Sightings - Sunday 30th December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1 juvenile Swineham
Black Brant - 2 East Fleet
Brent Goose - 4 pale-bellied East Fleet
Ring-necked Duck - 1 1st winter Radipole Lake RSPB
Long-tailed Duck - 1 East Fleet
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 3 Arne, 2 Poole Harbour
Slavonian Grebe - 4 East Fleet, 1 Arne
Black-necked Grebe - 21 Portland Harbour, 21 Studland Bay, 6 Arne, 3 Poole Harbour
Cattle Egret - 32 Portesham, 10 Waddock Cross, 7 Holmbridge off Bog Lane
Purple Sandpiper - 10 Lyme Regis
Spoonbill - 21 Shipstall Point, Arne
Dipper - 2 Lyme Regis
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Lodmoor at north end of Beachdown Way
Dusky Warbler - 1East Fleet Campsite
Black Redstart - 1 Church Opie Cove, Portland
Short-eared Owl 27.12.18 Abbotsbury copyright Sue Wingett
Ring-necked Duck, Radipole Lake RSPB Mike & Sharon Eden

Purple Sandpiper, Lyme Regis copyright Sarah Burman







Sightings - Saturday 29th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 2 Abbotsbury Swannery yesterday
Black Brant - 1 Wyke Regis at Littlesea
Ring-necked Duck - 1 1st winter drake Radipole Lake RSPB
Common Scoter - 6 off Mudeford Quay
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Wyke Regis at Littlesea
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 1 Portland Harbour, 1 Ferrybridge
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Wyke Regis at Littlesea
Black-necked - 17 Portland Harbour, 15 Studland Bay
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes
Cattle Egret - 44 Abbotsbury
Goshawk - Manswood
Marsh Harrier - 1 Stanpit
Purple Sandpiper - 7 Lyme Regis
Spotted Redshank - 1 Stanpit
Great Skua - 1 off Mudeford Quay
Barn Owl - 1 Cashmoor
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet Farm Campsite
Black Redstart - 1 Osprey Quay, Portland

Meadow Pipit at Holes Bay copyright David Wareham



Sightings - Friday 28th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 juvenile Hampreston Fields
White-fronted Goose - 1 juvenile Bestwall RSPB
Ring-necked Duck - 1 1st winter drake Radipole Lake RSPB
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Northern Diver - 5 from Jerry's Point, Brownsea Island NT
Black-necked Grebe - 21 off Sandsfoot Castle, 10 Arne off Shipstall Point
Cattle Egret - 41 left Abbotsbury Swannery roost this morning, 5 East Holme on Holme Lane, 3 Stoborough, Nutcrack Lane
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes
Marsh Harrier - 1 Wick Hams, Christchurch Harbour
Short-eared Owl - 3 Portland, 1 Arne
Spoonbill - 25+ Arne from Shipstall Point
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet Farm Campsite
Black Redstart - 1 Blacknor, Portland


Sightings - Thursday 27th December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1 juvenile Swineham
Black Brant - 1Wyke Regis on the Fleet at Littlesea
Brent Goose - 2 pale-bellied on the Fleet
Ring-necked Duck - 1 1st winter drake Radipole Lake RSPB
Scaup - 1 Abbotsbury
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury
Great Northern Diver - 1 Poole Harbour, 1 Portland Harbour, 2 Weymouth Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Portland Harbour, 3 on the Fleet
Black-necked Grebe - 18 Studland Bay, 7 Portland Harbour, 5 Shipstall Point, Arne, 2 Poole Harbour
Great White Egret - 4 Longham Lakes
Cattle Egret - 14 Holmbridge at Bog Lane, 10 East Holme, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Spoonbill - 10 Shipstall Point, Arne
Great Grey Shrike - 1 Wareham Forest off Sugar Hill Road yesterday
Water Pipit - 1 Stanpit Marsh
Penduline Tit - 1 Radipole Lake RSPB
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet Farm Campsite
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Radipole Lake RSPB
Black Redstart - 1 Church Opie Cove, Portland

