Size: 14 hectares

Ownership:
Forest Enterprise

Designation: SSSI, SAC, SPA, Ramsar

Restrictions: Open Access Land please keep dogs on a lead and keep to main
paths. Horse riding and cycling is only permitted on statutory bridleways. No camping or fires of any kind.

Access: Sugar Hill, Wareham Forest.

Grid ref: SY 87832 91043

South West Hyde’s dry heath and sandy soils make it perfect for a thriving sand lizard population.

The Reserve

South West Hyde benefits from dry heath restoration from pine plantation in the area of Wareham forest. Newly extended to the west the reserves habitat changes to more humid heath and scrub.
In 2020 a management agreement with Forest Enterprise was extended to the
north into Hyde Bog securing another 16 hectares of valuable heathland habitat
for conservation.

What to see:

The reserve as a whole is home to all six native species of reptile. These include the Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara), Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis), Grass Snake (Natrix natrix), Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) and Adder (Vipera berus).

The reserve’s dry sandy soils and ridge and furrow micro- topography make this reserve perfect for a large population of sand lizards.

Migrant birds such as the Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata), Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus), Stonechat (Saxicola torquata), Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) and Hobby (Falco subbutteo) can also be seen.