar, Red-throated Diver, Razorbill and Guillemot. On many of the heathlands Dartford Warbler and Stonechat are very active and Woodlark have been reported singing elsewhere in Dorset so keep an ear out at Arne.

I’ve recently uploaded some new video taken from around the harbour over the last few days. They are of Great Northern Diver, Black-necked Grebe, Peregrine and Bewick’s Swan. To view them click HERE