DORSET & NEW FOREST Arundel, Jurassic Coast, New Forest, www.bargainbirdingclub.com Portland Bill, Lodmoor and Arne 22nd May to 25th May 2015 Trip Leaders:

Richard Hanman and Simon Ginnaw

Local Guides:

Dominic Couzens, Nick Hull and Neil Gartshore

Trip Guests:

George & Margaret Wise, Warren & Elizabeth Mann, Sue Carter & Steve Goodrich, Rob & Lorna Reid, Nigel & Judy Davies, Lesley Frizell & Ed Woodhouse, Ed & Jane Towne, Wendy Brownrigg, Jayne Ginnaw, Lisa Perrett, Jude Brown, Christine Baker, Margaret Neame, Judith Foster, Ann Wagstaff, Jan Ottley, Val Bryant, Tina Page, Arthur Parry, Peter Saville, Richard Lusted and Yuek Wong.

BBC withSeawatch Dominic at Titchwell Couzens (AP) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Speckled Wood (AP) Stonechat (EW)

Bargain Birders (AP) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Friday 22nd May 2015 – WWT Arundel Centre

This trip was organised by Bargain Birding Club primarily for members of the RSPB Medway Local Coot Group plus a few special guests from RSPB Maidstone and Bromley local groups. Most of the 29 strong guest list were repeat ‘Bargain Birders’ on their 4th or 5th trip with the club, but we also had the pleasure of making new members Val, Tina, Jan, Jayne and Lisa feel welcome and looked after. Trip guests were aged from 42 to 81 years, with the average being 65 years young!

Guests travelled independently from various parts of the UK for our 9.30am rendezvous at the WWT Arundel Wetland Centre. Arriving slightly earlier, some guests paid a quick visit to Swanbourne (opposite the WWT Centre) and started their trip list off with close up views of family groups of Coot, Moorhen, Mute , Greylag , Shoveler and Shelduck. Muscovy , hybrid black-headed , Jay, Black-headed and Lesser Black-backed Gull were also present. Moorhen

Hybrid Mallard (AP) Muscovy Duck

Mute Shelduck Swan

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Inside the Centre itself, we made our way anti-clockwise from the visitors centre to the ‘World Wildfowl’ pool. Here we were able to enjoy exotic water birds including Falcated Teal and Swan Goose from Asia, Black-necked Swan, Orinoco Goose, Puna Teal and Argentine Red Shoveler from South America, Trumpeter Swan, Carolina Wood Duck and Hooded Merganser from North America, Magpie Goose from New Guinea, and Cape Shelduck from South Africa.

Falcated Teal Argentine Red Shoveler

Hooded Merganser Carolina Wood Duck

Magpie Goose

Swan Goose “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” The highlight at this first pool by far, and as it turned out for many the highlight of the whole trip, was a 2nd winter Caspian Gull, spotted by Sue and identified by Simon. It was eventually chased off by a larger Herring Gull and by accounts it is a regular at Arundel.

We then moved on to the ‘ and Forests’ area which afforded us close up views of more familiar European birds including Smew, Eider, Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mandarin, Gadwall, Wigeon and Bewick’s Swan. Ragged Robin grew by the waterside.

Caspian Gull Caspian Gull

Pochard

Mandarin

From the Explorer hide in the wild woodland area we saw Reed Bunting, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Nuthatch, Blackbird, Dunnock, Robin, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Rook, Magpie, Starling, Woodpigeon and Collared Dove.

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” We were about to move on when we spotted a female Mallard calling frantically. We realised that she had a brood in a nest box mounted in a tree and was calling her offspring to fledge. It was an amazing sight watching the young ducklings plunge one-by-one head- first towards the ground, bouncing off branches and tumbling over the ground as they went. Fortunately Mother Mallard they all picked themselves up Fledgling Mallard unharmed to re-join a proud mum.

At the SSSI reedbed we picked up Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warbler, Whitethroat, Chiffchaff, Wren, Pied Wagtail and Grey Heron. At the Sand Martin hide there were no Sand Martins to be found but we did add Swallow and House Martin to our trip list. We continued to the ‘Icelandic Lake’ area and as well as superb close-up views of Long- tailed Duck, Harlequin Duck and Common Scoter, we got great views of Water Vole. ‘Ratty’ was content munching bankside vegetation without a care in the world.

