The harbour was at it’s coldest, wintery best today with what seemed like a monumental number of birds present, mostly common wetland birds such as Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, dark-bellied Brent Geese, Oystercatcher, Avocet and Dunlin etc but every bay and exposed area of mud was covered with birds. There was also a great suit of scarcer winter birds with the Long-tailed Duck finally pinned down off the west shore of Furzey Island. A respectable total of 16 Goldeneye were counted, most around the South Deep area, and some out in central harbour. All three diver species were logged again with 2 Red-throated Diver, (one of Poole Quay and one in central harbour), 5 Great Northern Diver, (2 off Baiter and 3 off Jerry’s Point) and 1 Black-throated Diver which flew over Brownsea and seemed to be heading for Holes Bay. A single Slavonian Grebe was off Jerry’s Point with 2 Black-necked Grebe and another lone individual was in central harbour. Off Middle Beach, Studland 4 Black-necked Grebe were feeding together and 6 Common Scoter were further out. There are great totals of Red-breasted Merganser about (cold weather arrival?) with a minimum of 150 spread across certain areas. A Great White Egret was at Swineham GP and a Water Pipit was off Swineham Point. It seems the Spoonbill are opting to feed in the sheltered areas of the harbour with only 15 in the Wareham Channel this morning. Despite their elusive nature currently there were actually 3 White-tailed Eagle around today, with all 3 circling up over Ballard Down this morning and this morning there were 2 Hen Harrier in Lytchett Bay, an adult male and a ringtail.

Red-throated Diver – Off Poole Quay 

Long-tailed Duck – Furzey western shore

Black-necked Grebe – Central Harbour