BBC_Earth_UK_-_January_2017

Nature

Winterwatch

The pine marten (right)

does not hibernate but

has thick hair on the

soles of its feet to keep

it warm.

Seals, sea lions and

walruses have four

flippers so are in a group

known as ‘pinnipeds’,

which means ‘fin-footed’.

Buzzards are keen on

interior decoration. Unlike

other birds of prey, they

constantly refresh their

nests with green foliage.

Arne Nature Reserve,

Wareham, Dorset

What’s it like? There’s an excellent reason

Winterwatch is filmed here. This beautiful,

sandy peninsular with ancient oak

woodland, tidal salt marshes and heather-

lined paths wiggling around Poole Harbour is

bursting with animal life.

What can I see? If the views of Poole Harbour

aren’t reason enough to go, you can also see

a wide array of coastal birds: waders, ducks,

avocets, black-tailed godwits (left), curlews

and brent geese. Walkers might also catch

sight of sika deer, a species native to East

Asia that keeps its spots when it reaches

maturity. These full-grown Bambis are fond

of Arne’s famous lowland heath.

Distance If you walk both the Shipstal

Point and Coombe trails, it’s a six-to-eight-

kilometre hike.

How long does it take? Two to three hours at

a leisurely pace, allowing plenty of time for

nature spotting.

Getting there By far the easiest way to get

to Arne is by car, and there is lots of parking.

But the nearest town of Wareham – just

over two hours from London Waterloo by

train – is only six kilometres away. Cyclists

can then follow the excellent Sustrans

bike route to the reserve.

Refreshments There’s a cafe serving hot

drinks, meals, sandwiches and cakes.

What’s it like? This dramatic 10km stretch of

Lincolnshire coastline, between Grainthorpe

Haven in the north and Saltfleet in the

south, is comprised of sand dunes, unusual

dune ridges, intertidal areas and mudflats.

Thousands of people flock here each year as

it’s a breeding ground for one of the largest

populations of grey seals in England.

What can I see? Winter is the perfect time

to go seal spotting. Every November and

December, pregnant seals come to the

dunes to give birth and the mother and

bull seals later breed again on the beaches.

You can safely witness the miracle of seal

reproduction from a viewing area inside

the reserve. This time of year the area is

also home to whooper swans, the festive-

sounding Lapland longspur – a large

sparrow-like bird with a chestnut nape – and

snow buntings

Distance Around 10km.

How long does it take? A stunning circular

walk takes you along the coast and then

into the countryside. You’ll stroll through

the villages of Grainthorpe and North

Somercotes before returning to the reserve

car park. It takes about three hours at a good

pace, with plenty of stops to coo over seals.

Getting there Public transport is not an

option, but there is plenty of parking. A

small car park at Stonebridge is the most

convenient for seal watchers.

Refreshments A catering van in the car park

provides hot drinks and refreshments. Or

wait until you reach Grainthorpe to recharge

at the Black Horse Inn.

To find out more

about RSPB Arne,

v i s i t h t t p : //

bit.ly/2hbfCxt

Donna Nook, Lincolnshire

Did you

know?

To find out more

about Donna Nook,

visit lincstrust.org.

uk/donna-nook

Words: Matilda Battersby. Photographs: Alamy, iStock