Saturday 17th May 2025 - RSPB Arne

 

Poole from RSPB Arne (Bath Birdwatcher)

35 Bath RSPB members gathered for this month’s coach trip to Arne RSPB. Unfortunately, a 34-seater was sent so David the leader had to sit in the small seat by the driver. I sat in the back with Tom Rogers, and we spotted 4 Red Kites on the journey unseen by the rest of the party. At Arne we were welcomed by a member of staff, and we all went to the welcome area to show our passes or pay the entry fee. As we gathered together a Chiffchaff was singing above our heads and Swallows were overhead hawking insects. We started the walk heading for Combe Heath and we soon found a singing Robin, 2 Stock Doves flew past, and a Chaffinch sang and flew from one tree to another. Carrion Crows flew by on a regular basis. As we continued we added Blue, Long Tailed and Coal Tits. On reaching the hide at Middlebere Lookout a Whitethroat was singing from the top of a tree.  From the hide we watched Shelduck and Oystercatcher plus a group of Spoonbill , a first for many in the group. Also seen were Mute Swan, Lapwing, Black Headed Gull and Canada Geese. We got slightly separated from the rest of the group walking back to the coach for lunch, but we did find a Stonechat and a Meadow Pipit, the pipit being a year first. I also heard the call of a Dartford Warbler but failed to find it. After lunch we headed for Shipstal Hide but because we were late back for our lunch most of the group set off before us, but we reached the hide first as we took the short route while the main group went via the Shipstal shoreline. From this hide a Curlew was in a channel to our right and an Avocet flew across in front of us. 2 Redshanks were feeding in the mud, and a pair of Mallards swam by. Time to get back to the coach but as we left the hide I saw a bird move in a tree a Siskin, on the way back we also added Jackdaw, Great Tit and Blackcap to the days list. Talking to other people I’m sure everyone had a good day with several people finding birds they have never seen before, and thanks to our leader everything ran smoothly.

Shelduck - RSPB Arne (Bath Birdwatcher)


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