Trip reports
Trip to Arne RSPB Reserve - by Frank Clark
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Ten members of the group meet at the car park and whilst waiting for everyone to prepare themselves, we had excellent views of Marsh, Blue, Great and Coal Tits on the feeders. In addition, an obliging Nuthatch also put in a number of brief appearances at the feeder, grabbing single nuts and flying off to devour them in peace. Just after 09.30, we set off into the reserve, entering by the path that goes through the village and down past Arne farm. As we walked through the village we were on the look out for a Firecrest which had been seen the previous day. Unfortunately we did not find it but we did manage good views of its close cousin, the Goldcrest.
Reaching the farm, we spotted a number of finches moving between the fields at the back of the farm buildings. Looking over the gate, we picked up Greenfinch, Chaffinch and Goldfinch. Unfortunately one of our group - Diane, could not see over the gate. She casually suggested to Mick, that he should lay down on the ground to allow her to stand on his back which would then allow her to see over the gate. Mick, forever the gallant gent that he is, proceeded to get down on his hands and knees in front of Diane's tripod and then lay down flat. At this point, a number of cameras were produced and caught this selfless act of chivalry on film. Unfortunately, it then took Mick several moments to get back to his feet, after Diane gracefully declined his kind offer!!
Our first raptor of the day was spotted shortly after, in the form of a passing Sparrowhawk, whose flap, flap glide flight pattern being the clearest method of identification for this slightly distant bird. Reaching Arne bay, after passing through 'Big Wood', we scanned for ducks and waders. The tide was well in resulting in good numbers of Curlew, Black-Tailed Godwit, a single roosting Avocet and huge numbers of Oystercatchers resting on the grassy edges of the bay. Little Egrets were also present in good numbers (around 30+), feeding in the shallow waters, whilst Wigeon, Brent Geese, Shelduck, Teal and Pintail swam and feed around them. Roosting on the island in front of the hide, 10 Spoonbills stood in a tight group making a fine display.
Everything suddenly erupted, with even the Spoonbills stirring, when a hunting Peregrine passed overhead. This was quickly followed by a hovering Kestrel and then a very fast small raptor shot across the marsh putting all the ducks to flight again. This was a female Merlin. 3 species of raptor inside 10 minutes!! Reaching Shipstal Point another raptor passed by, with the bright morning light behind it, masking all the detail. Now this one was smaller than the Peregrine but larger than the Merlin. It had a direct flight, therefore not a Sparrowhawk and due to the long tapered wings was definitely not a Kestrel. Ruling out the major rarities, this left us with only one possible species, a Hobby. After adding a small group of female Red-Breasted Mergansers to our list, we returned to the picnic area by the car park where we had a leisurely lunch break.
Now the afternoon part of the walk was an area that I had not explored before, Grip Heath. Crossing the overflow car park we entered the heathland following the circular path way. The wind was now picking up and I was a little concerned that our target bird for the afternoon was going to remain hidden from us. Reaching the hide that looked over Middlebere Lake, we still had not seen or heard any sign of a Dartford Warbler. From the hide, we added Stonechat, Kingfisher and our sixth raptor species for the day - 2 Buzzards, whilst watching Avocet, Curlew and Black-Tailed Godwit flying onto the newly exposed mudflats of the lake. Setting off on the return part of the walk another group, which had not yet been into the hide, told us that they had just been watching a Dartford Warbler.
We were able to ascertain the rough area that the bird had last been seen in and we watched with baited breath. Suddenly, a small bird popped up onto a twig and getting on to it with the scope, it was quickly identified as our elusive species, a Dartford warbler. This was quickly joined by a second bird and for about 10 minutes we got reasonable views of them both, as they popped in and out of view amongst the vegetation. As we were about to walk off, a third bird joined the first two and we then spent another 10 minutes watching all 3 birds. Returning to the car park by 15.30, we set off for home with 52 species recorded and a very pleasant visit to this excellent RSPB reserve.
Frank Clark