The Bog

Coastal Marsh, Saltings in Dorset

England

The Bog

Ferndown Industrial Estate Rebuilding fire-damaged warehousing on the Ferndown Industrial Estate. — Ferndown Industrial Estate Credit: Peter Kazmierczak

The Bog, located in Dorset, England, is a coastal marsh and saltings area of great ecological importance. Stretching across a vast expanse, it covers an approximate area of 500 hectares. The Bog is situated between two major rivers, the River Frome and the River Piddle, and is adjacent to the English Channel.

This unique landscape is characterized by its low-lying, wet and marshy terrain, which is predominantly covered by salt-tolerant vegetation. The area is inundated with tidal water during high tides, creating a brackish environment that supports a diverse array of flora and fauna.

The Bog is home to a variety of plant species that have adapted to the harsh saline conditions, including sea lavender, sea aster, and glasswort. These plants play a vital role in stabilizing the marshland and providing habitat for numerous bird species.

Speaking of avian inhabitants, The Bog is an important breeding ground and stopover site for migratory birds. Species such as redshanks, dunlins, and curlews can be spotted in large numbers during their respective migration seasons. This makes it a popular destination for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

In addition to its ecological significance, The Bog also serves as a natural defense against coastal erosion, with its marshes acting as a buffer zone between the sea and the land. This helps to protect nearby settlements and agricultural areas from the erosive forces of the ocean.

Overall, The Bog in Dorset is a remarkable coastal marsh and saltings that showcases the beauty and resilience of nature. Its unique ecosystem and diverse wildlife make it a valuable asset for scientific research, conservation efforts, and recreational activities.

Show me another place!

If you have any feedback on the listing, please let us know in the comments section below.

The Bog Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 50.80153/-1.9342612 or Grid Reference SU0400. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Ferndown Industrial Estate

Rebuilding fire-damaged warehousing on the Ferndown Industrial Estate.

Peter Kazmierczak

From Railway to Trailway

This trailway was once part of the double-track mainline running from London Waterloo to Weymouth. Bicycles are now the only wheeled vehicles you'll see along here nowadays.

Peter Kazmierczak

Disused mainline

A wooden shed stands in the middle of the formation that was once the mainline railway between London Waterloo and Weymouth. A low embankment is all that remains to remind us of its past history.

Peter Kazmierczak

Cobham Road, Ferndown Industrial Estate

A grey road, on a grey day.

David Lally

Woods by the A31, Ferndown

David Howard

The A31, Ferndown

David Howard

Lotus Elan on the Canford Bottom Roundabout

This set of multiple traffic lights has artificially created a constant bottleneck. There is a similar one along the A5 in Dunstable and only a few vehicles can get through each time they go green as the next set is still backed up. The number plate is Dutch in the old monochrome format and the car is left hand drive.

David Howard

The Canford Bottom Roundabout

David Howard

The Canford Bottom Roundabout

It's a series of traffic lights with a roundabout going round them. Guaranteed gridlock at all times.

David Howard

Old Milepost by Wimborne Road, Wimborne Minster

Cast iron post by the UC road, in parish of FERNDOWN TOWN (EAST DORSET District), Wimborne Road, East of bypass roundabout, by No. 210/212, by the road, on South side of road. Ringwood cast iron post (Trust), erected by the Ringwood, Longham & Leigh turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : 2 / WIM- / BORNE : : RINGW'D / TRUST : : 7 / RING- / WOOD : Milestone Society National ID: DO_WBRW02.

J Tybjerg

Old Milepost by Wimborne Road East, west of Ferndown

Cast iron post by the UC road, in parish of FERNDOWN TOWN (EAST DORSET District), Wimborne Road, by No. 414, by the road, on South side of road. Ringwood cast iron post (Trust), erected by the Ringwood, Longham & Leigh turnpike trust in the 19th century. Inscription reads:- : 3 / WIM- / BORNE : : RINGW'D / TRUST : : 6 / RING- / WOOD : Milestone Society National ID: DO_WBRW03

Mike Faherty

Houses on Pilford Heath Rd

This part of Wimborne is very leafy and the large gardens often contain some of the large old pine trees that were here before the houses were built.

Nigel Mykura

Colehill: across Bytheway Field

Looking westward across this vast, lovely open space from near the Churchmoor Road entrance, on its eastern side. The information board proclaims it as "a great place for people and wildlife" and on an evening like this it was certainly very popular. I recall in the early 1980s, as a child, passing the house called Bytheway just along here, and initially thinking it was Welsh!

Chris Downer

Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field

The path rather splendidly goes across the northern corner of the wildlife pond in the centre of this fine open space, which has been established in relatively recent years. It is the first SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) in East Dorset district, and includes a self-led orienteering course. It is very well used by dog walkers and equally people just fancying a stroll in the fresh air. One of the signboards proclaims Bytheway Field as "a great place for people and wildlife" which has a nice ring to it and is perhaps evidenced by the mallard taking her ducklings out for a swim, centre picture.

Chris Downer

Colehill: over the pond and into the sun

Looking along the path that crosses the pond within Bytheway Field, in the opposite direction to SU0200 : Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field. Bytheway Field is the first SANG (Suitable Alternative Natural Green Space) in East Dorset district, and includes a self-led orienteering course. It is very well used by dog walkers and equally people just fancying a stroll in the fresh air. One of the signboards proclaims Bytheway Field as "a great place for people and wildlife" which has a nice ring to it.

Chris Downer

Colehill: small footbridge in Bytheway Field

Ahead is the rather lovely wildlife pond. See SU0200 : Colehill: across the pond at Bytheway Field for more discussion on the Field.

Chris Downer

Colehill: eastern edge of Leigh Common

The Common features several paths - some gravelled and some, where necessary, elevated as a boardwalk - and is mainly woodland with a little open meadow.

Chris Downer