Brownsea Island - 30th Nov

We ran a day trip to Brownsea for those people who wanted to come last time, but couldn't.

Highlights were Red Squirrel, Sika Deer, Avocets and Spoonbills.

We arrived on Brownsea Island and made our way to the first hide to avoid the cold wind. We quickly established that we would see a lot more from the next, larger hide, so off we went. Along the boardwalk we found our first Red Squirrel up in a birch tree and further on another on the path.
Although it was very cold we spent a long time in the first hide looking through the many waders. There were large flocks of Avocet, Dunlin and Oystercatcher. There were also quite high numbers of Black-tailed Godwit, Grey Plover and a few Turnstone and Redshank. The far side of the lagoon has many Cormorants roosting and Brent Goose feeding in the shallow waters. Occasionally the waders would fly around in large impressive flocks! There were also a few Shelduck and quite a lot of Wigeon. After a very brief view of a Spotted Redshank, that only a few people saw we went off to the next hide. Here we saw a group of 3 Spoonbill asleep on the far side of the lagoon. Two more were found and they flew towards the hide and gave great views as they settled nearer. We also saw some Teal, Shoveler, Gadwall, Great Black-backed Gull and Little Egret.
We sheltered in the Dorset Wildlife Trust villa for our packed lunch and saw great views of another Red Squirrel at the kitchen window!! The feeders outside the villa had several Chaffinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit and Coal Tit with a couple of Robin feeding underneath. A Treecreeper was also seen on a tree here. We spent the rest of our time walking around the island seeing Mallard, Teal and female Tufted Duck on the lakes, hearing a few Coal Tit and seeing a few more Red Squirrel. We also saw a couple of Little Grebe on the sea from a watchpoint. Altogether a great day out.