Durlston National Nature Reserve

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Overview

Durlston NNR has a variety of habitats, including sea cliffs, coastal limestone downland, hay meadows, hedgerows and woodland. There is an amazing diversity of wildlife: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of birds, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates. The reason for Durlston’s natural riches lies in its mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats, each with their characteristic plants and animals. In winter ducks and divers from the Arctic appear, in spring and autumn terns and skuas, and in summer gannets and shearwaters. You may also see bottlenose dolphins or a seal emerging from the waves. In the late autumn the sky will be filled with huge flocks of Africa-bound swallows, martins and wagtails. Wildlife to look out for includes guillemots, fulmars, whitethroats, stonechat, skylarks, peregrine falcon; early spider plus eight other orchids, early English gentian, cowslip and thrift, while butterflies include Adonis blue, Lulworth skipper and marbled white.

Location

Swanage

About the area

Dorset is made up of rugged coastlines, high chalk downlands and a chain of picturesque villages and seaside towns that make up Britain’s Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, noted for its layers of shale and numerous fossils embedded in the rock. Hidden gems of Dorset can be found down winding, country lanes that lead to snug villages hidden from view.