RSPB Arne, Dorset

I arrived at RSPB Arne about 10am in the morning, having driven from Corfe Castle where I was staying for a few days. Because of the awful weather I did feel like a U-Boat Captain at times during the journey as there was an awful lot of water and huge puddles in the middle of the road.

Having parked my car at the reserve I then walked up to the Cafe/Shop and was met with a welcoming smile and told about the reserve by a couple of the RSPB staff members.

After finding out the best route to see the birds I then left, walked out of the Shop and spotted my first bird of the day, a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in the tree in front of me. It was a juvenile and very cute aswell. 

I then walked along the road to the left of the Cafe/Shop, past and church and found myself in open countryside, I walked over a hill and then into a woods where I spotted my first deer of the day. 

I went down a path to the left and walked along with the deer by my side for most of the journey to the hide. It had a fantastic view of the estuary and Poole Harbour. Unfortunately the Spoonbills were quite a way off, but I did manage to get a few pictures (see below). There were also a pair of Shoveller Ducks doing a mating dance which was highly entertaining.

It was quite a choppy sea so most of the Spoonbills had their beaks hidden to shield the cold wind but I did manage to see a large flock of Shielduck off to the left which were quite impressive.

After sitting for an hour I then decided to walk round the rest of the reserve. I walked over a hill and through a bit of woodland and was confronted by 6 Deer staring at me. They were quite impressive and I did manage to get quite close to them. (See pictures below). 

When I finally got back to the Cafe/Shop I showed the Staff my pictures and they were impressed.

I then walked over to the Discovery Centre and was amazed at the amount of birds around the feeders, there were Siskin, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Blue Tits, Blackbirds and Robins.

I recommend a day out to RSPB Arne but I think it would be a lot nicer in the Spring/Summer.











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