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Birds in Poole Harbour © Paul Morton

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Wildlife & Bird Watching

Dorset is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and one of the best ways to see the wildlife is to visit a reserve, attend an event, walk with an experienced guide or just meander along one of the many trails in the area. Whatever you do make a date with nature!

Explore Brownsea Island, the home of the red squirrel, Sika Deer and thousands of wading birds. Discover wildlife or simply be out in the fresh air enjoying beautiful surroundings - there is so much to see in the harbour and on island.

Dorset Wildlife Trust manage over 100 hectares of the largest island in Poole Harbour. The first little egrets to breed in Britain nested here. The showpiece is the lagoon, with large flocks of waders, including avocets and black-tailed godwits from autumn to early spring, as well as flocks of spectacular spoonbills. In the summer, watch nesting common and sandwich terns. Red squirrels are visible all year with autumn being the easiest time to spot them. Take the nature trail around the best of the wildlife habitats and hides, visit the Villa Wildlife Centre and see for yourself.

Open from March to November (*National Trust Charges apply plus boat fare from Poole Quay or Sandbanks and a Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve entrance fee.)

Autumn and winter are the best time to see thousands of birds as Poole Harbour teems with visitors. November to January, special Bird Boats run by the National Trust, RSPB and Dorset Wildlife Trust get you close to the action with access to Brownsea Island out of season complete with a guided walk. These popular visits fill up quickly so booking is essential.

Whatever the season it's a fantastic time to see something; whether it's a riot of colour when the heather blooms on the heathland, the autumn colours of the New Forest when the pigs are out foraging for the fallen acorns (but beware as they can be aggressive so view from a safe distance!) or seeing the harbour wintering birds make their appearance. Make a date with nature and take a bird boat and let them introduce you to the spectacular views of feeding avocets and other waders.

Inland from the World Heritage Coast and to the south and west of Salisbury Plain and the New Forest lies the wonderfully varied scenery of rural Dorset, offering a variety of different habitats for plants and wildlife.

Remember plants don't just grow on land - you can discover all sorts of fascinating plants and algae in the sea too. There's lots to do along the Dorset coast, have fun rockpooling, dolphin watching or find out more at a marine centre. Boat trips, kayaking and coastal walks give access to limestone cliffs inhabited by breeding birds and you may be lucky enough to see dolphins.

Birds of Poole Harbour, with its visitor centre based on Poole Quay helps visitors to learn about the harbour’s rich and varied bird life, as well as offering a range of interactive experiences, showcasing the harbour’s ecological importance.

The other side of Poole Harbour is Arne nature reserve, a rare stretch of heathland that is home to all six of the UK's rarest native species. Managed by the RSPB, visitors can take part in a whole host of events and activities that will inspire a life long love of nature.

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