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Hidden Dorset > Discover > Natural Environment > Wildlife > Girdlers Coppice - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve
Girdlers Coppice - Dorset Wildlife Trust Reserve Wildlife
This Dorset Wildlife Trust reserve is an area of ancient oak woodland and hazel coppice; in summer the rich ground flora attracts many butterfly species.
This excellent example of ancient semi-natural woodland lies between Sturminster Newton and Fiddleford. The reserve is about 7 ha in area; amongst the oak, ash and hazel is the rare wild service tree; the colourful woodland floor includes creeping jenny, bugle, devil's-bit scabious and saw wort; in some shady areas violet helleborine. Spring migrant birds include willow warblers, blackcaps and spotted flycatchers. There are two small flood meadows providing habitat for different flora between the woodland and the nearby River Stour which brings dragonfly and damselfly species in summer.
The best times to visit are in spring and summer for the flowers.
Directions
Access is from the car park for Fiddleford Manor, situated on the north side of the A 357 about two miles east of Sturminster Newton.
(O.S. map reference: ST 800 135).
Additional Information
A reserve leaflet is available.
Steep slopes in the wood and wet ground conditions in the fields near the river make access difficult for the disabled. No dogs are allowed.
Nearest refreshments/pub: Fiddleford and Broad Oak.
Photo of damselfly by Richard Lambert
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