Red-breasted Merganser Poole Park copyright David Wareham


Sightings - Wednesday 26th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 Longham Lakes
White-fronted Goose - 1  Bestwell RSPB
Eider - 1 The Fleet off Chickerell Hive Point, 1 Mudeford Quay
Black-throated Diver - 1 Mudeford
Red-throated Diver - 2 past Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 1 Bramble Bush Bay
Cattle Egret - 11 East Holme,  2 Bockhampton, 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Marnhull
Great White Egret - 4 Longham Lakes, 1 East Holme
Spoonbill - 23 Shipstal Point, Arne RSPB
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Bramble Bush Bay
Merlin - 1 Hartland Moor
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 reported again at Lodmoor RSPB
Mediterranean Gull - 600+ Ferrybridge
Firecrest - 1 Pennsylvania Castle (Portland)
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 Sherborne STW
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet Farm (please keep to public rights of way)
Black Redstart - 1 The Nothe (Weymouth), 1 or 2 at West Bay, 1 Church Ope Cove (Portland)
Water Pipit - 1 Longham Lakes, 1 Burton Meadows
Snow Bunting - 1 over Durlston CP

Some sightings from yesterday:
Goosander - 4 Ferrybridge
Velvet Scoter - 2 past Portland Bill
Ring-necked Duck - 1 Radipole RSPB
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 Radipole RSPB

Bar-headed Goose at Hampreston Meadows © David Foster

















Sightings - Monday 24th December 2018

The Dorset Bird Club would like to wish all members and visitors to our blog and website a very Happy Christmas.

Ring-necked Duck - 1 Radipole RSPB
Great Northern Diver - 3 Brand's Bay
Great White Egret - 4 Longham Lakes, 1 East Holme, 1 Little Sae (Studland)
Cattle Egret - 10 East Holme
Black-necked Grebe - 4 Brand's Bay,  3 Shell Bay
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Brand's Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Shell Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 past St. Aldheim's Head
Jack Snipe - 1 Longham Lakes
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 on Buddleia Loop,  Radipole RSPB
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove (Portland)

Great Spotted Woodpecker at Holton Lee © Brian Smith

Sightings - Sunday 23rd December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1  Bestwell
Ring-necked Duck - 1 Radipole RSPB
Eider - 1 Portland Harbour, 1 Weymouth Bay
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Black-throated Diver - 1 Portland Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 5 Portland Harbour, 2 Poole Harbour (incl 1 in Parkstone Bay)
Bittern - 1 Radipole RSPB
Cattle Egret - 24 near Portesham, 10 East Holme
Spoonbill - 15 across Arne Bay
Black-necked Grebe - 8 Poole Harbour, 4 Portland Harbour
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Bramble Bush Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 2 Portland Harbour
Greenshank - 3 Brownsea Island lagoon
Firecrest - 1 Bincleaves (Weymouth)
PENDULINE TIT - 1 from Buddleia Loop,  Radipole RSPB
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1 on Buddleia Loop,  Radipole RSPB
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove (Portland), 1 Durlston CP

Brambling at Irwerne Minster © Stuart Jones

Sightings - Saturday 22nd December 2018

Great Northern Diver - 1 Parkstone Bay
Ring-necked Duck - 1 Radipole RSPB
Great White Egret - 4 Longham Lakes
Slavonian Grebe - 1 The Fleet (from Tidmoor range)
Short-eared Owl - 1 Maiden Castle
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet Farm (please keep to public rights of way)
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove (Portland)

Nuthatch at Colehill © Brian Smith

Sightings - Friday 21st December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1 Stoborough causeway
Eider - 1 Lyme Regis
Red-necked Grebe - 1 Parkstone Bay Poole Harbour
Cattle Egret - 4 Holme Lane, 6 Hurst Bridge Moreton, 2 Fiddleford Mill
Great Egret - 4 Longham Lakes
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove

Sightings - Thursday 20th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 Hampreston
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 3 Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-necked Grebe - 1 off Baiter Park Poole Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 1 off Baiter Park Poole Harbour
Cattle Egret - 8 East Holme
Great Egret - 3 probably 4 Longham Lakes, 1 Sturminster Marshall GP
Penduline Tit - 1 Radipole Lake
Black Redstart - singles Reap Lane and Blacknor, 1 West Bay, 2 Church Ope Cove

Sightings - Wednesday 19th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 Hampreston Measows
Pale-bellied Brent Goose - 2 Ferrybridge
Barnacle Goose - 26 Rodden Hive
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Eider - 1 Poole Harbour
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Parkstone Bay Poole Harbour
Red-necked Grebe - 1 off Baiter Park Poole Harbour
Great Northern Diver - 7 Poole Harbour
Cattle Egret - 40 Abbotsbury Swannery roost, 5 Fiddleford Mill
Great Egret - 5 Longham Lakes
Purple Sandpiper- 12 Lyme Regis Cobb
Black Redstart - 2 Sherborne

Sightings - Tuesday 18th December 2018

Great Egret - 4 Longham Lakes
Cattle Egret - 6 Hurst Bridge, Moreton, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Parkstone Bay, Poole Harbour
Woodcock - 7 Garston Wood

Reports of interest, Monday 17th December 2018.

