It’s been a better than average winter for Brambling this year, not necessarily all around Poole Harbour, but at inland sites that can often host several birds, flocks of 30-50 have been logged, meaning several are now turning up in the harbour area including the male that was on the feeders again at Lytchett Bay view point, at the end of Slough Lane, plus there were 2-3 in Upton CP too. As birds are also now beginning to move around due to springs fast approach, it would be well worth keeping an eye out on garden feeders as wandering Brambling could turn up anywhere. At Swineham the redhead Goosander was on the main pit again with several Cetti’s Warbler calling. The Cattle Egret is still on the opposite side of the valley in the cow field, viewable from the bottom of the Bog Lane footpath and there were 3 Egyptian Geese in the Valley along with 4 Green Sandpiper. Off Middle Beach, Studland there were 11 Common Scoter and 2 Slavonian Grebe with a scattering of Black-necked Grebe. The 3 Scaup were still off Redhorn and a Common Guillemot was off Poole Quay again. A Marsh Harrier flush 12 Spoonbill off Shipstal and in Brands Bay there were 2 Spoonbill 2 on the very far side of the marsh, 25 Grey Plover, 344 Black-tailed Godwit and Knot. Finally, the warmth of the sun this AM also made Woodlark active again up around Hartland.

Woodlark – Hartland area – Rob Johnson