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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:10:45 -0700

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One of the most beautiful and serene places I have ever visited even though it is so busy. Durlston is large and there are many places where you can get away from the crowds. I took a walk along the coastal path to the Dancing Ledges 3 miles away and was rewarded with astounding views. As you walk along the top of the cliffs you get stunning views across a blue sea and see many different types of birds. I saw Guillemots, Razorbills, Shag, Fulmar, Gannet, Kittiwake, and Gulls along the cliffs. Other birds present included Linnet, Meadow Pipit, Whitethroat, Kestrel, Raven and Stonechat. I was lucky enough to see a Barking Deer or Muntjac as they are also known.
I also had a little pot of locally made Honeycombe Hash flavoured Purbeck ice cream.

www.durlston.co.uk/

Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve, situated 1 mile from Swanage in Dorset, is a fabulous 280 acre countryside paradise, consisting of sea-cliffs, coastal limestone downland, haymeadows, hedgerows and woodland. With stunning views, walking trails, the historic Great Globe, superb geology and fascinating wildlife there is always something different to see.

www.durlston.co.uk/index.php?nid=51&id=32

About Durlston Country Park
Situated in the south-east corner of the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset (grid ref SZ 03 77), a mile south of Swanage, lies Durlston Country Park – 280 acres of very special countryside.

The Country Park was established in the 1970s by Dorset County Council, and 30 years of careful management by the Ranger team have resulted in a superb site that everyone can enjoy.
Wildlife and Landscape
Few places in Britain equal Durlston: The bare statistics merely hint at the amazing diversity of wildlife: 33 species of breeding butterfly, over 250 species of bird recorded, 500 wildflowers, 500 moths and thousands of other invertebrates.
Durlston's special qualities stem from a combination of geography, geology, history and careful management which has created a mosaic of nationally important wildlife habitats: sea-cliffs, downs, ancient meadows, hedgerows, woodland, and dry-stone walls – each with their characteristic plants and animals.

History
Wildlife apart, there are plenty of other things to see: The history of Durlston can be detected in the now dry, glacial river valley, the ancient Saxon field systems, two types of quarry – the inland Purbeck Stone Quarr, and the Portland limestone cliff quarry known as Tilly Whim Caves.
High on the ridge remain the footings of a Napoleonic telegraph station, and Anvil Point Lighthouse adds further interest to a visit.
The eminent Victorian, George Burt, left a legacy of fascinating artefacts. These include the 'Great Globe' – 40 tons of Portland limestone, cast-iron bollards from the City, St Martin's and other parts of London, and Durlston Castle itself – all linked by scenic cliff-top paths with Victorian panels quoting poetry and facts of interest.

Facilities
The Visitor Centre
The Visitor Centre is a must for all - recent wildlife sightings, daily and monthly displays all ensure the latest information for visitors.

There are also live pictures from the seabird colony on the cliffs and sound from an underwater hydrophone.
A Ranger is always available to help you make the most of your visit.
Family Activities
Guided Walks and Events
A full programme of events – guided walks, boat trips, talks, children's events and other activities run throughout the year.

Paths and Trails
Four clearly waymarked Trails, each with its own information leaflet provide an ideal introduction to Durlston.
All Trails begin at the Visitor Centre.
A network of Public Footpaths criss-cross the site, with good access to the South-west Coast Path.

Education
Each year, thousands of school children and students use Durlston as an educational resource. A wide range of sessions and other educational facilities are provided by the Rangers to help them get the most from their visit.

Community
Friends of Durlston
The Park has always had close ties with the local community, and the Friends of Durlston organisation provides a focus for goodwill and support.
Over 700 Friends provide an enormous amount of practical help – from running the Visitor Centre counter and updating our wildlife records, to monitoring butterflies and building dry stone walls.
There is also a thriving social side to the 'Friends', with illustrated talks held monthly and other events throughout the year.

