What Do You Mean, RSPB Isn't Red Squirrel Photo Bonanza?

Brownsea Island just reopened.... weather set to be sunny but blowy.... me on a day off..... it was written in the stars... and coincidentally the same date as I went last year!

On arrival at the island, after passing through the welcome area, you're directed toward the new multi level viewing area which is named The Lookout. It probably cost a fortune, but is useless if you're a photographer, as the glass windows prevent any chance of a sharp shot. For just viewing though, it will be very good. Having tried a couple of shots, I then returned to the path up to it, to photograph the Greenshank (I think!) I saw from within.

I left the Lookout, and returned to my "normal" route about the island, first stop, up into the woodland behind the church to see if there were any squirrels about. Unfortunately, being woodland, dappled, dark and bright light were all in evidence (that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!) There were a number of people already in the immediate area, and the various logs had been baited with (I assume) squirrel friendly nuts....

The fact that they are very mobile is another excuse 

Bury it here?

No.... he spotted me

I'll find somewhere else

Hither and thither

Well I prefer walnut! Vrooooooooooooooooooooom

Boinggggggggg........

......vrooooom.....

Geronimo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the squirrels came toward me, and toward me, and...oh nooo.... time to put a smaller lens on,

so I switched to the 70-200

Here comes another one!

After only using the big, fixed focal length lens for months..... I forgot I could zoom out 

I'm the king of the castle!!

Here comes another!

I think he missed his chin!

And if he didn't he masked it well!

Adorable as they are, they are not all the island has to offer, so I decided to meander to the hides that overlook the lagoon. There were a good few Avocets, and various ducks. Lots of Black Headed Gulls, and a few Mediterranean (which I only saw through the Dorset Wildlife Trust scope). Right over the far side a few Brent Geese, some Canada Geese, some Cormorants and some Great Black Backed Gulls loitered, too distant for pics even for me 

Not sure what the blue on the water under the Teal is... reflection or loose feather maybe?

Peering behind the fence on the way to the next hide, a narrow view showed me another Greenshank

This hide is called Tern Hide, but although the sighting board mentioned Sandwich Terns, I didn't see any, but I did get some lovely views of Redshank

And looking back along the fence, the Greenshank was still feeding

The gulls were noisy, but nothing compared to the cacophony that will happen when breeding starts properly!

I went for a wander along the path to find a bench for lunch, and (as is normal) I plonked myself down overlooking the bird feeders

A very dark Great Tit, I only saw once (unless the wind caught his feathers and blew them the "wrong" way?), and several "normal" plumaged Great Tits were busy

A couple of maggies were about, and a couple of Jackdaws.... and it appeared one had mastered the feeders, and the other had mastered hoovering up fallen seed!

Lots of Blue Tits were whizzing about, mostly in pairs, and not stopping for long

Male and female Chaffinch were fewer in number

And my first settled butterfly of the year, Brimstone

A couple of Nuthatch were using the feeder then flying off into the distance, and I managed to keep my eye on one..

The butterfly was still fluttering about

On the way back to the boat I stopped behind the church, but no squirrels were about, instead, another nutty caught my eye

And Jenny emerged briefly!

And so concluded a rather splendid trip to Brownsea.

If you don't like squirrels, well, the clue was in the title! I hope the rest of you enjoyed their antics as much as I did. Thanks for perusing

Stay Safe All