Exploring

Close to areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Special Scientific Interest, our diverse region is host to a wide variety of wildlife.

OttersOtters can be seen in the River Stour. They have even been spotted by camera in our village! They were investigating food & water bowls, presumably having travelled along the village stream.

Red SquirrelsBe enchanted by the red squirrels on a day out to Brown Sea Island.

Wild GoatsThere are even wild goats to be easily spotted at Cheddar Gorge.
An hour's drive away.

NightingalesYou might not see these shy visitors, but in the Spring you can hear nightingales at nearby Alners Gorse Reserve, and you can find rare butterflies and moths all summer long.

DolphinsYou might be lucky enough to spot dolphins off the coastline at Portland Bill.

Mute Swan ColonyYou are sure to see flocks of swans at Abbotsbury Swannery near Chesil Beach. In the Springtime, you will see the baby cygnets too.

Roe DeerWatch out for our native roe deer as you are driving around the lanes. A joy to see, they can also be a driving hazard.

HedgehogsOn a summer's evening, you might hear the strange huffing of hedgehogs. They are not very shy and are easy to spot, once you know they are there.