An absolute treat to be out exploring the open water by boat today during our first in a new series of Winter Safari Cruises, a new event designed to make the most of epic winter birding scene here in Poole Harbour. The beautifully still and sunny conditions offered a chance to enjoy Brownsea Lagoon in all its glory. Carpetted in probing Dunlin, a personal highlight was the close views of Common and Spotted Redshank wading next to Greenshank. In fact, it was so still we could hear the calls of Curlew, Oystercatcher, Grey Plover and Shelduck as we scrutinised the wildfowl and enjoyed watching a Sparrowhawk briefly inspect the Lagoon. The cruise passed the 10 Spoonbill roosting at Shipstal Point, Arne, while 2 individuals optimistically clinged onto the last of the mud during the flooding tide as the cruised along the Wareham Channel. Sitting off Swineham Point quickly added Marsh Harrier and Pochard to the species list. The Central Harbour held a Common Seal and Great Northern Divers were encountered off the Hamworthy and Brownsea shorelines. Most notable was the presence of Guillemot throughout the trip with 4 enountered off Poole Quay, Brownsea Island and the Wareham Channel, the latter offering a fly-by around the boat. This is highly unusual, typically we expect to encounter the odd bird around Poole Bay and the southern shorelines during the winter, but this sustained presence across the harbour is surely linked to a issue with food availability at a wider level. Elsewhere, the rewards for scoping South Deep from Jerry’s Point came in the form of 2 Slavonian Grebe, 4 Scaup, 3 Black-necked Grebe and a further 4 Great Nothern Diver. The Siberian Chiffchaff continues to show from the Shell Bay board walk, while a scan out into Studland Bay clocked up 3 Great Northern Diver and 6 Black-necked Grebe in Studland Bay.

We still have places available on our new Winter Safari Cruises running in January and February. All the event and booking information you need to know can be found on our website here. And don’t forget the Big Poole Harbour Bird Count takes place a week today! Simply get out birding in your local area and share your records with us to join in. Details on what to record and how to share your sightings with us can be found here.

Brownsea Lagoon – Brittany Maxted