Bird Watching & Wildlife in Dorset

Looking for a destination where you can enjoy all that nature has to offer? Or want to see rare and endangered wildlife in their natural habitats? Then Dorset is certainly the place for you.

Dorset is a diverse haven which many different species call home, some of which are so rare that they can't be found anywhere else!

With over half of the county being Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it's no surprise that we have some of the best wildlife and natural landscapes found anywhere in the UK.

With all of our fabulous wildlife to enjoy, it really is a nature lover’s dream location to visit. So pack your binoculars and venture out into the great outdoors.

Incredible landscapes

Durlston Country Park's 320 acres of countryside paradise is a National Nature Reserve and because the park is so large there are a fantastic variety of habitats to visit. With stunning views, walking trails, superb geology and fascinating wildlife, there is always something different to see and do. Durlston is also one of the best places in the country to spot dolphins and you can even join the dolphin watching team.

Being located in the most southerly position in Dorset, the Isle of Portland's unique geology and climate are ideal for a wide variety of birds and animals. So, if you enjoy bird-watching then it’s a great place to indulge your passion. Plus over half of Britain's fifty seven butterfly species can be seen on Portland, along with rare plants species only found in a handful of locations in the UK.

Dorset also has a number of fantastic RSPB and Dorset Wildlife Trust reserves which give an incredible chance to see a wide variety of wildlife up-close within their natural habitats.

Best places for bird watching

Poole Harbour and the Fleet lagoon are internationally important breeding sites for winter visiting birds such as avocets and spoonbills. There are some great locations to watch them from a cosy bird hide or perhaps you'd like to go on a winter birdwatching cruise.

At Poole Harbour you might even be lucky enough to see an Osprey thanks to a translocation project to re-esblish this spectacular bird of prey to its former breeding grounds on the south coast.

With the Isle of Portland being the first land which migrating birds heading north arrive at, it is a great place to see unusual species on their migratory journeys, as well as passing seabirds. The surrounding cliffs are home to breeding seabirds, including common guillemots, razorbills and a small population of puffins. Be sure to visit the Portland Bird Observatory near Portland Bill - their website lists daily sightings of resident as well as visiting bird species.

Another great bird watching site is Christchurch Harbour. There is a huge range of habitats here and along with the 120-foot-high Hengistbury Head means it is a stopping off point for migrating species. For the latest sightings, visit the Christchurch Harbour Ornithological Group website.

Unique species

Red squirrels are very rare in southern England, only existing in small populations and Brownsea Island is one of those places. Surrounded by Poole Harbour, the water keeps grey squirrels at bay, meaning the endangered reds are kept safe and sound and can eat as many pine cones as they can manage!

Dorset's heathlands are an important part of a global resource and are home to all six of Britain's native reptile species. More sand lizards and smooth snakes are found on these heaths than anywhere else in the country. It is also home to the extremely rare lady bird spider, so rare in fact that it was thought extinct in Britain until it was discovered in 1980 and is now being re-introduced to a small corner of the county.

Get up close and personal

There are always interesting events and courses taking place across the county, giving you the opportunity to learn from an expert or get close to wildlife without disturbing or damaging the environment. So grab your ID guides, binos and camera and get ready to be amazed.

Why not join Badger Watch Dorset, where from their hides you can see badgers emerging from their setts and foraging for food. And visits from other wildlife such as owls, foxes, rabbits and bats add to the spectacle.

Abbotsbury Swannery is home to the only managed colony of free-flying mute swans in the world that visitors can walk among. During the nesting and hatching period (end May-end June), it is possible to stand next to hatching eggs and see the very cute sygnets getting used to family life.

Stay a little longer

With all of this available right here in Dorset, we hope that we’ve given you more than enough reason to visit.

We're got a great selection of accommodation to stay over or places to eat out inbetween wildlife watching.

Number of results:

Number of results: 36

, currently showing 1 to 20.

Sort By: A-Z Lowest A-Z Highest

TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1208 reviews
Moors Valley Country Park and Forest

Type

Type:

Country/Royal Park

Ringwood

To inject a sense of fun into your family days out then head to Moors Valley Country Park and Forest to get active in the outdoors and have yourself a family adventure. You are sure to find something for everyone.

Price £1.60 to £12.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
16 reviews
Swanage Sea Fishing

Type

Type:

Fishing

SWANAGE

Based in Swanage on the stunning Jurassic coastline, we welcome both experienced and novice anglers, including children and families! This part of the world offers fantastic angling marks and a plentiful variety of fish for the table, plus the…
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
2331 reviews
Brownsea Island

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

POOLE

A beautiful island with wonderful views, history & wildlife including rare red squirrels and birds, and is also the birthplace of Scouting and Guiding.

Price £3.75 Per Ticket
Badger Watch Dorset

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

Dorchester

From our hides, thrill at the sight of badgers emerging from their setts and foraging for food. The area is floodlit for perfect vision and visits from other wildlife such as owls, foxes, rabbits and bats add to the spectacle.

Price £15.00 Per Ticket
TripAdvisor Traveller Rating
1092 reviews
Durlston Country Park National Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

SWANAGE

Countryside, cliffs, sea and wildlife. The Castle Visitor Centre has exhibits, information, live cliff camera and underwater sounds. Theme trails. Ranger-guided walks.

Free
Fore Adventure

Type

Type:

Adventure Sport Centre

Studland, SWANAGE

Adventures include: kayaking, stand up paddle boarding, snorkelling, foraging, fishing, wild cooking, feasting, forest school, beach school, bushcraft, wild camping and mini expeditions.

