Description
Durlston is an excellent place to go birdwatching at any time of the year. The cliffs are home to the largest breeding colony of yaygın alk in Southern England. Usturagaga also breed but in smaller numbers. Passing seabirds such as Sümsükkuþu and Karaayaklı martı can be seen at any time, but particularly during windy weather. Gök doðan and Kuzgun patrol the cliffs. During autumn, 'visible migration' can be spectacular with thousands of finches and pipits passing overhead just after dawn. The woodland areas provide habitat for Şahin, Atmaca, Sıvacı and Orman tırmaşıkkuşu; in autumn, passage species in the woodland can include Sarıkaşlı çıvgın and Sürmeli Çalıkuşu. In spring and early summer, the scrub areas are alive with migrant warblers including Küçük Ak Gerdanlı Ötleğen. Migrating raptors such as Kızıl Çaylak, Balık kartalı, Delice doğan and Boz doğan pass through the Park.
Details
Access
From Swanage, follow the brown tourist signs up the hill to Durlston Country Park; the postcode is BH19 2JL. Click on the P in the map to get directions. There are many walking trails in the Park. On the map you see a circular walk of 3,5 km that passes cliffs and woodland.
