Dunyeats

Size : 40 Ha

Ownership: ARC

Designation: SSSI, SAC,SPA, Ramsar

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

Access:
Gravel Hill Road
BH17 9BQ

Grid ref: SZ 01592 96510

Dunyeats is a medium sized piece of heath boasting a large south facing
slope that is ideal for reptile viewing.

The Reserve

Dunyeats consists of mainly dry heath and dwarf gorse mix which is typical of
many of the Poole heathland reserves, added to this a large south facing slope which dominates a large part of the reserve.

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

What to see

The reserve's landscape makes it an excellent site for reptiles, notably for rare smooth snakes. 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, home to palmate and smooth newt and a large amount of common insect species including dragonflies. The north east corner of the reserve holds a further two more ponds, home to common frogs and toads, smooth and palmate newts. Hidden in the mainly coniferous woodland these well established neutral water bodies also attract the grass snake, and Kingfisher.

Latest

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As we enter the summer holiday season, when encounters with snakes tend to peak, our Conservation Director Jim Foster comments on adder warning signs and highlights new guidance from ARC

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 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.