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birding...
England Dorset
To most birders Dorset is virtually synonymous with Portland Bill and its observatory famed for finding rarities at almost any time of year. Indeed the county`s position, partly sticking out into the channel and subject to a milder climate than almost any other part of the country, does mean it is well positioned to attract overshooting migrants and wandering colonisers. It is no surprise that the first breeding little egrets in the UK chose Dorset to begin their invasion. Little egrets have been in evidence in all months around Poole harbour for many years. However, this is not all there is to this county. The Weymouth reserves, almost unique in their urban locales are worth a visit any time of day and any day of the year too, as are Dorset`s lowland heaths (the most threatened habitat in the UK, much already eaten up by the most rapidly expanding urban area in the country - Bournemouth); as well as plantations, army training grounds, hidden chines and wetlands. Dorset seems to straddle the west and east, with buzzards and redstarts, honey buzzards and bearded tits. There are some great places to bird and the ones below are just a selection, you should explore Dorset for yourself. |
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top sites |
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Abbotsbury and the Fleet
(SY575840)Good recent record with rare birds of all kinds. Good public access along paths on north shore. Abbotsbury can be viewed distantly from public roads, a full visit is better but fee payable at the Swannery. Worthwhile at any time though August to May best.Christchurch Harbour
(ST162923)Excellent variety of habitats in small area. May not look much on the map but outstanding record of quality rarities speaks for itself. Best during migration. Much disturbance in mid-summer. Early morning on Hengistbury Head with remainder of day around Wick Hams, Stanpit Marsh and Priory Pools. Notice-board at Stanpit with recent information.Hartland Moor
(SY957860)Often missed by birders speeding down to Arne this delightful old heath, with some heathland reclamation projects being carried out on it, is a great place for the typical species of lowland heath; Dartford warblers, nightjars, and hobby making any summer evening magical.Lodmoor Reserve
(SY685810)With bearded tits, vagrant waders and gulls and Cetti`s warblers etc.. The latest bird information is available from Portland Bird Observatory or Radipole RSPB shop.Poole Harbour
(SY962881)Huge area with lots of possibilities. Most popular sites are Studland (winter); Arne (all year); Brownsea Island (access from Easter until October); Holes Bay (a must during a freeze); Wareham area (Autumn through Spring). Most of these will give a days birding on their own but it is usual to combine 2 or 3. A day list of over 100 is a reasonable prospect in spring or autumn. Information available from County Recorder.Portland and Weymouth
National favourite, worthwhile at any time of year. Area can easily be covered in a day.Purbeck Coast
(SY832772)Primarily during migration. An excellent rarity pedigree. Main sites are Durlston Head, Winspit and St Aldhelm`s Head and most recently Osmington Mills. Though any of the coast from Swanage to Weymouth can be rewarding. Most sites can be covered in under half a day. Primarily searching for migrant passerines which can be present in large numbers (esp in autumn). Sea watching also available though not so reliable as at Portland. Durlston Country Park centre has nature diary with recent sightings.Radipole RSPB Reserve
(SY675800)With bearded tits, vagrant waders and gulls and Cetti`s warblers etc. The latest information on sightings can be had from Radipole RSPB shop.contributor |
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Ian Lewis
gryllo.poole@virgin.net
county recorder |
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Kevin Lane
dorsetbirdclub@hotmail.com
numbers |
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County Bird - Hoopoe Upupa epops
useful reading |
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Bird Song from a Dorset Wood and Heathland Garden CD
John Hammick - Mandarin Productions 2004ISBN: 151160
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Coastal Birds and Marine Mammals of Mid Dorset
Richard White and Andrew Webb 48 pages, b/w photos, line illus, tabs, figs. Joint Nature Conservation Committee Distributed by NHBS 1995ISBN: 1873701969
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Coastal Birds of East Dorset
S.J. Aspinall, M.L. Tasker Paperback - 48 pages (1990) Joint Nature Conservation CommitteeISBN: 0861396847
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Rare Birds in Dorset
Edited by Stephen Morrison 192 pages, 55 distribution maps, 157 graphs. 1998ISBN: 0953007804
Buy this book from NHBS.com
The Birds of Dorset
by George Green Published by Christopher Helm 2004 ?40See Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713669349
Buy this book from NHBS.com
Where to Watch birds in Dorset, Hampshire & the Isle of Wight
By Dr G. Green and M. Cade (Helm) 2001 3rd EditionSee Fatbirder Review
ISBN: 0713656921
Buy this book from NHBS.com
useful information |
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Proact
Coordinator: none (why not apply?)
