Trip reports

POOLE HARBOUR BOAT CRUISE (Saturday 17 January 2009)

Saturday, 17 January 2009

Our bi-annual coach and boat trip took place during a window of bright and breezy weather, and was much enjoyed by all, especially those experiencing birding from a boat for the first time. The tides dictated an initial westerly departure into the Wareham channel, returning around the Arne peninsula, with a short stop by Shipstal Point, before passing abeam Furzey Island, rounding the southern side of Brownsea Island and stopping to overlook the famous Brownsea lagoon.

Of the many highlights, perhaps marsh harrier, hen harrier and merlin were outstanding, along with scaup, avocet and black necked grebes. One member had a brief flight view of bearded tit, and several saw a fast flying long tailed duck for a few seconds. However, all on board had outstanding views of goldeneyes, red breasted mergansers and a kingfisher, the latter on the slipway at Brownsea. The lagoon held a good range of waders and wildfowl, and it was here that a merlin attacked a flock of dunlin, pursuing one individual bird relentlessly. The outcome was still in doubt as the birds disappeared high over Bournemouth!


Other species recorded :- Great Crested Grebe, Little Grebe, Cormorant, Shag, Little Egret, Grey Heron, Spoonbill (3 distant roosting birds), Canada Goose, Greylag Goose, Brent Goose, Shelduck, Wigeon, Mallard, Gadwall, Shoveler, Teal, Tufted Duck, Scaup, Eider, Buzzard, Kestrel, Pheasant, Coot, Moorhen, Oystercatcher, Ringed Plover, Grey Plover, Lapwing, Turnstone, Curlew, Black tailed Godwit, Bar tailed Godwit, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Greenshank, Snipe (only 1), BH Gull, Herring Gull, LBB Gull, GBB GullCommon Gull, Wood pigeon, Stock Dove, Collared Dove, Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Blackbird, Starling, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Magpie, Crow, Raven, Reed Bunting (64 in total)

Reported by Steve Oakes