‘Ratty’

Water Vole (EW)

Long-tailed Duck Harlequin Common Scoter

Our final stop was at the boat jetty where we boarded in groups the ‘Wetlands discovery boat safari’. Everyone enjoyed the experience and each group saw something different. Wendy had terrific views of a Kingfisher perching and diving into the water. Others saw Little Egret and a swimming Water Vole, whilst overhead above the treeline Raven and raptors including Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard and Red Kite were seen. We had lunch at the visitors centre before setting off at 3pm to our Bournemouth hotel. “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” We stayed at the ‘Hotel Celebrity’ where each room is themed with pictures of the rich and famous. We just had time to check-in, unpack and gather in the lounge as we had a boat to catch at Poole Quay at 6pm for our World Heritage Coast birdwatching cruise.

On-board the ‘Solent Scene’, our pre-ordered fish & chip supper arrived just before the captain caste off the ropes to the cheers of the group! Most found a seat on the top deck and we all enjoyed our traditional seaside supper. We cruised out of Poole Harbour past Brownsea Island into Studland Bay, and then past Old Harry’s Rocks into Swanage Bay.

En-route we picked up Sandwich Tern, Common Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, Mediterranean Gull, Cormorant, Birdwatching cruise Shag and Oystercatcher. Further passengers were picked up at Swanage along with rangers from Durlston Country Park and we then set off down the Jurassic Coast in search of more seabirds. The rangers talked briefly about the geology of this historic coast and for those interested further check out this great short 5 minute video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e MUdqSu2Kc . Old Harry’s Rocks Along the coastline around Durlston Head we added Swift, Fulmar, Guillemot, Puffin, Gannet, Razorbill and Kittiwake to our trip list, and a pair of Peregrine perched on the cliffs in search of their own seaside supper. At 10pm our boat docked back at Poole Quay and we disembarked. Tired but very happy after a very long but very memorable first day we returned to the hotel and promptly retired to our rooms for a good nights sleep. Even celebrities Guillemot Colony need their beauty sleep!

Fulmar Puffin “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Christine Baker (‘Bob Dylan’)

Margaret Neame Arthur Parry (‘Bond Girl’) (‘Jon Bon Jovi’) Jan Ottley (‘Van Diesel’)

Wendy Brownrigg (’Eddie Murphy’) Warren & Liz Mann Jude Brown (‘Lawrence of Arabia (‘Hip Hop’) & Queen of Sheba’)

Ann Wagstaff & Judith Foster (‘Yul Brynner fan club’)

Lesley Frizell & Ed Woodhouse Peter Saville (‘Cher & Sonny’) (‘Dolly Parton’) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Jane & Ed Towne (‘Tina & Ike Turner’)

Judy & Nigel Davies (‘The Rolling Stones’)

Jayne & Simon Ginnaw (‘The Sinatra Family’) Richard Lusted & Yeuk Wong (‘Michael Kane & David Beckham’)

Brad Pitt & Angelina Jolie Steve Goodrich & Sue Carter (‘Rich Hanman & Lisa Perrett’) (‘Johnny & June Cash’) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Saturday 23rd May 2015 – The New Forest with Dominic Couzens

After a slap-up full English breakfast we collected our packed lunches and left the hotel to meet Dominic Couzens, our local expert guide for the day. Our meeting place was Cadman’s Pool, described by Countryfile as “one of the best sites for birds in the New Forest”. Whilst most found their way to this beautiful but remote site easily, a few in the group struggled as their satnavs had a bit of a wobble! Dominic and Simon lead the bulk of the group to the edge of Anses Wood and were quick to locate Goldcrest, Blackcap, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Wren and Meadow Pipit. Meanwhile Lisa and myself stayed back to give directions over the phone to the few that struggled to find the car park.

We were all soon back together as one big group, just in time to see a Redstart and a Spotted Flycatcher. I then found a Slow Worm which soon calmed down when I cupped it in my hands allowing everyone close up views of this amazing legless lizard.

