WALKERS can now explore the Studland peninsula and all its wildlife throughout winter thanks to a major upgrade to a popular track.

The track, from Ferry Road to the beach, previously flooded whenever there was heavy rain, making it inaccessible.

The National Trust, with £80,000 funding from Poole Harbour’s Bird and Recreation Initiative, (BARI), has improved the 1.5km track by removing blocked culverts and sunken boardwalks, adding new pipes to carry flood water, and re-surfacing the eroded sections.

The track now forms part of a signposted circular route which offers an alternative ‘wildlife-friendly’ route for walkers.

It avoids more sensitive areas of Brand’s Bay where overwintering birds are vulnerable to disturbance.

The upgraded track Picture: Mike Wenham

Poole Harbour is an internationally important site for birds like the turnstone, avocet, brent goose, black-tailed godwit and oystercatcher.

Ria Loveridge of BARI said: “Some of these birds travel thousands of miles from places like Greenland, Siberia, and Iceland, so when they get here, they need to rest, feed, and recover.

“The Brand’s Bay shoreline is a key habitat for them, so we’re asking people to try out this new improved route so that the overwintering birds aren’t disturbed.

“Birds see humans and dogs as predators which can stress them. If you know your dog chases birds, please keep them on a lead.”

At low tide, wading birds search for food, probing the soft mud with long bills to capture things like ragworms, lugworms, shrimps, and clams.

As the tide flows in, the birds are forced to move closer to the shore, so this is when they are particularly vulnerable to disturbance.

David Brown, lead ecologist for the National Trust, said: “Survival of these birds depends on them spending most of their time in Poole Harbour feeding – but every time birds are scared into flight, they stop feeding and instead need to use up valuable energy stocks.

Avocet and chicks Picture: Paul Wright

“Studies in Poole Harbour have shown that dogs are one of the biggest causes of this disturbance in Brand’s Bay, and unchecked will eventually lead to a decline in the population here.

“We are hugely grateful to BARI for their support with this project.

“It helps us to protect our vulnerable wildlife while still offering a lovely circular walk which encompasses the harbour shoreline, woodland, sand dunes, and beach.”

The suggested circular walk leads around Bramble Bush Bay as far as Jerry’s Point, then turns inland, across the heath to join the upgraded track.

People can then walk to the dunes, along the beach, and back to Shell Bay.

Signs and information panels have been erected around the site to promote the alternative route.

Throughout October and November, wardens from BARI and the National Trust will be on site, talking to walkers, showcasing some of the birdlife, answering wildlife questions and highlighting some great places for dog walking.