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To the north of the Harbour are the reserves
of Radipole and Lodmore, easily accessible from Weymouth whilst
Chesil Bank, which forms the western side of the Harbour encloses
the internationally important Fleet lagoon with its famous
swannery at Abbotsbury.
The sand and muddy shallows of the north and
west of the Harbour are abundant in marine animal communities
whilst the breakwaters, cut off from the land, provide an
undisturbed home for terns, gulls and waders.
The brackish water of the Fleet has a rich bed
of organic silt which encourages a large range of seaweeds,
home to many invertebrates. This, together with extensive
mudflats and a variety of shoreside vegetation, including
reed and willow beds and water meadows, attract a range and
quantity of birds almost unsurpassed in the country, numbering
thousands of ducks, and geese amongst them.
At the eastern end of the Fleet is the ancient
Swannery, home to up to 1000 mute swans in winter. Many breed,
producing an average of 100 cygnets a year. In addition there
is a duck decoy, built to provide food for the table of the
Lord of the Manor, but now used to ring some 500 ducks annually.
See the Birds
With the exception of the Breakwaters and Chesil
Bank opposite the Fleet most of the sites can be visited on
foot. A good way to do this is to park your car at a pub or
picnic area, go for a walk along the footpaths and return
for a meal.
Recommended Access Points
Portland and Chesil Beach Centre. From here
you can explore the Chesil Bank as far as Portland and the
western foreshore of the Harbour.
Sandsfoot Castle or the Ferry Bridge Inn. Park
at either place to see the northern side of the Harbour, the
waters flowing in and out of the Fleet and its eastern mudflats.
Moonfleet Manor or the Elm Tree Inn at Langton
Herring Either of these spots provide a good jumping off point
for a walk along the middle part of the Fleet.
The Swannery or Chesil Bank car park at Abbotsbury
The Swannery itself is only open during the summer but there
are good walks beside the reed beds to the coastal path without
having to enter.
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