Poole Harbour is a RAMSAR wetland and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and the heath around it is rarer than tropical rainforest. For wildlife, this is one of the richest corners of southern England.
Brownsea Island
Red squirrels, lost from most of England, survive in the pine woodland on Brownsea Island. Peacocks wander the paths, and the lagoon has hides overlooking one of the most important bird sites on the south coast.
The harbour
In winter, the mudflats hold waders and wildfowl in tens of thousands. Avocets, godwits and brent geese are among the regulars; ospreys pass through on migration, and a translocation project has worked to re-establish them as breeders here.
The heath
Lowland heath around the harbour, including at Arne, supports species that live almost nowhere else in Britain. It burns easily and its birds nest on the ground, so paths and dog rules matter.
Watching responsibly
Birds roosting at high tide have nowhere else to go. Keep your distance, keep to paths, and read Respect, Protect, Enjoy.
See the harbour guide and beyond the beach.