Ownership: Rempstone Trust

Designation: SSSI, SAC, SPA

Restrictions: Private No access

Access: Thrashers Lane

Grid ref: SY 97526 85068

The Reserve

Vitower is 5.5 hectares of mainly dry heath and grassland located on the south side of Poole Harbour. On the dry heath five out of the six reptiles can be found, with smooth snake being the only one missing. The main area of interest lines within the short grassland at the north end of the reserve, where three artificial ponds were created by Amphibian and Reptile Conservation in 1993 for the re-introduction of natterjack toads. With the toads being brought down from the well established colony in Woolmer Forest Hampshire it wasn’t long before a new successful breeding colony was established at Vitower. Other species of interest to be seen on or from the reserve include dartford warbler, a multitude of wading bird species, marsh harrier and osprey.

Species you might spot:

Reptiles.

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)  

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara) 

Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis) 

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix) 

Adder (Vipera berus) 

Amphibians.

Natterjack Toad (Epidalea calamita) 

Common Toad (Bufo bufo) 

Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus) 

Common Frog (Rana temporaria) 

Birds.

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Hobby (Falco subbutteo)

This is by no means a comprehensive list of species on the reserve.