Big-chill birdwatching

The big freeze brought some weird and wonderful wildfowl to Brands Bay in Poole Harbour, including a pair of Red-crested Pochard, a lone Barnacle Goose and a female Goosander (pictured). After a couple of hours freezing in a sheltered hide you can only marvel at the resilience of the birds which are preparing to spend another night on the ice as you head for the warmth of home. A pair of peregrines causing mayhem at dusk adds further peril...