West Dorset/East Devon Birdwatching?

gavinm · #1 (**permalink**) 21-05-11, 09:21 PM

Hi all,

We've got our family holiday in early June near Lyme Regis. I don't fancy my chances of getting any time to go birding but you never know.

So, can you recommend anywhere? I thought I'd asked this before but can't find it. Anyway, what do you recommend? Not sure what would be best to go for a dead certain place to see a bird I've not seen before (Dartford Warbler, Savi's Warbler etc) or a more general place to wander round.

Thoughts?

astafjevs · #2 (**permalink**) 21-05-11, 10:08 PM

Weymouth has two RSPB reserves at Radipole and Lodmoor and another east of Exeter at Aylesbeare Common. The Weymouth ones are wetlands where you might stand a chance of Savi's and Aylesbeare is dry heath which should be good for Dartford.

Chesil Beach has tern colonys.

The river between Axmouth and Seaton has a light railway which runs bird trips but that might be a winter thing. I also can't remember what birds there are there.

For a more guaranteed family-friendly wildlife trip you could do worse than the Swannery at Abbotsbury.

Hope that helps!