Brownsea Island is a popular spring to autumn tourist attraction in Poole Harbour. The Island is famous for it being the place of the first ever Scout camp, having one of the few surviving Red Squirrel populations in England. Visiting the Island presents the photograph opportunities to photograph the red squirrels, peacocks and chicken up close, whilst the woodlands also have some deer and of course the trees themselves to
Keyhaven is a small village near the coastal town of Lymington. Nearby is the start of a coastal nature reserve that runs from Keyhaven to Lymington – owned and run by Hampshire Country Council. Details of their ownership and a leaflet on the reserve is available on their reserve webpage. The reserve has several circular walks around the lagoons, mud flats and salt marshes. The Keyhaven end of the reserve
Stanpit Marsh is an SSSI Nature Reserve run by Christchurch Council, and overlooks Mudeford Bay / Christchurch Harbour where the local two large rivers the Stour and Avon converge into the Sea. The marshes attract a range of birds and is a much visited location, offering a good walk around the North Side of the harbour with views to the Bay and back along the river to Christchurch Priory. As
Appleslade Car Park in the New Forest is near the Red Shoot Inn, and is just outside of Ringwood. There is a camping park next to the Inn. The car park itself is fairly small offering parking for around 10 vehicles. From here the best place to walk is up the short if slightly steep hill near the entrance to the car park. This takes you up to a flatter
Swanage is an seaside town, that had its tourist heyday in the Victorian era. The town is on the Purbeck coast of East Dorset, and has a working historic Railway which runs for most of the year – full details of the timetable is on their website SwanageRailway.co.uk The old trains and station equipment being a worthwile attraction for photographers, especially those interested in trains. Swanage is close to Durleston
Slimbridge is a Wildlife & WetLands Trust in Gloucestershire. The reserve is extensive and features several hides overlooking both the Trusts captive birds and out of the reserve to local wild birds. Slimbridge is just of the M5 between Bristol and Gloucester, and is open all year bar Christmas Day. Tickets to the reserve can be bought in advance online ( and at the time of writing this saves 10%
Summer is a time of colour for birds – with the adults in their breeding plummage – and the youngsters adding to is as they start to fledge. Perhaps one of the more startling transformations that is viewable in the UK is that of the Turnstone. From a drab white and brown winter birds – the adult breeding plumage is a bright orange. I was lucky enough to see one
Mudeford Bay is accessible from three main points and offers the photographer access to an unspoilt natural harbour, which offers opportunities to photograph wild birds ( especially sea birds in the winter months), water sports & landscape shots of the bay, Mudeford Quay and Hengistbury Head. The two main places to park up and walk near the bay are at Hengistbury Head Car Park, and also at Mudeford Quay (
Nature is amazing, and often amusing, like this young Starling that today, whilst pulling of an impressive Balancing act – see the video for this, managed to pull of some great expressions that could certainly make it a contender for inclusion in the popular game Angry Birds.
Emperor of the Skies by Chris Atkinson on 500px
