Arne RSPB Reserve

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Viewpoint on the RSPB Arne Reserve

Arne RSPB reserve is a 1,392-acre nature reserve maintained by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and located on the Arne Peninsula in Poole Harbour in Dorset.

The reserve is also a 'Site of Special Scientific Interest'[1]

The reserve occupies much of the peninsula and is adjacent to the site is the village of Arne, now mainly abandoned. The nearest town is Wareham.[2][3]

The reserve opened in 1966 and is chiefly lowland heath, noted for the rare heather known as Dorset heath (Erica ciliaris), and for its breeding Dartford warblers. It also has acid grassland, salt marsh and woodland, with reedbeds adjoining the mudflats of the harbour.[1] Other important species include nightjar, woodlark and, on the mudflats, spoonbill.[4][5]

Sika deer stag at the Arne reserve

Over 500 species of vascular plant have been recorded on the reserve since 1966.

The reserve has a substantial herd of sika deer. Originating in East Asia, these animals escaped from deer parks during the 1860s and have now become naturalised, living on the heath and oak woodland of the site.[3]

Arne is renowned for its natural environment, and has been featured on the BBC's Countryfile and Winterwatch programmes.[6][7]

Location

Outside links

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References