Studland - Little Sea - Studland Heath

Joe Jackson

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This is an excellent walk to see some of the local wildlife north of Studland. The walk starts at the National Trust Car Park close to the sea and follows a section of their waymarked walks to the first hide, which overlooks the south end of Little Sea. This is a large lake in the middle of a peninsula and is a haven for wildlife. From this hide you can see many different types of gull as well as other waterfowl like pochard and tufted ducks.

The walk proceeds north along a sandy path (keep an eye out for any Dartford warblers in the gorse and ferns!) Once you arrive at a track the route turns left and continues up to the Ferry Road, where it crosses and enters the heathland on the other side. The path turns left again and recrosses the road to the next hide, where otters are frequently seen with their young.

The route continues to cross the heathland where you may see more Dartford warblers and also stonechats and wheatears. The last hide on the route is best visited when the tide is going out, as it overlooks tidal mudflats and when the time is right, teems with wading birds from curlews and whimbrels to godwits, redshanks and little egrets. It is worth noting that osprey are frequently seen around here during the migratory season too!

The return leg of the walk mostly follows the road back to the car park, with an optional fourth bird hide you can visit which overlooks Little Sea from a different vantage point.

England - South West England - Dorset - Studland