The Chesil Beach area is extremely important for a wide variety of taxa. The beach itself supports characteristic shingle plants and rare invertebrates, while the enclosed Fleet Lagoon provides ideal habitat for specialist marine life, migratory waders and wintering waterfowl. Chesil experts explain why the site is so important for wildlife, and take a look at some of the many interesting species to be found here.
The importance of the wildlife, geology and landscape of Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon has resulted in the site’s recognition and protection by a number of national and international conservation designations, including Special Area of Conservation (SAC), Special Protection Area (SPA), European Marine Site (EMS), Ramsar site, Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Geological Conservation Review (GCR) site and Important Plant Area (IPA).