January 31st

 Drake Shoveler Jackie Smith

Other than a Marsh Harrier at Stanpit this afternoon, where the last two days have seen the adult male and a cream-crowned bird, all the news comes from Mudeford Quay. A total of 10 Red-throated Dover moved past, as did three unidentified divers, and a single Gannet was offshore. A flock of 6 Purple Sandpiper flew through the Run into the harbour.

January 30th

Grey Heron nest building Alan Crockard

There was another good count of Water Pipit from Stanpit this morning five birds in total although no details of the location are known. In addition, there were 3 Rock Pipit returned, two of them Scandinavian. A Firecrest was again by the Nursery, while a Grey Wagtail and 2 Bullfinch were on Wick, and a Shoveler was in Barn Bight. 

January 29th

It was another quiet day, from which just a Red-throated Diver west and 11 Brent Goose east are reported. 

January 28th

The only news for the day comes from the south side of the area, where a Chiffchaff was on Wick, a Water Rail was seen from the Viewing Platform and 8 Dunlin were in Holloways Dock. 

January 27th

The only news from a cold, windy day is of 2 Bullfinch on Wick.

January 26th

Firecrest on Hengistbury Alan Crockard

There was a fair bit of activity about the area prior to the rain setting in. A total of 7 Purple Sandpiper was on the tip off the sandspit, viewed from Mudeford Quay, while earlier a Black-throated Diver landed on the sea off there and 14 Red-throated Diver one settled, the rest east were logged, along with 12 Common Scoter also heading towards the Solent. Priory Marsh held a good selection of birds, including a Jack Snipe, 4 Water Pipit, a couple of Grey Wagtail and 32 Pied Wagtail. Nearby, a Bearded Tit was by the Purewell Stream, thats the first of one of those for quite some time, and a Firecrest was on the golf course embankment. An additional Firecrest was in the Wood on Hengistbury and the male Marsh Harrier was around for most of the day. Kingfisher were seen in several places and the Grey Heron continue their breeding process in the Nursery. 

January 25th

Brent Goose, a welcome returnee in numbers Jackie Smith

Meadow Pipit Jackie Smith

The Spotted Redshank was again at Stanpit, along with 6 Pintail and 75 Brent Goose; the latter now seeming to favour the area again after a disconcerting absence.

January 24th

A Common Sandpiper was at Stanpit this morning, along with the Spotted Redshank, 10 Grey Plover, a good total of 75 Ringed Plover and 185 Dunlin. At the same time, there was a welcome return of the Brent Goose on the marsh 95 of them with 8 Pintail making up the rest of the wildfowl interest. Meanwhile, a near-on 90-minute seawatch from the Beach Huts produced 16 Red-throated Diver all but four west, including a high-flying flock of 9 birds as well as 6 Shag and a Razorbill on the water, and a pair of Brent Goose west. Hengistbury hosted 3 Firecrest two in the Wood and one at the end of the head while a male Bullfinch was by the HHC.

January 23rd

Goldcrest in the Wood Alan Crockard

Its a little light on news today, but there were 2 Bullfinch and a Grey Wagtail on Wick Fields, while a Common Gull passed over to the west.

January 22nd

Stock Dove taking a chance in the Tawny Owl box Clinton Whale

Today saw 2 Firecrest in the Wood on Hengistbury, but all the other news comes from Stanpit. A Spotted Redshank was on North Marsh, while some good, in-harbour wader totals included: a Grey Plover, over 50 Black-tailed Godwit, 54 Ringed Plover, 225 Dunlin and 24 Snipe. In addition, 2 Shoveler, 8 Pintail, the same number of Brent Goose and a single Common Gull were about the marsh.  

January 21st

Great Spotted Woodpecker Robert Gray

There is no news for today, unfortunately. 

January 20th

Pintail Ian Wigley

The Red-breasted Merganser was again inside the harbour, just off Blackberry Point, after being seen coming in over Mudeford Quay. Meanwhile, on a cold morning, it was WeBS day the best wader being the Spotted Redshank on North Marsh, as well as 15 Grey Plover, 46 Black-tailed Godwit, 85 Ringed Plover and 193 Dunlin. Eight Pintail were the scarcer of the expected ducks, with 82 Teal and 498 Wigeon making the numbers. During what has been a poor winter for them, the only other waterbird of interest was a single Common Gull.

January 19th

Redbreasted Merganser is quite a scarcity around the area - Ian Wigley

As the photo caption suggests, it's always nice to have a settled Red-breasted Merganser about the harbour - this one was at Stanpit this morning. The only other news, however, is of a Firecrest by the Nursery. 

January 18th

The Eider inside the harbour Clinton Whale

A Marsh Harrier was seen arriving from the direction of Keyhaven over Mudeford Quay an occurrence that is getting quite regular, so perhaps suggesting an interchange of birds between the two sites. Meanwhile, the Eider actually spent some time in the harbour, before drifting out down the Run. A total of 4 Mediterranean Gull and a Sandwich Tern was logged at the quay; a Great Northern Diver and 2 Red-throated Diver moved west at sea, and the Common Scoter flock of eight birds was settled. On Hengistbury, a Firecrest was in the Wood and over 200 Dunlin were scattered along the sandspit. The only other wader news is of a Grey Plover at Stanpit, 3 Black-tailed Godwit at Wick and 12 Turnstone on the spit.

