A truly magical Wareham Channel and Harbour Cruise this morning. Early morning satellite tag data kindly shared by Roy Dennis Wildlife Foundation confirmed that White-tailed Eagle G461 was still present in the harbour as our boat departed Poole Quay at 9AM, but would he show himself during the cruise?? Creeping up the Wareham Channel immediately offered stunning views of 4-5 Marsh Harrier, which elegantly patrolled reedbeds very close to the boat at times. Continuing along the River Frome towards Swineham floodplain yielded 9 Egyptian Geese and a large influx of Lapwing plus on the scrape were a few Curlew and Black-tailed Godwit. Heart rates then went through the roof as the White-tailed Eagle showed himself over the Wareham Channel, cruising above the skyline and illustrating its colossal size. The cruise went on to enjoy various raptor sightings with Red Kite logged high northeast, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk and several Common Buzzard also seen throughout the event. A large flock of c.150 sinensis Cormorant were feeding off Ham Common before continuing around the back of the islands producing 6 Scaup and 4 Common Scoter around South Deep, as well as a Great Northern Diver near the harbour mouth. Later in the day male White-tailed Eagle G461 was then seen cruising Brands Bay and was even perched up on Hartland Moor for a while. A perfect early winter cruise. Elsewhere, a Lytchett Bay ringing session trapped and ringed 10 Redwing, Firecrest and 4 Bearded Tit. On Holme Lane GP 2 Pochard were with decent numbers of Gadwall, Shoveler and a few Wigeon.

White-tailed Eagle – Wareham Channel Cruise – Alison Copland

Marsh Harrier – Swineham, from Bird Boat – Clare Slade

Marsh Harrier – Swineham, from Bird Boat – Clare Slade

Scaup, South Deep, from Bird Boat – Clare Slade

Marsh Harrier – Wareham Channel Cruise – Alison Copland

With the arrival of the White-tailed Eagle (G461) back into the harbour yesterday we were really hoping that we would find it from this morning’s School Bird boat… and we succeeded! Being able to show a boat full of local school children the impact of conservation projects happening on their doorstep was amazing. The eagle was seen twice this morning over Brownsea Lagoon, causing havoc with the waders and providing a true spectacle for the kids, who were left in awe… Many of them never expected to see an eagle in the harbour and the sight gave us a vision of what the future can look like for them, thanks to the hard work of the team on the Isle of Wight.

In the central harbour today was one of the first few Great Northern Diver back in the area, along with 20+ Red-breasted Merganser. 6 Scaup and 5 Common Scoter were counted in South Deep, also seen from Jerry’s Point in the later morning. With the building number of wintering birds, this weekend is a good time to be scanning for more winter arrivals, especially along the Studland peninsula. From Middle Beach, 10 Black-necked Grebe, 2 Common Scoter and 2 Razorbill were reported, and the Red-necked Grebe was seen from Pilot’s Point this morning. 1 Great White Egret was also reported in Brands Bay.

Luke from Dorset Wildlife Trust managed to capture this footage of the eagle this morning, before it returned back to Brownsea:

White tailed eagle over the lagoon again! Circled over towards Sandbanks before heading off to the North shore of the island. Awesome views! ~ Nicki #WildBrownsea @harbourbirds @DorsetBirdClub @BrownseaNT @DorsetWildlife pic.twitter.com/5S1AiBqSId

— DorsetWildlife Trust (@DWTBrownsea) November 19, 2021

It was no surprise to hear that after a short absence, male White-tailed Eagle, G461 was back in the harbour again this morning having been seen flying up the Wareham Channel mid-morning. Also at the top of the Wareham Channel were up to 8 different Marsh Harrier, 2 Hen Harrier and 2 Merlin. The Red-necked Grebe was in Shell Bay again this morning and yesterday we received news that there was a Snow Bunting back on Redhorn Point, but only seen briefly. There were 10 Cattle Egret in the Piddle Valley and at Brands Bay a Great White Egret with up to 5 Common Scoter. Water Pipit ‘1k’ was seen again at Lytchett Fields and another Cattle Egret was in fields just beyond the Bakers Arms roundabout. Also, great work by Sam Levy for getting the ring number of the below Black-headed Gull in Poole Park which has highlighted it was first ringed 32 years ago……in Poole Park!