Goosander - 1 in Christchurch Harbour is unusual in the harbour.
QUAIL - 1 again Milborne St Andrew.
Great Northern Diver - 2 Baiter, 2 Poole Bay, 1 Portland Harbour.
Black-Throated Diver - 1 Poole Bay.
Black-Necked Grebe - 1 in Christchurch Harbour (very rare inside the harbour); 3 Portland Harbour.
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Parkstone Lake.
Red-Necked Grebe - 1 Baiter.
Red Kite - 1 Minterne.
Hen Harrier - 1 Milborne St Andrew.
Grey Plover - 6 Stanpit.
Jack Snipe - 1 Stanpit.
Water Pipit - 1 Stanpit.
Black Redstart - 1 Parkstone Lake.

PENDULINE TIT - 1 Radipole Lake.

Brent Geese on Lytchett Bay © Trevor Wilkinson

Reports of interest, Sunday 16th December 2018.

Whooper Swan - 1 Hampreston.
(Bar-Headed Goose) - 1 Hampreston.
Brent Goose - 88 Lytchett Bay RSPB equals the best count there.
Great Northern Diver - 2 Poole Harbour mouth.
Red-throated Diver - 2+ Hengistbury Head.
Black-throated Diver - 1 Hengistbury Head.
Black-necked Grebe - 1 Poole Harbour mouth.

Red-necked Grebe - 1 Poole Harbour mouth.
Great White Egret - 1 Lodmoor, 4 Longham Lakes.
Spoonbill - 6 Lytchett Bay RSPB including two ringed birds.
Avocet - 1 bird of 235 in Lytchett Bay RSPB had been ringed in Yorkshire.

Grey Plover - 14 Christchurch Harbour, 35 Poole Harbour mouth.
Bar-Tailed Godwit - 1 Lytchett Bay RSPB is unusual in the winter.
Ruff - 1 Lodmoor.
Jack Snipe - 2 Christchurch Hbr Salt Hurns.

Greenshank - 2 (1 ringed) Lytchett Bay RSPB. 
Knot - 2 Holes Bay.
Firecrest - 2 Hengistbury Head.

Reports of interest, Saturday 15th December 2018.

Red-Throated Diver - 1 Mudeford Quay.

Reports of interest, Friday 14th December 2018.

Egyptian Goose - 2 Longham Lakes.
Red-Throated Diver - 19 past Mudeford Quay in an hour.
Great Northern Diver - 3 Brands Bay.
Black-Necked Grebe - 3 Brands Bay, 18+ Studland Bay.
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes.
Cattle Egret - 18 Holme Lane (Frome Valley), 3 Longham Lakes.

Marsh Harrier - 1-2 Stanpit.
Merlin - 1 Upton Heath.

Grey Plover -  31 Brands Bay, 2 Stanpit.
Greenshank -  1 Brands Bay.
Knot -  3 Brands Bay.
Arctic Skua - 1 settled off Mudeford Quay.
Short-Eared Owl - 1+ Bowleaze Cove.
Firecrest - 1 Durlston NR.

PENDULINE TIT - 1 reported Radipole Lake.





Sightings - Thursday 13th December 2018

Black Brant - 1 The Fleet (from Moonfleet)
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 3 Abbotsbury Swannery
Cattle Egret - 5+ Abbotsbury Swannery
Spoonbill - 30+ Arne RSPB, 8 Lytchett Bay
Greenshank - 2 Lytchett Bay
Little Gull - 1 Sturminster Marshall GPs
Short-eared Owl - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Dusky Warbler - 2 now at East Fleet Farm but elusive (please keep to public rights of way)
Black Redstart - 1 Blacknor (Portland), 1 Blandford Camp
Dipper - 1 Abbotsbury

Reports of interest, Wednesday 12th December 2018.

White-Fronted Goose - 1 Arne Moors.
QUAIL - 1 Milborne St Andrew.
Great Northern Diver - 3 Weymouth Bay.

Cattle Egret - 2 Buckland Ripers, 17 Holme Lane (Frome Valley).
Marsh Harrier - 2 Christchurch Harbour.
Hen Harrier - 1 Swineham.
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove (Portland).

