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Wildlife of the Cliffs

Because of its coastal location the reserve area can usually provide something of interest for the birdwatcher. In spring it is a good place to look for migrants. The valleys provide cover for small migrants such as the common warblers, spotted flycatcher and redstart. Species such as pied flycatcher and sedge,reed and grasshopper warbler put in less regular appearances.

The open grasslands are good places for wheatear, whinchat and stonechat while hobby, turtle dove and cuckoo are also regular passage birds.

Most of the huge spring passage of water birds in the Channel passes far out to sea but some species such as the common sandpiper and sandwich tern are annual visitors and occasionally the passage of others such as common tern,Artic skua, whimbrel and bartail godwit can be seen from the shore.

In autumn many migrants again visit the coast but one of many features are the huge flocks of Swallows and Martins. In addition, late autumn provides a time when species such as the Firecest and Black Redstart may be seen and a gale in October may provide a wind-blown Grey Phalarope.

In winter Peregrines, ravens and buzzards remain in the area. Beaches will become home for a few rock pipits and redshank and oystercatcher numbers sometimes top 60 at Kimmeridge Bay.

Offshore, especially near the bays, Slavonian grebe and little gull may be seen and the winter usually provides a record of a red-throated or Great Northern diver.

The coast of the reserve provides a wide variety of flowers and other plants. Because the area of dry beach is generally small, plants commonly found on beaches are restricted, but Sea Rocket and Sea kale have been recorded.

  Cliff plants are well represented and species such as thrift, sea campion and rock samphire are widespread.

Specialities of the clay cliffs includeyellow-horned poppy, cild Cabbage and grass vetchling, hairy buttercup, hoary cress and henbane are local specialities of the main car park at Kimmeridge Bay.

 
The flora of the chalk and limestone is fairly typical of the wider Purbeck downs containing attractive plants such as bee orchid, pyrimidal orchid, yellow wort, early gentian, wild mignonette and common rockrose.

Other interesting plants to be found on or near the cliffs include hound's tongue, wild madder and stinking iris.

Whilst the clay cliffs west of Kimmeridge can be rather dull for the botanist there are several unexpected species to be found. The cliffs to the west of Kimmeridge Bay can prove very fruitful and a number of rare and local species, in addition to those mentioned, can be found.

The adder is the most commonly encountered reptile, favouring the sunny slopes on the cliff tops and may occasionally end up on the beach following small cliff falls.

Slow worms and common lizards are present, though the former are not often seen. Grass snakes are quite uncommon - you would be lucky to see one.

The diverse nature of this coastline provides an ideal hunting ground for the naturalist at any time of the year with a good chance of turning up the unusual or rare. Much is still unknown of the wildlife in the area and there is considerable scope for further investigation.

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