A freezing day again today, meaning that much of the harbour was frozen this morning, including the Brownsea Lagoon. That didn’t stop our Winter Safari though this morning, which brought us great views of 10+ Bearded Tit in the mouth of the River Frome as well as 3 Marsh Harrier and 1 Peregrine. We also had 5 Spoonbill and a female-type Scaup in the Wareham Channel, likely the same bird from Sunday. The White-tailed Eagle pair were on show as well, distantly soaring in the sunshine up over Rempstone and Studland. At least 12 Great Northern Diver were still widely distributed around the harbour. As Brownsea was frozen most of the birds had departed the lagoon, but there was still a flock of 50 Bar-tailed Godwit and 2 Greenshank.

It seems most of the birds in the harbour had gone to Holes Bay due to the ice with impressive counts of 3212 Black-tailed Godwit, 562 Dunlin and 60 Knot. 1 Ringtail Hen Harrier was in Lytchett Bay as well as 1 on the Arne Peninsula. At Middlebere there were 1 Spotted Redshank and 1 Spoonbill.

Ringtail Hen Harrier – Mark Wright

There was no sign of yesterdays Waxwing in the Upton/Lytchett Bay area, despite much searching by the locals! On the plus side there were 4 White-tailed Eagles around today with the local pair mooching around the  southern shores and then brief visits by females G801 and the recent Christchurch Harbour bird G818. An adult male Hen Harrier was in Middlebere this morning where there was also a Merlin. There was also a Hen Harrier in Brands Bay with the Slavonian Grebe still there too. There was a big 3201 Black-tailed Godwit in Holes Bay north. At Bog Lane in Stoborough the Cattle Egret flock were moving around the Frome Valley.

Well, it’s about time! Finally, after months of waiting Poole Harbour finally saw its first Waxwing of the winter. But….don’t get too excited just yet, as it wasn’t the viewing spectacle we’ve all been waiting so patiently for. Nope, it was chance encounter with a single Waxwing sat a top a tree in Slough Lane, Upton which was fortunately photographed by local photographer Peter Corbin before it then soon disappeared never to be seen again! Well, not today any way. This could be the start of ‘the arrival’ though as it was mid-January in 2013 when groups started being seen more regularly in Dorset during the last national irruption. Our best advice is now to check the top of every tree, bush and TV aerial around the area, in both urban and rural areas. Elsewhere the Slavonian Grebe was still off Jerry’s Point, a White-tailed Eagle was over Swineham, there were 3 Pochard on the gravel pit and 2 Cattle Egret were at Bestwall.

Waxwing – Slough Lane, Upton – Pete Corbin

It was good to see the Barnacle Geese return to Swineham this morning with 13 in fields just west of gravel pits, viewable from the footpath above the B&B road. There were also 2 Spoonbill on the Stilt Pools at Swineham, 1 Pochard on the gravel pit and 4 Marsh Harrier off the point. A Water Pipit and Spotted Redshank were on Lytchett Fields, off Jerry’s Point there was 1 Slavonian Grebe, 2 Black-necked Grebe, 3 Great Northern Diver and 9 Goldeneye. The White-tailed Eagle pair were along the southern shores and then headed towards the Wareham Channel. I’m Brands Bay this afternoon there was 1 Golden Plover (present for its 3rd day) and 1 ringtail Hen Harrier. At Slepe Moor, 14 Spoonbill were roosting but got spooked, 3 Goosander were at Holmebridge again, 14 Cattle Egret were near Bog Lane SANG.

Sparrowhawk – Mark Wright

Not as cold as yesterday, but still pretty parky! The Black-throated Diver was in Holes Bay again, this time joined by a Great Northern Diver. From our School Bird Boat this morning there were 8 Great Northern Diver spread across the harbour. A Hen Harrier was in Middlebere where there were also 7 Spoonbill. In Poole Bay from Branksome Chine there were 2 Red-throated Diver, 6 Razorbill, 11 Great Crested Grebe, 7 Wigeon and 10 Gannet. Holes Bay was teaming with birds again, with 2489 Black-tailed Godwit, 32 Knot and 641 Dunlin.

Peregrine Falcon – Middlebere Osprey Nest Platform

It looked as is if someone had sieved a light dusting of flour at top various sites across the harbour this morning, but it soon disappeared. The cold bite certainly didn’t though and a beautiful crisp winter scene was set all day. Despite the cold there were a few interesting sightings which included a whopping 135 Teal at Sunnyside Farm which is a great count for the site. Plus there were many Fieldfare and Redwing in the surrounding fields. The Black-throated Diver was again in Holes Bay south and there were Hen Harrier sightings at Lytchett Bay and Middlebere. Off Middle Beach, Studland 6 Black-necked Grebe and a Slavonian Grebe were settled. In fields opposite Rollington Farm (Studland Road) a flock of 24 Woodlark were feeding. A redhead Goosander was on the floods at Holmebridge and this evening a Little Gull was off Jerry’s Point.