Dawn at Hengistbury – Clinton Whale

Drake Tufted Duck – Scott Usher

Grey Plover – David Faulkner

After a night of heavy frost, there were three records of species traditionally related to harsh conditions – a Woodcock accidentally flushed from the North Scrubs, 2 Golden Plover around Stanpit Bight and a Tufted Duck in Parky Meade Rail. In complete contrast, however, a couple of Great Spotted Woodpecker drummed in the Nursery. Moving back to Stanpit, which also hosted 2 Grey Plover, 30 Ringed Plover, 12 Dunlin, 2 Pintail and a Teal; while a Chiffchaff was along Roebury Lane and 2 Marsh Harrier came out of roost, with another passing high to the north.

On another day of very sparse news – it’s just two or three Chiffchaff across the site and a couple of Marsh Harrier for the post.

Wigeon – Clinton Whale

Greylag Goose – Clinton Whale

After a few days of intense activity, the sea has settled into the more routine – singles of Black-throated Diver, Great Northern Diver, 7 Pintail, two auks and a Gannet were the most of it. Elsewhere, 3 Pintail and 2 Gadwall were inside the harbour, one or two Marsh Harrier were noted and a pair of Raven were seen prospecting.

On a day of light news, the best was a Great Northern Diver inside the harbour for a while, before pushing off east. Earlier, 2 Chiffchaff, a Marsh Harrier and a Raven were noted at Wick.

This evening, just prior to 17:00, a Barn Owl was flying around the Double Dykes. Earlier, ninety minutes of seawatching produced: a Red-throated Diver, a further diver, a Kittiwake and 2 Great Crested Grebe; while a Raven passed over the Coastguards.

This afternoon, a Black-throated Diver was settled on the sea off Whitepits; while, earlier in the day, the ongoing offshore exodus from the west included: 62 Red-throated Diver, a Great Northern Diver, a Slavonian Grebe, 12 Great Crested Grebe, a Velvet Scoter, 46 Common Scoter, 114 Wigeon, 46 Teal, 11 Mediterranean Gill, 23 Common Gull and 76 Gannet; with 3 Eider heading in the opposite direction, towards the cold. Otherwise, it’s just singles of Great White Egret and Marsh Harrier, early on at Wick, to mention.

Robin – Paul Mcauliffe

…and a selection from the hide – Alan Crockard

Other than a Bean Goose being seen coming in-off the sea this morning, the day’s only other submissions are the photographs. Returning to the geese and wild, Siberian-breeding, grey geese, in what are modern-day exceptional numbers, are turning up very locally to the area – apparently being driven west by temperatures reaching forty below in Russia – so definitely worth checking the Greylag Goose gaggles to see what they may attract.

CHOG’s second-ever Bean Goose, the previous being in December 2021, spent some time with ‘greylags’ at Stanpit, this afternoon, before heading off, alone, over Mudeford. Earlier in the day, birds seen to check into the area included: 3 Linnet, a real rarity for the month, a Reed Bunting, a Marsh Harrier, a Great White Egret, 14 Shelduck and 29 Mute Swan. Meanwhile, another varied movement, to the east, at sea comprised: a Scaup, a Goldeneye, 5 Red-breasted Merganser, 6 Common Scoter, 17 Pintail, 16 Teal, 17 Brent Goose, 9 Red-throated Diver, three unidentified diver, 9 Kittiwake, 26 Mediterranean Gull, 89 Common Gull, 75 Gannet, 58 Guillemot, 36 Razorbill, 51 unknown auks and three, unseasonable Sanderling. During the late afternoon, at least one Great White Egret was about the place and a Kingfisher was along Fisherman’s Bank; but no harriers were seen.

Mandarin – Richard Moore

Kingfisher near the Noddy Train Terminus – Clinton Whale

The photographed pair of Mandarin were the event of the day – although the sea again had some interest with the birds all moving into the uncomfortable, north-easterly breeze including: 7 Red-throated Diver, three diver spp., 4 Kittiwake, 19 Mediterranean Gull, 11 Common Gull, 58 Guillemot, 23 Razorbill, twenty-two auk spp., 3 Common Scoter, 33 Brent Goose and 69 Gannet. Meanwhile, a further 28 Brent Goose were inside the harbour, which also hosted: a Bar-tailed Godwit – that in Holloway’s Dock, where again there was a presence of Teal and Wigeon – a Grey Plover and 120 Black-tailed Godwit. To finish the post, a dawn watch from Grimmery Bank saw 26 Cattle Egret head inland after leaving roost, likewise 3 Marsh Harrier, and a Great White Egret appeared on Central Marsh just afterwards.

