WILDLIFE

Hengistbury Head is an important and fascinating nature reserve, not least, because of the great variety of habitats within such a small area of 160 hectares – see MAP. There are more than 500 plant species – that’s a quarter of the national total and includes nationally rare and scarce species such as the Slender Bird’s –foot-trefoil. 700 moth species have been recorded - a good indicator of a relatively ‘healthy’ environment. Reptiles are well represented, as are amphibians including the nationally rare Natterjack Toad.