Tour Areas and Reserves
Lodmoor RSPB Reserve
Radipole RSPB Reserve
Radipole RSPB Reserve
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One of Weymouth's premier RSPB reserves for bird watching, a designated SSI featuring salt marsh, extensive reedbed, wet grassland and open water. The reserve is an important staging post for migratory birds in Spring and Autumn. The reserve holds one of the largest Tern colonies in the Southwest during summer. In winter the wetland attracts shorebirds and wildfowl. Bittern frequent the reedbeds. The reserve can be navigated by maintained paths which can be muddy in places in winter. The terrain is flat with a circuit distance of between 2 and 3 miles.
Radipole RSPB Reserve
Radipole RSPB Reserve
Radipole RSPB Reserve
The second of Weymouth's premier RSPB Reserves for bird watching. Radipole is a designated SSI which is a lake situated on the River Wey which joins the English Channel at Weymouth Harbour. The reserve covers 83 hectares with vast reed-beds that hold many species of birds including Bearded Reedling (Tit) and Cetti's Warbler. The areas of open water attract wildfowl and gulls. Bittern frequent the reedbeds in winter . Difficulty: The network of paths are well maintained but are prone to flooding in winter. The terrain is flat with a walking distance of between 1and 2 miles.
Portland Harbour
Radipole RSPB Reserve
Portland Harbour
The harbour is a key haven for wintering and migratory birds. Grebes, Loons (Divers) and sawbills. The Rodwell Trail and Ferrybridge pavements are well maintained. Access to some Beaches have access by stairs. Beaches are a mix of sand and pebbles. Strong winds affect the causeway with water crossing the road sometimes in winter which can add an unexpected species to the bird watching day list.
Isle of Portland
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
Portland Harbour
The island is relatively small at 4 miles long and a mile and a half wide. Chesil beach joins Portland with single road access to the island. It has a natural and rugged appearance which supports an array of wildlife and fauna. The Portland Bird Observatory is the epi-centre of scientific studies on the island. Migratory birds navigate the island having arrived from the continent. There are numerous trails which traverse fields and former quarries which are steep in places. Portland stone is still extracted from quarries. Portland Bill is a good bird watching destination at any time of year.
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
The reserve is an open heathland featuring bogs with areas of woodland and the Old decoy pond that supports a variety of wildlife. Heathland birds can be found throughout the year (Dartford Warbler, Wood Lark, Stonechat,) with the possibility of a Great Grey Shrike in the Winter. Spring and Summer bring breeding birds Tree Pipit, Redstart, Cuckoo and Nightjar into the area as well as Hobby and the chance of a passing raptor. Dragonflies, Damselflies and butterflies are numerous over the expanse of bogs during this period.
The New Forest Hampshire
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
Morden Bog National Nature Reserve
The New forest is an area of natural beauty and became a National Park in 2005 which protects its habitats. The forest covers 566km sq. and is situated in the counties of Hampshire and Wiltshire. Its supports a diverse range of species and livestock can roam freely on most of the land. New Forest ponies are resident. The three species of Britain's woodpeckers can be found in woodland areas along with heathland specials including Woodlark and Dartford Warbler. Goshawk are resident with wintering Hen Harrier and Hawfinch roosts. Hobby are summer visitors along with Nightjar and Woodcock that rode during the summer months.