Lagoon alive with waders
Autumn means the lagoon is alive with wading birds, some feeding and others just resting while they wait for the tide to drop in Poole Harbour. Because of our wind-powered pump, we are able to regulate the water level so there is always somewhere for weary waders to take a break.
It is absolutely spectacular - on the highest tides recently we have had counts of 1,223 black-tailed godwit, 530 avocet and 750 oystercatcher.
A great place to stop-off for dinner
As well as the big flocks, autumn is the time for migrant waders to break their journeys and you never know what you might see. Up to 7 curlew sandpiper and 3 little stint have been seen already this autumn and other waders include greenshank, redshank, spotted redshank, ringed plover, dunlin, ruff and grey plover.
Other migrants include ospreys. This impressive fish-eating bird of prey stops over in Poole Harbour for anything from a day or so to weeks, with up to 5 or 6 birds around at any one time during the autumn.
Tropical feel
Despite the weather cooling down, the scene can look a bit tropical, with groups of the perfectly named spoonbills (up to 13 at a time so far) and large gatherings of little egrets, the white heron that first nested in Britain on Brownsea.
Some are only just arriving
The lagoon is also filling up with wildfowl as we head towards winter, including wigeon, teal and shelduck and our first brent geese of the autumn have just arrived.
New hide with brilliant views
Views of the lagoon are even more amazing this year, with the opening of the new state of the art Macdonald Hide with all-around views of all the action and the closest views of nesting terns anywhere in Britain.
A few Sandwich terns are still lingering even now before leaving us for Africa. It was a hard breeding season for them on Brownsea, with many chicks lost to predators.
To the woods
In the woodlands are large mixed flocks, with willow warblers and chiffchaffs amongst the tits and other birds. Green woodpeckers are frequently seen and nuthatches regularly heard around the Villa and we have had recent sightings of the elusive lesser-spotted woodpecker.
We are also seeing some spotted flycatchers breaking their journey south, while the woods are home to young buzzards and tawny owls. The owls nested very close to the Villa, our HQ on the island and visitors have been catching sight of them perched in full view during the day.
Red squirrels still stars of the show... but look out for other wildlife
At the lakes tufted duck, gadwall, mallard, little grebe and heron can be heard and seen. Last but definitely not least, red squirrels are regular attendees at the feeders by the Villa. Now is a great time to see them as they come down to find food on the ground.
In the reedbeds Sika deer and water voles are present but sometimes difficult to see, and best looked for from the reedbed boardwalk and hide.
More Information
To find out more about Brownsea Island Nature Reserve (including a great podcast by our wardens and recent day-by-day wildlife sightings) go to : Brownsea Island Nature Reserve
For more on things to do and see this Autumn, take a look at our very own webpage : Autumnwatch in Dorset
By Nicky Hoar
Communications Officer (and bird lover)
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