Dorset Wildlife

You are never far from some special wildlife in Dorset. With everything from bluebells to barn owls, otters to orchids and deer to dolphins, it's no surprise that the Dorset AONB is often considered to be the wildlife capital of the UK.

While some wildlife in Dorset is easy to see, you may need to be patient to spot some of the rarer or more shy species. Dorset's nature reserves can be great places to start your search and guided walks and events run throughout the year to help.

Dorset's heathlands support all Britain's six species of reptiles.