Visit to RSPB Arne 24th April 2013
Visit to RSPB Arne 24th April 2013
One of our key aims in visiting the Dorset coast was to drop in at RSPB Arne We were particularly interested in the lowland heath environment and were hoping to get a view of a Dartford Warbler. Well, we did not get a view of a Dartford Warbler but we did have a great walk and saw some unusual birds.
I had read about a guided walk at Arne so we turned up at 10 am to join in. To say that it was oversubscribed would be to understate things. There were around twenty people waiting to go on the walk so it was divided into two groups. A large number of people obviously went on these walks regularly so they were given one guide whilst we got another. Unfortunately he was more familiar with the land management and insect life than he was with birds which seems strange. Anyway it was interesting to get some information of the site. We started off on a walk across Coombe Heath where the Dartford Warblers were notable by their absence. There were Chaffinches and we did see a Wheatear and either a Linnet or a Meadow Pipit. – I opted for the former, though some thought the latter.
As we reached the top of the heath we could look down to our left where we could see a large body of water – Middlebere Lake, a tidal inlet off Poole Harbour which has the strange property of having a double tide. Just in front of it there was a very tall pole that the RSPB had installed int he hope that Ospreys would rest there. Apparently this has happened bu for us there was only a Kestrel perched there. As we scanned the Lake we could see a Curlew and some Avocets, Shelduck and Oystercatcher and Cormorant. We walked further along the path all the time looking for Dartford Warblers but in vain. A bit further on we got views of a Whimbrel, some late to depart Dark-bellied Brent Geese and a Little Egret. Over the water there were a few Sandwich Terns apparently from Brownsea Island.
We followed the circular route around back to the visitor centre and then we were taken on to a part of the heath that is normally closed to visitors. As interesting as this was it was a little thin for birds but we did get to see a slow worm.
A particularly useful interactive web site I found was Birds of Pool Harbour
Bird Sightings : RSPB Arne
| Species | Count |
|---|---|
| Brent Goose | 6 |
| Shelduck | 8 |
| Little Egret | 1 |
| Kestrel | 1 |
| Oystercatcher | 1 |
| Avocet | 4 |
| Whimbrel | 1 |
| Curlew | 1 |
| Black-headed Gull | 8 |
| Sandwich Tern | 4 |
| Carrion Crow | 8 |
| Blue Tit | 4 |
| Wheatear | 1 |
| Grey Wagtail | 1 |
| Chaffinch | 8 |
| Linnet | 1 |