see http://www.proact-campaigns.net/coordinators
Members: 4
Join us at http://www.proact-campaigns.net/team
clubs |
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Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group
http://www.chog.org.uk/CHOG watches and records the birds of Christchurch Harbour, which is situated on the south coast of England and includes the well known birdwatching areas of Hengistbury Head and Stanpit Marsh. Despite covering an area of only 9 square kilometers, over 300 species of bird have occurred in the harbour.
Dorset Wildlife Trust
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/The Trust`s main activity is to acquire and manage nature reserves for the benefit of the wildlife of Dorset. We have 40 established reserves, ranging from a tiny island in the river Stour to our most recent acquisition, Upton Heath.
Dorset Bird Club
http://www.dorsetbirdclub.org.ukContact Diana Dyer, The Cedars, 3 Osmay Road, Swanage, Dorset. By phone on 01929 421402 Chairman - Jackie Hull j.hull2@virgin.net
Holton Lee
http://www.holtonlee.co.ukThis reserve is open to disabled users and has specially designed facilities - as far as we know it is the only such facility in the UK
observatories |
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Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre
http://www.portlandbirdobs.btinternet.co.uk/Portland Bird Observatory and Field Centre, situated at the Old Lower Light, Portland Bill, in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England, was established in 1961 to provide a focal point and accommodation for naturalists, particularly birdwatchers, visiting Portland. The origins of the Observatory date from the pioneering work by Dr Ken Rooke and friends who began studying bird migration at the Bill in 1951.
Warden: Martin Cade, Old Lower Light, Portland, Dorset DT5 2JT 01305 820533 obs@btinternet.com
museums |
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Dorset County Museum
http://www.britainexpress.com/counties/dorset/museums/county-museum.htmThe focus of this collection is plants and animals from within the boundaries of Dorset, including insects, birds, molluscs, marine invertebrates and plants, and much more. Included are a collection of 5,000 native herbs, as well as bird specimens collected by local resident Alfred Wallace, a contemporary of Charles Darwin, on his travels around the world...
reserves |
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Abbotsbury
http://www.abbotsbury-tourism.co.uk/swannery.htmThis nature reserve of international importance supports a wealth of wildlife. Sedge and reed warblers, heron, great crested grebe and diving and dabbling ducks frequent this wetland habitat. Because of the proximity to the sea Abbotsbury also has little and common terns, shelduck, cormorant, and ringed plover. There is also the chance to see more unusual species.
Brownsea Island
http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/brownseaThe lagoon was reclaimed from the harbour in the 1850s to create farmland, but neglect of the sea wall and wind pumps led to its becoming a non-tidal wetland, which attracts a variety of birds whose legs and beaks fit them for feeding in brackish water and on mudflats. It is a habitat of national importance, providing a vital refuge for waders, especially when the tide is high and the mud flats around Poole harbour are covered.
RSPB Reserve - Arne
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/index.aspArne is the place to see heathland wildlife including Dartford warblers and nightjars. All six species of reptiles found in the UK live here: adders, grass snakes, smooth snakes, sand lizards, common lizards and slow worms. There are also 22 species of dragonflies...
RSPB Reserve - Garston Wood
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/g/garstonwood/index.aspThis ancient coppiced wood is especially worth visiting in spring, when there is a breathtaking carpet of bluebells, wood anemones and primroses. You can see many woodland birds, including turtle doves...
RSPB Reserve - Lodmoor
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/l/lodmoor/index.aspThis reserve has a grazing marsh with ditches, shallow pools, reedbed and bushes. You can see bearded tits and Cetti`s warblers all year and there is one of the largest breeding colonies of common terns in the south-west...
