Visiting Arne in 2018.

Can anyone give me any information about Arne as a bird reserve as my Newcastle RSPB Group will be visiting Dorset on my RSPB Groups Annual birdwatching holiday. I’ve heard that Arne is one of the top RSPB reserves.

  • Hi Ian, Thanks for writing in on our forum. What time of the year will you be visiting? Now, in winter, we have thousands of wintering waders holing up in Poole harbour. Lats weBs counts showed up to 1,000 Avocet, 1,200 Lapwing & 1,500 Black-tailed Godwit. All of which rotate feeding around the harbour, often landing in front of our Shipstal & Coombe trails. Then in the summer you'll have displaying dartford warblers, the opportunity for all six species of native reptile. What more could you want? :) Kind regards, Fabian - The RSPB Arne Team

  • Hi there,

    The holiday in Dorset is from 29th April staying for 6 nights. We plan to visit as well the New Forest, Radipole Lake, Titchfield Haven etc that week among others.

  • I’m really looking forward to visiting Arne on one of the days 6 night birdwatching holiday starting departing from Newcastle Upon Tyne on the 29th April.

  • Has anyone been to Arne recently?  Would love a report of recent sightings.

  • When I visited Arne in May on my week long birdwatching holiday to Dorset in May with the Newcastle Upon Tyne RSPB Group, sadly I never saw the Dartford Warbler although I do know some people that saw that bird on that day. I did have my closest ever view of a Green Woodpecker only a few yards awash from me after hearing the yaffle sound all day long close by and I saw my first ever Seeka Deer on the heathland. Saw a number of other specialist animals such as an adder. Are you visiting Arne in the near future Ann?

  • Thanks, Ian.  We are heading down there on Friday and staying about half way between Arne and Weymouth and plan to visit several reserves, weather permitting.