New location: RSPB Arne

New location: RSPB Arne

Published: 26 September 2016

For the first time, Autumnwatch and Winterwatch is setting up home at the RSPB Reserve of Arne in Poole Harbour, Dorset.

Situated on Poole Harbour, this is officially the most biodiverse region in the UK - there are more species of animals and plants within ten miles of Wareham, than anywhere else in the country.

There are three reasons this area is so good for wildlife which make it a superb location for Autumnwatch:

  1. There are an incredible variety of different habitats: lowland heath and woodland; rivers and estuaries; marshes and coastal scenery.
  2. Poole harbour acts as a micro-climate, creating one of the warmest places in the UK and real refuge for animals and plants against harsh weather. Dorset gets 364 more hours of sunshine than the UK average.
  3. And, crucially, much of this area is managed and protected superbly by a network of conservation organisations.

The team will be visiting many of the sites on the Isle of Purbeck (of which Arne is part) which is an AONB (Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty). They will also visit Brownsea Island which was voted Britain’s favourite nature reserve in 2013, and is looked after by the National Trust and the Dorset Wildlife Trust.