Egrets, we had a few - Two Go Wild in Dorset!

Not Glasgow I know but I sometimes report from our travels further afield and I thought our recent trip to Dorset was worthy of a few lines and photos.

Upton Country Park, Poole

This is an excellent park on the edge of Poole and incorporates Holes Bay, part of Poole Harbour. On our visits we saw 32 species including the usual 'park' birds such as Stock Dove, Jay and Nuthatch. However, it was memorable for the sheer number of Little Egrets, waders and wildfowl in the Bay.

Brownsea Island

A superb nature resource in Poole Harbour, owned by the National Trust and part managed by the Dorset Wildlife Trust. We saw 42 bird species on our visit with incredibly close views of waders and wildfowl from the hides. It was also the only location where we saw Spoonbills and Avocets!

The Lagoon from the Ferry

Approaching the jetty

Shoveler

Teal

Greenshank

Spoonbills

Durlston Country Park, Swanage

The park was a bit disappointing with only 15 species seen. With the right winds it can be a great place to visit but not on this occasion, although the views were good!

Studland

Once again the bird numbers were low but we did manage to see the Dartford Warbler and enjoy the views from the heathland before relaxing in our hotel.

Views across to Brownsea Island

Little Sea, Studland peninsula

Typical heathland path

View from our hotel

Stanpit Marsh, Christchurch

Travelling east we managed 29 species at a very windy Stanpit Marsh, where a 'scope would have been very useful! The main highlight here was the number of Little Egrets that were present.

Stanpit Marsh

Little Egret

RSPB Lodmoor and RSPB Radipole Lake, Weymouth

Finally, we moved to Weymouth where we recorded 51 species and these are just a few of the highlights:

Cattle Egret

Black-tailed Godwit

Mediterranean Gull

Great White Egret

Bearded Tit

In addition to all the bird species we saw Red Squirrels, a  Lizard (probably Common) and lots of dragonflies and butterflies.

I've been visiting Dorset off and on for over 30 years and was surprised to add to my Dorset 'bird list' which now stands at 195, following on from the sightings of Great White Egret (at least 3 at Lodmoor) and Cattle Egret at Radipole Lake. 

All I need to do now is update my talk and wait for the offers to pour in from local wildlife groups 😀