East Gore

Size: 5.6 Ha

Ownership: Forest Enterprise

Designation: SSSI, SAC, Ramsar

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

Access: Morden Road B3075

Grid ref: SY 92335 90411

The Reserve

East Gore consists of dry heath located just north east of our Great Ovens reserve. Hidden within Gore Heath plantation East Gore’s habitats mirror that of its larger neighbour Great Ovens. Mainly dry heath with some humid heath areas and a small pond, the south and western edges of the reserve are dominated by pine plantation.

What to see

East Gore is home to all six native reptile species. These are the Sand Lizard (Lacerta agilis);Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara);Slow-worm (Anguis fragilis); Grass Snake (Natrix natrix); Smooth Snake (Coronella austriaca) and the Adder (Vipera berus)

The small pond attracts the Common Toad (Bufo bufo); Palmate Newt (Lissotriton helveticus); Common Frog (Rana temporaria) and Hawker Dragonflies.

Birdwatchers can enjoy sightings of the Nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus); Tree Pipit (Anthus trivialis) and Hobby (Falco subbutteo).

Latest

ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting 2021

This year's ARC-BHS Joint Scientific Meeting will be held virtually once again on Saturday 4th December 2021
SitH Group Reptile Survey Registration Form - Wilverley Plain
SitH Group Reptile Survey Registration Form - Holmsley Walk
Volunteering with ARC in Dorset

Take a look for our habitat management volunteer tasks on our Dorset reserves, every Wednesday running 10-3 come and help us out with managing our nature reserves.

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.