Achievements
Awards
The County Council's policy of 'Conservation for Public Enjoyment' has formed the basis of the Park's management for 30 years.
This, combined with the support of the Friends, has led to both organisations being jointly awarded the prestigious English Nature SSSI Award.
In 2006 Durlston recieved both the Royal Horticultural Society's 'Conservation and Environment Award' for outstanding conservation work
In 2008, for the third time, we were awarded the 'Green Flag', recognising the quality of amenities for visitors.
In 2010, Durlston was voted 2nd in a competition to find Britain's Favourite Park, organised by the Keep Briatin Tidy Group.
Designations
As an internationally important site for wildlife and geology, Durlston is protected by a host of designations. Durlston forms part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Purbeck Heritage Coast (which holds a Council of Europe Diploma for it's management).
Most of the Park is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and since 1997, a Special Area of Conservation. Most of the Park is also designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Importance, while in 1997, the Dorset and East Devon Coast was awarded World Heritage Site status for its geological importance.
In June 2008, Durlston was awarded National Nature Reserve Status by Natural England in recognition of the national importance of Durlston for wildlife.
This long list of accolades and designations that highlight the site's importance and provide a reminder of the great care that must be taken to conserve this wonderful facility for future generations.
At any time of year, a visit to Durlston is a memorable experience. Despite its popularity, there is still the peace and quiet to enjoy the natural splendours of the area, and no matter how many times you visit there is always something new to see and enjoy.

The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:56:11 -0700

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The Dancing Ledges at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 00:56:11 -0700

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_Ledge

Dancing Ledge is part of the Jurassic Coast near Langton Matravers in the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset, England.

Geology
Dancing Ledge is a flat area of rock at the base of a small cliff (a little scrambling is required for access). It is signposted on the South West Coast Path a few kilometres west of Swanage. A swimming pool was blasted into the rock for the use of local preparatory schools, particularly Durnford School sometime near the beginning of the twentieth century. The last surviving school (The Old Malthouse in Langton Matravers, which closed in 2007) and one of the schools for which the pool was originally created recently arranged for debris, including several large rocks, to be removed, making swimming possible once again. The sea is also suitable for swimming, although it is deep right up to shore. This depth was exploited by local quarrymen in transporting Purbeck Limestone away from the area.
Dancing Ledge is so called because the stone cut out of it is the same size as a ballroom dance floor. The stone removed was transported by ship direct from Dancing Ledge, round the south coast to Kent in order to construct Ramsgate harbour.
The cliffs above the ledge are a popular climbing location, with a small (10m) cliff close to the sea, and a larger (~20m) limestone cliff set back above this. It is also a popular spot for tomb-stoning.
The Jurassic Coast stretches over a distance of 153 kilometres (95 mi), from Orcombe Point near Exmouth, in the west, to Old Harry Rocks on the Isle of Purbeck, in the east.[1] The coastal exposures along the coastline provide a continuous sequence of Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous rock formations spanning approximately 185 million years of the Earths history. The localities along the Jurassic Coast includes a large range of important fossil zones.

The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:25:42 -0700

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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:25:41 -0700

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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Sun, 24 Jul 2011 01:34:46 -0700

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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:23:22 -0700

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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:23:22 -0700

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The Great Globe at Durlston Country Park ad National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:23:22 -0700

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en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Globe

The Great Globe at Swanage is one of the largest stone spheres in the world. The Great Globe is constructed of Portland stone. It weighs 40 tons and is 10 feet in diameter.

Location
The Great Globe stands within Durlston Country Park, a 1.13 square-kilometre (280-acre) country park and nature reserve stretching along the coastline south of Swanage, on the Isle of Purbeck in Dorset. The Park is part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site. The Jurassic Coast stretches over a distance of 153 kilometres (95 mi), from Orcombe Point, near Exmouth, in the west, to the Old Harry Rocks in the east.

Preamble
John Mowlem[2] (1788-1868), a Swanage-born man, was a stonemason and builder. He was the founder of the quarrying and construction company Mowlem. John Mowlem and his nephew and business partner George Burt wanted to give something back to their home town, which was the source of their Portland and Purbeck limestone, popular for building at the time. John Mowlem built the Mowlem Institute, a reading room and public library, in 1862.
George Burt[3] (1816-1894) purchased an undulating tract of land covering Durlston Head during the same year. This estate included quarries that supplied their firm with limestone. Burt developed this estate as a tourist attraction.

