Return to Brownsea

Our great adventure started with a sailing on the ferry service to the island. High winds and the threat of rain did not deter us, we took the essentials, cameras and jackets and after an uneventful crossing we arrived at the landing on the island. With the start of spring, we paid our landing tax and decided to take the path less travelled. A part of the island where birders are in plenty. The Dorset Wildlife Trust manages a small part of the island and it is mainly concerned with the conservation of  birds.


We were very lucky to see a number of birds, also came across some birders who proved to be a valuable source of information. I know nothing about birds and learnt to identify a number of birds. Funny thing, I always thought that people who watch birds are called twitchers. Not the case.

'The term twitcher, sometimes misapplied as a synonym for birder, is reserved for those who travel long distances to see a rare bird that would then be ticked, or counted on a list.' Wikipedia. The Shelduck was my favourite but we were lucky enough to see the first Avocet that had arrived a few days ago, from the north. The Lesser black-backed gull, Common Tern, Little Tern and the Bar-tailed godwit were all squabbling, fighting and building their nests. The Avocet slept through all the chaos, understandable, after flying thousands of miles.
Our walk took us through some interesting swamp areas and I was fortunate enough to take a photo of a very rare, Lessor Spotted Susan, in a very dense wooded area. If you look carefully at the photo, you can just make it out. Fascinating and such a thrill, no birders around, so we enjoyed the moment all by ourselves. Well that is all for now, look after yourselves.

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