Dominic lead the group down the hill and through the woods where Bluebells, Yellow Pimpernel and Tormentil were all flowering. Eventually we reached a clearing beside a small river called Dockens Water.

Here we heard Cuckoo and Great Spotted Woodpecker calling and a pair of Common Buzzard flew low overhead. A Stock Dove flew in the distance. Dominic then picked Slow Worm (JB) up a superb Tree Pipit performing its characteristic display flight. The bird rose high into the sky, calling as it went, before parachuting back down to perch at the top of a large tree to see if his strutting had attracted the attention of a nearby mate. Buzzard

Tree Pipit

Dockens Water, New Forest “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Next to a small wooden bridge over the river, Dominic pointed out a patch of Bogbean and Simon highlighted Large Red Damslefly and Banded Demoiselle. We then headed back up the hill through a conifer wood where we heard Hawfinch and Firecrest calling and got the briefest of views of Siskin. Ed and Lesley managed to spot a Woodlark before the whole group locked onto a pair of Stonechat and a singing Linnet.

Large Red Damslefly

Bogbean

As we walked across the heath towards the car park Dominic suddenly and excitedly alerted us all to a raptor circling high in the sky and called Honey Buzzard! This rare summer visitor, slightly larger and more long-winged and longer-tailed than the Common Buzzard was a ‘lifer’ for most of the group. A passing Sparrowhawk barely got a second glance as everyone was fixed on this amazing bird as it disappeared into the clouds.

Honey Buzzard

Bargain Birders (AP) Bargain Birders (AP) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” We then drove to Bolderwood for our picnic lunch stop. With blue skies and the temperature up to 20oC we took full advantage of the ice cream van! As we ate our sandwiches and recalled the bird list from the morning, a Hobby flew past at high speed.

BBC picnic at Bolderwood

After our lunch stop we headed for Acres Down. In the car park next to the tea rooms a Firecrest performed well for everyone out in the open as it flew back and forth from its hidden nest site somewhere deep inside a Wisteria bush. On Acres Down itself Brimstone butterflies were abundant and we also saw a Green Hairstreak. Steve also photographed a resting Swallow. Swallow (SG)

We stopped at the first raptor viewing spot and heard but failed to spot a Cuckoo calling in the distance. Most of the group then continued to the second viewing area but some stayed to rest and have a brief siesta in the sunshine. Luckily both groups managed to get distant sightings of a lone Goshawk high in the sky. Steve’s photo shows it carrying a prey item.

Goshawk Goshawk (SG) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Our final stop of the day was the New Forest Reptile Centre which has specially created display areas for all of the native British species of snakes, lizards, frogs and toads. Unfortunately most were hiding in the undergrowth on the day of our visit so I’ve added the photos below which I took when I did a trip recce back in August 2014.

Smooth Snake

Adder

Black Adder

Grass Snake

Green Frog Natterjack Toad “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Inside the RSPB hut the ‘Goshawk cam’ was trained on a nest. You can continue to watch at http://www.newforestgateway.org/Wildcam/LiveCameras/tabid/117/Default.aspx.

At the back of the hut the feeders were proving a magnet for Siskin, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Coal Tit, Blue Tit, Great Tit and Blackbird. At 4.30pm as the centre was closing, we bid farewell to Dominic and headed back to our hotel.

Siskin

Chaffinch

Our evening meal which although slow to arrive (despite us pre-ordering) was delicious and we all enjoyed a complementary glass of wine. After dinner we retired to a private lounge for part 1 of our famous ‘Bargain Birding General Knowledge Quiz’. With 5 teams of 6 it was a great way to end the day which finished with 98 birds seen in the first 2 days and ‘The Slow Worms’ slightly ahead of ‘The Satnavs’ at the halfway stage of the quiz!

New Forest ponies “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Four-spotted Chaser

Lichen (JO)

Southern Orchid ‘Ratty’

Fallow Deer in the New Forest (SGn) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Sunday 24th May 2015 – Birding with Nick and Jackie Hull

After a full English breakfast we collected our packed lunches and drove to the main car park at Portland Bill to meet Nick and Jackie Hull, our local guides for the day.

