Well, the storm was as quick to disappear as it was to arrive, but a trail of destruction was obvious with trees, fences, branches, boats! Strewn all over the place on my way to Branksome Chine this AM. The magical sea watch I had in my head with masses of rare Atlantic species piling by out at sea wasn’t to be. A small tally of 1 Kittiwake, 7 Gannet, 2 Sandwich Tern, 1 Great Northern Diver, 4 Pintail, 4 Brent Geese and 3 Razorbill was our reward for the early start.
The Swineham, Bestwall, Stoborough Causeway area is looking fantastic at the moment as all the fields have flooded creating a stunning network of pools and wet grassland, perfect for waders and ducks. Out on Bestwall a Ruff was feeding with 50+ Lapwing, 40+ Black-tailed Godwit, 3 Pintail, 9 Gadwall, 4 Wigeon and 2 Shoveler and a Merlin was sat on a post.
At Swineham a late Wheatear, 1 Rock Pipit, Kingfisher, 2 Bearded Tit, 1 Yellow-legged Gull, whilst out on the gravel pits 2 Great Crested Grebe, 4 Little Grebe, 158 Teal, 8 Wigeon, 10 Shoveler, 2 Pochard, 14 Tufted Duck, 6 Gadwall and 2 Bearded Tit.
Elsewhere Arne Moors and the Stoborough Causeway were also hugely flooded with both sites holding over 200+ each of Lapwing and Black-tailed Godwit.
At Middlebere 3 Spoonbill, 1 Barn Owl (that sat on the hide for a short while) 48 Brent Geese, 1 Green Sandpiper, 1 Bar-tailed Godwit, 7 adult Yellow-legged Gull, Redwing and a Dartford Warbler.
Male Hen Harrier were recorded at Lytchett Bay, Bestwall and Middlebere today. It could be the same bird, but possibly a new male has arrived in the last few days?
Also at Lytchett bay today 7 Greenshank, 2 Green Sandpiper and a Marsh Harrier.
Finally there was a report of a Black Brant that flew into the harbour around 9am, so well worth scanning through the Brent Flocks to try and locate it.
What started off as a promising day, with overcast sky’s and an easterly air flow, soon descended into…
Find out moreDespite the rain, which ended up lasting aaaallllllll day, there was still plenty of great birding top be…
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