Clear, crisp N.Haven this morning with @dfozzie.bsky.social and Graham A. 104 Shag, 20 RBM, 3 GND, 1 BTD and 4 GCG were pick. 3 Wigeon were season ticks. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

I finally agreed it was winter this morning and made my first visit of the season to Jerry's Point. The imm Velvet Scoter was still in residence (surprisingly my 1st in the harbour), as well as 5 apiece of BN Grebe & GN Diver @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven this morning with @dfozzie.bsky.social and Graham A, 95 Shag, 12 RBM, 1 GND, 1 BTD, 1 GCG. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social

2 Velvet Scoter did a loop of harbour mouth, leaving then returning circa 07.25 @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven this morning highlights pre deluge, 2 Velvet Scoter flew out then back in a couple of minutes later, 5 RBM, 1 GND, 1 GCG and 83 Shag. Rain stopped play as visibility became very poor. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

Winter has landed with a range of new arrivals settling into the harbour. Our Winter Safari on Wed logged 2 Velvet Scoter, 8 BN Grebe, 1 Slav Grebe, 1 GN Diver, 2 WT Eagle, loads of waders & wildfowl, 18 Spoonbill even a Swallow! Book Now: www.birdsofpooleharbourbookings.co.uk 📸 Elin Wylie Davies

2 Velvet Scoter and 1 Slavonian Grebe off Jerry’s Point, Studland this AM @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

South Haven, Studland snippets per Graham Armstrong: GN Diver 3 - 2 in & 1 Shell Bay BT Diver 1 in RT Diver 1 in GC Grebe 3 Shag 99 RB Merg 8 Sanderling 16 Shell Bay Green Sandpiper 1 boardwalk unusual here Firecrest 1 @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

N.Haven this morning 2 RTD, 1 GND and a Diver sp. We're the highlights. 105 Shag, 7 RBM. Small fast low flying duck in early as well, around 07.15 ish, the light was not great, so no ID but worth noting. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

GND in 08.12. First of the season for me. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

2 RTD into harbour and a 3rd followed just behind. Couldn't ID the 3rd one as more distant. Small Diver though not GND. Circa 07.40. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven this morning first Goldeneye of the season in with 9 RBM. 83 Shag and 3 GCG into the harbour, before the weather and visibility turned. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

First Slavonian Grebe and 5 Goldeneye of the winter were out in Brands Bay this afternoon @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

Whilst walking across Godlingstone Heath, Studland we came across these odd egg like organisms. Thanks to @beardybirder.bsky.social for informing us they are Leocarpus slime moulds. Whilst widespread in Britain, I've not seen it before.

The highlight of the visit to Brands Bay, Studland was a Firecrest by the hide A fairly commonly seen species around Studland village, but only my second record for the hide, after 2 by the hide just over three years ago @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

WeBS count & Brands Bay, Studland was busy today: Avocet 5 Oik 17 Lapwing 24 R Plover 2 Grey Plover 10 Curlew 87 Blackwit 349 Redshank 123 Turnstone 2 Knot 1 Dunlin 377 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

WeBS count & Brands Bay, Studland was busy today: GC Grebe 9 BN Grebe 3 M Swan 16 Teal 565 Wigeon 582 Pintail 202 Shov 1 Shelduck 14 RB Merg 5 C Goose 29 Brent G 14 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Black Throated Diver high into harbour 0800. Headed towards Brands Bay direction. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven this morning 104 Shag into the harbour. Site tick of Little Gull one flying out towards Sandbanks, 7 Pintail in was a first of the season, Black Throated Diver in was the best of the rest. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

Very quiet morning at N.Haven with @dfozzie.bsky.social 105 Shag into the harbour and 65 Pied Wag from the roost. Single Turnstone. Not much else. 3rd consecutive count of 3 figures for Shag I think. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

3 Black-necked Grebe and 4 Little Gulls off Jerry’s Point this afternoon per @harbourbirds.bsky.social

Shell bay - PUN1 back on the beach for the tenth year in succession. Otherwise just a handful of Sanderlings and a small flock of Brents. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

A Poole Harbour watch 07:00-08:00 by Graham Armstrong BT Diver 1 RT Diver 1 Shag 127 in Just short of the recent 133 which was prob a 21st century max High numbers swollen by good numbers of juvs Still 1000+ Cormorants around @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

N.Haven harbour mouth this morning with @dfozzie.bsky.social 133 Shag into the harbour !!!, 5 RBM, 1 C.Scoter in, and first Diver of the season BTD in. 69 P. WAG. @dorsetbirds.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

Black Throated Diver into the harbour circa 07.00. First Diver of the season. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

