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The feeling of spaciousness isn't lost when up on a raised area taking in all around you. |
ABBOTSBURY
Contact:
Abbotsbury Swannery,
New Barn Road, Abbotsbury,
Nr Weymouth, Dorset DT3 4JG
Tel No. 01305 871858
Amenities:
Small free parking area near caravan site or park in Abbotsbury Village or at The Swannery. At the Swannery Public Toilets, disabled and baby change facilities available at the main entrance and in the Coffee Shop. PLEASE NOTE. There are no public toilets inside the Swannery itself.
Opening and Closing Times:
Open all year round.
Area Description:
The Abbotsbury area is part of the 8 mile long Fleet Lagoon, the largest lagoon in the UK. Open grassland, a pebble-laden coastline, clear waters, reedbeds and hedgerows all make this a varied area with much potential. Abbotsbury is surrounded by miles of open countryside and verdant hills which need exploring on foot so as to take in the numerous spectacular viewpoints.
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The feeling of spaciousness isn't lost when up on a raised area taking in all around you. |
Best times to visit:
As far as birds are concerned then a vist to this area would be best at anytime of year whereas to capture the wonderful scenic appeal then spring and summer would be ideal.
Key Flora:
Babbington's Leek, Sea Kale, Sea Pea, Marsh Mallow, Yellow Flag, Sea Purslane, Glasswort, Marsh Mallow and Sea Aster to flourish behind. The drier grassy areas above the foreshore support a number of plants associated with downland including Common Centaury, Yellow-Wort, Bird's Foot Trefoil and Yellow Vetchling.
Key Fauna:
Marsh Harrier, Little Egrets, Mute Swans (in large numbers), Reed and Sedge Warblers Starling, Swallow, Yellow Wagtail, Common Terns, Gadwall, Pintail, Shoveler, Teal, Mallard,Pochard and Tufted Ducks plus smaller numbers of Scaup, Goldeneye and Long-Tailed Ducks are usually present with Grey Herons, Canada Geese, Cormorants, Coot, Moorhen, and several species of Grebe as well as Kingfisher and Snipe being amongst some of the other birds that frequent the area.
Lepidoptera species seen can be the commoner butterflies such as Peacock, Comma, Marbled White, Small Tortoiseshell and Speckled Wood and a diverse range of moth such as Blood-Vein; Dingy Footman; Double Striped Pug; Orange Swift; Yellow Tail; Magpie; Chinese Character; Straw Dot; Pale Eggar; Horse Chestnut and Channel Island Pug amongst others.
Roe Deer, dragonflies and various insects are also things to watch out for.
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