We sea-watched at the Trinity House Obelisk and BBC at Portland Bill (JF) although we didn’t spot any shearwaters, we did see Gannet, Razorbill, Guillemot and Shag, the latter two species nesting on the cliff edges. As we headed across Bill Common we spotted a confiding Rock Pipit searching for insects amongst the pink Thrift and white Sea Campion flowers. A Little Owl perched in the old quarry while Common Buzzard and a moulting Raven flew overhead.

Rock Pipit Little Owl

Raven

From the terrace at Portland Bill Bird Observatory we had views of Common Scoter at sea, and closer views of Goldfinch, Dunnock and Chaffinch in the gardens. We then took a brief stroll back up Portland Bill Road to search an area of thicket, the theory being that with very little tree cover at Portland Bill this would be our best chance of finding any late- passing migrants. But it wasn’t to be. We had to be content with a hovering Kestrel, a singing Skylark, Drinker Moth Red-legged Partridge and a Drinker Moth caterpillar.

Wild flowers were numerous and included Common Vetch, Tufted Vetch, Kidney Vetch, Bird’s-foot Trefoil, Black Medick, Red Clover, White Clover, Herb Robert, Red Campion, Common Mallow, Cow Parsley and an unidentified blue-flowering plant. We returned to our cars and then drove in convoy up to Portland Heights to consume our picnic lunch. Despite the sky turning cloudy and threatening rain we still had fabulous views over Chesil Beach. Swallows, Swifts and House Martins flew overhead, Black- headed and Herring Gulls kept a vigil for scraps, and a lone Peregrine swooped past. Viper’s Bugloss and Red Valerian were abundant in the roadside verges. “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Next stop was the Chesil Beach Centre at Ferrybridge where we walked across the gravel beach to view the Little Tern colony. Other birds of note here were Ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Dunlin and Sanderling.

Final stop was the RSPB reserve at Lodmoor in Grey Weymouth. We completed the circular walk adding Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, Heron Black-tailed Godwit and Marsh Harrier to our trip list. At the Common Tern colony we looked but didn’t find a reported Arctic Tern. Other birds of note were a Cuckoo perched in a tree, Little Egret, Cormorant, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Shelduck, Reed and Cetti’s Warblers, Coot, Moorhen and a Cuckoo rather worse-for-wear Grey Heron.

As we made our way back to our cars, Nick our guide got the briefest of glimpses of a Bearded Tit but as no-one else saw it we didn’t add it to our trip list. With the day drawing to a close we bid farewell to Nick and Jackie and headed back to our hotel.

Common Tern colony

Little Tern colony

Disappointingly our dinner this evening was painful. The service was slow, numerous orders were mixed up and even though I placed 6 bottles of wine on the table at my own personal cost it didn’t fully compensate for the poor organisation / communication between the hotel manager and the chef. So on behalf of the hotel I apologise.

Round 2 of our ‘Bargain Birding General Knowledge Quiz’ lifted the spirits of most and by the end it was ‘The SatNavs’ that emerged the winners, with ‘The Puffins’ in second place. Spot prizes were awarded for ‘Bird of the Day’ which went to Sue Carter for Friday’s Caspian Gull at Arundel; Sue Carter again for Saturday’s Goshawk at Acres Down; and Richard Lusted for Sunday’s Cuckoo at Lodmoor. Each won a signed book by Dominic Couzens or Mike Mockler.

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” Monday 25th May 2015 – RSPB Arne with Neil Gartshore

The hotel catering redeemed itself somewhat with another great breakfast but then cocked up our sandwich order, much to the understandable frustration of the vegetarians, vegans and coeliacs in the group! Despite trying to explain what a gluten- free wrap was to the chef, we left empty-handed and bought one for Tina from M&S!

At 9.30am we arrived at the RSPB reserve at Arne, situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). Our guide for the day was the local legend that is Neil Gartshore. Neil was the RSPB warden at Arne for 16 years before leaving to set up his own business in 2006. During the introductions Neil announced that this was his first return to Arne so it was somewhat emotional for him and extremely special for us.