RSPB Reserve - Radipole Lake
http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/r/radipolelake/index.aspRadipole Lake, an R.S.P.B. reserve of national repute, is found in the centre of the seaside town of Weymouth. Its location lends itself to easy access by either public transport or private car. It is within 5 minutes walk of the Weymouth railway station.
trip reports |
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Travelling Birder
http://www.travellingbirder.com
The Travellingbirder.com birding trip report search engine guides you to 7,000+ birding trip reports on the Internet. You can search for trip reports from a specific country and time of year. Not all these reports are in English. So, if you can’t find the trip report you want on this Fatbirder page… give them a try!
1998 [July] - Helen Baines
http://helensbirds.homestead.com/UK98.htmlIt was also fairly quiet birdwise, but we saw an average of 21 species per outing, giving us a total of 91 species for the trip, which included 33 lifers.
tour operators |
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Birdfinders
http://www.birdfinders.co.uk/Locally based international tour operator - Birdfinders, Westbank, Cheselbourne, Dorset, DT2 7NW, United Kingdom Telephone: +44 (0)1258 839066 Fax: +44 (0)1258 837449 Mobile: 07050 602473
Birding Pal
http://www.birdingpal.org/Unitedkingdom.htmLocal birders willing to show visiting birders around their area...
Swallow Birding
http://www.swallowbirding.co.uk/On Swallow Birding trips we are enthusiastic, relaxed, friendly and fun. Small groups mean Leader Steve Grimwade can give the time and attention necessary to make your trip a great birding experience!
Two Owls Birding
http://www.twoowlsbirding.co.uk...we offer guided birdwatching half-day, full-day trips and courses in the Dorset, New Forest and West Hampshire area plus birding weekends in the UK...
places to stay |
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Cove Holiday Park - Portland
http://6covepark.co.ukTwo holiday bungalows to let…
Dorset Accommodation for birdwatchers
http://www.birdsofbritain.co.uk/accommodation/dorset-accommodation.htmAnnotated list...
Holton Lee
http://www.holtonlee.co.uk...empowering and resourcing people, particularly carers and those with disabilities, through creativity, environmental awareness, personal and spiritual growth.
Knoll House, The (Studland)
http://www.knollhouse.co.ukTo the north and west are nature trails and bird-watching reserves. Projecting out into the Channel, as we do, is a guarantee of better weather than on the mainland. We have our own micro-climate in Studland. The grounds extend to about 100 acres and include eight acres of Spring gardens at Studland Bay House which contain some rare and interesting species.
Luckford Wood House
http://www.luckfordleisure.co.uk/things.htmlVisit the many Nature Reserves and enjoy watching the many species of birds, lizards, butterflies, and dragon flies. Marvel at the beauty of the rare wild orchids, or try to spot the majestic sika stags and hinds before they spot you. Marvel at the migrating Canadian Geese on their way to their feeding grounds and back.
Old Coastguards - Abbotsbury
http://www.oldcoastguards.com/Standing away from it all in a simply stunning position overlooking the magnificent Chesil Beach and Lyme Bay. Large gardens just yards from one of the finest fishing beaches in the country with farmland and hills rising behind to nearly 700 feet. Outstanding and ever changing views. Superb opportunities for walking, bird watching, studying wild flora, fishing, swimming, sunbathing, beach-combing, kite-flying or just reading and relaxing within sound of the sea.
Sea Barn Farm Camping Park, - Weymouth
http://www.seabarnfarm.co.uk/The Park is part of a family farm bordering the fleet nature reserve...
mailing lists |
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dorsetbirding
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dorsetbirding/To post to list:dorsetbirding@yahoogroups.com
List contact:dorsetbirding-owner@yahoogroups.com
To subscribe to list:dorsetbirding-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
A place to discuss birdwatching in Dorset. Sightings, information etc...
other links |
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Birding the Nothe
http://www.naturalist.co.uk/nothe/nothe1.htmJoin me in my birding on The Nothe, a small town park in Weymouth, Dorset, Southern England. In itself, the park is unremarkable, with the usual collection of lawns, shrubberies and car park. But its location, on a peninsula of land jutting out into sheltered Weymouth Bay, makes it a great place for birding, with a remarkable variety of species noted here and in the surrounding waters. I’ve been counting birds here since 1981, and there are other records going back to the fifties. At present in this site you can.
