Arne Dorset Special Trip

[monkey]

Originally Posted by PMG

Congratulations Linda - well done on the competition win

Just think if I wasn't laid up we could have joined you all as we should be in Dorset right now.

I love Arne - the woodland is just so magical ....... it must have been very nice to be taken into other parts of the reserve - thats always a thrill anywhere.

You're doing well Dave P I still have Sand Lizard and Smooth Snake on my wish list ........ I'm not jealous (much)

Pauline xx

Thanx for the congrats Pauline and yes I was really pleased with win and all the prizes, I got some great binoculars, 2 books and photograph in visitor centre at Arne and in next RSPB magazine as well as personal trip around parts Arne closed to visitors . I did intend to invite you two as you will see on your get well thread it said I had been thinkin of you as I did realise that you should have been in Dorset but did not want to rub salt in the wound
Glad ur better and let us know when you going to Dorset

[pressld2]

Originally Posted by Hobjob

Relatively easily to sort out for you next time you up at Minsmere - only best to go to Dunwich Cliffs (NT) - just give me a shout.

I'll take you up on that later David, only don't get your hopes up - I'm jinxed I tell you! I was at Dunwich back in May looking for them but without any luck. I know what'll happen. Once I've seen one I'll be forever tripping over them. It's just getting that first one that's proving tricky.

Originally Posted by Ukwildlifeo

Will they still be there in August?

They'll be there all year. They're not migratory like many other warblers. Whether they'll be visible or not is another matter. I'm told (by our RSPB guide at Arne) that in the winter months they stay deep within the gorse bushes living on spiders but not sure what their behaviour is in August.

Here are my odonate pics from the trip:


Common Blue Damselfly


Small Red Damselfly (male left and female right)


Keeled Skimmer


Four-Spotted Chaser

Dave P.

[Hobjob]

Originally Posted by pressld2

I'll take you up on that later David, only don't get your hopes up - I'm jinxed I tell you! I was at Dunwich back in May looking for them but without any luck. I know what'll happen. Once I've seen one I'll be forever tripping over them. It's just getting that first one that's proving tricky.

They'll be there all year. They're not migratory like many other warblers. Whether they'll be visible or not is another matter. I'm told (by our RSPB guide at Arne) that in the winter months they stay deep within the gorse bushes living on spiders but not sure what their behaviour is in August.

As Dave P says they will be there in August, but not so showy as in spring.
Good sunny day they will show, as they will in winter, though they are less relucatant then.

As Dave says once they arrive in an area they become resident - and the last two very cold winters have not hit them too hard (unlike the stonechats on the beach).

[Cordaline]

Some lovely photos there folkes!

[pressld2]

Just scanning another thread (this one: It looked like a Clifden Nonpareil Moth) reminded me that the large moth that joined us at Linda's for the barbecue was an Old Lady, and not a hawkmoth at all. I must learn not to leap to conclusions like that, just because it was huge.

I must also sort out the rest of the photos from this trip - I'm way behind!

Dave P.

[mbaldw]

Thanks Dave - I'd been meaning to ask you about that as I found a (pretty lousy) pic of it when I was going through the images on my mobile yesterday.

Cheers,
Marc.

[The_Moaner]

Glad you all had an excellent trip..Well Done on the images.
Wish I could of been there.