Thursday 30 June – Wareham Forest

forecast was poor but we were very lucky as it stayed dry all day and we even saw some sunshine. We did three walks during the day – the first from Sherford Bridge gave us good views of Jays, Tree Pipits, Linnets, Dartford Warblers, including a youngster, several families of Stonechats and three Hobbies. We heard Green Woodpeckers, Siskins, Yellowhammers, Goldcrests, Skylarks and a Song Thrush. Lunch was taken at Lawson’s Clump picnic site and here we saw Common Buzzards and Siskins. We walked to the top of the hill where you get wonderful views across the forest to Poole Harbour. Finally we drove to Culpepper’s Dish car park, south of Briantspuddle, where we did a walk which added Great Spotted Woodpecker and fine views of two Yellowhammers and Long-tailed Tits. In all we saw or heard 34 species for the day. Eight of us walked and enjoyed marvellous scenery, blue butterflies, yellow wax cap and earth ball fungi and a four-spotted footman moth. Bell and cross-leaved heather were in flower as well as bog asphodel and cotton grass. Many thanks to Jane Cumming for leading us on an enjoyable outing. Sue Prince