Wareham Wanders: East Holme - setting the scene

Description:

This is a short walk of just over a mile from Holmebridge to the hamlet of East Holme and back. It is along tarmac roadway and so is good for an afternoon stroll on a winter's afternoon but it really comes into is own in summer when the verges present an array of wild flowers with associated insects. In winter the main interest is provided by birds on the water meadows and also in the cow's field where various species like to feeds on insects and earthworms, etc stirred up by the cattle's movement.

Around the East Holme estate are a number of parkland trees; introduced species such as Turkey oak and beech. I understand that there is a Cedar of Lebanon in the Priory park but I am yet to work out which tree it actually is!

It is not a busy road by any means but, as always, one needs to be aware of the potential for traffic. I have encountered more delays through the movement of the cattle between fields than from cars over the years. The road can be a bit messy in places so do not wear your best shoes.

The Route:

From the Wareham west roundabout take the Dorchester Road. After about a mile turn left [signposted East Lulworth] but locals will know this as the turning to 'Holme for Gardens'. Cross the railway and then turn in to the lay-by created when the old road bridge was replaced with a new one and park here, there is usually space. From here cross the road and walk south along the grass verge for about a hundred yards to the turning to East Holme. Look out for lots of wild flowers along this verge in summer.

The walk goes along this road to East Holme

In winter you pass fields where inquisitive cattle will take an interest in you!

When you get to the ford look for the footpath on the left which leads you to a bridge

My walk turns back once to get to the road junction but you can extend your walk by crossing the road and walking as far as the entrance to the firing ranges (about a quarter of a mile)

Natural Interest:

In winter there can be lots of birds on the water meadows at the start of the walk. Rook and jackdaw feeding parties can exceed a hundred birds; look out for flocks of feeding starlings as well. You may also see stonechat, buzzard, little egret, cormorant and numerous black-headed gulls and some herring gulls too. In the distance there will be good numbers of mute swan.

In the cattle field there is a good chance of seeing twenty plus pied wagtail feeding amongst the cattle. The hedgerows will hopefully produce some more common species such as blackbird, robin, blue tit, chaffinch, goldfinch and dunnock.

With few leaves on the trees the lichens on the hedgerow shrubs are more visible with several species to be found.

The most common lichen is Xanthoria parietina which is pollution resistant

Mosses are tricky to identify but rough-stalked feather moss is one of our most common species

 Flowers in winter are scarce but the greater periwinkle, a garden escape, is pretty hardy

Conclusion:

A short winter walk but not a patch on what it is like in summer but still worth the effort.

Notes:

You can see my species list for this walk here: Species list - East Holme