Sightings - Tuesday 11th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 juv Hampreston Meadows
Black Brant - 1 Lytchett Bay
White-fronted Goose - 1 Swineham GPs
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Scaup - 3 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Northern Diver - 3 Poole Harbour, 2 Brand's Bay
Cattle Egret - 15 East Holme, 3 Longham Lakes, 2 Fiddleford Mill, 2 Radipole RSPB, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes, 1 Studland Heath NNR
Spoonbill - 24 Poole Harbour
Black-necked Grebe - 4 Brand's Bay, 2 Poole Harbour, 1 Studland Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Poole Harbour
Merlin - 1 Ferrybridge
Jack Snipe - 1 Longham Lakes
Golden Plover - c400 West Compton
Green Sandpiper - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Short-eared Owl - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Dusky Warbler - 1 East Fleet
Dipper - 1 Abbotsbury
Water Pipit - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Little Bunting - 1 still at Chiswell, Portland

Black Brant in Lytchett Bay © Shaun Robson






Sightings - Monday 10th December 2018

Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Northern Diver - 1 The Fleet at Wyke Regis
Cattle Egret - 22 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 2 Lodmoor RSPB
Black-necked Grebe - 10 Portland Harbour
Slavonian Grebe - 1 Portland Harbour
Hen Harrier - 1 over West Moors
Short-eared Owl -  2 or 3 near Preston, 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Ring Ouzel - 1 fem with other thrushes at Coombe Valley (nr Preston)
Dipper - 1 Abbotsbury
Black Redstart - 2 Chesil Cove, 2 Blacknor (Portland), 1 Durlston CP
Little Bunting - 1 Chiswell, Portland

Little Bunting at Chiswell, Portland © Mike Gibbons

Black Redstart at Chiswell, Portland © Mike Gibbons

Little Bunting at Chiswell, Portland © Mike Gibbons

Long-tailed Tit at Colehill © Brian Smith

Sightings - Sunday 9th December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1juv. Swineham GP.
Scaup - 6 Abbotsbury Swannery
Ring-necked Duck - 1 1st/W Radipole Lake RSPB
Eider - 6 Poole Hbr
Long-tailed Duck - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-throated Diver - 2 past Durlston CP.
Great Northern Diver - 2 off Bincleaves, 1 off Portland Castle
Cattle Egret - 18+ East Holme, 16 Abbotsbury Swannery, 3+ Waddock Cross, 1 Radipole lake RSPB
Great White Egret - 2 Longham Lakes
Spoonbill - 35 Arne RSPB
Black-necked Grebe - 5 Poole Hbr.
Hen Harrier - 1 ringtail Wyke Down
Little Gull - 1 Winkton
Short-eared Owl - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Merlin - 1 Wyke Down
Firecrest - 2 Durlston CP.
Black Redstart - 1 Church Ope Cove, 1 Chesil Cove, 1 Poole Old Town, 1 Durlston CP.
Brambling - 1 Durlston CP.
Little Bunting - 1 Chiswell Portland





Sightings - Saturday 8th December 2018

White-fronted Goose - 1juv Bestwall/Swineham meadows
Common Scoter - 1 Poole Hbr. off Brownsea Is.
Great Northern Diver - 1 off Arne RSPB, 1 off Brownsea Is.
Cattle Egret - 38 Abbottsbury Swannery,18 East Holme, 6 Fiddleford
Spoonbill - 25 Arne RSPB
Black-necked Grebe - 3 off Arne RSPB, 1 off Brownsea Is.
Hen Harrier - 2 ringtails Milborne St. Andrew
Spotted Redshank - 1 Brownsea Is.
Firecrest - 1 Hengistbbury Hd. 1 Arne RSPB
Black Redstart - 1 Chiswell Portland
LITTLE BUNTING - 1 Chiswell Portland

Little Bunting - Chiswell Portland © Phyl England


















Ringtail Hen Harrier - Milborne St. Andrew © Michael Coleman
















Cattle Egret - East Holme © Clive Hargrave

Sightings - Friday 7th December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 juv. Hampreston Fields
White-fronted Goose - 1 again Stanpit Marsh with Greylags
Common Scoter - 25 off Hengistbury Hd.
Red-throated Diver - 2 Hengistbury Hd.
Great Northern Diver - 3 Weymouth Hbr entrance, 1 off Shipstal Arne RSPB,
Cattle Egret - 8 East Holme, 2 between Nottington & Buckland Ripers
Great White Egret - 2 Longham Lakes
Spoonbill - 25 Arne RSPB, 11 Lytchett Bay
Slavonian Grebe - 1 off Shipstal Arne RSPB
Hen Harrier - 1juv Milborne St. Andrew
Spotted Redshank - 1 Brownsea Is.
Merlin - 1 Milborne St. Andrew
Siberian Chiffchaff - 1 pos Trent sewage works
Black Redstart 1 Durlston CP by Tilly Whim.


