We had a quick look around Arne RSPB to look for Dartford Warblers.
We heard a couple calling briefly, but didn't show themselves.
We saw a few Meadow Pipits, Marsh Harrier & a couple of Stonechats.
The main reason for visiting Dorset was for the Swanage Railway Spring Steam Gala held between 28th-30th March 2025.
The line featured the resident locos based on the line: 31806, 563 34070 Manston & 34072 257 Squadron.
They all ran alongside 2 visiting locos: 41313 visiting from the Isle of Wight Steam Railway & 4953 Pitchford Hall from Eipping Ongar Railway in Essex.
Sika Deer were feeding in the field by the railway early evening.
![Sika Deer [Male].JPG 2](https://zenfolio.creatorcdn.com/66dafca2-966d-4a24-b022-35f479af395b/0/0/0/XXL/0-0-0/94833a2b-1467-4e62-8ae8-1a2eecf0aa98/1/1/Sika%20Deer%20%5BMale%5D.JPG%202.jpg?fjkss=exp=4897186200~hmac=6a2c23e653f8ca6a0074c3d2dedc1965006fd4e35341da2a5e23807816877f53)
![Sika Deer [Pricket].JPG 1](https://zenfolio.creatorcdn.com/66dafca2-966d-4a24-b022-35f479af395b/0/0/0/XXL/0-0-0/925fe24a-239e-43ac-bcdd-f7b0b2fc5e41/1/1/Sika%20Deer%20%5BPricket%5D.JPG%201.jpg?fjkss=exp=4897186200~hmac=6a2c23e653f8ca6a0074c3d2dedc1965006fd4e35341da2a5e23807816877f53)