Wareham Wanders: Trigon - setting the scene

Description:

My Wareham Wander at Trigon is an easy one, just two miles in total along a tarmac road. It is a 'there and back' walk from the entrance to Carey House as far as the entrance to the Trigon Estate and then return. The road is generally quite quiet and safe to walk especially once the past the outdoor education centre.

I am not conversant with the history of the area but most of the trees, apart from the birches, appear to have been introduced by a previous owner of the estate. Given the size of some of the trees this may have been between the two World Wars but may have been earlier. The oaks here are Turkey oak which are an introduced species and there also beech which do not occur naturally in this part of Dorset. There are other obvious conifer introductions here including Lawson cypress and a couple of redwoods. I suspect many of the Scots pine are introduced too.

It is a pleasant walk, especially on a summer's evening. 

The Route:
From the roundabout on the northside of Wareham, just before the railway bridge, take the road down to another roundabout by the station and then onto the Bere Regis road. Almost immediately there is a left hand turning into Carey Approach which soon becomes Carey Road. Pass the shops and then the Westminster Industrial Estate and continue up the road until you reach the entrance to Carey House, it is just past the quarry workings which are just about visible. There is parking here.


There is parking along the roadside here


Walk westward along the road, you pass the outdoor education centre


The sign saying 'Turn Here' is for cars not walkers! You can go a bit further on foot


However, when you reach the main gate at South Lodge you have to turn back.
Trigon Estate is private and only accessible with permission.

Natural Interest:

In winter there is not a lot of natural interest but there is some! For example, there are five species of fern that are very visible this time of year; male-fern, broad buckler fern, harts-tongue, hard fern and polypody:


Polypody usually grows on trees and walls but there is quite a lot growing along the banks here

There is a lot of fallen timber in the woodlands along here too and it is worth looking out for fungi although by winter much is dried up and past its best:


Remnants of silverleaf fungus on a rotting tree stump


Also in winter the mosses and lichen are more noticeable and can create attractive mini-habitats that are worth spending a little time admiring:


Tamarisk moss is quite common along the roadside banks nearer the Trigon gate entrance and it does no harm to pick a 'leaf' and take a closer look just to admire its beauty

 Conclusion:

A pleasant walk on a winter's afternoon but do not expect to be overwhelmed by the wildlife on offer. 

Notes:

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



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