Chesil Bank - The Nature Reserve

The Nature Reserve

Designations

The conservation value of the area is recognised through a variety of national and international designations. It is a Grade 1* Site of Special Scientific Interest, a Ramsar Site (wetland of international importance designated under the Ramsar convention), EU Special Protection Area (SPA), proposed Special Area of Conservation (SAC) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

Owner

The Nature Reserve is owned and managed by Ilchester Estate and has been since 1543. Since then the supervision of the area has included the management of the Abbotsbury Swannery, the placement of a full-time warden and the establishment of an information centre at Ferrybridge.

Warden

The role of the warden is to safeguard the wildlife living within the Nature Reserve area and limit any recreational impact which may effect the reserve as a whole. During the summer months this includes a constant watch on the Little Tern breeding area.

Preserving Naturalness

The Fleet is unique due to its degree of naturalness. The amount of undisturbed lagoons left in the world are quickly declining as many become the focus of marina developments. The Fleet has survived development plans for 2 power stations and a sewage works due to its conservation importance, but it is still under threat from less obvious factors such as eutrophication from agricultural run-off and storm damage.

Address Of Centre

The Chesil Beach Centre,

Portland Beach Road,

Portland,

Dorset,

DT4 9XE,

Telephone / Fax: +44 (0)1305 760 579

The Chesil Beach Centre is open daily throughout the year from 11am - 6pm from April to September, and 11am - 4pm from October to March. Entry to the Centre is free and there are facilities close by (cafe and toilets). The Centre is manned by the Warden and his volunteers who play a vital role in the success of the conservation programme. Contact them for information about guided walks, special events and how to become a volunteer.

The Centre may be small, but inside the walls and ceilings vividly depict the area's special coastal wildlife and features. Larger than life models of feeding water birds, their huge beaks stretching from the ceiling reveal their underwater feeding habits in the Fleet lagoon. A real stone replica of a Portland quarry explains the area's rich geological, historical and ecological features.

There is also some technology to experience - a touch screen computer and an audio presentation telling the story of the formation of Chesil Bank.