32 year old black-headed Gull – Poole Park – Sam Levy

A glorious still late autumn/early winter morning which didn’t let it’s self down all day, as a crisp, cold dusk saw us out. Lots of decent birds were around today with a Hawfinch and a Brambling over the Lower Piddle Valley where 12 Cattle Egret were also seen Wareham Common. An amazing Merlin chase was watched over Brands Bay with a Dunlin finally running out of luck after about a 3-4 minute chase. Out off Middle Beach this evening there were 12 Black-necked Grebe, 6 Common Scoter, 7+ Red-breasted Merganser and 2 Razorbill. A Great White Egret was off Goathorn Point and at the Houseboats 3 Sanderling (which have been scarce this winter so far) were feeding with 32 Turnstone. The Red-necked Grebe was seen near Pilots Point, Studland this morning hut not later in the day. A ringtail was seen at Middlebere. Merlin were also seen on Hartland and at Lytchett Fields where there were also 3 Water Pipit. In Holes Bay 4 Bearded Tit were in the reed beds near the Creekmoor Channel.

1st winter male Sparrowhawk – ringed in Piddle Valley this AM

The Shell Bay Red-necked Grebe continued to show well in the harbour mouth next to the chain ferry this morning, fingers crossed it sticks around for tomorrow’s ID course. Adult male Hen Harriers are an uncommon sight for Poole Harbour, let alone Lytchett Bay, so the appearance of one heading high east over Lytchett Heath was a lovely addition to the 2 female-type Marsh Harrier and 3 Water Pipit also logged across the bay today. Elsewhere, Morden Bog featured 6 Egyptian Geese east.

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Mark Wright

1 Razorbill was seen in the harbour mouth this morning, as well as the Red-necked Grebe, which has continued to show well today, moving between Shell Bay, the harbour mouth and Brands Bay. 1 Great Northern Diver was also reported in Bramblebush bay, along with 6 Bar-tailed Godwit and c.54 Brent Geese. There were also 5 Common Scoter, 3 Goldeneye, 11 Grey Plover, 1 Great White Egret and 8 Fieldfare in Brands Bay this morning. A nice sighting of 12 Cattle Egret dropped into the Lower Piddle Valley early this afternoon, before moving off west. 30 Spoonbill were reported on Brownsea Lagoon today, along with the usual Grey Plover, Dunlin, Wigeon and Teal numbers. At Baiter, 17 Brent Geese, 2 Red-breasted Merganser, 5 Redshank and 1 Sandwich Tern were counted, along with a further 4 Sandwich Tern, 3 Little Grebe and 1 Redshank in Poole Park. 1 Water Pipit has also remained present on Sherford Pools at Lytchett Field. At dusk a Great White Egret flew into the Littlesea roost at Studland.

Red-necked Grebe – Harbour Entrance – René Goad

WeBS days always produce a decent range of species with WeBS counters our right across the harbour, as well as the trusty vanguard of birders who are just ‘out and about’. The best from across the area today included a new fresh in Red-necked Grebe which was in the harbour mouth area mid-afternoon, but was soon inside the harbour as the tide was rising, before ending up just off the houseboats. Out off Jerry’s Point there were 5 Common Scoter, 1 Great Northern Diver and off Goathorn 7 Scaup. In the mouth of Middlebere/off Shipstal an adult male Merlin was hunting with a ringtail Hen Harrier and the Merlin was then seen outside the Middlebere hide. A Short-eared Owl was hunting on Hartland near dusk and there was a Great White Egret at the top of Middlebere. Off Middle Beach there were 11 Black-necked Grebe and 1 Great Northern Diver. At South Haven, Studland 4 Brambling flew over this morning and another Great White Egret was at East Lake, Little Sea, Studland. At Lytchett Fields there was a Water Pipit and in Middlebere 4 Spotted Redshank. As well as this list of notable sightings, the harbour is looking great now with decent numbers of species such as Wigeon, Avocet, Shelduck, Brent Geese, Red-breasted Merganser, Grey Plover, Dunlin and Redwingto fill in the quieter periods!

Merlin – Middlebere – Garry Hayman

Red-necked Grebe – Shell Bay, Studland

The final stages of autumn migration 2021 are now drawing to a close, but not without one last push of certain species. Fieldfare, Redwing and Blackbirds are still arriving in and Brambling seem to be having a great autumn so far. Middlebere saw c100 Fieldfare this morning with several smaller flocks logged at Holmebridge and in the Piddle Valley. A newly arrived Siberian Chiffchaff was ringed at Lytchett Bay along with 3 late Common Chiffchaff and there now seems to be a late flurry of Lesser Redpoll coming through now with 20 also ringed at Lytchett Bay. A Great White Egret also flew over Lytchett Bay with another in Brands Bay. There was no sign of the Snow Buntings at Redhorn, but 2 Great Northern Diver were on the water there with 2 Black-necked Grebe and 5 Common Scoter were near the harbour mouth. A minimum of 7 Marsh Harrier were in the Wareham Channel and 2 Merlin were between Hartland and Soldiers Road.

Siberian Chiffchaff – Lytchett Bay – Shaun Robson