When staying with us, be sure to visit the stunning RSPB Arne near our bed and breakfast Dorset. It is situated on Poole Harbour and is a haven for wildlife, including the beautiful Sika deer.
Did you know that the area of Poole harbour is approximately 14 square miles making it the second largest natural harbour in the world after Port Jackson in Sydney?
The wonderful photo of the Sika deer above was kindly given to us by our guest, and amateur photographer, Richard Taylor.
For those of you that have stayed with us before, you may remember that your guest room was named after a bird: Avocet, Dartford Warbler or Spoonbill, and of course the guest house too is named after a bird, the Spurwing Goose.
When we purchased the guest house in August 2019, the rooms were named after jungle animals. The previous owners regularly travelled to Africa and it’s from them that the name has originated.
Spurwing Goose
The spurwing goose, pictured above, lives in wetlands throughout Sub-Saharan Africa. It is the largest waterfowl found in Africa and the largest species of goose in the world.
We decided that we would keep the guest house name, Spurwing Guest House, as it had built up a good reputation, but change the room names to the three star species of birds which can be found at RSPB Arne near our bed and breakfast Dorset.
Dartford Warbler
RSPB Arne is one of the best places to spot the Dartford warbler especially during Spring when they will be busy nesting. This species inspired the RSPB to look after Arne as a nature reserve.
In 1965 Arne was home to two pairs of Dartford warbler, 50 years later impressively there were more than 70 pairs!
The resident warblers love gorse and on calm sunny days can be seen perching on the top singing or calling to defend their patch.
Spoonbill
The spoonbill is a regular species you could encounter at Arne. Poole Harbour hosts the largest flock in the UK with peak numbers from September to March.
They are tall, white, wading birds with long spatulate black bills and long black legs. They migrate from Holland and feed here where there is less of a freeze.
Although still uncommon, spoonbills can be seen on coastal sites in North West and South West England and East Anglia including Arne Reserve.
Avocet
The avocet, the emblem of RSPB is another wading bird which is spectacular in Winter. At Arne they are at their peak in December and January.
Like the spoonbill, they migrate from Holland to our warmer UK climate. It is a distinctively patterned black and white wader with a long upcurved beak.
Arne has the second largest population of avocets in the UK.
Visiting all Year Round
It’s a beautiful place to visit all year round and you may be lucky to see Sika deer.
In Spring
In Spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate.
Great spotted woodpeckers hammer the tail pines, cuckoos and Dartford warbler amongst many others set up home on the reserve.
In Summer
In Summer the reptiles are out. Arne is one of the few places in the UK to host all six species of native reptile.
On a warm sunny day, you could catch a glimpse of a sand lizard basking or spot the silver studded blue butterfly.
Arne is also home to 22 different species of dragonflies and damselflies, so look out for them flitting around.
In Autumn
Autumn is rutting season for the Sika deer. You can’t miss the piercing call of the stags.
Keep an eye to the sky too, osprey heading south will often call in at Arne to fish in the harbour and devour their catch on one of the osprey nesting posts on the reserve.
Autumn also brings large movements of migrating birds heading south to warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold winter Arctic.
In Winter
The wading birds really are spectacular in Winter.
Poole Harbour, adjoining the reserve, holds internationally important populations of wintering waders and wildfowl, including avocets and an ever-growing number of spoonbills, with up to 60 feeding on the reserve during the day.
Raptors such as marsh harriers and hen harriers spend the winter at the reserve and can be seen hunting during the day and then gathering to roost at dusk.
Trails
There are two different sides to the reserve, Shipstal trails and Coombe trails, with many different paths within them.
Trails through the reserve differ depending on the type of land you go through and the weather. Paths are generally level and easy to navigate.
Click here for Trail Map.
Shipstal Trails
RSPB Arne has a huge array of habitats. The Shipstal trail to the north of the reserve takes you through many different types of land, including scrub, farmland, ancient oak, woodland, pine and birch forest, lowland heath, salt marsh, sandy beach, acidic ponds and open water.
At the north end of Shipstal trail, there is an enclosed Bird Hide.
Hides are available so that visitors can observe birds and wildlife from a quiet space, where they’re less likely to be detected by the wildlife. There are pictures of the different wildlife you may be able to spot from the hide.