From the car park we set off up the hill towards Arne Farm following the red trail markers. This part of the reserve took us through ‘The Big Wood’ (were the midges were biting any exposed flesh) to a raised bird hide overlooking Poole Harbour and Brownsea Island. Birds here were noticeable by their absence. Redshank, Green Woodpecker and Grey Partridge were the only new birds added, and a Cuckoo flew by in the far distance.

The reserve was extremely busy with families and dog walkers and so we suspect all this activity meant the birds were keeping a low profile, with only Siskin and Spotted Flycatcher of note. We did see a Hornet, Fairy Micro-moth, and Broad-bodied and Four- spotted Chaser Dragonflies hawking over the . Southern Marsh Orchids were just emerging and a large flock of chattering Long-tailed Tits moved through the tree-tops. Further on we spotted a pair of Treecreepers flying to the bottom of one tree trunk, creeping up it in search of insects hidden in the bark, then flying off to the base of another tree trunk to repeat the process all over again. On the approach back to the car park we stopped to watch parent Blue Tits and Starlings feeding their young which could be heard calling inside their nest holes. Sika Deer were in the fields next to the woods.

Fairy Micro-moth (VB) Blue Tit (JO)

Lichen (JO) “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” After consuming our lunch at the picnic tables next to the RSPB visitors centre we set off on the shorter lower loop of the Coombe Heath Trail. On this less busy (and in my opinion more scenic) part of the reserve our luck changed. Within minutes we had spotted Avocet, Dartford Warbler and Spoonbill.

The Dartford Warbler in particular was a real highlight for most as a male flew back and forth from its nest in a distant Gorse bush. Dartford Warbler (SG)

By 3pm we were back at the car park, tired legs but happy hearts and fond memories. This marked the end of this particular trip which started with a Caspian Gull and ended with a Spoonbill, two species that have recently extended their range to include the UK.

Silver Birches at RSPB Arne

Most photos in this trip report were taken by Richard Hanman. Additional photos were kindly donated by Steve Goodrich (SG), Arthur Parry (AP), Jude Brown (JB), Judith Foster (JF), Ed Woodhouse (EH), Simon Ginnaw (SGn), Jan Ottley (JO) and Val Bryant (VB). “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” A thank you from me:

With 116 wild birds in 4 days, some great ‘lifers’ for many, I’ll end this trip report by saying a massive thank you to our resident and local expert guides Simon, Dominic, Nick, Jackie and Neil. Your knowledge and passion to share it with all helps inspire others to look, observe and appreciate all things in the natural world. I must also say a big thank you to all ‘Bargain Birders’, young and old, new friends and familiar faces. Without your continued loyal support we wouldn’t have a club and I hope to welcome you all again on a future trip. As always, your patience, resilience and kind comments are heart-warming and spur me on to continue to arrange “value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget”. (Richard Hanman, Bargain Birding Club)

Your feedback and trip highlights:

“Thanks once again for the lift and contents of the New Forest and Dorset trip. I found it very enjoyable and I did more than I thought I would be able to. Just a shame I could not manage the extra bit on the last day as the Dartford Warbler was my must see bird as the Spoonbill was for you. Hopefully another time will produce said bird! It was very kind of you to transport me for this birding trip as I realise this time I would have found the driving beyond me after the walking on the day. My list of 105 with 9 new spottings helped to make the trip so good although the Redstart may have been seen in the Yarners Wood visit - Geraldine was quite positive. Would you please thank Lisa for letting me sit in the front of your car for the whole trip - I did offer the option several times to swap but she said no - very gratefully accepted by me. I was also very appreciative of all the little kindnesses shown to me by her - not always accepted but much appreciated by me such as helping me exit your car etc. Hope you had a good trip to Ireland. Hope to see you soon, thanks once again for helping to make the trip so wonderful and getting pretty good weather as usual - someone up there must like you!” (Arthur Parry, aged 81).

“Richard, you and all your team were all working so hard for everybody. Thank you so much for a great Birding Break, everyone must have had a very satisfying, rewarding trip, nothing was too much trouble. Will pass this news on! Would you please say a big thank you to Lisa for being so considerate all the time, lovely lady, you have done very well there!! Very best wishes, from your oldest member, well nearly!” (Tina Page, aged 80).

