In the REFERENCE section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- Find species information with photos, maps, etc
- Access Identification tools for birds, flora and trees
- Find information about nature reserves and hotspots
- Access information about Sites of special scientific interest
- Learn about the wildlife habitats of Dorset
REFERENCE SECTION
"My personal guide to the nature reserves and wildlife hot-spots of Dorset and the species that may be seen at each along with help in identifying those animals and plants."
To aid users of mobile devices as well as those with a mouse or laptop finger pad this site uses a simple image-based menu system. Virtually every picture you see (images and photos) are links to more information arranged in a sort of top-down structure. See an image, click or tap on it to open a new page.
 One of England's finest earthworks where the land has been undisturbed for centuries and is a good site for orchids
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 Visited by many for the walk to Old Harry Rocks but the south facing escarpment slope provides an abundance of flowers and is a prime site for butterflies.
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 Once clay pits for the local brick works now beautifully transformed into a water garden which is home to the national water lily collection
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 Wonderful at bluebell time but a lovely woodland at any time.
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 Saline water meadow, saltmarsh, extensive reed-bed, tidal river, large lake resulting from long finished gravel extraction and more!
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 Beautiful views with beautiful flowers and beautiful butterflies but is best visited on beautiful days!
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 A high ridge west of Bere Regis with a fairly steep climb to get to the top. Predominantly gorse and heather sandwiched between agricultural land
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 The area around the Hardy Monument above Portesham with nice walks and some of the best coastal views in the county
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 An abandoned ball clay pit which produces the lovely blue colouring of the water that makes this place famous
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 Noted for its bluebells but part of the common is a working coppice and beech and conifer plantation. Well worth a visit in spring for woodland flowers and singing birds.
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 Wild ground along the top of the cliffs from Boscombe to Southborne with lots of grasses and flowers although some of the more unusal species are garden escapes.
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 Varied, interesting habitat along the course of the Bourne river as it runs though Wallisdown and Branksome towards the sea.
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 An excellent Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve with a diverse array of habitat and wide range of floral species.
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 The area just inside Poole harbour entrance, to the south, known for wildfowl and wader watching in winter
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 A disused quarry now a superb wildlife site managed by Butterfly Conservation Dorset.
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 A delighful small community orchard with very old apple trees and lots of wild flowers.
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 In the grounds of the Dorset Wildlife Trust headquarters at Brooklands Farm devloped as a conservation area
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 An island in Poole Harbour cut off from 'civilisation' and is a delight to visit with its speciality, the red squirrel, one of the highlights.
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 A remnant of ancient woodland in the middle of Verwood with good access for wheelchair uses.
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Here are some other sites of natural interest in the county that, as yet, I have been unable to visit but hope to at some point soon.
| Site Name (click to view) | Notes |
|---|---|
| Batcombe Down |
A good site for orchids including two rare Dorset species, fly orchid and musk orchid |
| Bere Heath |
Heathland just south of Bere Regis |
| Bincombe Down |
Chalk downland to the north of Weymouth
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| Black Hill Down |
A chalk ridge running south from Cerne Abbas with lots of flowers and butterfles. |
| Bothenhampton Local Nature Reserve |
A disused quarry and a hillside walk near Bridport |
| Branksome Dene Chine Local Nature Reserve |
The largest part of the Poole Bay Cliffs SSSI. Much of the invasive species have now been removed and the site is recovering. |
| Breach Fields |
Unimproved grassland just west of Shaftesbury |
| Brenscombe Heath |
A remnant of heathland just east of Corfe Castle. |
| Broadstone Heath Local Nature Reserve |
Remnant heathland, both wet and dry with woodland as well. |
| Butts Ponds Meadows Local Nature Reserve |
A small reserve noted for the presence of all three species of British newts. |
In the REFERENCE section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- Find species information with photos, maps, etc
- Access Identification tools for birds, flora and trees
- Find information about nature reserves and hotspots
- Access information about Sites of special scientific interest
- Learn about the wildlife habitats of Dorset
In the RECORDS section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- See the latest sightings in lists, maps, charts and photos
- Find out where and when species have been seen
- Find out what has been seen at a site near you
- Find out the best time of year to see selected species
- Create your own lists, charts and maps and export data
In the RESOURCES section of the Nature of Dorset you can:
- See what is new across the site
- Use extended search facilities
- Ask questions or start discussions
- Keep up to date with the news
- Find an assortment of other resources
