We’re getting regular reports now of Black-necked Grebe and a few Slavonian Grebe from the Studland area with Middle Beach probably being the best place to look. Early morning or late afternoon is probably the best time to try and see these birds as they’ll still be in their roosting flocks. Each day they gather before dusk and settle in Studland Bay, with some also forming a roost within the harbour too. Black-necked and Slavonian Grebe can be tricky to tell apart, but the big white cheek patch of Slavonian Grebe can easily be made out if seen well, and if they’re within a mixed roost, the comparison of the duskier cheek and face of Black-necked Grebe should be easy to tell apart. Slavonian Grebe numbers have also fallen within the Studland/harbour area over the last few years with just 1 today but 12 Black-necked Grebe. Today an Eider was in Bramble Bush Bay and a Great Northern Diver was off North Haven. At Lytchett Fields the Lesser Yellowlegs was on the fields with the Ruff, 1 Brambling, 15 Skylark and 1 Marsh Harrier. At Shell bay, Studland there were 20+ Dunlin, 20+ Ringed Plover, 16 Sanderling, 1 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Sandwich Tern whilst in Brands Bay there were 2 Med Gulls, 20+ Bar-tailed Godwit, 3 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Grey Plover and 1 Knot.

Black-necked Grebe – Shell Bay – Ian Ballam

Sanderling – Shell Bay – Ian Ballam