There was some interest at sea during the morning – the highlights being three settled Velvet Scoter and 19 Shelduck to the west, the latter quite a number here for December. Also westbound, a Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Red-throated Diver, three unidentified divers, 86 Gannet and nine auks; while, 2 Black-throated Diver, 29 Brent Goose and 14 Teal headed in the opposite direction. Gadwall don’t usually get a mention, but total of twenty-six – sixteen west, eight east and two circling – means they make the post and, to finish with the water, a raft of 14 Common Scoter was offshore. Early on, at least 20 Cattle Egret left the roost with singles of Treecreeper and Nuthatch in the Wood; but, late in the day, only 2 Marsh Harrier were seen about the place and a Kingfisher looked for supper along Grimmery Bank.

Otter, this afternoon in the Clay Pool – Scott Usher

While Otter continue to grab the headlines, the birds are struggling to keep up. The only news from the year’s shortest day involves: a couple of Great Northern Diver, plus an unidentifiable diver, passing at sea; a couple of Chiffchaff were by the Wooden Bridge; and Marsh Harrier were seen on and off.

Firstly, an update on yesterday’s Otter presence in Holloway’s Dock. After scrutinising video from the camera that overlooks there – it was realised there were actually two animals present!! For future reference, a livestream from the dock can be seen here…

Moving to today and the only news is from Wick, where a Firecrest was by the Viewing Platform and a Chiffchaff was along Roebury Lane.

The stand-out moment for the day was Holloway’s Dock hitting new highs, where, early this morning, an Otter was seen well! During the couple of hours after then, the sea produced, all west: a Black-throated Diver, 4 Red-throated Diver, 31 Mediterranean Gull, 21 Common Gull, 115 Gannet and nine auks; with 19 Shag settled. Re-winding a bit to just after dawn, when a Spotted Redshank was vocal over Hengistbury, 85 Black-tailed Godwit were seen to arrive from the east and 2 Firecrest, plus a Treecreeper, were in the Wood. Finishing with Marsh Harrier and Cattle Egret – their best returns being three and seven respectively.

Looking over what was left of Priory Marsh, from Riversmeet Meadow – Clinton Whale

The photo tells the story of today, when a single Marsh Harrier from Wick, early on, is the only point to cover.

There was a nice selection of birds heading west at sea, this morning, namely: 2 Velvet Scoter, 7 Common Scoter, 2 Black-throated Diver, 7 Red-throated Diver, a Red-breasted Merganser, 9 Common Gull, 6 Gannet, 2 Guillemot and six unidentified auks; plus, a further 2 Common Scoter, settled. Meanwhile, a White-tailed Eagle, likely G818, arrived from inland at 08:10 and a Mistle Thrush was on Wick Fields. Late in the day, a Great White Egret fished in the reeds just upstream from the HHO and 6 Marsh Harrier were about – an adult male, two 1cy males, a 2cy male, what was reckoned to be a 3cy male and an adult female.

This morning, Holloway’s Dock hosted a Great White Egret, while a single Marsh Harrier was about Wick Spires. Otherwise, it’s just 15 roost-bound Cattle Egret to mention.

Firstly, a few words about Holloway’s Dock, where – this morning – 187 Wigeon and 44 Mallard were present; and, continuing with local success stories, 5 Marsh Harrier came into the roost tonight and, early on, a couple of Cattle Egret were close the Wooden Bridge. Also, a couple of Raven over that area. The remainder of the post is from the sea, where a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 22 Kittiwake, 9 Mediterranean Gull, 3 Gannet, 7 Razorbill, 2 Guillemot, a further eight unidentified auks and 27 Dunlin were logged.

Cetti’s Warbler – Scott Usher

Curlew – Neil Jones

It’s light on news today – 3 Grey Plover at Stanpit and the same number of Chiffchaff along Roebury Lane – being all there is for the birds. Butterfly-wise, however, a few Painted Lady were about the sea cliffs.

Early fog cleared to give a lovely sunny day with a light breeze. Most records come from Wick, where 3 Marsh Harrier were over the reeds and 5 Song Thrush were in song. Other news involved a Peregrine on the Priory and a Painted Lady butterfly seen on the wing near Whitepits.

Marsh Harrier and the Priory – Scott Usher

A Puffin, only the third in the last ten years, passed to the east close off Hengistbury, this morning; when, 4 Red-throated Diver headed in the same direction; 2 Kittiwake, 7 Mediterranean Gull and 3 Common Gull went west; and 2 Common Scoter were settled. Meanwhile, a total of 27 Purple Sandpiper was returned from the sandspit. Just after dawn, a Tawny Owl hooted and 5 Song Thrush sang on Wick, with 4 Firecrest and a Treecreeper in the Wood. To wrap things up, this evening up to 5 Marsh Harrier were about.