Price £10.00 Per Ticket
Dorset Pass

Type

Type:

Outdoors

POOLE

A sightseeing pass that will gain you free entry into various attractions across Dorset and more! Available for 1 day, 2 days or 3 days. The pass activates at the first attraction you visit, which allows you to pre-book your pass before you arrive…

Price £25.00 to £60.00 Per Ticket
Kimmeridge Bay

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

Kimmeridge, WAREHAM

Kimmeridge Bay lies within a marine Special Area of Conservation and boasts the best rockpooling and safest snorkelling site in Dorset.

Free
Chesil Beach

Type

Type:

Natural Feature

WEYMOUTH

Chesil Beach is an 18-mile long shingle barrier beach stretching from West Bay to Portland and is one of Dorset’s most iconic landmarks.
Contrary to Weymouth’s golden sands, Chesil is not your typical British beach lined with stripy deckchairs…
Nea Meadows Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Natural Wildlife Site

Highcliffe, CHRISTCHURCH

A small quiet Local Nature Reserve (LNR) which has a lake, wildlife pond, woodland and two wildflower meadows with over two hundred and fifty species of flower.

Free
Rodwell Trail

Type

Type:

Walking Route

Weymouth

From Weymouth to Portland, the Legacy Trail follows a disused passenger railway line, now a wonderfully, accessible wildlife corridor.
Abbotsbury Swannery

Type

Type:

Animal Collection

Abbotsbury

The only place in the world where up to 1,000 swans can be visited during the nesting and hatching time (end May- end June). Audiovisual presentation. Ugly duckling trail. Mass feeding by hand at 12 and 4pm daily.

Price £7.95 to £40.00 Per Ticket
Wareham Forest

Type

Type:

Forest

WAREHAM

Walk or cycle through heathland and forest by Morden Bog National Nature Reserve: one of the largest valley mire habitats in England. Numerous picnic benches and a waymarked walk. Cyclists welcome on 2 metre paths or the Sika Trail - a 7 mile family…

Free
Lorton Meadows Conservation Centre and Reserve

Type

Type:

Nature Trail

Weymouth

At the start of the Legacy Trail, the Lorton Meadows Reserve has fantastic views down the Lorton Valley Nature Park, and across Weymouth Bay to Portland. It has a lovely variety of meadows, woodlands and hedgerows with plenty of wildlife to look…
RSPB Weymouth Wetlands

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

Weymouth

Weymouth is very lucky to have two top class nature reserves in the centre of town. Radipole lake has always been a favourite place for wildlife enthusiasts. Lodmoor is where you can encounter a vast range of bird species.
Badbury Rings

Type

Type:

National Trust Property

WIMBORNE

Badbury Rings is an Iron Age hillfort in east Dorset.
The Badbury Rings site dates from around 800 BC and was in use until the Roman occupation of 43 AD.
Now forming part of the Kingston Lacy estate, and under the guardianship of The National…

Free
RSPB Radipole Lake

Type

Type:

Birds

Weymouth

Radipole is an ideal site for both beginners and experienced birdwatchers alike, with well-known birds such as house sparrows, finches and robins, alongside rare and unusual birds like Cetti's warblers and bitterns.
Abbotsbury Beach - Chesil Bank and Fleet Lagoon

Type

Type:

Beach

Bridport

A shelving beach made up of pebbles and shingle, popular with both local anglers and families for mackerel fishing.
Steamer Point Nature Reserve

Type

Type:

Country Park/Nature Reserve

Friar's Cliff, CHRISTCHURCH

Steamer Point is a 24 acre cliff top designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR) that is situated between Highcliffe Castle and Friar's Cliff on the Christchurch coastline. It comprises of woodland, aquatic habitats, flora and fauna.

Free
Eggardon Hillfort

Type

Type:

National Trust Property

BRIDPORT

Eggardon Hill is an iron-age hillfort which, arguably, has one of the finest views of any hill-fort in the county.

Free

Things To Do Attractions, Activities, Shopping, Entertainment & Arts, Tours & Sightseeing, Food & Drink Experiences,	What's On Festivals, Food & Drink Events, Art Events, Music Events, Nature Events, Sporting Events, Submit Event,	Accommodation Hotels, Bed & Breakfast, Self Catering, Self Catering Agencies, Dorset Holiday Cottages, Caravan & Holiday Parks, Campsites, Glamping, Pubs & Inns, Farm Stays, Group Friendly, Pet Friendly, Accessible, Gradings & Awards,
Food & Drink Restaurants, Pubs & Bars, Cafes & Coffee Shops, Afternoon Tea, Farmers' Markets, Local Produce, Celebrity Chefs, Food Events, Food & Drink Experiences,	Ideas & Inspiration Special Offers, Visit Dorset Blog, Top 10 Ideas, Dog Friendly, Short Break Ideas, Film & TV, History & Heritage, Dorset Weddings, Dorset Videos,	Explore Jurassic Coast, Areas To Visit, Towns, Villages, Coast, Countryside, Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB),
Visitor Information Maps, Brochures & Guides, Tourist Information Centres, Travel Information, Group Travel, Litter Free Dorset, Accessibility, Social Media, Green Tourism, Contact Us,	Home

Follow Visit Dorset

Bird Watching & Wildlife in Dorset

Accommodation

Things To Do

What's On

Food & Drink

Search Things to Do

Highlights

Incredible landscapes

Best places for bird watching

Unique species

Get up close and personal

Stay a little longer

Number of results:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Type

Type:

Search Accommodation

Search What's On

Search Food & Drink

Follow Visit Dorset