Venue
Upon the crest of the hill Burt established the Durlston Estate and built his folly Durlston Castle. The castle was designed by G.R. Crickmay, and built by W.M. Hardy in 1886-87. It is built entirely of local stone. The 'castle' was never a real castle: it was purpose-built by Burt as a restaurant for visitors to his estate.
South of Durlston Castle within the Estate grounds is the Great Globe.[4] Constructed in Greenwich in 1887 in Mowlem's stone-yard, it was brought to Swanage by sea. The Globe, which is made of Portland stone, consists of 15 segments, with four stones for each of the lower three courses and three in the top-most course, the segments connected by granite dowels.[5] It measures 10 feet in diameter and weighs 40 tons.[6] Its surface is carved in detail and lettered to show the continents, oceans and certain more specific areas of the world.[7] In the year of its creation, it was erected by W.M. Hardy upon a platform chopped 136 feet above sea level into the solid rock of the hill.[8] Around the Globe is a set of stone plaques carved with quotations from English and Roman poets and the Bible, as well as facts about the natural world. These were not completed until 1891.
Durlston Country Park has been owned by Dorset County Council since the early 1970s and is open to the public. Today the castle is the home of the Jurassic Coast Visitor Centre. Durlston Castle and the Great Globe are both being restored over 2010 by the Council.[9] Also within Durlston Country Park and within walking distance of the Globe are Durlston Bay, the Tilly Whim Caves and the Anvil Point Lighthouse.

The Great Globe at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 01:23:22 -0700

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Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:09:32 -0700

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The Coastal Path at Durlston Country Park and National Nature Reserve in Swanage, Dorset, England - June 2010

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Fri, 22 Jul 2011 01:09:31 -0700

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RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:20:44 -0700

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Arne is one of the most impressive RSPB reserves I have visited. Walking on the heath during the day or in the evening is a very pleasant experience. Walking on heathland during the evening has its own special feel. I would recommend the Nightjar walk for first timers. This is the best chance for those that have never seen a Nightjar. The birds will first start to churr and then with luck they will fly around.

www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/about.aspx

This is an unusual and special landscape where you can enjoy a vast expanse of open heathland and old oak woodland. Arne is a fantastic place for family walks at any time of year and we have regular children's days that enable all the family to learn about the unique nature of the heaths.

There is a variety of special wildlife to see. In summer look out for Dartford warblers nesting in the heather, nightjars flying at dusk and as many as 22 species of colourful dragonflies. The reserve overlooks Poole Harbour where you can watch thousands of wading birds, ducks and geese including avocets, black-tailed godwits and brent geese in winter. Ospreys are regularly seen on migration in late summer and in autumn.

In April 2009 a new eco-friendly information centre was constructed. Complete with seasonal nest cameras, a ‘nature table’ where visitors can find out more about the wildlife at Arne, a wood burner, information about the reserve, and a hot drinks machine where visitors can purchase drinks with all profits going back into our conservation work. RSPB staff organise a range of guided walks and events to help you see some of our most exciting species.
Opening times
The Shipstal and Coombes trails are open at all times; car park locked at dusk
Entrance charges
Entry charges per car: £2 for up to two hours, £4 for over two hours. Free entry for members - display membership card on car dashboard.
If you are new to birdwatching...
For people new to birdwatching, Arne offers a chance to see the speciality birds found on heathlands like the Dartford warbler (all year) and the nightjar (summer only). The reserve's location within Poole Harbour will allow you to get to grips with a variety of wading birds and wildfowl (ducks, geese and swans), the best times being during the spring/autumn passage and the winter months. Birds of prey are well represented, with peregrines, ospreys, and marsh and hen harriers seen regularly. A number of themed guided walks are run through the year to look for some of these birds.
Information for families
We have a range of activities for families including the popular 'Bird Bingo' game which gets all the family searching for bugs, flowers and all sorts of other wildlife, as well as organised children's events such as Building a Bug Hotel and Build your own Nestbox. We also have our Wildlife Explorer backpacks full of exploring tools to help you get really up close and personal with Arne's wildlife.
Information for dog owners
Dogs are welcome here, but please keep them on a lead at all times. Please keep them on a short lead (less than 2m) during the bird breeding season between 1 March and 31 August, and when near farm animals all year-round. Please be aware that there are no dog waste bins at Arne, the nearest is in the village of Ridge on the Arne road. But please pick up after your dog and take it away with you.