Sightings - Thursday 6th December 2018

Egyptian Goose - 2 Longham Lakes
Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury Swannery
Eider - 6 Poole Hbr.
Long-tailed Duck - 1 juv Abbotsbury Swannery
Red-throated Diver - 4 Mudeford Quay
Great Northern Diver - 2 Arne RSPB
Cattle Egret - 37 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes, 1 Sturminster Marshall GP.
Spoonbill - 27 Arne RSPB
Black-necked Grebe - 7 Brand's Bay
Hen Harrier - 1 ad/fem Lytchett Bay
Green Sandpiper - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB
Water Pipit - 1 Lytchett Fields RSPB

Goldeneye - Poole Park © David Wareham

Red-breasted Merganser - Poole Park © David Wareham

Sightings - Wednesday 5th December 2018

Black Brant - 1 Ferrybridge
Brent Goose - 7 pale-bellied Ferrybridge, 1 pale-bellied Stanpit
Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury
Long-tailed Duck - 1 juv Abbotsbury
Goosander - 1 Portland Harbour yesterday
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes (on south lake)
Cattle Egret - 37+ Abbotsbury
Marsh Harrier - 1 Stanpit
Black Redstart - 1 Old Harry
Firecrest - 1 Penns Wood

Sightings - Tuesday 4th December 2018

Black Brant - 1 Ferrybridge
Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury Swannery
Great Northern Diver - 2 from Bird Boat
Slavonian Grebe - 1 from Bird Boat
Black-necked Grebe - 23 Studland Bay, 6 Brands Bay, 6 from Bird Boat, 5 Portland Harbour
Red-necked Grebe - 1 seen from Sandbanks entering Poole Harbour
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes (on South Lake), 1 Sturminster Marshall Gravel Pits
Cattle Egret - 30+ Abbotsbury, 6 Fiddleford Mill
Spoonbill - 32 from Bird Boat
Marsh Harrier - 1 male Wick
Short-eared Owl - 3 Abbotsbury, 2 Bowleaze Cove
Dipper - 1 Rampisham in nearby stream
Black Redstart - 1 Bridport in private garden, 1 Old Harry
Reed Warbler - 1 Lytchett Bay



Sightings - Monday 3rd December 2018

Whooper Swan - 1 juvenile Hampreston Fields
Brent Goose - 5 pale-bellied on the Fleet
Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury Swannery
Egyptian Goose - 120 Avon Valley area
Black-necked Grebe - 6 off of Billy Winters, Weymouth
Great White Egret - 3 Longham Lakes, 1 Poole Park, then flew towards Holes Bay
Cattle Egret - 32+ Abbotsbury around Clayhanger Farm
Marsh Harrier - 1 Holton Lee
Short-eared Owl - 2 Bowleaze Cove, Weymouth

Sightings - Sunday 2nd December 2018

Scaup - 7 Abbotsbury Swannery
Eider - 5 from houseboats Studland
Goosander - 2 West Bexington
Red-throated Diver - 1 Mudeford Quay
Cattle Egret - c20 Abbotsbury Swannery, 6 Fiddleford Mill
Great White Egret - 2 Longham Lakes, 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Black-necked Grebe - 11+ Studland Bay, 2 Portland Harbour, 1 Poole Harbour entrance
Ruff - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Lesser Yellowlegs - 1 Lodmoor RSPB
Arctic Skua - 1 Mudeford Quay
Little Gull - 2 West Bexington
Firecrest - 3 West Bexington
Yellow-browed Warbler - 1  Hillbourne Copse (Broadstone)
Dipper - 1 Abbotsbury Swannery
Black Redstart - 1 Chesil Cove

Ruff at Lodmoor RSPB © David Wareham

Sightings - Saturday 1st December 2018.

Brent Goose - 2 pale-bellied Ferrybridge.
Scaup - 6 Abbotsbury Swannery.
Long-tailed Duck - 1 juvenile off Shipmoor Point.
Black-necked Grebe - 2 Portland Harbour.
Cattle Egret - 30+ Clayhanger Farm area, 6 in meadows N of Fiddleford Mill.
Red Kite - 1 over Cerne Abbas.
Merlin - 1 m Hartland Moor.
Black Redstart 1 Chesil Cove.