Dunyeats

Ownership: ARC

Designation: SSSI, SAC,SPA, Ramsar

Restrictions: Open Access Land, please keep dogs on a lead.

Access: Gravel Hill Road

Grid ref: SZ 01592 96510

The Reserve

Dunyeats consists of 40 hectares of mainly dry heath and dwarf gorse mix which is typical of many of the Poole heathland reserves. This type of structure is perfect habitat for smooth snakes, added to this a large south facing slope dominates a large part of the reserve. All of these factors combined make Dunyeats an excellent site for reptiles. Other habitats on the reserve include a large acidic pond at the base of the southern slope which is fed by a bog/mire which cuts across the south edge of the site, this is home to palmate and smooth newt and a large amount of common odonata species. The north east corner of the reserve holds a further two more ponds, hidden in the mainly coniferous woodland these well established neutral water bodies are home to grass snake and Kingfisher

A Little History

Dunyeats would have once been part of the much larger Canford Heath, but is now separated from that site by by Gravel Hill Road. A recent housing development on the western edge and a school and a cemetery on the northern boundary complete the isolation of this heathland fragment; a common case amongst our Dorset heaths.

Species you might spot:

Reptiles.

Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis)

Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)

Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis)

Grass Snake (Natrix natrix)

Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca)

Adder (Vipera berus)

Amphibians.

Common Toad (Bufo bufo)

Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus)

Smooth Newt (Lissotriton vulgaris)

Common Frog (Rana temporaria)

Birds.

Dartford Warbler (Sylvia undata)

Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus)

Stonechat (Saxicola torquata)

Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis)

Hobby (Falco subbutteo)

Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis)

Butterflies.

Silver Studded Blue (Plebejus argus)

Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)

Grayling (Hipparchia semele)

Dragonflies.

Southern Hawker (Aeshna cynea)

Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta)

Scarce Chaser (Libellula fulva)

Scarce Emerald Damselfly (Lestes dryas)

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

Latest

Where have all the grass snakes gone, or have I got worse at finding them?

ARC Trustee Howard Inns reflects on a recent discussion about a reduction in his grass snake encounters and what might affect their abundance.
Reptile Genebank request for slough donations

If you find a snake or lizard (including slow-worm) slough anywhere in the UK please donate it to the Reptile Genebank
New educational videos for children coming soon!

ARC's Snakes in the Heather Education Officer, Owain Masters, tells us about a new video series teaching primary school age children about reptiles.
Adder art competition winners announced!

Pupils at several schools in Scotland created amazing artwork featuring adders as part of our 'adder art' competition

Blackheath

As well as being an important site for reptiles, several heathland specialist invertebrate species are found on the site.
Broxhead Common

A rich mosaic of heathland, acid grassland and secondary woodland, which supports sand lizards, rare heathland birds, and nationally rare invertebrate species.
Canford Cliffs

Canford Cliffs a small reserve in a stunning coastal location, with the introduced wall lizard being a very prominent species.
Chatley Heath

Nestled within the Thames Basin Heaths SPA, Chatley Heath is an internationally important area for birds, and provides a haven for our native reptiles, which can also now expand into the newly restored adjacent heathland at Ockham Common.
Churt Valley and Plateau

Part of a landscape network of connected sites managed by organisations including Waverley Council and the National Trust this site supports all six native reptile species after successful reintroductions of sand lizards and smooth snakes.
Clouds Hill

Clouds Hill, located within the Bovington tank training area has now become the ideal environment for sand lizard breeding.
Corfe Bluff

Corfe Bluff is a small piece of heath hidden away in the beautiful surroundings of the Purbecks.
Corfe Hills East

Corfe Hills East is a small block of heath located to the north Poole with a mix of dry heath and Molinia grassland.
Cranes Moor Bog

Cranes Moor Bog is a medium sized site, unique amongst ARC’s reserves.
Creech Heath

An excellent large piece of heath located in a stunning surrounding over looked by the Purbeck Ridge. A great place to visit to find some truly rare heathland species.