The day’s only news comes from after dark and involves birds heard from Two Riversmeet. A Tawny Owl hooted for some time in the North Scrubs, while Redwing, Wigeon and Curlew passed over.

Oystercatcher – Mark Taylor

The early sunshine encouraged 6 Song Thrush to live up to their name about Wick, from where 5 Marsh Harrier were logged, as well as a Firecrest and 2 Chiffchaff. Meanwhile, a Grey Wagtail over the Beach Huts was a bit of a December surprise, with a further Firecrest, along with singles of Goldcrest and Treecreeper, being in the Wood. The sea was quiet – those worthy of mention being five each of Mediterranean Gull and Gannet west, and 16 Common Scoter settled. To finish, 4 Purple Sandpiper were on groynes at the southern end of the sandspit.

The only news for the day is of a Kingfisher perched by the Wooden Bridge, where Water Rail were squealing.

Marsh Harrier with feathers literally flying. An informed guess being a female, on the left, not impressed by a 2cy male – Scott Usher

There was a little bit of activity on the sea today, including 63 Gannet west – the first instance of those for a week or so. Also, a 1cy Kittiwake, 14 Mediterranean Gull, 69 Great Black-backed Gull and 36 Lesser Black-backed Gull, all heading the same way. Meanwhile, a Red-throated Diver and around 15 Common Scoter were settled; likewise, 19 Shag. Despite the date, the mild conditions tempted 4 Song Thrush into song in the Wood; where 5 Firecrest, a Redpoll, and Nuthatch and a Treecreeper were also encountered.

This is what faced the WeBS team today – Stanpit is out there somewhere – David Taylor

In what could be described as challenging conditions, there were few good figures from an overall, low-in-quantity WeBS count – namely, 1214 Wigeon, 380 Dunlin and 244 Mute Swan, the latter normally being far less than this in the winter months. Also: 12 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit, 15 Grey Plover, 64 Ringed Plover, 100 Black-tailed Godwit, 2 Pintail and 64 Brent Goose. Otherwise, it’s just a Great White Egret on Wick and single Marsh Harrier for the post.

Adult male Marsh Harrier – Scott Usher

Cometh the rain and the resultant freshwater flooding, cometh the Black-tailed Godwit – an estimated 1000 around Stanpit Scrubs, this morning; also, at least 200 Dunlin about the place. Meanwhile, a few Pintail were on the move – a total of sixteen seen to pass by or through – with other offshore travellers coming from a Great Northern Diver, 2 Red-throated Diver, 2 Mediterranean Gull and a Razorbill; with a further ‘red-throat’ and 15 Common Scoter settled. The White-tailed Eagle left at around 08:30, the most Marsh Harrier seen together was three and a Peregrine, with prey, headed towards the Priory. Finishing the birds, Roebury Lane mustered 4 Chiffchaff and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the Wood. Now to mammals and a Grey Seal was in Stanpit Bight.

Some of the 33 Purple Sandpiper on the sandspit today – Mark Taylor

…and a Ringed Plover, with Dunlin in the background – Mark Taylor

As mentioned in the photos, there was a fine total of Purple Sandpiper on groynes adjacent to the Beach House café, along with 25 Ringed Plover and a few Dunlin. Early on, before the wind and rain arrived, a Firecrest and 4 Chiffchaff were along Roebury Lane, and at least 4 Marsh Harrier were about.

A White-tailed Eagle, matching the description of G818, was at Stanpit until the mid-morning, when 7 Grey Plover, around 50 Brent Goose and a pair of Pintail were also present. Meanwhile, at least 26 Purple Sandpiper were on the sandspit groynes near the Beach House café. Later in the day, a minimum of 3 Marsh Harrier was around the northern part of the area and Kingfisher were encountered on three occasions. To finish, two male Tawny Owl were having a good old hoot about the Two Riversmeet football pitches during the half hour after 18:30.

At least one Great White Egret about the place is the best of it for today; when at least 130 Dunlin were reckoned at Stanpit – along with a Marsh Harrier presence and a couple of Kingfisher, one of those along Fisherman’s Bank.

Despite much better weather, the early morning news is a near carbon copy of yesterday’s. A couple of Marsh Harrier were around Wick, likewise,  6 Chiffchaff. A little later, a dozen Purple Sandpiper were on the tip of the sandspit – viewed from Mudeford Quay.

The only news from a day of truly awful weather, which still hasn’t given up, is a couple of female-type Marsh Harrier about the Wick reeds, early on, and 4 Chiffchaff, plus 7 Goldcrest, along Roebury Lane.