Dorset Walks

Friday February 23rd       Wareham Forest

list of species seen

Trip Report

A wet and windy afternoon but still a very pleasant walk in outstanding scenery.

We parked at Sherford Bridge and walked across a field and through the trees towards the plantations and clear-felled areas that were regenerating into heathland. The windy conditions kept most birds out of sight but we did manage to hear a Mistle Thrush singing in the top of one of the Alder trees near the river. A pair of Stonechats were out on the Gorse bushes but if there were any Dartford Warblers out there they kept well hidden.
Next we left the Forestry Commission road and took a track through the forest to Morden Park Lake. As we arrived 2 Grey Wagtails flew up and landed uncharacteristically close on some branches overhanging the lake. Out on the lake were a few duck and 2 or 3 Little Grebes.

Several tree stumps here had good growths of Varicoloured Bracket, including one patch that was covered with green algae.
The walk back to the road produced some superb views of Buzzards and a patch of Common Polypody ferns.

The day's list...

Birds

Mallard
Buzzard
Wood Pigeon
Green Woodpecker (heard)
Mistle Thrush
Robin
Stonechat
Goldcrest
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Long-tailed Tit
Plants

Common Polypody
Scots Pine
Alder
Silver Birch
Oak
Common Heather
Gorse
Rhodedendron
Holly
Hazel
Fungi

Birch Bracket
Varicoloured Bracket

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