On Thursday 21st July niece Elaine, a keen birdwatcher came for a visit, mainly because we had booked a Nightjar walk with Birds of Poole Harbour in the evening so we decided to include a couple of days bird watching locally while she was staying with us.
The day was quite warm, as the weekend would be as we headed down to Arne for a walk on Coombe Heath for a couple of hours before the Nightjar walk. It was relatively quiet and what we did see was very distant although we did see a number of bird species on our way round, I did manage to get a few record shots but that’s all. Always a nice walk though and I did spot a Fox and Sika deer across the Middlebere channel. It was soon time to head towards Slepe Heath.
RSPB Arne 21/07/22
13 Species
- Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus)
- Black Tailed Godwits (Limosa limosa)
- Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)
- Coal Tit (Periparus ater)
- Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis)
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
- House Martin (Delichon urbicum)
- Little Egret (Egretta garzetta)
- Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos caudatus)
- Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)
- Siskin (Spinus spinus)
- Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
- Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)
It was near dusk as we arrived at Slepe Heath a short drive from Arne and as we were to discover a good place to visit for birdwatching, not that we were going to see much that night but our guide for the evening, Joe from Birds of Poole Harbour was so enthusiastic about the Heath telling us it was much quieter than Arne and supported a great number of bird species and as we were to find out a great view over the Wareham channel. Joe was very enthusiastic and was tuned into all the birds, we walked for a while on the Heath before the Nightjars would start their call and he talked about the birds and of course the Osprey project of which he was involved. We had distant views of the Swans, Marsh Harrier and Heron across the Wareham channel. Also distant views of other birds on the Heath As we strolled around, not good for photography but very interesting hearing about the Heath and Birds of Poole Harbour.
Soon the light began to go and it wasn’t long before we heard the first chirring of a Nightjar, a first for me! It wasn’t long before we heard our first Nightjar and a sighting of a couple as they flew up. Joe could hear the change in voice and knew when they would fly. It was a lovely experience to see and hear them. I did a small voice recording on my phone, not too good but you can hear them if you turn up the volume!
Slepe Heath 21/07/22
9 Species
- Green Woodpecker (Picus viridis)
- Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)
- Herring Gull (Larus argentatus)
- Linnet (Linaria cannabina)
- Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus)
- Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
- Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)
- Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)
- Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)