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We have actually had a few really warm days and it almost felt like summer was here. This time of year is often a quiet time for birds on the reserve as the breeding season is coming to an end and lots of birds start moving around. The same is true for garden birds and a lot of visitors have been telling...

We have been delayed a little bit by the weather but we have just reopened the Birds, Bees and Butterflies trail at Arne. This trail that starts close to the farm was a big hit last year and it leads through our specially planted flower meadows. We only opened it at the weekend and it was alive...

It has been pretty soggy on the reserve over the last three days but it dried up just when we needed it. It was the second week in a row that it was looking a bit iffy for the Nightjar walk but I didn't have to worry as the rain stopped and the sun put in a welcome appearance in the evening! It was...

There are lots of great things happening at Arne at the moment and this is one of my favourite times of the year! Because of the wet weather dragonflies seemed to take a while to get going but now they are starting to reach a bit of peak with lots of different species flitting about. I am not an expert...

Arne is completely buzzing at the moment! With the welcomed change in weather over the weekend (such that it actually felt like June!) there were a few new sightings of unusual bugs and butterflies! On Sunday we had the first reporting of the Silver Studded Blue Butterfly, which is found specifically...

Never ones to be camera shy at Arne we have had our fair share of TV appearances over the years and it is always a great way of high lighting some of the amazing willdlife we have on the reserve! So we were excited a couple of weeks ago when a film crew from BBC's Countryfile came along to the reserve...

This time last week I was getting really excited about all of our nest cameras as everything was happening all at once! I can now announce that all four kestrel chicks have fledged and are now all learning to fly around the fields near the farm! The smallest of the chicks hung around the box for a couple...

Well it's that time of year again and Spring Watch is back on the tele and it is a great chance to find out about the nature on your doorstep. But who needs Spring Watch when you can come along to Arne and see it all for real!? At the visitor centre we have our own selection of live nest cams...

Well we certainly have had a big turn around in the weather over the last couple of days and I am back in my shorts! All of a sudden dragonfly and damselfly larvae are leaving the ponds around the reserve and taking to the wing as newly emerged adults! one of the most common species about at the moment...

Things have been hotting up on our live kestrel cam whch is making exciting viewing. We have still got four very hungry chicks which seem to be growing before our very eyes! Both parents are out hunting for food a lot now and are bringing in all sorts of the reserves wildlife. On the warmer days lizards...

Just a quick notice to tell visitors that a small section of path in the Shipstal area will be closed for at least the next couple of weeks from Tuesday May 15 to improve access on the reserve. The section of board walk between the dragonfly ponds and the double decker hide will be removed and new...

The day started with an early morning at Arne when we broadcasted the reserves dawn chorus live on the internet. We picked up chiffchaffs, willow warblers, black caps, chaffinches, and greenfinches amongst others. It was great to wake up to and thanks to Paul for coming along to provide commentary. ...

It has been a pretty interesting couple of days at Arne, not only have we got new kestrel chicks which are doing well at the moment we have also got a live blue tit cam with at least 5 eggs in the nest and you can see this on the large screen in the centre! Out on the reserve there seems to be a lot...

Although the weather conspired against us on Sunday morning and we were forced to cancel our 'Dawn Chorus' Walk, don't panic because there is another opportunity to listen to the fantastic morning bird song at Arne and this time you can do it from the comfort of your own living room! For...

Blimey! Three blog posts in one day but it has been an exciting day at Arne! Not only did I announce the winners of the 'Picture Arne' competition but it has been a good day for wildlife as well! Despite a bit of a ropey start the weather did improve a bit and there were some decent sightings...

Well - here we are again! After six months of stiff competition and over 300 entries again Chris Packham has kindly taken time out of his busy shedule for the 2nd year in a row to judge all of your great pictures. Again the standards were really high and there were some cracking shots. We had lots of...

For those of you who don't know, the Dorset RSPB team manages a fantastic piece of ancient woodland called Garston Wood in the north of the county near the village of Sixpenny Handley. This time of year it is an absolute picture as the woodland floor is carpeted with bluebells, wild garlic and wood...

I have been promising Ospreys at Arne for the last couple of weeks and today one turned up at last! It spent most of the afternoon sitting on the perch that can be seen from the top of Coombe heath with a fish. It was first reported about 3pm and I managed to nip off for a few minutes to have a look...

We seem to have been waiting for ages but this week we have had the first swallows of the year on the reserve. You know that spring is definitely here when these long distance migrants turn up after their epic journey from southern Africa! I have seen at least one most days this week and I saw a few...

As everyone who comes to Arne knows there is such a wealth of wildlife that is literally in your face but there are a lot of other creatures that are a bit more difficult to see. Arne is host to several species of bats that you are only likely to see if you happen to be on the reserve around dusk. Now...

There have been quite a few sightings of red kites in the area over the last couple of weeks and there was one flying over the heath at Arne. Although a common sight now in parts of the country red kites are still relatively uncommon in Dorset especially in the southern part. It was great to see the...

Last year we launched an event called 'The Big Wild Stocktake' at Arne and we are doing it all again this year. The idea is to come along and help us find out what wildlife we have on the reserve. Pick up one of our special spotters books and see how much you can find. We have got lots of different...

Just a quick blog to let everyone know that the 'Picture Arne' photographic competition has officially closed as of 31st March 2012. Any pictures posted from now on will not be entered. There has been an avavalanche of enteries during the last couple of weeks with everyone trying to make the...

As visitors to Arne will know, we have several cameras set up around the reserve looking at lots of different nests. Last year we had the excitement and drama of the barn owl and kestrel boxes and we are hoping for more of the same this year but we have an exciting new addition! This year we have a camera...

Arne is always spoilt for birds in the winter and this year was no exception with thousands of waders, geese and ducks descending on the saltmarsh. It was amazing to have spoonbills, hen harriers, marsh harriers, peregrines and a short eared owl as regular visitors but one species that caused a bit of...