Storm Bert soon passed and this morning it was crystal clear sky’s and more importantly, calmer waters. This meant a newly arrived Black-throated Diver could be located out in Studland Bay, off Middle Beach along with 4 Black-necked Grebe and 17 Common Scoter. Out in Shell Bay there 1 Great Northern Diver with another 2 off Jerry’s Point and 1 in Brands Bay. A Whimbrel flew across Jerry’s Point and there were 49 Great Crested Grebe and 18 Red-breasted Merganser also off Jerry’s Point. A Goshawk was in Middlebere this morning, both White-tailed Eagles were in the Wareham Channel this morning then headed south over the Purbeck ridge and 5 Marsh Harrier were in and around Swineham where 2 Great White Egret were on the gravel pit.

Avocet – Middlebere – Kate Plater

Storm Bert (which will hopefully be soon followed by Storm Ernie) didn’t produce much yesterday, but it delivered a bit today in the shape of 3 European Storm Petrel out in Poole Bay, viewed from Branksome with a fourth logged off Durley Chine this morning too. At the harbour entrance this morning 2 more Great Northern Diver entered as did 56 Shag. Out in Poole Bay c30 Kittiwake also moved across in two’s and three’s and 2 Sandwich Tern were in the harbour entrance. The/a Purple Sandpiper was feeding off Jerry’s Point this afternoon, a male Goldeneye in Brands Bay was also new in, as was an adult Little Gull which was logged in Holes Bay NE. There was a good count of 9 Black-necked Grebe off Fitzworth along with a Spotted Redshank there. Finally, 5 Cattle Egret were on Wareham Common, south of the railway line.

Little Gull – Holes Bay NE – Martin Adams

Bitterly cold again today with more evidence of movement/arrivals with 4 Goldeneye in the harbour (2 south shore and 2 off Redhorn Point), and out off Middle Beach there were 16 newly arrived Common Scoter in Studland Bay along with 2 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Great Northern Diver, 8 Great Crested Grebe and 5 Red-breasted Merganser. In between Jerry’s Point and Furzey 2 Slavonian Grebe were feeding and there were 2 Red-throated Diver, one close to Jerry’s Point and the other off the SW Brownsea south shore. Off Fitzworth 18 Spoonbill were roosting and 4 more Black-necked Grebe were off Gold Point, RSPB Arne. Down at Swineham a Great White Egret was feeding on the edge of the gravel pit, 4-5 Marsh Harrier were floating around (on the breeze) and c200 Avocet were feeding near the mouth of the Frome. The Brownsea Lagoon was busy and saw another c500 Avocet, c30 Bar-tailed Godwit, c800 Dunlin, c50 Grey Plover, 4 Knot, 1 Sanderling, c30 Ringed Plover and 5 Greenshank. Bird of the day goes to a lone Purple Sandpiper which was on one of the first groyne along from North Haven Hotel. At Lytchett Bay a Spoonbill was roosting on Otter Island and a Spotted Redshank was out in the bay and in Holes Bay numbers were still high and saw 1097 Wigeon, 72 Pintail and 1200+ Black-tailed Godwit. Brands Bay had a good count of 287 Pintail and a Red Kite was over Middlebere.

Marsh Harrier – Swineham from Winter Safari this AM – Sue Ketteridge

Great White Egret – Swineham from Winter Safari this AM – Sue Ketteridge

Great Crested Grebe – Wareham Channel from Winter Safari this AM – Sue Ketteridge

Red-throated Diver – South Deep from Winter Safari this AM – Sue Ketteridge

A super cold start this morning saw the first proper frost of the autumn/winter, adding in the low November sun, it made for a picture perfect Poole Harbour day. Equally as picture perfect was the photo that was kindly sent to us today by Wendy Sargeant of the ‘Upton’ Dark-eyed (Slate-coloured) Junco which was seen in a garden within the Lytchett Bay recording area last week. Sadly, there’s still not been any sightings since, but it was due to Wendy’s quick thinking and fast photo skills which allowed for an ID to be concluded and a first for Poole Harbour to be confirmed. The photo shows the Junco feeding on seed (hence the thick looking bill) which it did on a handful of occasions on Monday and Tuesday of last week. As we said last week, there’s still a good chance this bird could be around so anyone in south Upton should keep an eye out just in case it’s doing a tour of the local area.

Enjoying the cold this morning was juvenile White-tailed Eagle G644 who was active in the Wareham Channel all morning, with 2 Great White Egret also there. The Red-throated Diver was off Jerry’s Point and off Middle Beach, Studland 2 Slavonian Grebe and 2 Common Scoter were feeding. A Barnacle Goose was with the Canada Goose flock at Swinheham, 4 Spoonbill were on the Brownsea Lagoon, 1 Spotted Redshank was at Lytchett Fields and a Red Kite flew over Middlebere.

Dark-eyed (Slate-coloured) Junco – South Upton – Wendy Sargeant

Red Kite – Middlebere – Mark Wright

A very mixed day with strong winds first thing that soon calmed down into a chilly day with a few showers. The first Great Northern Diver of the winter was spotted this morning in South Deep. This is later than we would usually expect for a first sighting, but the long-term calm weather may have delayed this with the overnight rain and winds possibly bringing this individual into the harbour to shelter. Also in South Deep the 1 adult drake Eider was off the houseboats in Bramble Bush Bay along with 1 Red-throated Diver off Goathorn. 2 Black-necked Grebe were in Poole Bay off Middle Beach this afternoon.

Really good counts on the Brownsea Lagoon at high tide this morning with 9 Spoonbill, c600 Avocet, c50 Grey Plover, c60 Bar-tailed Godwit, c1500 Dunlin, 15 Greenshank, 8 Sanderling, c30 Turnstone, plus lots of Dark-bellied Brent Geese, Wigeon, Shoveler and Gadwall. 2 Marsh Harrier were active at Swineham along with 1 Ruff amongst the Lapwing. In Lytchett Bay from Rock Lea View numbers of wintering birds are growing nicely with 74 Avocet, 211 Lapwing, 29 Dark-bellied Brent Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 150 Black-tailed Godwit, 25 Dunlin and 2 Marsh Harrier.

Greenshank – Brownsea Lagoon – Paul Morton

Avocet – Brownsea Lagoon – Paul Morton