Brownsea Island

Decided at the last minute (yesterday) to go to Brownsea as we hadn't been there for ten years or so.

I was lucky enough to catch one of the red squirrels feeding infront of me.


Stayed just long enough for a close up.


Had a good view over Poole harbour of some Avocets


Avocets and Oystercatchers in flight.


Not very close but 13 Spoonbills, most I have ever seen.


It's very busy here and not just birds! The swans just want to sleep.


Almost walked in to this Pheasant.


Another native having lunch in the treehouse.
h

 

lovely strongy, great pics of the red squirrel

 

Great pictures strongy...nice to see Red Squirrels:thumb:

 

Pleased you had a lovely afternoon out like me, strongy ... good for the soul. Nice we can enjoy each other's day's out .... :thumb:

Love your pictures and that squirrel tail is excellent .... the Avocets and Oystercatchers in flight is a wonderful photograph.

The Brittany Ferries ferry reminded me of trips to England .... but :( at the same time.

 

Are all the wild life tame there strongy?

You certainly got up close.:thumb:

 

I've been off line since the day after I put my pics up here (dreaded virus), so couldn't reply.
Pete, no they are not really tame most of the time they cleared off soon as they saw you.
I was lucky with that one with the blackberry.
We and others have been there before and not seen one.
Autumn 'Witch' :Dis being recorded from there, even though I dislike it's juevenile presentation I might watch it.
Finally caught up with the more recent pics on here.:thumb::thumb:

 

A grand day out indeed Strongy. Looks like the sort of place you can revisit time after time and it all appears different.

 

Good pics.
Its funny when i hear stuff like nice to see a red squirrel.I see red ones almost daily at the moment,but rarely see a grey.I'm not 100% certain,but think i saw a black about 2 months ago.
Joe.

 

When I went all I saw were the peacocks, chickens and some pigeons :( oh and those really big ants they have and I was glad then I was in a trailer being pulled by a tractor. U should've said u were going u could've popped in for coffee on the way home

 

Next time LMRR i'll let you know.

 

I'm hoping to go back to Brownsea soon, also go on some of the Dorset Wildlife trusts' monthly "expeditions" through the winter when the NT part of the island is closed.

They estimate there should be well over 1000 avocets this year, also things like water rails, harriers, and all the usual visitors and residents

The DWT have hides (like long wooden sheds) round the "lagoon" which allow you to get a bit closer than otherwise. You sit in comparative comfort on benches with a shelf in front of you to rest your elbows on to support camera, scope or binoculars. Definitely makes things easier for the bird watching.

Squirrels and deer you still have to strike lucky or go into stealth mode.

 

I'll wear my camo trousers next time then lol

 

Mike, my pics were taken from the DWT hides but my camera isn't really good enough for wildlife photography.

 

I usually use the second hide, the free one near the entrance is a bit far from the main concentrations of birds and I usually "bypass" the one that is further out on the end of a sort of causeway. I've not yet seen any spoonbills when I've been there. I believe there is another hide in or near the reedbeds a bit inland from the lagoon.

From the look of the pics you've posted you're not doing too bad. Soon be time to move up to a DSLR? There are some coming on to the second hand market now at reasonable prices.