Thanks for your kind words Simon @winspit1881.bsky.social But there were many with detailed objections & it was good to see the strength of feeling over the price increases & proposed road tolls by the Studland ferry co

The conclusions from Secretary of State & Public Enquiry around the Sandbanks Ferry company's plans: The new charges are here with cars increased from £5 to £6.26

The conclusions from Secretary of State & Public Enquiry around the Sandbanks Ferry company's plans: Plans to charge to road access from near Knoll car park to the ferry haven't been approved. But they haven't been 100% ruled out either, so there is still a risk of the ferry company trying again

The conclusions from Secretary of State & Public Enquiry around the Sandbanks Ferry company's plans: It will still be possible to purchase bulk discount tickets which will help regular passengers

The conclusions from Secretary of State & Public Enquiry around the Sandbanks Ferry company's plans in increase charges have been published today As you would expect, it's a lengthy conclusion. But I've attached some bits Cycle & foot passenger charges to rise from £1 to £1.18 (not £1.75)

The Yellow Meadow Ant is known for creating anthills in grassland habitats. They build their distinctive soil domes above their nests and there are some great examples in Clayton Meadow. #ants #meadows #anthills #grasslands #habitat #conservation #nature

I just nominated BIRDS OF POOLE HARBOUR movementforgood.com/index.php?cn... @harbourbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven this morning with Graham A, 92 Shag into the harbour, first single RBM, and 2 GCG of the season also in, 26 Pied Wag out of roost. Also, around 400-500 Woodpigeon West. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

N.Haven harbour mouth this morning season high count of Shag for me with 119 into the harbour, 2 Cmn Scoter and Peregrine the best of the rest. Also, a group of 11 GBBG hanging around the ferry. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

Snow Bunting still 50m north of where main track emerges onto nudist beach on Studland Beach per @jolmitchell.bsky.social

Snow Bunting 200m south of Pilots Point along Studland Beach @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @birdguides.bsky.social

A common lizard out and about in Clayton Meadow, Dorset last week. #reptiles #lizards #meadows #nature #conservation #grasslands

Crossbills today at Greenland’s Farm. Surprise late juvenile Gannet seen twice prospecting around Middle beach. @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

A quick look late PM from Middle Beach, Studland No Grebes, Divers or Seaduck Brent G 1 A Common Seal off the nudist beach. The commonest Seal in Studland waters inside the harbour. Only my second sighting on the seaward side @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

A Black-necked Grebe was off Middle Beach, Studland per James Leaver @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Rain & mist made checking the 50 or so waders at the back of the bay and on the water impossible There again I was one of the luckier Poole Harbour WeBS counters having a hide to count from today

Lovely weather for today's WeBS count in Brands Bay, Studland Highlights Teal 47 Wigeon 87 Pintail 13 Grey Plover 4 Lapwing 2 Curlew 28 Blackwit 204 Redshank 58 Greenshank 1 Dunlin 22 Sandwich T 3 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Yesterday around Studland per @harbourbirds.bsky.social sightings page: At dawn 4 Eider were in Shell Bay but soon moved off east Also off Studland was a Black-throated Diver off South Beach with 2 Common Scoter and a dozen Brent Geese

N.Haven, this morning highlight was 4 Eider that were off Studland Beach at 1st light circa 07.05 and then headed East, also first 4 Brent of the Autumn, 67 Shag both into the harbour, 32 Pied Wag out of hotel roost. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

4 Eider off shell bay first light this morning. 1 white male. Headed East. @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @studlandbirds.bsky.social

A 2 hour Vis Mig watch at South Haven, Studland by Graham Armstrong produced the following moving NE: Song Thrush 63 Blackbird 1 Swallow 206 Hawfinch 1 Crossbill 54 Goldfinch 475 Siskin 327 Redpoll 81 Linnet 77 Chaffinch 18 @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Brands Bay, Studland on this AM's rising tide. Still no Glossy Ibis🥲 GC Grebe 11 Teal 239 Wig 73 Pintail 31 Shov 1 R Plover 9 Lapwing 11 Curlew 71 Blackwit 173 Redshank 128 Greenshank 2 Dunlin 22 Sandwich Tern 3 Common Seal 1 @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social @harbourbirds.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

A 2.5 hour Vis Mig watch at South Haven, Studland this AM by Graham Armstrong produced the following species moving North: Swallow 52 Goldfinch 755 Siskin 235 Redpoll 197 Chaffinch 14 Crossbill 71 Linnet 32 M Pipit 27 Skylark 15 @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social #DorsetBirds

Male common scoter off Jerry’s Point @harbourbirds.bsky.social @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social

11 Eider in Studland Bay off Middle Beach info from James Leaver, plus 1 each of GN Diver and BT Diver out in Poole Bay @dorsetbirdclub.bsky.social