Coach trip and guided day’s birding: RSPB Arne, Dorset

After a gap of some ten years, the Central London Local Group is excited to be returning to RSPB Arne, a brilliant Dorset bird watching spot. Situated on Poole Harbour and within the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, landscapes don’t get much more breathtaking than Arne. It’s a rich patchwork of habitats, home to a huge array of wildlife. Explore wide-open heathlands, as well as ancient oak woodland, farm fields and wetlands.

The reserve is one of the best places to see Dartford Warblers, which is present all year but tends to keep hidden in windy conditions. In summer, Grey Heron, Little Egret and Common and Sandwich Terns nest on nearby Brownsea Island.

Other possible species we may see or hear include: Raven, Lesser Spotted Woodpecker, Crossbill, Hobby, Woodlark, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Redshank, Cuckoo, Reed and Willow Warblers, Stonechat, Marsh Tit, common woodland birds and Sika Deer.

From 2023, this amazing reserve has also played host to the BBC's Springwatch programmes, and we understand that the cast and crew will be returning there for 2024. Join us on this exciting trip to experience this stunning location in the flesh.

Entry fee: £5.00 per adult, RSPB Members Free.

Facilities: visitor centre, café and toilets.

Further details about the reserve are available on the RSPB website.

Things to note:

• Coaches will depart from Stop 40B on Victoria Embankment at 8am sharp.
• Aim to be at the Embankment by 7.50 am to allow time to board the coach and stow your gear.
• Bring clothes for all weathers.
• Don’t forget your binoculars (and scope if you have one)!
• Bring a packed lunch if you wish to bird with the trip leaders we will aim to take lunch in one of the hides.
• There are are toilets, and café at the visitor centre.
• We will aim to leave the reserve by 5:00pm.

Please note that if we do not receive sufficient bookings by 10/06/2024 we may have to cancel the event. Full refunds will be offered in the unfortunate event that we are forced to cancel the trip. So do not delay, book now, if you would like to join us on this trip to this amazing place.

All images © rspb-images.com: Dartford Warblers, Ben Hall; Heather, Sam Turley; Sika Deer, Annabel Sharpe.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) is a registered charity in England and Wales no. 207076 and in Scotland no. SC037654.