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Wareham Channel and Wareham Water Meadows

Dorset  >  United Kingdom

The Swineham, Wareham Water Meadows peninsula extends East from the town of Wareham towards Wareham Channel.

Added* by Baz Willmott
Most recent update 17 november 2022

Description

At the center of the site is a number of large lakes, once used as gravel pits. Just to the East is Swineham Point overlooking saltmarsh, reedbeds and Wareham Channel. The large area of water meadows are prone to flooding following long periods of rain, especially in Winter. The old gravel pits can hold Nyári lúd, Kanadai lúd, Fütyülő réce, Kendermagos réce, Csörgo réce, Kanalas réce, Kontyos réce, Szárcsa, Kis vöcsök, Búbos vöcsök, Nyílfarkú réce, Barátréce, Hegyi réce, Vörösnyakú vöcsök, Füles vöcsök and the occasional Északi búvár. At low tide Wareham Channel holds feeding Havasi partfutó, Nagy póling, Piroslábú cankó, Csigaforgató, Ezüstlile, Szürke cankó, Gulipán and Nagy goda many of which use the water meadows as a high tide roost. Check all Gull (Laridae) flocks carefully for more unusual species such as Sárgalábú sirály and gyűrűscsőrű sirály. The Wareham Channel is known for both Halászsas and Rétisas since the recent reintroductions in Poole Harbour and the Isle of Wight.

Details

Access

The A35 main road from Poole (just to the North East) and Bere Regis (far to the West) is North of the site, leave A35 at Bakers Arms Roundabout signed Wareham/Sandfoot/Swanage A351. Follow signs to Wareham on A351, at Saxon Roundabout (on Northern edge of Wareham) take exit on to B3075 (to town centre), at traffic lights turn Left into East Street and then first Left into Morton's Lane. In Morton's Lane take first Left into Howard's Lane, car park (Fee Payable - 4 hours maximum stay) is just on the Left. There is also a 1 or 2 car parking spot on Bestwell Road near rugby club (Press STAR on map).

BE AWARE, some roads are PRIVATE ROADS, but have pedestrian access.

Terrain and Habitat

Forest , Wetland , Lake , Beach , Mud flats , Agriculture , City/village , Reedbeds , Sea , River , Scattered trees and bushes

Conditions

Flat , Wet , Slippery , High water possible , Open landscape

Circular trail

Yes

Is a telescope useful?

Yes

Good birding season

All year round

Best time to visit

Winter , Spring migration , Spring , Autumn , Autumn migration

Route

Paved road , Wide path , Unpaved road , Narrow trail

Difficulty walking trail

Easy

Accessible by

Foot , Bicycle , Car

Birdwatching hide / platform

No

Extra info

The total walking route indicated on the map is about 9 km, but also possible to split in two.

Links

View other birding spots in the area that are published on Birdingplaces

Map

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