This elegant bird seems to be a favourite illustration for holiday home adverts aimed at attracting birders to the South coast, and it is easy to see why. When we made our first ever vist to Brownsea Island in Poole harbour, we fully expected to find an Avocet. We did not expect to see such a huge raft of them though.

Spectacular though this sight was, it looked unlikely that we would get a closer view. However, later in the day, a few birds ventured closer to the shore.

Next Bird

Photographs - October 2004

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