Star species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.

Avocet
Large numbers of avocets spend winter in Poole Harbour. Look for flocks of these striking black and white birds flying around in unison and feeding together in the water.

Dartford warbler
Stop regularly as you walk across the heathland to scan the gorse and heather for these unmistakable long-tailed warblers. Visit in spring to watch the males perched on top of the gorse, performing their scratchy song.

Little egret
These dainty little white herons can be seen throughout the year in Poole Harbour. You can see them fishing in the channels, stirring up fish fry from the muddy bottom with their feet.

Nightjar
Linger until dusk to encounter this amazing bird between May and July. As the light begins to fade, listen for the mechanical 'churring' drifting across the heather. Keep your eyes peeled for nightjars darting around catching moths and for pairs performing their wing-clapping displays.

Stonechat
Perky stonechats perch proudly in prominent places, including the tops of bushes and on posts and fences. They are a common sight at Arne. Pairs remain together throughout the year and you can see family groups in summer.

Seasonal highlights
Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.
Spring
Dartford warblers and stonechats nest on the heaths. Watch out for early butterflies and dragonflies on the trails, and spring migration of wading birds through the harbour. Newly-arrived migrant birds passing through the reserve or staying to breed include swallows and martins, wheatears, cuckoos, ospreys, willow warblers, blackcaps and chiffchaffs. Woodpecker activity is at its best - you have a good chance of seeing great spotted woodpeckers excavating their nest holes by the car park and the Shipstal trails.

Summer
The heather's coming into full bloom. See if you can spot reptiles basking in the sun (you need to be quiet for a chance to see them!). Sandwich and common terns can be seen feeding offshore and nightjars 'churr' on the heaths from dusk to dawn. Silver-studded blue butterflies will be on the wing in the areas of wet/humid heath. The wood ant nests will be a hive of activity as are our nestbox cameras, including footage of the farm barn owls. The voracious green tiger beetles will be on the lookout for prey items. In late summer, early migrant waders returning to the harbour include whimbrels, greenshanks and spotted redshanks. Ospreys will be heading south to Africa during August. Keep an eye out for the amazing hobbies hunting dragonflies over the ponds.

Autumn
Wading birds continue passing through the Harbour or staying to over-winter. Watch out for increasing numbers of black-tailed godwits, dunlins, avocets and grey plovers. Late autumn migrants include redstarts, whitethroats, spotted and pied flycatchers. The sika deer rutting season peaks in October/November. Ospreys stay in the area until mid-October, while spoonbills and kingfishers are regularly seen. The European gorse comes into flower by late November. Numbers of wintering ducks build up in late autumn and are joined by large numbers of brent geese.

Winter
Winter is the best time for the harbour birds, with internationally important numbers of wildfowl and wading birds peaking at over 30,000 in the harbour. Scarcer species often seen include black-necked and Slavonian grebes, great northern and black-throated divers, long-tailed ducks, eiders and scaups. Marsh harriers are joined in the area by hen harriers and merlins, especially around the Middlebere area (on the Coombe Heath trail). Dartford warblers will be active on the heath - and look out for stonechats sitting on tops of bushes. Masses of winter thrushes and finches around the farm may include bramblings, lesser redpolls, siskins and goldfinches.

RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:44:14 -0700

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RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:44:14 -0700

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RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:44:13 -0700

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Coombe Heath at RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:44:14 -0700

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RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 00:44:14 -0700

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Coombe Heath at RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:20:43 -0700

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RSPB Arne near Wareham in Dorset, England - June 2011

nobody@flickr.com (SaffyH - wont renew pro account now!) — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 01:20:43 -0700

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