Arne RSPB reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Arne RSPB reserve |
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Viewpoint on the RSPB Arne reserve
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| Type | Heath |
| Location | Arne, Dorset, England |
| Nearest town | Wareham |
| Area | 5.634 square kilometres (1,392 acres) |
| Created | 1966 |
| Operated by | RSPB |
| Status | SSSI |
| Website | http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/a/arne/ |
Arne RSPB reserve is a special nature spot in Dorset, England. It's a huge area, about 5.6 square kilometers (or 1,392 acres!), looked after by the RSPB. This amazing place is known for its rare plants and animals. It's located on the Arne Peninsula, which sticks out into Poole Harbour. The village of Arne is nearby, but the bigger town of Wareham is the closest main settlement.
Arne is also a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). This means it's a protected area because of its important wildlife or geology. The wet, grassy areas near the water, called estuarine reedbeds, are even a special national nature reserve.
Discover Arne RSPB Reserve
Arne RSPB reserve opened its doors in 1966. It's mostly made up of lowland heath. This is a unique type of open land with low-growing shrubs like heather. The reserve is famous for a rare kind of heather called Dorset heath. It's also a key breeding spot for Dartford warblers, a small bird.
What Makes Arne Special?
Besides heathland, Arne has other cool habitats. These include acid grassland, salty marsh areas, and woodlands. There are also reedbeds right next to the mudflats of Poole Harbour. These mudflats are home to many different creatures.
Amazing Wildlife at Arne
Arne is a paradise for wildlife. Over 500 different types of plants have been found here since 1966.
The reserve is also home to important birds like the nightjar and the woodlark. On the mudflats, you might even spot a spoonbill with its unique spoon-shaped beak.
One of the most interesting animals at Arne is the sika deer. These deer originally came from East Asia. They escaped from deer parks in the 1860s and now live wild here. You can often see them roaming the heath and oak woodlands.
Arne on TV
Arne is so special that it has been featured on TV shows! The BBC's popular programmes, Countryfile and Winterwatch, have shown off Arne's beautiful natural environment.
