Dorset - RSPB Arne and a Forster's Tern

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Last weekend I enjoyed a mini-break from my journey to France. Storm Antonio had cleared and Sunday was a lovely day for cycling around Poole Harbour.

I stayed at Woodlanders campsite near Bere Regis. Very friendly. On Saturday night it hosted a wedding, two hen nights and a stag night. It was lovely. Lovely, but not rowdy and very quiet after 11 or so.

I was persuaded to give the dry cider a go. I enjoyed it so much I had a second. I haven't drank cider since Spain years ago. I also enjoyed the skilfull and artful display by a fire artist (if that's a phrase). He did a lovely performance to Massive Attack.

On Sunday I did a circuit of the bay (except Wareham to Poole where I took the train). After the checking route to the ferry terminal I headed on round the bay via the chain ferry to Purbeck.

Being on a bike I got to skip the long queue of cars. On the far side I cycled past an area where there was a lot of fire damage evident. Very sad.

I soon discovered national cycle route 2 and it was going in the right direction to RSPB Arne. I got free entry RSPB Arne as I arrived by bike.

As luck would have it there was a very rare vagrant at the reserve. A Forster's Tern all the way from America. And it was visible. A couple of birders pointed it out to me. I think I'm turning into an accidental twitcher.

Now that the sun was out, there were plenty of butterflies sunning themselves and feeding.

I still can't believe how lucky I was to see the Forster's Tern. It really made the day's exploration worthwhile.

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Photos

Wooders Campsite, Bere Regis
I'd love to be around for the mini-muduc festival next weekend.

Forster's Term
Fith bird from the left

gatekeeper
The vertical line of little white circles shows it's not a meadow brown.