First Manx Shearwater of year from Bridging Camp, otherwise a single Red-throated Diver and 4 Common Scoter were best I could do in an hour seawatch. Patch year list now 105.

The Fleet, at Chickerell Hive Point. 4 Slavonian Grebes, 2 of which are colouring up. Hopefully, they stay another week and we'll get to see them in their resplendent beauty. Also, singles of Knot, Peregrine and a Harbour Seal. Patch year list now on 104.

Probably only 3 or 4 currently accepted are possibly good. Bit like Canvasback, I reckon probably 2 are perhaps good. Do think BBRC should be more strict.

Just a point of interest. Although Irish Coal Tit has been claimed in Britain, e.g, on Isles of Scilly, it's not officially on the British List. Just something to consider, when you get another one, in order to get as much detail on plumage as possible, for possible submission.

YEAH!!! That'll fucking learn 'em. 😃

Spring still yet to get going on The Fleet, at Littlesea. 7 Slavonian Grebes, 1 starting to colour up, and singles of Great Northern Diver & Whimbrel still.

So, the Irish taxon grades into ours? If so, doesn't that make the Irish taxon invalid?

Is that a yellowish wash on cheeks? Irish?

Patch year list also moved to 103.

Today, Camp Road to Littlesea, The Fleet, produced my first unequivocal summer migrant on patch today, with a pollen encrusted Chiffchaff. Otherwise, the cross dressing Long-tailed Duck still, back to being a female, 4 Slavonian Grebes & a Great Northern Diver, plus a Red-throated Diver off Chesil.

Think most Buffleheads are good, in line with Ring-necked Ducks & Lesser Scaups, though there are gonna be the odd duff ones. Not saying all Hooded Mergs are crap, maybe about 4 I'd accept. I just think we should be more strict. I also think they went over the top with Ross's Goose.

Although I saw the Welney Canvasback, way back in 1998, I believe only 2 records in Britain are perhaps any good. The rest are trash. Like most of the Hooded Mergansers, to be fair. Think BBRC and BOURC should have another good look at these 2 species. For me, I've struck Canvasback off my list.

Stunning, just stunning pic of one of the worlds most beautiful ducks. Love it. 😍

Used to be counts of up to 30 in Portland Harbour in the old days, with best counts being 60 in Feb. 1974 & Dec. 1981. Scottish & Icelandic populations have both declined & maybe birds wintering further North in UK too? Or if coming from East, maybe short stopping?

Dunno. 8 is my best count for here. Really odd, as when I first started watching the patch from 1987, Slav was the rarest of the grebes. Maybe with increased disturbance in Portland Harbour in recent years, there local range has shifted. Not sure of South coast numbers at present.

Brief visit to Tidmoor, The Fleet, this afternoon produced 7 Slavonian Grebes, female Long-tailed Duck & Great Northern Diver still present.

Few pics of Poole Park Lake Forster's Tern from this morning.

Forster's Tern at Poole Park Lake. YouTube video by Brett Spencer

Paid homage to the Forster's Tern in Poole Harbour today, where it showed brilliantly at Poole Park Lake.
youtu.be/P_LFUUDwGD8?...

This country is plagued the dog owners, especially irresponsible owners.

Amazing!!! 🤩

Camp Road to Littlesea Holiday Camp, with just winter hangers on of Black Redstart & Great Northern Diver the only things of note. I eventually got the Little Gull on my from the bus list at Dorchester Water Meadows. Result! 😂

So, here's a question, if anyone can answer it. Categorization of Mute Swan on British List is A & C2. Now, I'm wondering when Mute Swan ceased to be A & they're now all plastic. How do they know what's real and what isn't? I wonder if it's category A should be replaced with B. What do you reckon?

Cuttcleaves-Butterstreet Cove, The Fleet. Best I could do was a male Marsh Harrier over Fleet Lane. Still, brought the patch year list to 102. Otherwise, enjoyed the Little Gull at Dorchester Water Meadows again.

Digibinned shots of the Red-rumped Swallow this evening.

Better views of the Red-rumped Swallow at Radipole this morning. Excuse naff pics taken with phone.

On The Fleet at Littlesea, 6 Slavonian Grebes & singles of Long-tailed Duck, Great Northern Diver & Common Scoter still present. Then a late afternoon dash to see a Red-rumped Swallow at Radipole. My first summer migrant of year. Views were silhouetted, before it headed off to roost.

Cracking day on patch at Littlesea, The Fleet. Highlight was finding a ♀️ Desert Wheatear in Bridging Camp. ♀️ Long-tailed Duck, 2 Slavonian Grebes & singles of Atlantic Brent Goose, Whimbrel & Water Rail, plus a Harbour Seal made up the rest of the highlights.

Maybe, if I'd been vaccinated, I would have heard about it sooner, so could have tried my chances of trying to find it in the field. Ah well.