January 17th

Goldfinch Ray Scott

Grey Plover Ray Scott

A Firecrest was again in the Wood, close to the Double Bends, while the now-regular, female-type Eider was very close inshore off the sandspit. Staying with the water, but later in the day, a Red-throated Diver passed east off Mudeford Quay and 8 Great Crested Grebe were settled off there. The best Dunlin return of the day was 62 in Holloways Dock, with other waders, all at Stanpit coming to 8 Grey Plover, a couple of Black-tailed Godwit and 4 Ringed Plover. Meanwhile, wildfowl came to 5 Pintail, 6 Shelduck and 26 Brent Goose. 

January 16th

Ringed Plover and Dunlin on the sandspit recently Clinton Whale

The Eider ventured into the Run today, while a Black-throated Diver headed west off Mudeford Quay. Also from there, ten arriving Grey Plover, 2 Mediterranean Gull and 5 Common Gull. 

January 15th

A Firecrest was again on Hengistbury, in holly by the Nursery, while 7 Common Scoter were off the end of the head adjacent to the Long Groyne. The only other news for the day involves a peak count of 49 Dunlin in Holloways Dock. 

January 14th

The Buzzard was again in the Nursery and it seems it may well have been hanging around that part of the recording area for some time now. In addition, a Firecrest was close by, as were 7 Goldcrest. 

January 13th

The only news for today is of 13 Brent Goose on Stanpit and a couple of Bullfinch on Wick. 

January 12th

Rock Pipit Scott Usher

Shoveler Scott Usher

Curlew Roger Tidball

Other than a couple of drake Shoveler at Stanpit, all the days news comes from the sea. Singles of Black-throated Diver and Red-throated Diver passed east and west respectively off Mudeford Quay, where a Sandwich Tern was fishing. Despite the north-westerly breeze, it was possible to pick out a Razorbill and 7 Common Scoter on the water.

January 11th

January 10th

On a cold, frosty day many of the regulars were present and correct. These included: a Chiffchaff and 7 Bullfinch on Wick Fields; and the Eider, 4 Common Scoter and 3 Great Crested Grebe settled off Mudeford Quay. Meanwhile, a Red-throated Diver passed to the west.

January 9th

Song Thrush Clinton Whale

Chiffchaff Robert Gray

In addition to a Chiffchaff at Stanpit, a Common Gull headed west over Wick and a Kingfisher was by the Wooden Bridge.

January 8th

Redshank Alan Crockard

Some of today's Snipe on the Salt Hurns Clinton Whale

Turnstone Clinton Whale

Other than a really good number of Snipe at least 60 on the Salt Hurns, there is little to report for today. The usual Eider was on the sea off Mudeford Quay, while a Great Crested Grebe headed east past there. A count of 118 Dunlin was in Holloways Dock, 5 Little Grebe were in Barn Bight and a Kingfisher was by the Purewell Stream. 

January 7th

Buzzard Clinton Whale

It was a fairly low-key day, but it did produce a Buzzard in the unlikely location of the Nursery. Stanpit, meanwhile, held a relatively good number of Ringed Plover 37 as well as around 100 Dunlin, 5 Pintail, 10 Brent Goose, 24 Shelduck and a Common Gull; the latter being somewhat scarce of late.

January 6th

Snipe Sam Whitton

Dunlin Clinton Whale

It was another damp and cold day with a light but particularly chilling breeze. Off Mudeford Quay, there was a settled Great Northern Diver, as well as the regular Eider. From Stanpit, there is a good total of Grey Plover over 15 birds plus 4 Black-tailed Godwit, 26+ Ringed Plover, a couple of Pintail, 21 Brent Goose and 15 Shelduck. Rounding up, at least one Marsh Harrier was about the area and around 100 Dunlin were using Holloways Dock.

January 5th

This Ringed Plover was on Stanpit on 24th December. It is believed to have been ringed in Norway and we await further details Scott Usher

It was a grey, damp and cold day throughout. Goosander were once a much-sought-after species for the area, but nowadays are more expected a flock of two adult pairs flew south along the river this morning, when the adult male Marsh Harrier spent some time around the area. Meanwhile, the Eider remains settled on the waters off Clarendons Rocks. Over on Wick, a Mistle Thrush and 4 Bullfinch were present; the Shelduck at Stanpit numbered 15, along with 4 Brent Goose and 20 Black-tailed Godwit; and a Kingfisher gave prolonged views in Mother Sillers Channel. 

January 4th

Purple Sandpiper Clinton Whale

Purple Sandpiper have been thin on the ground so far this winter, so one on the sandspit today was a nice surprise. The only other news from a gloriously crisp day is from Wick, where: a male Merlin hunted over Wick Hams, the Marsh Harrier could be seen over Stanpit, a Peregrine was over the fields and one Bullfinch was settled.  

January 3rd

Oystercatcher Roger Tidball

On a cold day, a 90-minute seawatch from the Beach Huts yielded a Great Northern Diver and 7 Red-throated Diver moving towards the Solent, plus an Eider settled on the sea. 

January 2nd

Bullfinch Jackie Smith

The days news comes from Hengistbury and Wick; where a Firecrest was in the Wood, at least one Bullfinch was on the fields and a pair of Red-breasted Merganser passed east off the head. 

January 1st

Given the date, news is extremely light. An Avocet and a Spotted Redshank were at Stanpit, as were 5 Grey Plover, while a couple of Kingfisher were about the area. Geese were noticeable by their apparent absence.