This weather is getting a bit boring. The strong winds must have blown some decent birds in, if only it would let up for long enough for anyone to go and check! Thankfully the sun comes out on Friday which is when our next ‘Year List Kick-Starter’ bird boat is, so we should be able to find out soon. To join us on these exciting new cruises you can BOOK HERE. 

The good news is that there were 3 White-tailed Eagles in the harbour again today with the welcome return of G801 who was the female that spent most of the summer and autumn in the harbour, before being booted out by the older G466 in early November. However, G466 left last week and somehow, G801 (who’s been further north) must have known and arrived back mid-morning. Let’s hope she has another long staying period in the harbour and this time finds a mate! One of them (we’re not sure which yet) flew over Brownsea late afternoon, and we can’t wait for the day one appears on the new Brownsea Lagoon webcams. The only other highlights today were a Slavonian Grebe again off Middle Beach and a large haul of dark-bellied Brent Geese in Middlebere. Brent Geese have stayed well away from Middlebere this winter for some reason, so it was good to see such a large flock settle along the channel mid-morning. The PCW drain still has plenty of Chiffchaff and there was a Firecrest at the northern end.

Common Chiffchaff – PCW Drain (Fleets Corner) – Ian Ballam