Another good day today with plenty recorded including several sightings of male White-tailed Eagle G461 firstly over Arne, then Middlebere, then Brands Bay and finally he was spotted from Poole Quay by some of our team as he circled over Brownsea before settling somewhere on the north shore. This is really encouraging that he keeps coming back. Will this just be an area of interest for him this winter, or is he already beginning to think a bit ‘longer term’? After moaning earlier in the week we didn’t have any Cattle Egret 6 flew over Swineham this evening heading over the Wareham Channel. Around mid-morning 5 Barnacle Geese entered the harbour mouth and headed inland and in Brands Bay there were 3 Great White Egret, 1 Scaup, 13 Red-breasted Merganser and 14 Great Crested Grebe. There are still at least 5 different Marsh Harrier around a Red Kite was over Middlebere. There was a single Black-necked Grebe off Middle Beach, Studland and 7 Bearded Tit were reported at Hatch Pond. At Lytchett Fields there was a Spotted Redshank but there was no sign of the Pectoral Sandpiper. At Sunnyside a Jack Snipe was flushed at the flooding in the Frome and Piddle Valley’s attracted good numbers gulls and to add to the wintery vibe both the seasons first Fieldfare were over Wareham Common and a Brambling was at Knoll Beach.

Male White-tailed Eagle G461 – Brownsea Island – Nicki Tutton