Visitors to Hardy’s Birthplace Visitor Centre can now enjoy close-up views of its busy bird-feeding station thanks to a generous donation.

A new telescope overlooks the woodland feeding station and allows visitors to enjoy stunning views of birds such as siskin, marsh tit, nuthatch, coal tit and great spotted woodpecker.

Wessex Photographic at Sturminster Newton and Hawke Optics donated the telescope to the visitor centre as they were keen that the superb wildlife of the area was made more accessible to the public.

Cllr Jill Haynes said: “This new telescope allows visitors to Thorncombe Woods to enjoy amazing views of woodland birds like never before. Many woodland birds are stunningly beautiful but can be elusive.”