Firstly, tomorrow we have our final ‘Year List Kick Starter’ boat heading out during the afternoon. It was originally planned for tomorrow morning, but due to the torrid forecast we’ve re-scheduled until the afternoon, 1pm – 4pm where the forecast is much better. There are still places available, and if this mornings is anything to go by, then it could be another cracker. Here is this mornings FULL eBIRD CHECKLIST for our cruise. To book onto tomorrow afternoons you can do so by CLICKING HERE.

Highlights from todays trip included stunning views of female White-tailed Eagle G801 as she circled close to the boat. A ringtail Hen Harrier passed high over the Keysworth shoreline and 3 Marsh Harrier were interacting around the Swineham area. A Peregrine dashed across in front of the boat at the end of the trip and a few Buzzard soared against crisp blue sky’s. We got great views of 17 Spoonbill which were unusually roosting in the mouth of Middlebere, with another 5 on Shipstal Point. Open water species also put on a show with 4 Great Northern Diver, 1 Velvet Scoter, 1 Common Scoter, 5 Eider Duck, 120 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Goldeneye, 60 Great Crested Grebe and 1 Black-necked Grebe. The Brownsea Lagoon was stuffed with birds including c2000 Black-tailed Godwit, 60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c800 Avocet, 80 Oystercatcher and smaller numbers of Greenshank, Turnstone, Dunlin and Grey Plover. Roughly c400 dark-bellied Brent Geese were feeding along the southern shores. Other highlights from elsewhere around the harbour included a ringtail Hen Harrier at Lytchett Bay with 2 Spoonbill there too. A flock of 8 Mandarin Duck flew down the Piddle Valley towards the weir and this morning 6 Marsh Harrier and 3 hen Harrier were seen leaving the harbour to go and hunt and in Upton CP 2 Firecrest were in the centre of the park. At Holes Bay, totals included 90 Dunlin, 272 Black-tailed Godwit, 187 Avocet, 92 Redshank and 50 Curlew. In the PCW Drain 20+ Chiffchaff were enjoying the sun with another Firecrest. 

Female White-tailed Eagle G801 – Wareham Channel – Mark Wright (@markwright12002)

Spoonbills – Middlebere Channel – Alison Copland