Mid Week Brownsea

As previously mentioned, Mrs PB's new job entails working different to previous shifts, so giving me odd bits of free time. This also means we get odd bits of together time too, and Tuesday was one such day. With a glorious forecast, and kids back at school, a picnic on Brownsea was just the order of the day.

We caught the ferry across from Poole Quay (the Sandbanks ferry hasn't run since Covid struck, I don't think) and even before disembarking one of my hoped for sightings swooped into view.... one of the returning Common (I think)Terns

A little further away, less agile, and less eco-friendly

Now we've got off the boat it's time to tell you it was a good day, with many, many, many pictures taken, which, after careful judgement and consideration, have been whittled down to only many in the post 

Looking over the wall for the reception area, an Avocet was merrily feeding

We walked along toward the boardwalk to the Dorset Wildlife Trust maintained Lagoon hides, and en route...hoverbeeflies were abundant

Over the winter there appears to be quite a lot of reed clearance, on the landward side of the pathway, which has opened up a large area of wetland that the Back Headed Gulls were taking full advantage of, to nest in

On the way to the first hide there were views into the lagoon, and one of the most numerous easily visible birds were Shelducks

From the hide there were good views into the nesting "islands". Most were currently inhabited by more Black Headed Gulls, with occasional incursions of screeching terns... "When shall we three four meet again?"

As a little surprise on one of the islands, a Pied Wagtail skipped about

As we headed round to the next hide, one of the volunteers said a Spoonbill was feeding just over the way... and sure enough, just over the way, a Spoonbill was feeding!

I hope Mrs Shoveler wasn't coming along to compare bill sizes!!

On the nearest island at the next hide a pair of Oystercatchers were dozing, until two more flew over piping as they do, waking the poor little souls up

Over on the furthest bit of land in the lagoon, a pair of Greylags were on the shoreline..... with a pair of BABBIEESSS!! (My first of the year)

Whilst right in front of the hide Mr Gadwall looked resplendent as he sifted for his breakfast

A cacophony of screeching overhead heralded the arrival of a couple of Sandwich Terns

Meanwhile, the Greylags decided to move their mini brood across the lagoon

Whilst keeping a watchful eye on the cruising Greater Black Backed Gulls

Showing their mastery of the sky, the Terns whizzed effortlessly around, almost all the while calling

All the while Black Headed Gulls were foraging for nesting material.... even if that meant they couldn't see where they were going!

We moved away from the hides into the more "woodlandy" area of the island, and so naturally, in a woodland, the first thing you expect to see sitting on a fence, is a .....Peacock

There's a little wildflower garden, that was well populated with insects, including my first blue of the year, Holly (I think based on time of year)

A Green Veined White alighted not far away

And a Robin was availing itself of the facilities

Another years' first...Large Red Damselfly (male I think)

And a (probable) Small White was close by

Mrs Chaffie enjoyed the sun as much as we did, I think 

DO NOT ADJUST YOUR SCREENS...YOU HAVEN'T BEEN TELEPORTED TO AUSTRALIA....

This Nuthatch

Was soon joined by another

There were an abundance of the Large Red Damselflies wherever the sun shone warmest, this one female

This one female too.

From the clifftop there are stunning views over Poole and Arne (depending one which way you face! And looking down onto the shallow clear waters there were a few Carrotbills

More male Large Red Damselfly action!

And a possible Common Blue...unfortunately slightly out of focus, and possibly slightly over exposed...but apart from that ...FAB!! 

The peacock had moved on, and a Jackdaw was using the squirrel feeder as a stepping stone to the bird feeder

And higher up the tree, handsome Mr Chaffinch sat, aloof

Waaaaaaaaaaaaaay up high was a teeny tiny bird.... well...it was a long way away....that looks vaguely siskin/ yellowhammer to me....any thoughts? (hard cropped and lightened a bit to show details)

Another Nuthatch was pinging about

Actually got a face on male Large Red 

As this is unspotted, but darkly veined, I think it's a Green Veined White (unfortunately no underwing pic )

Another Pied Wagtail popped up

And then at the Island's church 8 or so more Peacock/hen/juveniles were milling about.... anyone know if it's blue for a boy and green for a girl?

Another Nuthatch appeared...the right way up for a change

I said to Mrs PB, keep your eyes peeled, coz I think it was hereabouts we saw the Red Squirrel last time we were here. I saw a flicker of movement up a tree.... ha haaaa... I thought.... but wait, that wasn't big enough for a squirrel....

Nope....but it WAS Treecreeper sized!!

On the grass as we crossed a field another sort of Peacock was sunning itself

There's one, said Mrs PB..... pointing into the woodland...so off I scampered* like a young pup with exciting scents to follow... (*scampered may be an exaggeration of how fast and light of foot I moved!)

And on that high note we headed back to the ferry for home, and as we came back to the quay, sat on the rocks....my old mate, a dinsoaurmorant!!

Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed my several "Firsts for the year"

Any ID corrections gratefully received, especially with butterflies and damsels, as I'm out of practise!!

Stay Safe All