The 9th October saw a mixed bunch of comic book and cartoon characters led by Dave "Desperate Dan" Goodwin set off from Nottingham on the Nottingham RSPB trip to Bournemouth. Olive Oyl and Popeye, Mr. Magoo, the Bash Street Kids, Minnie the Minx and Officer Dibble were present though you will have to fit names to the characters. The stagecoach was expertly driven by Rob, with Jill acting as lookout and trolley dolly.

Our route to Bournemouth was a circuitous one as we were due to make a first stop at Staines Reservoir. By the time we arrived seventeen species had been seen from the coach, of which the most notable was a jay.

For those of you who have not visited Staines before, it consists of a series of reservoirs close to Heathrow Airport. Most are full but one now consists of a series of shallow pools separated by spits and islands of gravel, excellent for waders. This attraction was seen straight away as one of the first species seen was a green sandpiper. Snipe, ruff, dunlin, black tailed godwit and little stint confirmed the attraction of the site. Ducks were also present in some numbers, with wigeon, pintail and ruddy duck prominent. It is clear that the attempt to cull this latter, introduced, species is likely to prove difficult.

Passerines were more elusive. A few swallows were still performing their aerial ballet but the star was a whinchat, which obligingly perched beside the footpath which divides the shallow lagoon from a deep water reservoir.

In the early afternoon it was time to continue our journey. We arrived at Bournemouth before four. Football fans were soon in front of the television watching the England game whilst others went for a walk. This proved fruitful when Stuart spotted a Mediterranean gull among the black headed gulls on the cliff top.

In the evening we found out a little more about our hotel, the Mansfield. One was the sunny disposition of the owner and the other was that there was to be an entertainer booked for that evening. After a good meal some decided to stay for the "entertainment" whilst others opted for the real ale delights of the Goat and Tricycle where the following conversation took place:
Ken Lee: Pint of bitter please.
Landlord: We've got nine.
Ken: I'll have number five.
Landlord: It's off!
Back at the hotel the entertainment was described by one member of the audience as "music to commit suicide by" so the escapees were fortunate.

The following day a trip to Arne, one of my favourite reserves, was scheduled. It is only a few miles from Bournemouth so we arrived early. During the breeding season part of the reserve is closed to give Arne's specialty, the Dartford warbler, every chance of success. By October the whole reserve is open so we were able to enjoy the full range of habitats that the reserve offers. In the woodland areas numbers of goldcrests and coal tits were seen as well as tree creeper and nuthatch. On reaching the dry heath, an endangered habitat, we searched for the Dartford warblers without success though the other group, who had chosen to go round the closed part of the reserve first, were more fortunate. This group had the good fortune to see an osprey pass over on its way south.

Arne also contains views over reedbeds and mud flats. From the raised hide we saw the ubiquitous little egret, kingfisher, brent geese and a selection of ducks and waders including both grey and golden plover. On the walk back to the car park we met the other group who were able to add raven and green and great spotted woodpeckers to the trip list. We were also surprised at the very large number of sika deer which inhabit the reserve. They were everywhere in the woodland, the heath and the reedbeds, showing little fear of us as we wandered along.

Now on the closed part of the reserve our party caught up at last with the Dartford warblers which were, as is often the case, accompanied by stonechats. The Dartford was a "lifer" for some members, so we were pleased to be able to find them. All the time new species were being added to the trip list, including marsh tit, willow tit and yellowhammer so that be the end of the day the total stood at ninety, a record for this stage in a weekend.

That evening, after another good meal, we found that the entertainer was due to return, presumably by popular demand. This news prompted a larger than usual rush to the Goat and Tricycle where we entered two teams in the quiz. One of the teams successfully upheld the honour of Nottingham RSPB by winning the quiz, the prize for victory being several bottles of wine.

There was eager anticipation among the group on Monday morning. Today's outing was to Brownsea Island, a new venue for many members. The short coach ride took us to Poole Harbour where we boarded one of the island ferries. David Plant spotted a guillemot in the harbour and on the journey to Brownsea Stuart entertained us with a series of sea songs. Devotees of the Last Night of the Proms will be relieved to note that the traditional programme of sea songs on that occasion is under no danger! A flight of red breasted mergansers was a distraction from the "musical" entertainment.

Having landed on Brownsea we were anxious to catch sight of some of its famous red squirrels and were soon rewarded as one scampered along the boardwalk in front of the party. We had heard that a rare visitor, a Western sandpiper, was on the lagoon and made straight for the hides. At first it eluded us but there were other compensations. Two spoonbills stood, heads tucked in, on one of the islands, and a huge flock of avocets crowded together in the shallow water. Having counted flocks of a couple of hundred or so in Norfolk the sight of nearly nine hundred birds in this one group was ample proof of the breeding success of this elegant wader.

We decided to temporarily abandon the search for the sandpiper in favour of finding the other Brownsea speciality, the golden pheasant. An area near the old vinery was suggested and when we reached it I noticed a photographer clearly intent on his work. I approached him and, in deep shade close to a rhododendron thicket, there it was, a male golden pheasant.

Even in shade it took your breath away. The combination of red, brown, bronze, gold and black was amazing. I admired especially the broad gold collar, edged in black, that covered the shoulders. The fashion trade would kill for a fraction of that style. The bird stood still for some time before slowly moving into the cover of the bushes.

Back in the hides news came through that the Western sandpiper had been relocated on one of the small islands. We hurried back, crammed into the rapidly filling hide, and looked at the bird. I don't know about you but for me small waders in winter plumage are not the most exciting sights in the bird world. White and grey seem to predominate and when the bird has its head tucked in recognition is not easy. However, with the help of local birders who had been watching the bird for some days, we picked it out among a group of dunlin. There was still a slight rusty tinge on the edge of some of the feathers on its back which confirmed the identification. A lifer all round!

Brownsea has other claims on the interest of the naturalist. In autumn there are many species of fungi to be seen, with fly agaric prominent. Some of us saw a hornet patrolling a water filled ditch much like a dragonfly. We all thoroughly enjoyed our day which finished with the sighting of a peregrine.

That evening Stuart Taylor gave us a very interesting short talk on the work he has been doing on heathland management. Dry heath is an endangered landscape in Britain and efforts to preserve what we have and, if possible, increase the area it covers, are to be applauded. He reminded us of birding etiquette. Because of the delicate balance of the food chain birders should not go charging across country or through the undergrowth in search of a better view of a rarity. If there is too much disturbance the birds leave and we are all the losers.

Tuesday meant the end of our trip and the weather had worsened, a slight but persistent drizzle accompanying us as we left Bournemouth. The day had begun with the Hotel fire alarm sounding but it was only toast burning in the kitchen. We made our way to Weymouth where the party split into two, some to visit Radipole and others preferring Lodmoor. Both reserves have their attractions. Radipole provided bearded tit and water rail to add to the total whilst Lodmoor produced wheatear and, on the sea, common scoter. At both reserves cettis warblers were seen. In my experience these reserves offer some of the best views of this warbler which more commonly skulks on dense vegetation, betraying it's presence by it's explosive song.

It was time to go and the journey to Nottingham passed without incident. The final total of species seen was a hundred and twelve and thanks go to the whole group for reporting their sightings. Barry won the sweep on the species total.

Dave and Jan deserve special thanks for all the hard work they put in to organising the trip. Thanks to Rob and Jill for helping to keep us in order and to Andy for assisting Dave and I on the rarities committee.

Next year, Wales in May! Can't wait!

Paul "Chalky" Daft