“Thank you so much for all you do to make the birding holidays so enjoyable and full. It is hard to believe it is only really a long w/end away - we see and learn so much and I really do enjoy them. I find the group so pleasant too. I hope you get a well deserved rest though I doubt it somehow. My nephew is coming round Friday to try and sort out getting my photos on the computer again so if he succeeds I will forward a few though I am quite sure you will have plenty that are far better! Ann and I had a lovely few extra days at Lulworth. I hope it will be alright to still come on your birding breaks despite being a 'foreigner' from Essex now!! With best wishes and thank you.” (Judith Foster).

“Thank you for the wonderful weekend you and Simon gave us. To be able to see so many different birds in such stunning habitats was absolutely breath-taking. Today I was going to tell some friends about my excitement about seeing a Goshawk (like many of the birds it was a first for me) but then I thought ‘no – they would never understand why that was so special’. But I will never forget it! Congratulations on organizing another great holiday.” (Margaret Neame).

“We thoroughly enjoyed bird watching in beautiful countryside, with such a friendly group of people and what a great choice of hotel! Meal times and quiz nights were really good fun. David Beckham in the ladies was the icing on the cake!. Thank you Richard for such a good time.” (Rob & Lorna Reid).

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” “Richard – a really great long weekend with soooo many birds. You do a fantastic job and put up with us all so well. You really are a Saint! Another excellent trip, super birding, excellent company, nothing too much trouble. Thank you Richard (and Simon) for a truly memorable weekend – perfectly organised”. (Lesley Frizell & Ed Woodhouse).

“Just a quick note to thank you both for an enjoyable trip with some magical bird sightings thrown in. You really work well together with Richard's organisational and people skills coupled with Simon's wildlife knowledge and communication skills. With hindsight the only thing that you might have done would be to have had designated drivers and a quick gathering of each before moving off to the next destination to ensure each car knew where to go.” (Richard Lusted).

“Just to say thank you for all your hard work in making the trip such a success. We really enjoyed ourselves, satnav problems not withstanding, and we are really pleased with the 99 species seen plus 2 heard. No lifers, but we saw all the local rarities and plenty for the year list. We hope you enjoyed the weekend as much as we did.” (Warren & Liz Mann).

“Many thanks for a wonderful birding weekend. My highlights were the Goshawk and Honey Buzzard, although all the other birds we saw were very special too. My year list has grown considerably. Your guides again made our birding easy, their local knowledge was a great plus. All in all ’Bargain Birding’ has come up trumps and was great value again.” (Peter Saville).

“Thank you for organizing a wonderful trip as usual. The programme was such an enjoyable one with a mix of venues and knowledgeable guides to give local insight. The star however is Simon Ginnaw. With him onboard to share his expertise we need not miss a thing. His ability to spot birds, flora and fauna is magical. I really enjoyed the choice of hotel … but err … not their sandwiches though.” (Christine Baker).

“Many thanks again for all your hard work. It was a great weekend and you took us to some most lovely places to see some very special birds. Looking forward to the next weekend birding - wherever that may be! I especially enjoyed Saturday in the New Forest which I thought was magical. It has been a privilege to have such great guides. Well done Richard!” (Jude Brown).

“Thankyou again for an action packed holiday. Having special guides I guess attracts some people but I missed your input which I felt was best on the holiday last year. Looking forward to July but disappointed you won’t be with us all the way.” (Ann Wagstaff).

“Dear Richard, I had a super time with the group and everyone helped me to increase my knowledge and understanding, thank you. The schedule was a little packed for some people but I understand others wanting to do as much as possible. Maybe one or two visits could be offered as ‘optional’. Lastly, thank you and Simon for all your hard work and commitment. Thank you again for a great trip, I begin to understand the passion for birding!” (Jan Ottley).

“Hope you got home safely and many thanks for another brilliant weekend which we think may even have eclipsed the Norfolk one!! Thanks for all you do – it must take up a huge amount of your time. Please keep going!!” (Sue Carter & Steve Goodrich).

“Very well organised with a great mix of habitats and expert guides. Boat trip in Poole harbour was an absolute joy & looking forward to the next trip, thank you Richard!” (Wendy Brownrigg).