Dorset Birds
http://www1.dorsetcc.gov.uk/LIVING/FACTS/EnvironmentalData.nsf/0/08388218dd03dca3802569a8004e26ef?OpenDocumentFacts & Figures...
Dorset Wildlife Rescue
http://www.dorsetwildliferescue.co.uk/The Wildlife Rescue is a voluntary organisation based in Ferndown, East Dorset. You can contact them if you come across sick, injured or orphaned birds, for help and advice.
Heritage Coast
http://www.worldheritagecoast.net/UNESCO awarded Natural World Heritage Status to the coast of Dorset & East Devon in December 2001 in recognition of its unique pedigree which spans 185 million years. Please use this website to explore what the 95-mile coast and its countryside offer you as a visitor...
Naturenet Dorset
http://www.naturenet.net/england/dorset.htmlInformation on a number of Dprset reserves including Arne.
The Bird Food Shop
http://www.thebirdfoodshop.co.uk/Welcome to The Bird Food Shop web site the definitive answer to the easy on-line purchase of bird foods and feeders. We offer a range of wild bird foods and caged bird foods at competitive prices for collection or delivery by the Post Office. The Bird Food Shop is an integral part of Root & Vine, which is a long-established Fruit & Vegetable business situated in the Market Square of Sturminster Newton, Dorset in the very heart of the West Country.
The Dorset Biodiversity Strategy
http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/dorset/projects/biodiversity.htmThe ambitious new Dorset Biodiversity Strategy, to be launched in February 2003, has far-reaching consequences for hundreds of people beyond the field of nature conservation. Taking a revolutionary new approach, the Dorset strategy centres on 4 main issues, called topics, and 3 common themes affecting biodiversity, tying them into the concept of sustainable development...
The Rambling Birder
http://www.pterodroma.homecall.co.uk/index.htmlHomnepage of a Dorset birder - Ken Tucker, with photos, trip reports etc...
Walkabout Books
http://www.walkaboutbooks.co.ukMore a travel specialist but it does carry bird books...
West Country S.W.I.F.T. (Society for the Withholding of Information From Twitchers)
http://web.onetel.net.uk/~wcswift/SWIFT consists of a small band of active birders in the West Country. It is not anti birders who enjoy rare birds, nor is it pro suppression per se. It is against the increasingly disruptive aspects of twitching, where common sense, civility and the aesthetic enjoyment of observing a natural creature has been largely replaced by boorish, sometimes even aggressive behaviour and an often total disregard for the welfare of the bird involved, habitat, fellow enthusiasts, the general public and property...
World Wide Birding Sites - Dorset
http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/worldwidebirdsites/Dorset.htmNestled on the northern shores of the English Channel, the Dorset coastland is a major route for migrants all year round and not surprisingly, very popular with birdwatchers as well. The main attraction has to be the headlands of the Isle`s of Portland Purbeck, not just for ease of observing the numerous sea birds that pass by, but for the impressive variety of scarce and uncommon migrants found along these peninsulas. A little way inland and the migrants find safe havens at Lodmoor, Ferrybridge, Abbotsbury, Radipole and Durlston, to name but a few. These nature reserves are a welcome break after such long excursions and are also good stopovers for the return journey as well...
artists |
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Gallery - RMG Wildlife Images
http://www.rmgwildlife.comCards, Images, Vidoes etc. from this two man team...
Photographer - Bob Ford
http://www.natureportfolio.com/birds/birds.phpThere are some very nice landscapes and a portfolio of birds.
Photographer - David Boag - Natural Focus
http://www.NaturalFocus.co.ukThe first acceptable photograph David took was of a Kingfisher in the early-70`s and this led him into a seven year photographic study of the species. David Boag has a very professional website and he certainly takes some stunning photographs.
Photographer - David Nichols
http://www.wildlifephotographer.co.uk/Wonderful Photographs from all over the world - Fatbirder recommended.
Photographer - Guy Edwardes
http://www.guyedwardes.com/birdgallery.htmlSome really first class images from this Dorset-based photographer...
Photographer - Pete Coe
http://www.petecoe.com/Some really terrific photographs from this Portland resident...
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