Places in the Poole area to visit. (1 Viewer)

[Shaggy2070]

In a couple of weeks time I'm heading down to Swanage near Poole for a few days. I've never been down this area before so don't know any places to go, apart from Brownsea Island.
Can anyone give me a few easy to find trips for birds, Butterflies, Dragonflies and especially Reptiles.

Cheers Shaggy:t:

BTW. I believe Brownsea island is owned by the National Trust. Do you have to pay to get on the Island (apart from the ferry cost) like the Farne Islands??

 

[kelvin.dunford]

Hi shaggy, from swanage you could walk to peveril point, 15minutes walk from town centre.anything could turn up seawatching wise.Another option is ;durlston country park;just follow coast path sighns,takes you there,good visitor centre. Browsea island,quikest ferry ride is from Sandbanks ferry,small boats leave from right hand side of chain link ferry.direct to brownsea.Pay ferry, then pay on landing access to island.An option would be R.S.P.B.Arne.Hope this helps,Regards. kelvin.

 

[DorsetDude]

Durlston CP is just up the road from Swanage. Very good for birds, butterflies and wild flowers.
Guillemots, Razorbills and fulmars should still be there. Chances of peregrine.
Adonis Blue butterlfies and others out.
Some reptiles as well I feel sure.
http://www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?id=3&dry_id=2&nid=119

Reptiles tricky to find but I believe Arne has all 6 on site. Also dartford warblers. Might be inundated with springwatch watching joe publics this week though. Myself, I'd steer clear for a while. 2 weeks you may be ok. Although SW still running then I believe.
Purbecks is a lovely spot pretty much anywhere though. A walk along the coast path anywhere might provide you with interest.
Ballard down north of Swanage toward Old Harry rocks a nice stroll, peregrine again a possible. Heathland around Studland for birds and reptiles again.

Good luck.

 

[Hottentot]

Hello shaggy

For reptiles the Wareham Forest/Morden Bog area is very good although you have to make your own way around as there are no marked walks.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006105.aspx

The heathland around Studland is normally crawling with reptiles particularly adders and smooth snakes.

http://www.naturalengland.org.uk/ourwork/conservation/designatedareas/nnr/1006138.aspx

Also there are Green and Wall Lizards in Bournemouth

http://www.thenaturalstuff.co.uk/lizard_articles/_lobc_1.html

Cheers

 

[Shaggy2070]

Thanks for the tips:t:.
I'll keep a record of these sites for when I get there on the 19th June for the week.
Hopefully I'll find them easily enough and get some good sightings o .