Again on our own waiting for eldest daughter to finish for the day. We decided to head over to RSPB Arne but on getting to the site the rain crashed down; no way to start a walk round the reserve, even if it started through woodland. Off we went to Corfe Castle, well to see the castle of course but also to grab an early lunch. Rain was due to clear by around 1.00pm and a window of 2hrs dry would allow us to make a quick circuit of the reserve.
Getting back to the reserve the rain had indeed stopped and off we set. 
The first sighting we had was of grey squirrels; normally we might have been taken with them but we had been spoilt with reds the day before. So many squirrels in singles and up to fours. Then we passed fields and woods containing sika deer. They seemed quite happy when feeding at the other end of fields but when we encountered groups in the woods they were obviously keen to maintain an acceptable distance from us.
Good ranges of habitat from woodland, then moorland, then coastal, then moorland and then back to woodland. From the coastal turn we started seeing all manner of birds with goldcrest being added to the year list. 
From the Visitor Centre we also noted siskin and brambling in the fading light around the feeders. Some firecrests were leading some birders a merry dance around the car park but we unfortunately had to get on our way before catching up with them ourselves.
Well worth coming back again soon.
Sighting (28) included: woodpigeon, brent goose, little egret, oystercatcher, mallard, redshank, wren, carrion crow, black-tailed godwit, black-headed gull, cormorant, great black-backed gull, herring gull, nuthatch, curlew, coal tit, great tit, chaffinch, magpie, starling, goldcrest, long-tailed tit, robin, greenfinch, siskin, brambling, blue tit and dunnock.
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