“Great weekend, great company, great birds, good weather – what more can one ask for. Loved going to Portland to see old stomping grounds. No new birds but enjoyed boat trip” (George Wise).

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” ARUNDEL, DORSET & THE NEW FOREST WILD BIRD LIST (116) Avocet Goldfinch Little Tern Rook Blackbird Goshawk Long-tailed Tit Sanderling Blackcap Great Black-backed Gull Magpie Sandwich Tern Black-headed Gull Great Crested Grebe Mallard Sedge Warbler Black-tailed Godwit Great Spotted W’pecker Marsh Harrier Shag Blue Tit Great Tit Marsh Tit Shelduck Green Woodpecker Meadow Pipit Shoveler Carrion Crow Greenfinch Mediterranean Gull Siskin Caspian Gull Grey Heron Mistle Thrush Skylark Cetti’s Warbler Grey Partridge Moorhen Song Thrush Chaffinch Greylag Goose Sparrowhawk Chiffchaff Guillemot Nuthatch Spoonbill Coal Tit Hawfinch (H) Oystercatcher Spotted Flycatcher Collared Dove Herring Gull Peregrine Falcon Starling Common Buzzard Hobby Pheasant Stock Dove Common Scoter Honey Buzzard Pied Wagtail Stonechat Common Tern House Martin Pochard Swallow Coot House Sparrow Puffin Swift Cormorant Jackdaw Raven Tree Pipit Cuckoo Jay Razorbill Treecreeper Curlew Kestrel Red Kite Tufted Duck Dartford Warbler Kingfisher Red-legged Partridge Water Rail (H) Dunlin Kittiwake Redshank Whitethroat Dunnock Lapwing Redstart Wigeon Firecrest Lesser Black-backed Gull Reed Bunting Willow Warbler Fulmar Linnet Reed Warbler Wood Warbler (H) Gadwall Little Egret Ringed Plover Woodlark Gannet Little Grebe Robin Woodpigeon Goldcrest Little Owl Rock Pipit Wren

“Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” CAPTIVE BIRD LIST Argentine Red Shoveler Eider Long-tailed Duck Ruddy Shelduck Barnacle Goose Falcated Teal Magpie Goose Smew Bewick’s Swan Ferruginous Duck Mandarin Duck Swan Goose Black-necked Goose Goldeneye Muscovy Duck Trumpeter Swan Cape Shelduck Harlequin Duck Orinoco Goose Carolina Wood Duck Hooded Merganser Puna Teal

BUTTERFLIES & INSECTS Brimstone Large White Orange Tip Red Admiral Small Copper Green Hairstreak Speckled Wood Hornet Large Red Damsefly Banded Demoiselle Four-spotted Chaser Broad-bodied Chaser

WILD FLOWERS Bogbean Cow Parsley Red Campion Sea Campion Common Vetch Tufted Vetch Kidney Vetch Black Medick Red Clover White Clover Ox-eye Daisy Red & White Valerian Viper’s Bugloss Southern Marsh Orchid Ragged Robin Thrift Herb Robert Common Mallow Yellow Pimpernel Tormentil And finally …

Based on your feedback regarding suggestions for future ‘Bargain Birding Club’ trips, I’ll start to scope out details with Simon for 2016 and 2017, based on the following …

• March 2016 (S) Newport Wetlands, Nagshead, Symonds Yat & Slimbridge • March 2016 (R) Morocco – Oeud Souss and Oeud Massa • May 2016 (R&S) France – Marquenterre (May Day BH weekend) • May 2016 (R&S) Norfolk and Suffolk (Spring BH weekend) • July 2016 (R&S) North East - Farne Islands and Saltholme • October 2016 (R) Spain – Alicante • January 2017 (S) North West - Leighton Moss & Martin • March 2017 (R) The Gambia • April 2017 (R) Greece – Lesbos • May 2017 (S) France – Marquenterre • May 2017 (R) Spain – Alicante (May Day BH weekend) • May 2017 (R&S) Norfolk and Suffolk (Spring BH weekend) • July 2017 (R&S) Devon or The New Forest • November 2017 (R) Greece (Lake Kerkini) www.bargainbirdingclub.com “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget” New Forest “Value for money bird watching trips for birders on a budget”