Dorset Birds: Thursday 23rd January 2025

Velvet Scoter - 2 from Hengistbury

Gosander - 11 Siverlake

Red-throated Diver - 12 from Hengistbury

Black-throated Diver - 1 still from Hengistbury Head

Great Northern Diver - 1 from Hengistbury

Jack Snipe - 1 Bardolf Farm

Glossy Ibis - 1 still West Scrape Lodmoor

Hen Harrier - 1 male Middlebere

Merlin - 1 Bardolf Farm Puddletown

Snow Bunting - 1 still present at Hamworthy

Rock Pipit, Mudeford Quay © Clinton Whale

Bullfinch; 1 of up to 7 visiting cherry trees in a Wimborne garden
© Peter and Angela Corbet

RARE BREEDING BIRDS

Dorset Bird Club and the Rare Breeding Birds Panel advocate special caution when reporting rare breeding birds as they are vulnerable to persecution and disturbance.

Please consider the birds welfare and do not share details of any rare breeding species on X/Twitter, Facebook and WhatsApp groups, personal websites, blogs, or local birdwatching message boards.

We urge all finders of rare birds to consider whether they may be breeding before sharing the news.

Sightings should always be submitted, in confidence, to the county recorder to contribute to long-term national monitoring.

DORSET BIRD REPORT 2023

The Dorset Bird Report 2023, produced by Dorset Bird Club, is now available for purchase by non-members via the DBC website (click on the report cover image below). Featuring a review of the year, a comprehensive systematic list of all species recorded in 2023, rarity finder accounts including the first Moltoni's Warbler and Isabelline Wheatear for Dorset, articles on Baltic Gull, the Alpine Swift influx, Cory's and Great Shearwaters, and the return of the Cirl Bunting. Illustrated throughout with images taken by Dorset's leading photographers. £16 (+ £3 shipping).