This secret corner of Poole Harbour is well worth a visit for its tranquillity as well as its birdlife. Leading down to Middlebere, the valley acts as a flyway for migrant birds entering and leaving the harbour. With dense woodland cover at the source then opening up to grazed floodplain followed by reedbed towards the mouth at Middlebere, the valley offers a great mixture of habitats to explore. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit the river valley with migrant species such as warblers, chats, flycatchers and thrushes funnelling through the migration corridor.

In summer, Hobby hawk insects around the valley and surrounding heathland to the west. Breeding birds include Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler and Spotted Flycatcher and in the evenings Nightjar depart the heaths to feed along the river valley. Several access points with footpaths can be found at various spots along the valley, with one beginning in the National Trust car park at Corfe Castle, heading north over the railway track.

Managed and maintained by Dorset County Council and look out for wooden signage posts directing walkers.

Birds of Poole Harbour

Is a charity completely dedicated educating people on the stunning variety of bird life in one of the country’s most picturesque locations, helping you make the most of this truly breathtaking natural harbour. They see their role as the link to raising the profile of bird conservation, observation and education in and around the Poole Harbour area through harbour-wide partnership working, high standards of people engagement work and continuous monitoring of the harbour and its bird populations. See the Birds of Poole Harbour website for more details of birdwatching at the Corfe River Valley.