There is a wooden boardwalk approaching the hide, along with wooden steps.
On Shipstal Hill, there is a viewpoint where you can see Poole and Poole Harbour in the distance.
Coombe Trails
The Coombe trails are to the south of the reserve, with views of the Purbeck Hills and Corfe Castle. This is the quieter side of the reserve and is predominantly lowland heath.
There are 2 different trails, Coombe Heath trail and the Raptor trail.
The Coombe Heath trail is the best spot to watch the resident Dartford Warblers, and in the winter the Middlebere Channel fills up with thousands of waders and wildfowl.
Events
RSPB Arne near our bed and breakfast Dorset are constantly working to improve the trail. They run a variety of events throughout the year. Click here for more information on activities and events.
Conservation
RSPB Arne is carefully managed for wildlife to thrive. The lowland heath is especially important for rare birds including Dartford Warbler, as well as smooth snakes, heath tiger beetles and ladybird spiders.
A range of techniques are used to get the right balance of heath and gorse, enough bare ground and less invasive species such as pine and bracken.
An important part of getting this right is grazing. Cattle, pigs, donkeys and ponies have been introduced into the reserve.
You can read more about grazing in the Purbeck heaths here: Purbeck Heaths Grazing Unit
Facilities and Directions
Getting There
You can get to RSPB Arne by bus, car or by riding a bicycle.
RSPB Arne’s address is Arne Road, Wareham, BH20 5BJ.
Bus: The Purbeck Breezer number 40 stops at Stoborough Green. From the bus stop it is 3.3 miles to Arne. Head along New Road for 0.4 miles, then turn right onto Arne Road, for another 2.8 miles.
During the summer months (June to August) a shuttle bus service (2RN) is available from Wareham bus/train station, which travels through Wareham town, Stoborough, Ridge, on to Arne Nature Reserve.
Car: From Wareham town centre, head south over the causeway to Stoborough. Travel through Stoborough, turn left onto New Road, signposted for Arne. Turn right at the crossroads in the village of Ridge, follow the road for approximately 3 miles to Arne, the car park is located on the ridge at the beginning of Arne village.
Car Park
The car park is open daily from 8.30pm to dusk. It is closed outside of these hours.
Arne has spaces for blue badge holders and general accessible spaces in the main car park and four spaces further into the reserve set aside for those with access needs. Permits are available from the Welcome Hut in the main car park.
If you travel by bicycle, there are several racks to secure your bicycle.
Entrance Charges
Entrance is free to RSPB members and carers. Non-members pay an entrance fee. Please refer to their website for updated entrance charges.
Welcome Hut
Visitors are greeted at the Welcome Hut where you can pick up guides and maps and get advice on the different paths around the reserve.
Accessibility
Tramper all-terrain mobility scooters are available to hire for people with limited mobility. To book the Tramper for your visit to Arne, it is recommended to do so 48 hours in advance of your visit by emailing tramperhirearne@rspb.org.uk.
The ‘Easy Access Trail’ starts from the accessible car park in the middle of the reserve. It is a 30 – minute looped walk through a beautiful birch wood, ancient oak woodland and through the dragonfly ponds.
For all other accessibility information, please click here for RSPB Arne’s full Accessibility Statement on their website.
Café and Shop
There is a café and shop. The café offers a range of freshly made food, including soups, sandwiches and cakes.
The shop is stocked with nature friendly gifts, as well as binoculars and telescopes so you can get an even better view of the wildlife.
Toilets
There are toilets in the car park when you arrive. There is also step-free access to two standard unisex toilets and two accessible toilets (with baby changing facilities) on the ground floor of the café.
Contact Details
RSPB Arne’s address is:
Arne Road
Wareham
BH20 5BJ
Website: https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/reserves-a-z/arne/
Email address: arne@rspb.org.uk
Tel no: 01929 553360
We hope you have a wonderful experience visiting RSPB Arne near our bed and breakfast Dorset!
For more ideas on places to visit, click on ‘Our Blog’ on our website or click directly on to our blog ‘5 Top Tourist Attractions in Dorset within 10 miles.’
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