Got the message that a Surf Scoter had been found by Paul Morton in Brands Bay, Studland, threw birding gear into the car and set off as quickly as speed limits and traffic allowed. Zoomed past the viewpoint on the Studland road and saw Paul getting out his car, quick turnaround to have a word to make sure we were going to right spot.
We arrived at 11.30, perfect as we had a lunch date in Poole at 12.30, then just a walk down to meet Steve Smith and Graham Armstrong who were already watching the bird. And what a bird, a great Poole Harbour tick for us, and though fairly distant in the scope on 60x we had very good views. A Black-necked Grebe appeared just in front of it, then a Great Northern Diver not far behind it. Soon after Nick picked up a Red-throated Diver flying towards the harbour entrance but it flew round and landed in Bramble Bush Bay. Also a few Red-breasted Mergansers and Goldeneye, and bizarrely a pair of Great Crested Grebe displaying!
On the heath while walking to and from the viewpoint we had Dartford Warbler, Stonechats and Meadow Pipits but we had no time to stop and stare, we had to get that 12.10 ferry.
To a few photographs of this bird go to Steve Smiths blog:-
http://birdingpooleharbourandbeyond.blogspot.co.uk
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