Holes Bay Nature Park
Holes Bay Nature Park is a protected area along Poole Harbour that contains mudflats, salt marshes, grasslands, and patches of woodland covering roughly 286 hectares. The landscape includes open water, shorelines with varied terrain, and sections of trees and shrubs that create different habitats for wildlife.
The area was designated as a protected nature reserve in March 2015 to safeguard wildlife and allow public access to natural spaces. It is now part of a larger conservation effort called Great Heath Living Landscapes, designed to maintain these habitats for the future.
The bay sits beside a railway line that has shaped the landscape for generations, dividing the wetland into distinct zones. Locals and visitors alike use the area as a place to connect with nature and observe how birds and wildlife coexist with human activity nearby.
The park is accessible through walking paths including the Castleman Trailway and Poole Harbour Trails, with main access points at Upton Country Park and Hamworthy. Parking is limited along roadsides, so arriving early or using local transport is recommended for a better visit.
The bay serves as a critical stopover for thousands of migratory birds that arrive annually from distant regions like Scandinavia, northern Europe, and Greenland to feed and rest. Over eighty species of tiny creatures live in the mud and water, supporting the birds that depend on this feeding ground.
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