Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon

18 miles and 180 billion pebbles

Ferrybridge - Mammals





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Mammals are less common on Chesil Beach but a few species may be seen. The species most likely to be seen is the brown hare, Lepus europaeus. It will hide in the vegetation cover along the Fleet shoreline of Chesil Beach. When approached it will break cover and head up the beach at high speed.

Also present on the beach in significant numbers are hedgehogs. Being nocturnal they are rarely seen by daytime visitors. Foxes are also present on the beach but are also nocturnal so rarely encountered by visitors.

Wood mice are present on Chesil Beach and the land shore but are timid and rarely seen.

Bats will forage along the Fleet land shoreline but it is not known which species are found in the Ferrybridge area.

A very rare visitor is the roe deer which is sometimes seen in the grassy area towards the Narrows.

It is highly likely that the brown rat will also be found throughout the area.

Most summers a common seal, Phoca vitulina, will venture up the Fleet and stay for up to several weeks.