Date and time: 10am-4pm Sunday 11 January.

A whole day's walk looking at wintering birds around the Arne area.

Arne is a great place with many birds. There two circular walks here and we shall do one of them this morning. The walk takes us through some farmland where various finches and buntings feed on the stubble fields. It then passes across some heath to a hide where Spoonbills are often seen in winter. The hide looks out over the salt-marsh and wading birds should be much in evidence. The route then goes over heathland and looks out over Poole harbour. Dartford Warblers can often be seen if the weather is not bad and sea birds, such as Grebes and ducks, can be seen in Poole Harbour

In the afternoon we shall go to Middlebere, which is very close to Arne and looks over the tidal inlet towards one of the hides on Arne. There are two hides here. They both look out over a large estuary channel where Avocets are often seen in winter. A high percentage of the UK population spends the winter in Poole Harbour and they disperse through the harbour to feed at low tide. Also as dusk approaches we may be lucky enough to see a Harrier or two. Hen Harriers regularly roost in the reedbed and sometimes a Marsh Harrier joins them.

Please note that there are car parking charges of £2 per day. There isn't a café at Arne, but we will be driving to a nearby pub at lunch time to warm up - please feel free to join us. Otherwise you can bring a packed lunch to eat. There will be a 1 ½ hour break for lunch. There are toilet facilities at Arne.

How to book: Please book in advance by contacting Project Fred on 01425 673321 or by emailing project.fred@virgin.net

Cost: £15

Length of walk: Medium, about 3 km on fairly easy ground that can be wet underfoot in some places.

What to bring:

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