Garden bird photos mostly from our garden - and a few from not too far away.

There are more photos on my site http://www.birds.deansfamily.com/

Forum outing to Far Ings reserve on 25/09/10. Includes some photos taken at Blacktoft Sands reserve on 24/09/10 and at Waters Edge reserve on 26/09/10.

Along the coast between the IoW and Poole. Brownsea Island is just to the west of Bournemouth, within Poole harbour. The island is National Trust and includes a Dorset Wildlife Trust nature reserve. There is one public hide plus another two within the DWT reserve.

Hengistbury Head is a little to the east of Bournemouth and has areas set aside for Skylarks and Meadow Pipits plus a non-public access bird sanctuary. Lots of Sand Martins on the higher cliffs, plus a variety of small birds on the heathland and waders on the mudflats.

Hurst Castle is on the next point to the east and as close to the IoW as you can get. It's a 2 mile walk out on a shingle causeway - mudflats one side and open sea the other. Well worth the visit. Lots of Meadow Pipits at the castle - more common than House Sparrows in the average garden.

Tufted Duck?
To be viewed in conjunction with the following thread:
http://www.birding.uk.com/forum/what-bird/2277-duck-id.html