Land/Water Wildlife

A family group of Sika Deer near Poole Harbour (RSPB Arne).

 

There is something about these critters that makes them very likable.

 

Just seen these, they were taken while we were in the States.
No Raccoons where we were @hydrogardener, just squirrels and chipmunks.

@Scrungee we went to Arne this afternoon as it is just a few miles away and as sometimes happens, no deer, Spoonbills were to far for a decent shot but I found one 'small' Raft Spider.

 

The deer were near Shipstal beach. I'm planning to visit Arne again on Wednesday morning (before going to Exmoor looking for Red Deer) and was thinking of going to Middlebere this time.

@strongylodon Where were the Spoonbills? I'm hoping I've chosen a morning when the incoming tide is going to push waders close to the shore.

 

@Scrungee the Spoonbills are often seen from the double storey hide round from Shipstal beach and are usually on a sand spit about 100yds out depending on the tide.
Middlebere (free) national trust hide can get crowded as it is small and a scope is helpful. Incoming and out going tides in the channel are when the birds come in.

 

Red squirrel.




Young Sika.

 

Banana Vole

 

Grey Seal off of Durlston Counrty Park, Swanage.

 

I went there a few weeks ago, intending to head off to Shipstal, but a whole load of cars were arriving when I got there and a huge group headed off towards Shipstal. Not liking crowds, I went to Middlebere (not been there before). Loads of Sika Deer everywhere on way there and back.

Going to Arne again tomorrow, then to Exmoor for Red Deer Wed dusk/Thur dawn, then maybe back home via Ham Wall.

 

Middlebere is great if you get the tides right, I was there yesterday morning and there were 100's of Avocets. They can be seen from the other side of the Middlebere channel from Coombe Heath at Arne. Spoonbills (upto 60 now) commute between Shipstal and Brownsea Island lagoon.

Ham is good for Marsh Harriers and Great White Egrets and if you are very lucky Bitterns.

 

Met a Sika Deer stag on a path a few metres in front of me, so close I couldn't get all his antlers in the frame

 

A good shot though Scrungee.

 

Any ideas on these paw prints on my doorstep please? Slightly smaller than a cat's and the toes look longer. Too small for a Yeti !

 

Quite a few ruled out there Armandii, my mystery animal only has four toes. Could be a fox?