RSPB Arne, Dorset

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Thursday 22 May

Wanting to attend this coming Saturday's HOS (Hampshire Ornithological Society) field meeting at Durlston National Park on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset it seemed a god idea to make a week-end of the date and spend a couple of nights in Poole so avoiding the long journey on the day itself.  As a result, it meant that we could visit, with a short detour, the RSPB reserve at Arne on the way and then, the following day, take a ferry trip over to Brownsea Island.  Given three different sites, better, therefore to report as separate visits than lump all together in one long missive.

RSPB Arne.  The weather is forecaster is for a change from the long spell of warm, sunny weather with rain and/or showers expected this week-end.  Dry and sunny for the outward drive and remained so for the afternoon.  Arriving just after 11am we were greeted with  trio of Jackdaws on the car park and soon after a number of Blackbirds and Robins along with Woodpigeons as I made my way into the reserve via the trees and, for the first time, took the southerly track to make a circuit  of Coombe Heath. Los of Chiffchaffs and Chaffinches as I made my way to the first view point with a Carrion Crow overhead.  In the far distance I could make out a couple of Canada Geese and a handful of Shelduck on the muddy banks of the Middlebere Channel leading into Poole Harbour at low tide. Off to the west above the trees a Buzzard and the first Lapwing of the day flew overhead.

Poole Harbour from the Middlebere Hide

Making my way to the second view point both Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gulls noted and then on the next stretch a stop to admire the resting Woodlark seen by the birders ahead.  At this point the near call of a male Cuckoo and then the bird itself flew past us into the trees on the right where it continued to call before flying on, and seen, southwards.  In the meantime, I stopped to ask the quartet of birders heading towards me what they had been studying at the top of the small rise in front.  Dartford Warbler, the bird I had especially come to see (with the Woodlark as a terrific bonus). So, naturally I, too, made a stop twenty yards on at the same point to spend time watching for the bird(s) in the small pine trees off to the right.  Yes, eventually the male put in an appearance, some thirty yards away, and I managed o get a very clear view as it foraged on a low branch just above the ground. And as I was about to move on the noise above forced me to look up where I saw a pair of Carrion Crows mobbing the passing Raven.

Woodlark Lullula arborea

A short stop at the Middlebere Lookout hide led to me finding a trio of Redshank, Cormorant and a Little Egret along with a handful of Black-headed Gulls. Two Oystercatchers were on a bank off to my left with  a couple of Shelduck on the water.  On the bank to my left a total of eleven Canada Geese with one feeding next to a Lapwing.

Canada Goose Branta canadensis with Lapwing Vanellus vanellus

Leaving the hide to start on the walk back to the Visitors Centre I stopped with a passing voluntary warden to look at the pair of Barn Swallows which were resting atop a couple fences around two young fir trees.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Nothing new to add before reaching the Visitors centre where I met up with Jenny and had a short refreshment break.  leaving the Centre both House Sparrows and a pair of Siskins on the feeder just off to the right., so ending our visit and time for the drive back to Poole and our overnight stay.

Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica

Birds seen:

Canada Goose, Shelduck, Cormorant, Little Egret, Buzzard, Oystercatcher, Lapwing, Redshank, Black-headed Gull, Herring Gull, Lesser Black-backed Gull, Woodpigeon, Cuckoo, Woodlark, Barn Swallow, Robin, Dartford Warbler, Chiffchaff, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Raven, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Siskin.

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