Ham Common, Dorset facts for kids
Ham Common is a special place near Poole, Dorset, in England. It's a Local Nature Reserve, which means it's protected because of its important nature. You can find it on the northwest side of Poole Harbour. This area is mostly heathland, but it also has forests, open spaces, and a freshwater lake called Hamworthy Lake. It's a great spot for exploring nature! You can park at Hamworthy Beach and even go kayaking from there. It's also easy to walk to from Haven Rockley Holiday Park.
In 2003, Ham Common became "twinned" with another nature reserve, Fleet Pond in Hampshire. They even had a special event and put up a plaque at Ham Common in 2006 to celebrate this friendship.
Contents
Amazing Animals at Ham Common
Ham Common is home to many different kinds of animals. Scientists and nature lovers have recorded over 200 types of birds, 34 kinds of butterflies, and 25 species of Odonata here. Odonata are flying insects like dragonflies and damselflies.
Birds You Might See
Many interesting birds live at Ham Common or visit it. Some of them include:
- Avocet
- Grey phalarope
- Osprey
- Dartford warbler
- Yellow-browed warbler
- Serin
- Black-throated diver
- Hobby
- Peregrine falcon
- Wryneck
- Hoopoe
- Nightjar
Beautiful Butterflies
If you love butterflies, Ham Common is a great place to visit! You might spot these colorful insects:
- Long-tailed blue
- European swallowtail
- Purple hairstreak
- Grayling
- Silver-washed fritillary
- Dark green fritillary
- Brown argus
- Silver-studded blue
Cool Dragonflies and Damselflies (Odonata)
Ham Common is also home to many amazing dragonflies and damselflies. Some of the species found here are:
- Red-eyed damselfly
- Southern damselfly
- Scarce blue-tailed damselfly
- Brown hawker
- Scarce chaser
- Keeled skimmer
