Wildlife, birds and nature on Brownsea Island during my second visit in mid-October 2024

Before I set off for Poole Quay, I wandered around Ham Common for a short while where I saw a couple of Reed Buntings on a twiggy shrub in the early morning sunshine 

The weather was very different from my earlier visit to Brownsea a couple of days before.  Now the sun was shining on this handsome male Pheasant that was searching for food amongst the fallen leaves

A damp Red Squirrel was finding and looking for chestnuts on the dew-covered grass

Wandering around near a bird hide at the edge of the lagoon was a Redshank

and an Avocet

A large group of Avocets were gathered together in a long line on the other side of the lagoon

When wandering through the woodland I came across this yellow fungi

and a whole heap of Honey Fungus, which had obviously killed the tree next to it

A Red Admiral butterfly was resting on the ground in the sunshine

Here is another type of fungus - I'm not a fungus expert so I don't know what it is

A beautiful Jay was perching on a tree branch in the woodland

Well-disguised Red Squirrels appeared in the woodland

A Nuthatch was sitting on top of a tree trunk

A Meadow Pipit was perching on the fence along the approach to the second bird hide at the edge of the lagoon

Kingfisher perching on a pole some distance away from the bird hide

Some of the many Spoonbills had left their little island and were standing in the water

When I was walking back to the quay on Brownsea Island, a female pheasant suddenly flew out of the castle grounds and landed high up on a tree at the edge of the footpath

The next morning I had to leave Rockley Park.  It was very foggy, but I did manage to get photographs of these lovely spider's webs in the hedge

 

Birds of Poole Harbour boat trip (with White-tailed Eagles) followed by short walk in Baiter and Poole Parks in mid-October 2024

The boat had just set off from Poole Quay when the bird expert on board spotted this Kingfisher on steps at the entrance to the harbour

The boat stopped near the wall outside the edge of Brownsea Lagoon and we could see Curlew, Godwits and Dunlin standing and feeding in the shallow water

There were lots of Oystercatchers and Spoonbills in the lagoon

View of Brownsea Lagoon from the boat with the houses and castle at the island's entrance in the distance

Houses near the quay on Brownsea Island

The castle near the entrance to Brownsea Island.  This is owned by John Lewis Partnership.

The bird expert on board the boat pointed out a female White-tailed Eagle perching on a tree in the distance!  All the Eagles are fitted with satellite tags so that they can be tracked.

She flew towards the boat and round part of the harbour

We were told that she is larger than the male and has an eight foot wingspan!

A Shag was perching on a post in the harbour

Rockley Holiday Park, where I was staying, filled a large space on the cliff

A Mute Swan flew above a reed bed

The RSPB  has bought this land near Wareham and is turning it into a new wetland area

The smaller male White-tailed Eagle was sitting on a small island in the harbour and some distance away from his female partner!

Hundreds of Sinensis Cormorants were covering the rocky escarpment at the edge of Poole

After the boat trip I walked to Baiter Park, where I found two Oystercatchers on the grass

Pied Wagtails were also hopping around on the grass in Baiter Park

Flamingo, Swan, Unicorn, Toucan and three white Geese waiting for better weather (and probably for the weekend) in Poole Park

Oystercatcher at the edge of the harbour - seen during my return journey to Poole

 

Wildlife, birds and nature on Brownsea Island - mid-October 2024

Little Egret on seaweed-covered rocks at the entrance to Brownsea Island

Inquisitive Red Squirrel blending in with the fallen leaves

Peacock perching on a fallen log

Shy Peacock!

Red Squirrels carrying chestnuts in their mouths

There was a selection of fungi on the island

Avocets in flight above the lagoon

Wading Greenshank

Greenshank and sleeping Avocet

Group of Spoonbills at the back of the lagoon

Passing Wigeon

A yacht sailed past the Spoonbills behind the wall at the edge of the lagoon

Female Pheasant hiding in shrubbery

Autumn foliage in the woodland

Looking down at the Spoonbills in the lagoon with Poole Harbour on the other side of the wall

I received a close-up inspection from one of the two Peacocks that live on the island

A lovely Sika deer was lurking in the woodland - first time I have managed to see one of these

More fungi on a tree trunk

The island's two Peacocks were together in the woodland

Female pheasant with a juvenile trying to hide amongst the logs